Haddock's Ghost.

Haddock’s Ghost.

One of the most famous ghost stories in Ireland is about the Haddock Ghost. It’s a tale about a ghost who returns to right a wrong.  James Haddock was a farmer who lived just outside Belfast, he died in 1657 but his spirit returned in order to demand justice to be done and the rightful heir to his property recompensed.  This story has the added interest as the ghost of James Haddock was recognised as existing by the celebrated bishop of the time Dr. Jeremy Taylor.

James Haddock had made a will in which he stipulated that his wife, Arminell should receive his manor house and the land surrounding it. His young son, John Haddock was to receive the rest of his property when he reached the age of 21. The executor of the will was a Mr Davis. Several years after James Haddock died Davis married Arminell and they had a son. Davis then altered Haddocks will and named his own son as the beneficiary of James Haddocks property instead of John Haddock, the rightful heir.

 Davis might have succeeded with his deception except for a number of unusual events. Late one night near the end of September Francis Taverner, a good friend of the late James Haddock was on his way home to Hillsborough when his horse suddenly stopped on the Drum Bridge near Brumbeg. Taverner climbed down from his horse and attempted to lead his horse forward when suddenly a figure in a white coat appeared. Taverner was shocked to see that this figure had an uncanny resemblance to his old friend James Haddock, but Haddock had died five years before.  The ghostly figure begged Francis Taverner to help his son get his rightful inheritance but the stunned Taverner refused, jumped on his horse and galloped quickly off the bridge.

Taverner was to claim later that a great wind rose up and he heard the sound of hideous screeches.

When he arrived home Taverner fell to his knees and asked god for his protection.  The following night just after midnight Taverner was sat by the fire with his wife when James Haddock appeared again. Taverners wife didn’t see the ghost of Haddock and it appealed to her husband for help. Haddock pleaded with Taverner to go to his widow and tell her that justice must be done for their son John. Once again Taverner refused so the ghost visited him every night for the next month.

Shaken and afraid, Taverner left his home and fled to Belfast to take refuge with a friend, but it did him no good, Haddocks ghost simply followed him. The ghost then demanded that Taverner go to Arminell and scold her in the harshest possible terms for her treatment of their young son. If Taverner continued to refuse then the ghost warned him that there would be severe consequences.

Taverner became desperate and went to his chaplain, John South, he confided in him all that had happened and begged him for guidance. The chaplain went to see the vicar of Belfast, Dr Lewis Downes and the three men then went to see Davis to tell him of the ghost’s message. Davis laughed at them and refused point blank to surrender the land, at this point the ghost of John Haddock told Taverner to take the matter to court. Francis Taverner explained to the ghost the futility of such action as he had no witness.

“Never mind” said the ghost, “I’ll be there and appear when called upon”.

The court case to return the estate to John Haddock was held in Carrickfergus. The opposing council abused Taverner and challenged him to call upon his ghostly witness if he could. He even went as far as mocking Taverner and shouting

“James Haddock, James Haddock” as his tone became even more insulting with his third summons “James Haddock” He received a rather unexpected response.

It was reported that a loud clap of thunder shook the courthouse and a ghostly hand draped in a shroud slowly appeared from the witness box and a spectral voice sounded,

“Is this enough”

The courtroom erupted and needless to say, the case was settled very quickly afterwards and Davis left the courthouse amidst the jeers and catcalls from the onlookers. Davis never made it home, as he was riding back to his house he was thrown from his horse and broke his neck. After this, Haddock’s ghost never bothered Francis Taverner again. Because the entire countryside were talking of these unusual events  Bishop Jeremy Taylor held an inquiry into the matter and after hearing all the evidence and listening to the accounts of all witnesses he deemed the case of James Haddock’s ghost to be true.

It was he said, “The only ghost who ever answered a summons in a court of law”

One final twist in the story. James Haddock was buried in Drumbeg Parish Church graveyard in the 17^th century but it is said that his tombstone will not stand upright. Even after repeated attempts to place it in an upright position it continues to fall over. It still lies flat on the ground of the family plot to this day surrounded by moss and grass. Of Arminell no more was written.