Why did folks in the olden days believe their grandfather clocks to be haunted?

Question

as I've read this a couple of times.

strange ... coz I wrote a poem abt a very haunted GF clock once b4 I'd read some history abt this

but anyway ... any info on that?
ty

Answer 1

Grandfather clocks were once in many homes and while not the only clock were at least the most prominent clock.
There were many reports of these clocks stopping at the time of death of a person who lived in the household (for example when my husband died the clock stopped). Further reports said that clocks would always stop (or always chime) at the hour the person died.
Not very difficult to see why with these reports people might regard the clock as haunted by the person.
Now how true these reports were would have to be investigated on an individual basis but there were many such reports (and while less so today there are still such reports).

Answer 2

Songs about haunted grandfather clocks have been permeating mainstream popular culture since the latter part of the 19th century. Most people will have heard of this, at least indirectly. I can remember my grandfather, who was born in the 1880's, teaching me the origninal song 'My Grandfather's Clock'.

The words to this song, and good history of the phenonem are on Wikipedia at
andhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Grandfather%27s_Clock

Answer 3

Grandfather clocks were invented in the 1600's drawing inspiration from Galileo. They didn't keep accurate time until it was found the taller they are the better they kept time. I imagine that if you had one in your home and saw it in the dark it would look like an ominous figure, not to mention your own reflection if it had a glass front to show the pendulum and weights.

The spooking gong, clicking and whirring of the wheels inside, makes it seem alive.

Answer 4

In the quiet of the night (believe me it was very quiet) the ticking sounds like hammer shots. In between some crunching sounds of the gears and sounds of the chain could also be heard.

Further as the night progressed and you became exhausted and fell to sleep the chimes going off every 15 min woke you up again.

At some stage you are so exhausted you only wake up after the chime but the sound sort if continue in the sound box. It is at this stage that you hear some voices of dead people.
And to crown it all - There is no light switch to relieve you out of your misery.

Answer 5

An object can become haunted of the spirit is attached to it. i could be a grandfather clock or any other object.
BB

Answer 6

Apparently people still believe in haunted grandfather clocks (see link). The only reason I can think of is that, just like with the "god of the gaps", ghosts and spirits are blamed for things people don't understand or can't immediately explain. Grandfather clocks are complex machines with potential for noise-making--a perfect place for a "ghost" to inhabit.

http://www.ghost-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3149&mode=threaded&pid=35497

Answer 7

My mother felt the same about her clock, I think it has to do with time, and something old about a grandfather clock that gives it , its mystery.

Answer 8

I never knew about this one - but I suspect it was maybe a myth or some kind of connotation relating to the bell strikes or something...?

Answer 9

In the olden days?You'll find plenty right now.Point out any object.Tell people it's haunted.Make up a little story to go with it.Many folks will believe it on just your word.

Answer 10

it is based on the jewish custom of sealing evil spirits in boxes. they used whatever box was handy and frequently they used clocks.