THE CONJURING, THE PERRON FAMILY HAUNTING'S

THE PERRAN HAUNTING: UNCOVERING THE REAL-LIFE EVENTS THAT INSPIRED THE CONJURING MOVIE

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Between the years of 1971 and 1980, the Perron family would experience something that would become a well-known story in the world of paranormal phenomena. This famous case has fascinated people globally and even inspired the creation of the popular movie, The Conjuring.

Roger and Carolyn Perron, with their five daughters - Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April - embarked on a new chapter in their lives by relocating to the enigmatic Old Arnold Estate in Harrisville, Rhode Island. This original colonial home, along with a farm spanning 200 acres of land, was a significant acquisition for them. Acquired for $72,000 from the previous owner, Mr. Earl Kenyon, back in December 1970, the Perrons were soon to discover that their tranquil abode would transform into a hub of inexplicable occurrences, ranging from eerie noises and objects moving of their own accord to things way darker, scary and unpredictable.

Prior to their move, Kenyon advised Roger to "keep the lights on at night, for the sake of your family," instilling a sense of unease before the family had even settled in, it wasn't long before they began to comprehend the gravity of his warning. Upon their arrival, they were puzzled to find all the fireplaces sealed shut, a peculiar decision for a house situated in such isolation and vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. They're new house contained many dark secrets, secrets that would envelope their lives in the years to come.

KEY DETAILS OF THE PERRON FAMILY HAUNTINGS

The Old Arnold Estate

The house was originally constructed by the Arnold family, early colonial settlers in Rhode Island. The land on which it was built was part of a larger farming estate. The house was a traditional colonial structure designed for practicality, with multiple rooms and outbuildings meant to support a self-sustained farming life. During its early years, the estate was home to generations of the Arnold family, whose descendants lived on the property for over 100 years.

One notable member of the family, John Arnold, was born in the house in 1743. The estate saw births, deaths, and various family events over the years. Unfortunately, the house's history was marred by tragedies, with reports of several untimely deaths occurring on the property, including drownings, suicides, and accidents, which later fuelled the belief that the house might be haunted.

Throughout its long existence, the Old Arnold Estate witnessed key historical events. It stood through the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Industrial Age that transformed America. The house itself became an enduring symbol of early colonial life in New England.

Historical records suggest at least eight generations of the Arnold family lived and died at the estate, with some claims suggesting that certain spirits from these generations still lingered on the property.

The Perron Family

The Perron family’ excited to start their life at the house would experience strange noises, moving objects, physical attacks, and ghostly apparitions.

In the beginning, the haunting's seemed relatively benign. The daughters reported seeing small apparitions of children and friendly spirits who would play harmless pranks like moving objects or opening doors. The family also had an issue with foul odours, areas of the house would randomly smell of putrid rotting flesh.

April would play with a mysterious small apparition , it apparently telepathically revealed itself to be a boy named Oliver Richardson, on her first encounter he looked deathly pale and very frightened but became settled and befriended April.

Cindy was a conduit of sorts, having the bulk of contact from the various spirits occupying the house. When she was 2 months she was rushed to hospital with a birth defect, she died that night on the operating table, but would be revived and given a second chance, did she bring something back with her? An extra sensory perception? A key to connecting with the dead.

The Perrons decided to open the fireplaces to help warm the cold farmhouse, unfortunately the paranormal activity quickly escalated into more malevolent and frightening occurrences after this. Spirits began making their presence known in much more darker ways.

Specifically, Carolyn Perron, the mother of the family, was targeted the worst. Carolyn moved in at 29 years old but apparently the haunting's had such an adverse effect she began ageing rapidly, her skin wrinkling, losing weight and she reportedly lived in pain and discomfort.

Bathsheba Sherman

One of the central figures in the Perron haunting is the spirit of Bathsheba Sherman, a woman who allegedly lived in the 19th century on the property. Bathsheba was rumoured to have been a witch, accused of sacrificing her own child to the devil, though no legal charges were ever proven. Local legends suggest that she was involved in the occult and hanged for her crimes. After her death, it was believed that her spirit continued to haunt the land.

Carolyn Perron, in particular, seemed to be targeted by Bathsheba's spirit. Carolyn reported seeing visions of a woman with a broken neck, possibly Bathsheba. Bathsheba's spirit allegedly threatened Carolyn, wanting to claim her as a victim to take over her role as mistress of the house.

It would transpire that Carolyn had a pet dog before she moved into the house, tragically it died after being hit by a car, she'd called the dog 'Bathsheba', coincidence, premonition or something altogether stranger, as she decided after her dog died, she wanted to be away from the city, traffic and roads. A decision that would ultimately lead to The Old Arnold Estate.

Physical Attacks and Disturbances

As time went on, the paranormal events intensified, with violent physical interactions. Carolyn reported being slapped, pinched, and pushed by invisible entities. At one point, she even described being stabbed by a knitting needle, though no physical needle was found afterword.

Another terrifying event took place when Carolyn was assaulted in her bedroom by an entity wielding a coat hanger. The children who were unwinding downstairs heard their mother's cries emanating from her bedroom, and rushed upstairs to discover her unclothed and under a brutal attack.

The daughters also experienced horrifying encounters. Cindy, one of the Perron children, frequently heard voices telling her that "there are seven dead soldiers buried in the wall." They all witnessed shadows, apparitions, and disturbing events, including beds levitating or being flung around the room. It became almost routine for the kids to move their beds, sliding them back into place as they tried to ignore the chaotic daily occurrences.

ED AND LORRAINE WARRENS INVOLEMENT

In 1973, the Perrons sought help from renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens were famous for their work in cases of haunting's and possession, and they quickly identified the house as being infested with a demonic presence.

Lorraine Warren, a clairvoyant, claimed that the house had numerous spirits but that Bathsheba Sherman was the most dangerous. She believed Bathsheba's malevolent spirit was oppressing Carolyn Perron in an attempt to take her soul.

Ed and Lorraine Warren conducted a séance in an attempt to communicate with the spirits including Bathsheba and free the Perron family from the hauntings.

During one séance, things reportedly got out of hand. Carolyn Perron was allegedly possessed, speaking in tongues and being violently thrown across the room by an unseen force. This event terrified Roger Perron, and he demanded the Warrens leave the house, believing that their intervention had worsened the situation.

The Perrons would later argue that Bathsheba Sherman was never hanged and died an old women in 1925, Carolyn did some research and found a 93 year old women named Mrs John Arnold had hanged herself in the barn of the house many years before and upon seeing pictures, that she was the woman they recognised moving around the house at night with a broken neck.

THE PERRONS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE

After the Warrens’ involvement, the Perron family continued to experience haunting's, but they chose to remain in the house for financial reasons. Roger buried his head in the sand through a lot of the haunting's and events, his pride and lack of control of the situation pushed him apart from Carolyn and they'd become strangers in their own house, another casualty of the haunting's.

The family lived there for nearly a decade, enduring the strange and terrifying activity before they eventually moved out in 1980.

Even after moving, the family remained haunted by their experiences, with some members believing that certain spirits may have attached themselves to them. Andrea Perron, the oldest daughter, wrote a three-volume series called House of Darkness House of Light, which chronicled their time in the house and provided a more detailed account of the haunting than the film The Conjuring.

CLAIMS AND SCEPTISIM

While the Perrons and the Warrens firmly believed that the house was haunted, there has been significant scepticism about the events. Some critics argue that the stories were exaggerated or even fabricated for publicity, especially since many of the events are based on anecdotal evidence. Below are some prosaic explanations sceptics have put forward to explain the haunting's.

Old House Creaks and Settling

Sceptics suggest that the strange noises and movements in the house were likely due to the age of the farmhouse, with creaking floors, draughty windows, and the house settling over time.

Structural Issues

The farmhouse may have had issues such as faulty wiring causing EMF spikes, poor insulation, and drafts that could create unusual phenomena like flickering lights or cold spots.

Psychological Stress

Living in an isolated, old house, combined with financial stress or family dynamics, may have heightened the family's sensitivity to perceived paranormal activity.

Sleep Paralysis

Some experiences of feeling a presence or being unable to move could be attributed to sleep paralysis, a condition where a person is aware but unable to move during the transition between sleep and wakefulness.

Confirmation Bias

The family’s belief in the haunting may have influenced their perception of normal events as supernatural, especially after hearing local folklore about the property.

Overactive Imaginations

The eerie atmosphere of the house, combined with the family's knowledge of ghost stories or their own expectations, may have led them to misinterpret normal events as paranormal.

Local Legends and Folklore

The story of Bathsheba Sherman being a witch could have fuelled the family's fears, causing them to attribute any strange occurrences to a supernatural cause rather than seeking a rational explanation. Bathsheba Sherman, was never officially charged with witchcraft, and as mentioned earlier, historical records do not support some of the more extreme claims made about her.

Nonetheless, the Perron family’s experiences have become legendary in the paranormal community.

THE CONJURING (2013)

The Conjuring a supernatural horror film directed by James Wan, is based on the real-life experiences of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The movie follows the Warrens as they are called to help the Perron family, who are being terrorised by increasingly disturbing paranormal activity in their farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island.

Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), experienced in dealing with supernatural cases, investigate and discover that the house is haunted by the malevolent spirit of a woman named Bathsheba Sherman, who once lived on the property and was accused of witchcraft. Bathsheba’s vengeful spirit is attempting to possess Carolyn to harm her children.

The Warrens, along with a priest, perform a harrowing exorcism to rid the house of Bathsheba’s presence, eventually saving the Perron family. The movie is praised for its atmospheric tension, jump scares, and its blend of supernatural horror with real-life paranormal events.

LEGACY OF THE HAUNTING

The Perron haunting remains one of the most famous paranormal cases in history, primarily due to the popularity of The Conjuring film franchise. The actual farmhouse has since become a destination for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts, with some investigators claiming that paranormal activity continues on the property to this day.

The Perron family, especially Andrea Perron, continues to share their story with those interested in the paranormal, describing the haunting as something that changed the family's lives forever.

SO WHO OWNS THE HOUSE NOW?

Bought in 2022 at auction for $1.525 million the current owner is Jacqueline Nuñez.

Since Jacqueline acquired The Conjuring House, she has wholeheartedly embraced its spectral history and confronted various paranormal phenomena. She has transformed it into a destination attracting individuals in search of spiritual enlightenment and an exhilarating encounter with the mysterious.

SCPUK CONCLUSION

At SCPUK, we are convinced that the Perron haunting holds validity, and we do not believe that Bathsheba Sherman played any role in it. Rather, she appears to have been unfairly targeted by a damaging rumour that evolved into folklore over time. We acknowledge the Warrens' expertise in conducting historical research on the locations they investigate, and the myth of Bathsheba as a child-killing witch provided a compelling narrative for Lorraine to combat in order to assist the Perrons. The intensification of the haunting following the Warrens' intervention suggests the involvement of a darker and more powerful force that even they were unable to comprehend.

Although we believe in this haunting we also feel certain physical tolls taken on the family were caused more by the stress of the situation and not the spirits themselves, for example Carolyn's premature aging and pains were probably not the ghost of Bathsheba absorbing the lifeforce of Carolyn, more Carolyn's mental state affecting her physically.

We attribute the manifestation of spirits experienced by the Perrons to the area's dark past, including the Civil War atrocities, drownings, and suicides, as well as the ominous history predating the Perron family's arrival. Earl Kenyon, the previous owner, had sealed the fireplaces and warned Roger of malevolent forces within the house. Tragic events frozen in time, coupled with Carolyn Perron's potential ability as conduit to the dead, unleashed a haunting that would leave a lasting mark on the family.