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Squire Cabell's Ghostly Hunt

Church, Buckfastleigh, Devon Apparition Pre-Victorian

Buckfastleigh Church stands sentinel over the sleepy Devon town, its ancient stones bearing witness to a legend that has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike. On dark, stormy nights, the ghost of Squire Cabell is said to emerge from his tomb, a spectral figure accompanied by a pack of hounds. This eerie procession sets off across the nearby moor, a haunting spectacle that has been linked by many to the inspiration behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles. The legend has become an integral part of local folklore, with many believing that the Squire's ghostly hunt is a harbinger of doom or a portent of some sort.

Historical records indicate that Squire Cabell was a local landowner who lived in the 17th or 18th century, his exact dates unknown. The Cabell Tomb, where the Squire is said to be interred, remains a popular tourist attraction in its own right. According to local legend, if one runs around the tomb thirteen times before sticking a finger in the keyhole, the ghost can be felt licking the tip. While the origins of this ritual are unclear, it has become a well-known aspect of the Squire's haunting. The ghostly hunt itself is said to occur on stormy nights, when the weather is at its most turbulent. Witnesses describe the Squire and his hounds as a fleeting glimpse, a momentary apparition that vanishes as quickly as it appears.

Historical Context

The Cabell family were local landowners in Devon, with a history dating back to the 17th century.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Church
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Weather Dependent: Dark, stormy nights
Postcode Area
TQ11

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