Sue St.Clair and Matthew Didier's Paranormal Blog

Exciting news for Canadian paranormal enthusiasts, and those living abroad! Not only has a new book been released about Mother Barnes (please see our entry on The Witch Of Plum Hollow) by author Patti Miller, but the cabin owned by Mother Barnes has been refurbished and is having a grand opening on Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend! Patti's new book will be launched at the same time. How cool is that!

Here is some more info on the book:

Mother Barnes, The Witch of Plum Hollow – A Collected History (2007).

Published by local author. Patti Miller

Credited with solving a murder, locating the capital of our nation and many other wondrous acts, Mother Barnes is a character of legend and mystery, but she really did live in the tiny cabin with all those children. And many came to her door seeking to have their fortunes told. Sir John A. Macdonald is reputed to have visited her on at least two occasions.

Many articles written about Mother Barnes have been in the fairly recent past and are still protected by copyright. As such, these pieces have not been reproduced, but a list of books, magazines and newspaper articles has been provided for further reading. By in large, the later accounts draw heavily on the material collected from the public domain contained in this volume.

This is not a work of fiction. Mother Barnes was a minor character in the Ferryman’s Wife. She was also a woman that continues to garner fascination.

Mother Barnes – The Witch of Plum Hollow – A Collected History brings together for the first time the newspaper accounts of the Harter / Doxtater murder, trial and execution. It is said that Mother Barnes located the body of the young American allegedly murdered by his cousin.

Mother Barnes – The Witch of Plum Hollow – A Collected History also includes first hand reports of the story of the Dagg Poltergeist. It is said that George Dagg traveled to the small cabin of Mother Barnes, just outside Athens, Ontario from his home in Shawville, Quebec, to seek the help of Mother Barnes.

Grandson Roy Barnes prepared a leather-bound manuscript complete with blocked lettering and period sketches to celebrate the life of his famous grandmother. With the permission of his son Morley, it has been included in Mother Barnes – The Witch of Plum Hollow – A Collected History.

Shirley Gibson-Langille has drawn several pieces on the Mother Barnes theme and these too have been included alongside census records, the last will and testament of Jane Elizabeth Barnes and newspaper articles written at the time of her death in 1891.

Patti will be on hand for the opening of Mother Barnes’ cabin to the public on Sunday, July 15, 2007 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Patti Miller lives near Stratford, Ontario with her husband Dan, daughter Anne, cat Spyke and ever-so-lovable puppy Albert. She is currently indexing a series of books written by Vera McNichol, another famed fortune teller from Canada’s past.

Other Books by Patti Miller

The End of the Roman Line – The Story of Johannah Donnelly (2001)

The Ferryman’s Wife (2003) For more information please visit www.cyg.net/~miller

To order your copy of Mother Barnes, The Witch of Plum Hollow – A collected history, please send $19.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling to:

UPDATED December 29th 2010

Patti Miller
32-39 Borden Street
Stratford,Ontario
N5A 7W4

This book is definitely going on my summer must-read list!

Cheers!
Sue