The Witch of Plum Hollow
Jane Elizabeth Barnes, otherwise known as Mother Barnes, or the Witch of Plum Hollow, was a famed seer residing in a rural Rideau Lakes cabin near Plum Hollow in the mid-1800s. Born in Ireland as the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, Mother Barnes was famous for her divination and was much sought after for her gifts. John A. Macdonald consulted her on numerous occasions for political assurances; she helped police locate missing persons and animals, and she aided people in recovering lost or stolen items. Mother Barnes passed away in 1886. Newspaper articles published across the country at the time of her death noted that she helped thousands of people who visited her home spanning 50 years. Previously in disrepair, her small cabin has since been meticulously renovated while keeping its original look.
Look at this CBC story featuring a local Rideau Lakes family member! Then, read more about Mother Barnes and then continue on learning about Plum Hollow
Jane Wiltse house
Plum Hollow Cheese Factory on the left and the home of the legendary Claude Flood (cheesemaker) at the right of the factory. Note an old barn in the background.
Plum Hollow Baptist Church
Did you know that the Plum Hollow Cheese Factory was once famous as well? It was known for the best curd in the region and the cheesemaker, Claude Flood, was as legendary as his cheese. Read this post detailing an article on Flood and factory from the Ottawa Citizen in the 1950s. Although the cheese factory isn’t operational anymore, today Plum Hollow still sports the beautiful landscape of hills and valleys that once drew settlers to call the fertile land home.
Similarly, Salem’s name conjures images of witches and fire, but there were no stakes here! Salem is located on the Western edge of the township, and saw its first settlers in the late 1820s. The Salem area soon had a prosperous feel to it, with five stone houses, accenting other early stone, wood-frame and red brick houses around the area. The Salem Cheese Factory produced almost 100,000 lbs. of cheese annually. Even now, three houses from the mid-1800s remain: the Samuel Ripley house, the Alba Taggart house, and the William Ewing house. Each is a one-and-a-half storey, stone house and each retains its original appearance. Read more about Salem.
Salem grocery store
