Daniel Defoe 
A True Relation of the Apparition of one Mrs. Veal 

The Apparition of Mrs. Veal is a pamphlet written by Daniel Defoe and published anonymously in 1706. Title in its entirety A True Account of Mrs. Veal’s Apparition to Mrs. Bargrave in Canterbury the Day After His Death. The date of September 8, 1705, has been dubbed ’the earliest contemporary ghost story.’ The booklet describes a Canterbury resident, Mrs. Bargrave, who is visited by Mrs. Veal, an old acquaintance and former neighbor who claims he wants to catch up before departing on a trip. Mrs. Veal began by reviewing a book about death and friendship before asking her friend to write a letter to her brother detailing a variety of presents she wanted him to make. He also disclosed that his lockable cabinet had a gold-filled wallet. Mrs. Bargrave went outside to fetch her daughter, and when she came back, Mrs. Veal had left the home and was waiting in the street, ready to depart. Mrs. Veal excuses herself and walks away.