Can Andrew Jacksons alleged encounter with the Bell Witch be proven?
No. Research of real estate records and Jackson’s journals indicates that he owned property in the Red River Settlement and often visited the area–including the home of one “John Bell.” There is no documentation indicating that Jackson actually had an encounter with the “Bell Witch.” When I use the term “documentation,” I am referring to an eyewitness account written by Jackson himself and the ink and signature authenticated. Also, there is considerable evidence that suggests Jackson was not even in the area during the time of the haunting. For the sake of additional insight and validation, I would really like to get my hands on the journals of some of Jackson’s “right hand men” at the time of the disturbances; however, a lack of time and money prevent me from doing so. I strongly suspect that the “witch-tamer with a silver bullet” in Jackson’s entourage (per the legend) was none other than Cpt. John Gordon (1763-1819), who was a scout, spy, and very close friend of Jackson. If the en
