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Drummer of Tedworth

A poltergeist who haunted the house of Mr. John Mompesson, of Tedworth, Wilts, about the year 1661 and onwards. In March of that year Mompesson had had a vagrant drummer brought before a justice of the peace, whereby his drum was confiscated. The instrument was taken to the house of Mompesson, during the latter's absence, and immediately a violent poltergeist disturbance broke out. Apparitions were seen by members of the household, pieces of furniture were seen to move of themselves, small objects were flung about by invisible hands, the younger children were levitated as they lay in their beds, and there was a continual sound of drumming every night. The drummer, understood to be the cause of the trouble, was transported, when peace once more reigned in the afflicted household; but ere long he managed to return, when the disturbances broke out with renewed vigour. There is no first-hand account of this poltergeist, save that of Joseph Glanvil- Sadducismus Triumphatus, 1668-and though Glanvil is our authority for the whole story, that part of it which he himself declares to have witnessed is certainly not the most marvellous, but describes scratchings and pantings heard in the vicinity of the childrens' beds.