Regency Folklore: The Groaning Tree

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THE GROANING TREE In the early part of last century the inhabitants of a in the north of England were alarmed by the that a tree in a neighbouring forest was frequently heard utter groans Many persons witnessed the phenomenon while the more sensible part of the auditors tried to find some natural cause of so strange a circumstance persons imagined a multitude of horrible murders of they said it was a supernatural testimony The of the ground where it grew fenced it round and it for money to a vast number of people who flocked all parts to listen to these vegetable lamentations It proposed to cut down the tree to discover whence the originated The proprietor as may be supposed refused consent alleging that so rash an act might prove to the undertaker A man however undeterred by the dan ger watched an opportunity and felled the tree in spite its owner It then appeared that a pipe running a conside rable distance under ground formed a communication the tree and a place where a person was concealed who ut tered the groans

This story appeared in the May 1824 Lady’s Monthly Museum.

 

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