The Chair of Death: A Cursed Relic of Misfortune

Introduction

Throughout history, there have been many objects rumored to be cursed, but few have such a chilling reputation as the "Chair of Death". Also known as Busby’s Stoop Chair, this unassuming wooden chair is said to have caused the deaths of countless individuals who dared to sit in it. Now safely secured in a museum, its deadly legacy continues to intrigue paranormal enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

But what is the dark history behind this infamous piece of furniture? How did it earn its sinister name? And are the hauntings real, or just legend? Let’s dive into the story of the Chair of Death—one of the most haunted objects in the world.

The Origins: A Murder and a Curse

The origins of the Chair of Death date back to the 17th century in North Yorkshire, England. The story begins with Thomas Busby, a local man known for his short temper and love of drinking. Busby was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of Daniel Auty (or sometimes spelled "Awety"), who was involved in counterfeiting operations. The two men frequently clashed, especially over Busby’s treatment of Elizabeth.

One night in 1702, an argument between Busby and Auty turned deadly. The reason? Busby’s favorite chair.

As the story goes, Busby returned home one evening to find Auty sitting in his beloved wooden chair. Enraged, he ordered Auty to leave, but their conflict escalated. Later that night, Busby followed Auty back to his home, murdered him, and hid the body. It wasn’t long before Busby was caught, tried, and sentenced to death for his crime.

Before his execution, Busby placed a curse on his chair, declaring that anyone who sat in it would meet an untimely and tragic end. He was hanged at a gibbet near the crossroads in Thirsk, and the spot later became known as Busby Stoop—a name that still exists today.

The Haunting and the Cursed Deaths

At first, the legend of the cursed chair was little more than local folklore. However, as time passed, a disturbing pattern began to emerge—those who sat in the chair seemed to meet horrific fates.

Some of the most famous alleged victims of the chair’s curse include:

💀 The Two Airmen (World War II)

During World War II, a group of Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots stopped by the Busby Stoop Inn, where the chair remained on display. Two airmen, unaware of the legend, sat in the chair, laughing off the curse. That same evening, they were involved in a fatal car accident on the way back to base.

💀 The Delivery Man (1970s)

One of the most chilling stories involves a delivery man who visited the inn in the 1970s. As a joke, he sat in the chair, despite warnings from locals. Within hours, his truck veered off the road, crashing into a ditch—killing him instantly.

💀 The Roofer (1970s)

A local roofer, after hearing about the legend, decided to test his luck and sat in the chair while taking a break. Later that day, he fell to his death from the roof he was working on.

💀 The Cleaning Lady’s Near Miss

One of the last known interactions with the chair involved a cleaning lady at the Busby Stoop Inn. While dusting, she accidentally bumped into the chair, briefly sitting in it. Shortly after, she developed a serious illness and was forced to retire early.

By this point, the death toll linked to the chair was too high to ignore. The owner of the Busby Stoop Inn, unwilling to take any more chances, decided to remove the chair from the premises.

The Chair’s Final Resting Place

In 1978, the infamous Chair of Death was donated to the Thirsk Museum, where it remains today. However, museum staff take no risks—it is now suspended high up on the wall, completely out of reach. No one has sat in it since.

Despite being locked away, visitors to the museum still report strange feelings, such as:🔮 Sudden chills when standing near the chair🔮 A sense of dizziness or nausea🔮 The feeling of being watched

Many believe Busby’s curse remains active, warning that if the chair were ever sat in again, its deadly streak would continue.

Conclusion: Would You Sit in the Chair?

The story of the Chair of Death is one that continues to fascinate paranormal enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the eerie coincidences surrounding those who sat in the chair are hard to ignore.

Is the chair truly cursed, or are these deaths merely a series of tragic accidents? No one knows for sure—but no one is willing to test it either.

Would you sit in the Chair of Death? Or have you visited the Thirsk Museum and seen it for yourself? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!