The Perron Family Case

By Crusader1307

 While the name ''Perron'' may not register, all are very familiar with the 2013 Paranormal Horror Film ''The Conjuring''. The very scary Film (and it's subsequent sequels) are a large ''made up '' work about The Perron Family and their terrifying experiences in their Farmhouse between 1971 and 1980. ''Made up?'' - yes you read that right. The Events were ''so scary'' that when Film Producers optioned it, they felt that audiences would ''leave the Theater''. The Conjuring was based on the 2011 book ''House of Darkness, House of Light'', written by older daughter Andrea Perron. By Her account, The Film was only ''5% accurate''. Screenwriters changed much to make the Film ''less scary''. But the ''real story'' (or at least the legend of it'', goes as follows.....

The Perron Family (Mother, Father and five Daughters of various ages), moved into their Harrisville, Rhode Island (US) ''Farmhouse'' in 1971. The ''Home'' (14-Rooms) – known as The ''Arnold Estate'' was built in 1693, and sat on 200-acres. Eight Generations of Arnold's had lived their. But almost immediately, ''strange things'' (subtle at first), began to happen. Most of the ''activity'' was focused on Mother (Carolyn). Whenever She tried to ''sweep the Kitchen Floor'', the broom would disappear. It would show up in the ''oddest of places''. Worst still, after sweeping up everything, and leaving for just a seconds – small piles of ''dark earth'' would be found on the Kitchen Floor. Next came the ''standard'' Poltergeist Activity, such as drawers opening and closing – as well as doors. Light would go ''on and off'' and ''things'' would simply ''vanish for weeks at a time''. Then came ''The Smell''. The Family reported the distinct odor of ''rotting flesh'' throughout The Home. It would come, last a few minutes and go away. It was worse in The Basement. Father (Roger), would report that it was ''always cold'' with a ''foul smell''. Soon, the Family was experiencing ''bruises, scratches and even bites'' all over their body'' – while they sleep. And almost all of them experienced the phenomenon known as ''Night Terrors''.

After several years, Mother got curious. She began to research The Arnold Estate and found out some very good reasons ''why'' their Home seemed ''off''. According to local lore, The Arnold's may have been Landlords to a small hut or cabin on their property. It was occupied by Bathsheba Sherman. It was said She was a ''Black Witch'' and Conjurer. But some records stated that She and Her Husband lived relative quite lives, even going to Church. But sadness struck Bathsheba. All 3 of Her Children would die of various illnesses before they reached 7. This in and of itself, was not unusual. The high mortality rate in late 17th Century and early 18th Century America was high and from many sources. It is even unclear if their was any ''bad blood'' between Sherman and The Arnold's. But, as it goes....Bathsheba placed a ''hex'' on The Family. EVERY Generation would suffer Death!

The Perron's ''problems'' became locally known and would fall to the attention of famed Paranormal Investigators, The Late Ed and Lorraine Warren. Noted for their Cases involving The Enfield (England) Poltergeist and infamous Amityville (Long Island, US) Haunting, with their arrival...things became ''interesting''. Lorraine (a Psychic), stated She could ''feel'' the malevolent Spirit of Bathsheba. ''She'' was angered over another ''woman'' (Carolyn), taking over The Home (which She had in turn taken over and remained after Her death around 1812). Further, there were ''other Spirits'' in The House, all seemingly ''under Bathsheba's ''control''. The Warrens also ''heard'' voices ''bemoaning the fact'' that there was ''7 Dead Soldiers, buried in The Wall'' (over and over). The Walls of The Home were too thin to support ''remains'' (although The Warrens felt perhaps bones). Nothing was found, but MUCH later research determined that while no Revolutionary War Battles were fought on the land, it was a sure bet that many Rhode Island Militias may have quartered their in the Winter (and likewise, some may have died of the cold). Investigators in the 1990s used ground penetrating radar outside, and found several ''anomalies'' consistent with graves. The then Owners would not give permission for a dig. Many surmise that ''these'' could be the ''Dead Soldiers'' and even the cause of the often ''putrid smell'' experienced in The House.

The Warrens also learned that indeed, MANY Armold's died in The House. From suicides (hangings), to gunshot wounds, to even several Arnold Children drowning under ''mysterious circumstances'' are documented. This may explain the ''hundreds'' of ''Spirits'' encountered. The Warrens conducted several seances in an attempt to ''contact and appease'' Bathsheba. In both Cases, violent activities happened. Beds rose several feet off the ground and came smashing down, some of the Daughters were ''picked up off their beds and flung down onto their bedding (without serious injury). But Mother got the worst of it. During the last such séance, ''Bathsheba'' actually possessed Carolyn. ''She spoke in a deep harsh voice'' in a language that to date has never been identified. Carolyn was ''thrown repeatedly'' from her wooden chair (so much that The Warrens actually tied to it). When they did this, Carolyn (and the Chair) ''rose up int the air'' and came crashing down. Carolyn ''regained control of Her faculties'', but Her Husband had had enough. Her mental health ans well as physical well-being had drastically decreased of late. Appreciative of The Warrens ''help'', He asked them to stop the investigation and leave. They complied. The Family (Carolyn and The Daughters) did maintain contact with The Warrens thru the years. They stated that – while the ''activities did NOT really stop'', they greatly ''decreased in occurrence and severity''. Still, being unable to move due to financial issues, The Perron Family were able to leave (sell) their ''dream home'' in 1980. The Warrens openly declared up to their deaths, that The Arnold Estate was one of their ''worst'' and ''disturbing'' of Cases.

Future ''Owners'' stated that they experie3nced nothing ''out of the ordinary'' between 1980 and now. Their biggest problem (and why some have still moved'), was the 2013 release of The Film (which brought about the ''curious'' – all wishing to ''experience something''. MANY Paranormal Investigations have been performed. Most agree that The House is still ''active'', but not malevolent. It is unknown if Bathsheba is still ''present'' and serving as ''Ring Leader'' to The ''Others''.