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A Plattsburg Haunted House - 1877

One of the earliest reported ghost sightings in the region appeared in 1877. A Newcastle newspaper’s Wallsend correspondent wrote of “a deal of excitement” in Plattsburg (now part of Wallsend) over rumors that a house on Devon Street was haunted Crowds of curious onlookers gathered at night, and even a local constable kept watch, suspecting a prank. According to the report, those present heard “a noise like a stone or ball rolling along the house… [which] stopped with a hollow thud, accompanied with a hissing” noise This mysterious disturbance fueled speculation that a ghost was responsible. The August 23, 1877 edition of the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate documented this “Real Ghost Story” on page 2 trove.nla.gov.au, making it one of the first long-form ghost narratives in Hunter Valley’s press. Here it is - the original comes from trove.nla.gov.au A Real Ghost Story. [FROM OUR WALLSEND CORRESPONDENT.] A DEAL of excitement has been caused in Plattsburg by the rumour that a certain house in Devon street was haunted. On Monday night a large number of people assembled in front of the house to listen to the strange noises that were made from time to time, the constable being also on the spot, thinking that some trick was being played. After waiting some time a noise like a stone or ball rolling along the house for a short distance was heard, then stopped with a hollow thud, accompanied with a hissing noise. The constable ran round the house, thinking to catch the trickster, but there was nothing there. "By Jove," he says, " I don't believe in ghosts, hobgloblins, or fairies, but that's a queer noise!" One of the females in the house with more courage than the rest, spoke up and said, "Be you ghost or devil, speak, that we mayknow what you are."
Afterwards a slight knocking was heard like a rat-tat-tat; then a distinct knock. This ghost is unlike the general run ofghosts - it makes itself heard in the daytime as well as midnight, for it was distinctly heard several times this morning. The house in which this disturber of the peace is located is built of weatherboard, and lined inside with pine, and the proprietor intends to pull that part of the house down where the noise is principally heard, to dislodge, if possible, this spiritual visitant. The peculiar noise that is heard has been noticeable for some time. About two months ago a young man died there. Two hours after he died the same rat tat noise was heard that is discernable now. Writing again yesterday (Wednesday), our correspondent adds:- "The owner of the house alluded to, think-ing there is something supernatural about this extraordinary affair, has pulled down several weatherboards to find out the cause, but he told me to-day he could find nothing except one little mouse hole, cobwebs being thickly interlaced between the studs of the house, showing that nothing earthly had been there." Now, if you currently live in a house in Devon Street, Wallsend - do not fear! I am sure that the ghost is LONG GONE. But, if for any reason you may be haunted by random knocks in the night do not hesitate to call me. Big Love - Renata

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