Esther Cox and the Great Amherst Mystery

10 snips

Oct 13, 2025

Discover the eerie tale of Esther Cox, a young woman whose life spiraled into a haunting after a traumatic assault. Following strange occurrences in her Amherst home—like flying objects and mysterious knocks—she became a focal point for paranormal investigations. Various theories, from spiritualism to medical diagnoses, emerge as her plight captivates the public. Despite her attempts to escape the disturbances, the inexplicable phenomena seem to follow her. Ultimately, the legacy of the Great Amherst Mystery continues to spark intrigue and debate.

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ANECDOTE

Esther's Early Life And Character

Esther Cox was an 18-year-old living with family in Amherst, Nova Scotia, after a traumatic assault by Bob McNeil.
Her personality was described as helpful and hardworking despite not fitting conventional beauty norms.

ANECDOTE

First Nightmares Turn Physical

After the assault, Esther experienced dramatic physical episodes including rigidity, swelling, and screams at night.
Family members witnessed boxes jump and blankets throw themselves from the bed during these attacks.

INSIGHT

Experts Offer Competing Explanations

Medical and clerical observers debated causes, from 'nervous excitement' to stored electrical energy.
Local experts struggled to offer any practical remedy or consensus explanation.

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In the summer of 1878, eighteen-year-old Esther Cox was assaulted at gunpoint by a male acquaintance, leaving the Nova Scotia teenager traumatized and afraid. In the days that followed, Esther and those with whom she shared a house in rural Amherst began to notice unusual things occurring around the house including knocking on the walls and floors, objects flying around the house, and Esther suffering frequent seizures without any apparent cause.

In the months and years that followed, the “Great Amherst Mystery,” as it came to be known, was investigated by various clergy, scientists, and paranormal investigators, all intent on proving or disproving the poltergeist activity. While none of the investigators were ever able to identify the origins of the haunting in the Cox house, the attention made Esther a prominent national figure in spiritualist circles until several bad experiences led her to flee Canada for good several years later.

Thank you to the incredible Dave White for research and writing assistance!

References

Allen, Alexander. 1970. "Strange to relate." Windsor Star, August 22: 32.

Bird, Will R. 1932. "The Great Amherst Mystery." Star Weekly (Toronto, ON), November 19: 28.

Hamilton Spectator. 1878. "Spiritualism or diabolism ." Hamilton Spectator (Hamilton, ON), November 22: 4.

Hubbell, Walter. 1916. The Great Amherst Mystery: A True Narrative of the Supernatural. New York, NY: Brentano Publishing .

Moncton Dispatch. 1879. "The Amherst mystery." Moncton Dispatch, June 18: 1.

Ottawa Daily Citizen. 1878. "The Amherst mystery." Ottaway Daily Citizen, November 23: 1.

Prince, Walter. 1919. "A Critical Study of 'The Great Amherst Mystery'." Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research 89-130.

Smith, Emma. 2022.

The haunting of Esther Cox is still a mystery in Amherst.

October 20. Accessed October 7, 2025.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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