With the release of the latest Conjuring film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, horror fans everywhere are diving back into the terrifying lore that inspired James Wan’s original masterpiece. But how much of The Conjuring was based on real events? Let’s revisit the chilling case of the Perron family and the infamous Rhode Island farmhouse that became known as The Conjuring House.
A Haunting in Harrisville: The Perron Family’s New Beginning
In 1970, Roger and Carolyn Perron moved into a sprawling, centuries-old farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, with their five daughters: Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April. Known historically as the Arnold Estate, the 200-acre property held secrets the family could never have imagined.
Unbeknownst to the Perrons, generations of tragedy had marked the land: suicides by hanging and poison, drownings, freezing deaths, and even a rumored child murder. While some of these stories are part of local legend and not all are historically verified, they added to the farmhouse’s dark reputation.
On move-in day, the previous owner reportedly warned Roger: “For the sake of your wife and children, leave the lights on at night.”
Strange Phenomena Begin
The disturbances began innocently enough: brooms disappearing and reappearing elsewhere, small piles of dirt on freshly cleaned floors, and gentle taps on kettles and walls. But things escalated quickly. The Perron daughters saw shadowy apparitions, felt cold spots move through rooms, and sensed unseen eyes following them. Beds levitated before slamming back down. The smell of rotting meat—considered in demonology a sign of a malevolent presence—sometimes filled the air.
Bathsheba Sherman: Witch or Wrongly Accused?
The most infamous entity tied to the farmhouse is Bathsheba Sherman, a 19th-century woman who lived nearby. Local lore accused Bathsheba of witchcraft after a baby in her care died from a mysterious wound said to resemble a sewing needle puncture. Though she was never convicted and lived until 1885, local gossip branded her a witch.
The movie depicts Bathsheba as a Satan-worshipping spirit who sacrificed a child and hanged herself from a tree on the property—but historians and genealogical records show Bathsheba did not die by suicide and likely never lived in the farmhouse itself. Still, the Perrons and paranormal investigators believed her spirit could have been one of many haunting presences.
Ed and Lorraine Warren Enter the Scene
Renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren—who had made their names in the 1960s and 70s—were called in after Roger Perron sought help from the church. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, and Ed, a self-proclaimed demonologist, visited the home several times.
During one séance, Carolyn Perron reportedly became unrecognizably altered—speaking in strange tongues, her voice deepening and cracking into an evil cackle. Witnesses claimed her chair levitated and she was thrown across the room. Contrary to the movie’s exorcism scene, Lorraine insisted no formal exorcism was performed, as only Catholic priests can carry those out.
The frightening séance ended abruptly when Roger Perron, fearing for his wife’s safety, demanded the Warrens leave. Activity reportedly calmed afterward, though the family continued to share their home with spirits until they moved out in 1980.
Life After the Haunting
Andrea Perron, the eldest daughter, later chronicled the experience in her memoir series House of Darkness, House of Light, which inspired The Conjuring. Today, the Harrisville farmhouse—popularly dubbed The Conjuring House—has become a paranormal attraction. Current owners have hosted overnight investigations, and many modern paranormal researchers claim to have witnessed unexplained events there.
Why The Conjuring Still Terrifies Us
The story endures because it blends verifiable history, chilling folklore, and first-hand accounts into one of the most famous haunted house legends ever told. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the Perron haunting is a reminder that the line between reality and nightmare can sometimes blur.
Written by Lauren Campbell | Edited by Hauntic.com
