The birth of modern day Spiritualism started in Hydesville, New York, USA by the Fox sisters. In 1848 two sisters by the name of Margaretta and Catherine Fox, responded to rapping’s that were occurring in their home. They managed to establish a communication link with the Spirit communicator who turned out to be a pedlar known as had been murdered by the previous occupants and was buried in the cellar. Margaretta and Catherine both confessed to the rapping’s having been a fraud, but then retracted the statement saying the confessions were a result of financial difficulty.
In 1849 the first Spiritualist meeting was held, with their sister Leah, who became the first professional modern Medium. The sisters attracted a lot of attention, home circles became very popular and Spiritualist societies were created in America.
Three years later Spiritualism was brought to the UK by Mrs Hayden who as a result was slated by the religious men of the time. However, this did not curb the popularity of Spiritualism developing and expanding in the UK.
In 1904 the headless body of a man was discovered hidden behind the double wall of the Cottage. It is known that a pedlar known as Charles B Rosna was murdered in the cottage, in July of 1848 the cellar floor was excavated. The findings of the excavation included, pottery, quicklime, charcoal, human hair and bones, which later proved to be part of a human skull.
The pictures (Fox sisters and cottage remains) and text kindly provided by Graham Twyman, ISF Publicity Officer UK
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