The Legacy of the Witch of Plum Hollow

Melanie Chissimore aims to preserve the story of her ancestor, Jane Elizabeth Martin Barnes, also known as the Witch of Plum Hollow. It is believed that Barnes, who immigrated to Canada from Ireland, began telling fortunes as a means of survival after facing significant personal hardships, including the loss of her first husband and abandonment by her second. Her fortune-telling proved to be financially rewarding, earning her an amount equivalent to approximately $135,000 in today's money, significantly more than the average laborer's earnings at the time. Barnes' legacy continues as people leave coins at her grave, indicating a growing interest in her historical significance and the healing and magical traditions she represents.