Sue St.Clair and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

Mrs. Barnes Of Plum Hollow, Ontario, Canada

Mrs. Barnes was not really a witch in either a religious, philosophical, nor fairy tale sense. Nor did she actually live in “Plum Hollow.” However, Elizabeth Barnes became known throughout Ontario thusly and her reported “gifts” as a psychic have earned her a place in Ontario’s paranormal history..

Elizabeth was born in the year 1800 - County Cork Ireland. It is rumoured she was the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter (which has not been verified) and this was used to explain her most interesting “psychic” talents.

At a young age she eloped with an Irish sergeant, whom her family greatly disapproved of. The young couple emigrated to Canada, and settled in the Cobourg area. However, a few short years later Harrison (Elizabeth’s husband) passed away leaving Elizabeth a widow.

Still a very young woman at this time she remarried. Her second husband was a shoemaker by trade and together they were blessed with nine children. In 1843 the family moved to Sheldon’s Corners (near Plum Hollow). Apparently Mr. Barnes went on to live in Smith’s Falls leaving his family behind, and Elizabeth alone to support their children. It was at this time that she decided to use her fortune-telling abilities to earn some extra money.

Elizabeth achieved quite a bit of notoriety as a fortune-teller and is credited with helping solve the murder of Morgan Doxtater (his cousin Edgar Harter was tried, convicted and executed for the crime) in 1860. As word of her uncanny abilities spread, people throughout Canada and the US sought out Elizabeth, but it is reported she never charged more than 25 cents for her services.

She is also noted to have advised George Dagg who lived near Shawville Quebec and was seemingly plagued by poltergeists. She “felt” the eerie occurrences were actually perpetrated by three individuals dabbling in the occult.

Elizabeth was known throughout her life as a kind woman who was respected as a “wise woman” within her community. Mother Barnes - The witch of Plum Hollow - Elizabeth lived to be over ninety years of age and is buried in an unmarked grave in Sheldon’s Corners cemetery.

Sources:

Legends Told In Canada by Edith Fowke 1994 R.O.M

Leeds and Grenville Their First Two Hundred Years By R. Mckenzie 1967 McClelland & Stewart