Hosted by Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode explores the Great Amherst Mystery, a violent and heavily documented 1878 poltergeist haunting in Nova Scotia centered on 19-year-old Esther Cox. The hosts recount how Esther was plagued by an unseen force that caused her body to swell, threw objects, carved death threats into the walls, and repeatedly attempted to burn down her home while hundreds of witnesses watched in terror. The narrative details how skeptical actor Walter Hubble traveled to investigate the case, only to witness the paranormal phenomena firsthand and document them in his published book. Finally, the episode examines the potential trauma at the root of the haunting, revealing that Esther had survived a terrifying attempted assault by a man named Bob McNeil just two weeks before the events began.
The hosts open the episode and run through a series of sponsor advertisements before diving into the story.
Corinne and Sabrina introduce themselves and tease the upcoming true poltergeist story.
The hosts explain the historical context of Amherst, Nova Scotia, and introduce the Teed family’s cottage.
The family witnesses violent attacks, knocks, and a message written on the wall, while trying to keep the incident quiet.
The skeptical actor Walter Hubble travels to Amherst to debunk the haunting but becomes convinced of its reality.
A doctor arrives, dismisses the events as nervous excitement, yet witnesses supernatural occurrences like moving pillows.
The hosts wrap up the episode, noting the unresolved nature of the case and hinting at future exploration.
The hosts explain how Esther Cox’s diphtheria illness coincided with a brief lull in haunting activity.
Walter Hubble and John White plan to monetize Esther’s haunting by touring the town, hoping to prove it’s a hoax.
Esther’s first public show ends in a mob attack, forcing the trio to flee Amherst for safety.
Walter documents bizarre objects moving, a mysterious trumpet, and other supernatural occurrences in the house.
Despite various attempts, the hauntings continue until Esther marries Adam Porter in 1882, after which they abruptly cease.
A Violent Poltergeist Attack Beginsstory
The hosts introduce the 1878 case by describing how an unseen force physically targeted 19-year-old Esther Cox, causing her body to swell and violently ripping sheets off her bed.
Death Threat Carved Into Wallstory
Witnesses watch in horror as a metallic scratching sound forms letters on the bedroom wall, warning Esther Cox that she is marked to be killed.
Skeptic Plans to Debunk Hauntingstrategy
Actor Walter Hubble hears about the Canadian ghost story and travels to Nova Scotia specifically to prove the whole ordeal is a hoax.
The Doctor Witnesses Levitationinsight
A skeptical doctor visits the home and watches in astonishment as a pillow is pulled from under Esther's head, fluffs in midair, and returns.
Mysterious Stabbing and Pinned Objectsdata
Visitors watch as pins and needles materialize out of thin air and lodge themselves directly into Esther's body during violent attacks.
Diphtheria Brings Temporary Respitedata
During a two-week period when Esther falls dangerously ill with diphtheria, the supernatural activity completely stops before resuming upon her recovery.
The Terrifying Buggy Incidentstory
Just weeks before the haunting starts, Esther is taken on a carriage ride where a local man pulls a gun on her before an approaching carriage saves her.
“Esther Cox, you are mine to kill.”
“The Great Amherst Mystery, a true poltergeist haunting that took place in Nova Scotia in 1878.”
“It grows louder, more forceful, to the point where no one can tell where it's coming from, and it feels like it's closing in on them, surrounding them.”
“The bed ripping, the swelling, the hair, the physical attacks, the writing on the walls.”
“The second she recovers, the hauntings resume and the spirit, again, tries to burn the house down.”
“On March 3rd, 1882, when she married a man named Adam Porter.”
“The second she gets home, she jumps out of the wagon, runs inside, runs to her room, and never speaks to anyone about this incident.”
“The hauntings like subsided after her time in prison, like after a building was successfully burnt down.”
An invisible force plunged a knife into Esther Cox’s back not once, but twice. And somehow, that was only one of the terrifying incidents surrounding the Great Amherst Mystery, a bizarre 1878 poltergeist case involving flying objects, unexplained fires, spirit communication, and an unseen entity seemingly determined to torment Esther. We’re diving into one of the most heavily documented hauntings in history, including the skeptics and witnesses who saw the strange activity firsthand. But what exactly was following Esther, and why did the haunting refuse to leave her alone? Watch the video version here. Have ghost stories of your own? E-mail them to us at [email protected] New Episodes are released every Thursday and Sunday at 12am PST/3am EST (the witching hour, of course). Corinne and Sabrina hand select a couple of paranormal encounters from our inbox to read in each episode, from demons, to cryptids, to aliens, to creepy kids... the list goes on and on. If you have a story of your own that you'd like us to share on an upcoming episode, we invite you to email them to us! If you enjoy our show, please consider joining our Patreon, rating and reviewing on iTunes & Spotify and following us on social media! Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Discord. Edited and produced by Jaimi Ryan. Original music by Arms Akimbo! Disclaimer: the use of white sage and smudging is a closed practice. If you’re looking to cleanse your space, here are some great alternatives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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