|
Click
HERE to Bookmark Haunted Ontario
|
|
|
|
|
Donnelly Homestead
34937 Roman Line, R.R. #3
Built: 1845
Haunted: unknown
History
In 1845, the Donnelly family began squatting on the property, slowly clearing the land, building their home, and erecting a barn.
When their landlord decided to give half of their promised land to another family, a feud began that saw James Donnelly kill Patrick Farrell with a handspike to the head.
James was originally sentenced to death by hanging, but after much lobbying by his wife, had the sentence reduced to 7 years.
During his years in prison, James' children quicky became the town bullies, along with their tough-as-nails mother. The situation deteriorated with his release,
and deteriorated even further when he was unsuccessfully tried for arson.
Soon after, at the prompting of Father Connolly, a vigilante group came for justice on the evening of February 3, 1880.
Led by Constable James Carrol, the 35 men broke into the bedroom, handcuffed James, then beat him to the floor with their clubs
before stabbing him in the back with a pitchfork. They then beat Johannah senseless in the kitchen, beheaded the family dog,
murdered Bridget, subdued two of the Donnelly sons, and set fire to the house.
Souvenir hunters made off with Bridget's head and right arm; Johannah's head; Tom's liver; Will's heart;
and various other body parts.
Constable James Carrol and 5 other men were charged with murder, but were never convicted.
Hauntings
Past and current owners of the homestead have reported a feeling of sadness and depression in the kitchen, along
with the sound of a muffled voice asking questions like "don't you know this is my home?"
Once, while hanging laundry outside, the basket moved 6 metres away - yet there were no tracks in the snow.
It's not uncommon to be awakened at night by the sound of footsteps on the stairs, a crashing sound
(as if a car had hit the house), or the sound of a name being called by a soft, firm, masculine voice.
The apparition of a shadow has been seen on the shower curtain, as if someone were entering or leaving the bathroom. The
sound of footsteps can be heard walking across the deck to enter house.
The apparition of man and woman dressed in black, accompanied by two children wearing white lacy outfits, has been seen in the bedroom.
Visitors have reported a feeling of being watched in the barn, or of being crowded by unseen presences. The sound of
footsteps can be heard in the straw, along with the sound of an old handsaw.
The apparition of a headless horse has been seen galloping across the fields, and it is said that
horses ridden near the Donnelly homestead on the night of February 3rd will refuse to pass, go beserk if forced,
and (in 3 documented cases) die mysteriously. Blue balls of lightning have also been seen rolling across road on the night of February 3rd.
Further Reading
The Donnelly Homestead Site Tour
|
|
|
|
Haunted Ontario was first launched July 27th, 2000.
|
|
|
|
|
