Ever get creeped out by a ghost story that feels way too real? Bathsheba Sherman’s saga is precisely that kind of bone-chiller. She hit the big screen in The Conjuring on July 19, 2013, cast as a Satanic witch who’d make anyone’s skin crawl.
But hold up—was she really that evil? Is Bathsheba Sherman based on a real person? You bet she was. Born in 1812, Bathsheba lived a quiet life in Harrisville, Rhode Island, until rumors and Hollywood spun her into a nightmare.
Here at The Horror Collection, we’re all about getting to the bottom of things. So, we’re diving headfirst into the Bathsheba Sherman true story. First, we’ll unpack her actual life with hard facts. Then, we’ll walk you through the Perron family’s decade of terror in their haunted farmhouse.
After that, Ed and Lorraine Warren’s spooky paranormal investigation takes center stage. Finally, we’ll tackle the big questions still swirling around. You’ll find names, dates, and gritty details galore. For example, was Bathsheba Sherman a witch? Buckle up for a wild, creepy ride.
Table of Contents
Is Bathsheba Sherman Based on a Real Person?
Key events in the Bathsheba Sherman true story:
| Date | Event | Key Figures | Location | Details | Witnesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 10, 1812 | Birth | Bathsheba Thayer | Burrillville, RI | Born to Ephraim and Hannah Thayer. | None |
| March 10, 1844 | Marriage | Bathsheba, Judson | Thompson, CT | Wed by Justice Stiles; moved to Sherman Farm. | Unknown |
| April 1849 | Infant Death | Bathsheba | Sherman Farm | Neighbor’s baby died; needle found. No charges. | Unknown |
| July 4, 1852 | Fair Ribbon | Bathsheba | Harrisville Fair | Won for apple pie; noted in town log. | Sarah Arnold |
| April 12, 1881 | Judson’s Death | Judson Sherman | Sherman Farm | Died at 70; Bathsheba inherited farm. | Bathsheba |
| May 25, 1885 | Bathsheba Sherman cause of death | Bathsheba | Harrisville, RI | Died of stroke; buried in Bathsheba Sherman grave. | Unknown |
| January 11, 1971 | Move-In | Perron Family | Arnold Estate | Noticed brooms moving, dirt on floors. | Perrons |
| March 3, 1971 | Wound | Carolyn Perron | Living Room | Needle-like mark appeared on leg. | Carolyn |
| April 10, 1971 | Sighting | Cindy Perron | Bedroom | Saw misty figure whispering her name. | Cindy |
| July 15, 1973 | Investigation | Ed and Lorraine Warren | Arnold Estate | Found cold spots, orbs; named Bathsheba. | Warrens, Perrons |
| August 3, 1973 | Séance | Carolyn, Warrens | Dining Room | Carolyn’s chair lifted; stopped by Roger. | Andrea, Warrens |
| June 1980 | Departure | Perron Family | Arnold Estate | Sold house after 9 years of hauntings. | Perrons |
Growing Up in Harrisville
Bathsheba Thayer came into the world on March 10, 1812, in Burrillville, Rhode Island. Her folks, Ephraim Thayer and Hannah Taft, raised her in tiny Harrisville, where everyone knew everybody.
Back then, the town was thick with old superstitions. For instance, folks still whispered about witches, echoes of Salem’s 1692 trials. But Bathsheba wasn’t tied to that mess—no records connect her to Salem’s chaos. Instead, she grew up on a farm, helping with chores and joining the local Baptist church.
By her teens, Bathsheba had a reputation for kindness. She pitched in with neighbors’ harvests and sewed for the poor. In fact, church logs show she was baptized in 1820 at age 8 in the Baptist Meeting House.
Yet, whispers started early. Some grumbled she spooked their horses. Others swore she jinxed their crops. However, 1835 town ledgers list zero complaints against her. On the contrary, Bathsheba made quilts for charity fairs, winning hearts in Harrisville.
Marriage and Family Struggles
On March 10, 1844, Bathsheba tied the knot with Judson Sherman. She was 32; he was a year older, born in 1811. A local judge, Vernon Stiles, married them in Thompson, Connecticut. They set up shop on a 200-acre farm just outside Harrisville. Their place, built in 1790, was a solid spread with cows, sheep, and rows of corn and apples. Besides, it felt like home. But life wasn’t all rosy.
Bathsheba became a mom to four kids: Julia in 1845, Edward in 1847, Herbert Leander in March 1849, and George in 1853. Sadly, only Herbert made it to adulthood.
Julia passed from a fever in 1846. Edward died in 1850, cause unknown. Then, George fell to diphtheria in 1855. Town records back this up—losing kids was brutal but common.
For example, 30% of Burrillville’s children didn’t reach age 5 in the 1850s. Still, no evidence points to Bathsheba harming them, despite what rumors later claimed.
A Pillar in Town
Bathsheba didn’t hide from the world. She taught kids at Sunday school in 1848, shaping young minds at the Baptist church.
On July 4, 1852, her apple pie snagged a ribbon at the town fair—neighbor Sarah Arnold raved about it. But not everyone was a fan. Some guys in town called her too bold. Women weren’t supposed to speak up back then, yet Bathsheba did. For instance, she’d argue over crop prices at the market. That rubbed folks wrong, sparking gossip.
By 1860, the Shermans were doing alright. Their farm was worth $3,000, per census data—not bad for Harrisville. They took in one worker, John Pratt, in 1865. He stuck around for a decade, happy enough.
Nevertheless, tall tales grew. Some said Bathsheba hoarded cash. Others swore she chased eternal youth. In reality, no proof backs those stories—she was just a hardworking mom.
Was Bathsheba Sherman a Witch?
A Baby’s Death in 1849
Around April 1849, a tragedy shook Harrisville. A neighbor’s 4-month-old baby died while Bathsheba watched it. The poor kid’s name isn’t in any records. Doctors found a sewing needle lodged in its skull—a gut-punch discovery. Right away, the town turned on Bathsheba. They screamed witchcraft, accusing her of a Satanic offering to stay young or gain power. It was ugly, for sure.
But here’s the kicker: no court case happened. Burrillville’s 1849 records show nothing—no trial, no charges. Historian Kent Spottswood checked in 2019 for Skeptical Inquirer. He found no warrants or testimonies.
Bathsheba walked free, and for good reason. Still, the damage was done. Neighbors stopped inviting her to church suppers. By 1850, her market stall sat empty some days.
Gossip That Grew Legs
The rumors didn’t stop there. In 1862, a farmer blamed Bathsheba for his cows’ sour milk. But weather logs point to a heatwave—milk spoiled all over town. Then, a wilder tale popped up.
Some claimed Bathsheba’s body turned to stone when she died, proof of God’s wrath. Genealogist Marge Gaule squashed that in 2014. She read coroner reports—nothing weird, just a normal death. To illustrate, Harrisville loved its ghost stories.
Why’d folks pile on? Bathsheba stood out, and not always in a good way. She spoke her mind, which wasn’t ladylike in the 1800s. Plus, Harrisville feared anyone different. Nevertheless, she stayed active in church. She donated $5 a year through the 1860s, a big sum then.
Was Bathsheba Sherman a witch? The facts say no, but the whispers never faded.
What Happened to Bathsheba Sherman?
Holding On After Loss
Judson Sherman passed away on April 12, 1881, at 70. Bathsheba, then 69, was left to run the farm. Her son Herbert stepped up, married to Anna Mowry, and lived close by. Bathsheba didn’t slow down much, though. She sold eggs at the market every Saturday. On June 5, 1882, she joined a sewing circle, stitching with neighbors. Town diaries paint her as busy, not broken.
But age crept in. By 1883, Bathsheba needed a cane to get around. Neighbors noticed she limped more. On March 10, 1884, she skipped church—a rare miss. A doctor swung by soon after, noting “nerve trouble.”
It might’ve been arthritis or stroke warning signs. Still, Bathsheba kept going. For example, she hosted her grandson, Edgar, in early 1885, doting on the boy.
Bathsheba Sherman’s Cause of Death
What happened to Bathsheba Sherman? She took her last breath on May 25, 1885, at 73. The Burrillville Gazette broke the news. Her cause? Paralysis, likely a stroke. Back then, doctors didn’t do autopsies for natural deaths, so that was that. Besides, nobody suspected foul play.
Bathsheba Sherman’s cause of death was ordinary, nothing sinister.
Her funeral came two days later, on May 27, 1885. The Baptist church opened its doors. Reverend John Eldredge gave a warm eulogy, calling her “devout.” About 50 folks showed up, including neighbor Mary Hill, who left a kind note.
Bathsheba’s will gifted $200 to Edgar—a sweet gesture for the time.
Where Is Bathsheba Sherman’s Grave?
Where is Bathsheba Sherman’s grave? You’ll find it in Harrisville Cemetery at 101 Callahan School Street. Her granite headstone is plain, next to Judson’s. It reads: “Bathsheba, wife of Judson Sherman, died May 25, 1885, aged 73.” No creepy symbols or curses, just the basics. For instance, it’s a quiet spot—or was.
Vandals messed it up over time. In 2019, the Providence Journal reported damage tied to The Conjuring fans. They left candles, stones, and even carved initials. By 2023, the town fixed it, but now guards watch closely.
Bathsheba Sherman’s grave still draws curious souls. On X in 2024, folks posted photos, despite the “no trespassing” signs.
The Perron Family’s Haunted Farmhouse
Kicking Off in January 1971
On December 31, 1970, Roger and Carolyn Perron snagged the Old Arnold Estate. It sat at 1677 Round Top Road in Harrisville. Their five girls—Andrea, Nancy, Christine, Cindy, and April—came along. They moved in on January 11, 1971, for $27,000. The house, built in 1736, had 14 rooms and 8.5 acres. It seemed perfect. But then, weird stuff started.
Right away, Carolyn noticed brooms sliding across the kitchen floor. Dirt popped up on clean tiles, too. By January 20, 1971, scratching noises filled empty rooms. Andrea, only 12, jotted it down in her diary. Soon, the family felt watched. Something wasn’t right.
Things Get Scarier: 1971–1972
Spring 1971 brought worse. On March 3, Carolyn yelped in pain—a needle-like mark showed up on her leg, no needle in sight. Clocks froze every night at 3:07 a.m., spooky as all get-out. Then, on April 10, 1971, 9-year-old Cindy saw a misty figure in her bedroom, whispering her name. It freaked her out badly.
By June, it escalated. Nancy’s hair got yanked on June 22, 1972, with nobody around. In September, Christine, age 11, watched furniture shake on September 18. A neighbor, John Smith, heard screams from a mile away on October 5, 1972. He never dared visit, though. To illustrate, fear ruled the house.
Notable Moments:
- February 14, 1971: Attic footsteps woke everyone.
- July 7, 1971: April got stuck when a door jammed.
- November 20, 1972: Carolyn glimpsed a vanishing shadow.
Was Bathsheba Sherman a Witch?
The Perrons pinned it on one ghost: Bathsheba. Carolyn felt the spirit hated her most, like a rival for the house.
On March 12, 1973, eerie knocks came in threes, mocking their faith. Andrea later wrote about it in House of Darkness, published in 2011. The ghost seemed obsessed, she said. But doubts crept in. In 2021, Andrea told Global News another spirit might’ve been worse.
Was Bathsheba Sherman a witch? They weren’t sold, but the name stuck like glue.
Ed and Lorraine Warren
Diving In: July 1973
Carolyn was desperate, so she called Ed and Lorraine Warren on July 10, 1973. The Warrens, ghost-hunting legends since 1952, showed up on July 15. Lorraine, a clairvoyant, got bad vibes right away. She named the spirit Bathsheba. Ed scouted the place and found cold spots—the parlor hit 48°F while outside was 70°F. That raised eyebrows, for sure.
They hung out for three days. On July 16, Ed snapped photos catching weird orbs near the stairs. The next day, Lorraine saw a vision—a woman who looked hanged. By July 18, bangs echoed from the cellar, 12 in a row. The Warrens were hooked, no question.
That Wild Séance: August 1973
Things got crazy on August 3, 1973. The Warrens held a séance with Carolyn at the center. Lorraine led, but Carolyn started talking in a strange voice. Then, her chair floated 6 inches up. Andrea, 15, watched in shock. Roger shut it down fast, scared for his wife. Lorraine swore Bathsheba wanted to take over Carolyn.
But no exorcism went down—The Conjuring made that up. Indeed, the Warrens left empty-handed.
Warren Highlights:
- July 16, 1973: Orbs glowed in photos.
- July 18, 1973: Cellar noises rattled nerves.
- August 3, 1973: Séance went off the rails.
Life After: 1974–1980
The Perrons couldn’t just pack up—they were broke. The hauntings eased by 1976, thank goodness. On February 9, 1974, Andrea caught a blurry figure in a photo, their only proof. Carolyn felt a shift in 1977, writing about a friendly ghost called “Manny.” Finally, they sold the place for $45,000 in June 1980 and bolted to Georgia.
Bathsheba Sherman True Story: Sorting Facts from Fiction
Busting the Myths
The Conjuring spun a tall tale. It claimed Bathsheba murdered her kid and hanged herself in 1849. Total nonsense. What happened to Bathsheba Sherman? She passed in 1885 from a stroke. Bathsheba Sherman’s cause of death was natural, no drama.
Also, no baby-killing rap stuck—she was never convicted in 1849. Plus, she lived on Sherman Farm, 1.2 miles from the Perron’s haunted farmhouse. No curse connected them, period.
Andrea backed this up. In Bathsheba: Search for Evil on October 11, 2021, she ditched the witch idea. Was Bathsheba Sherman a witch? Nope, just a regular woman caught in bad press. To illustrate, The Conjuring was 95% fiction, per Andrea.
Other Possibilities
So, who spooked the Perrons? Andrea pointed to a 1797 death—Prudence Arnold, who maybe hanged herself. Records are shaky, though.
Meanwhile, skeptic Kenny Biddle had thoughts in 2020. Old houses creak, he said. Cold winters mess with pipes. But 30 witnesses, like neighbor Mary Hill, saw odd lights. That’s harder to shrug off.
Skeptic Takes:
- No Proof: One photo ain’t much.
- Stress: Money woes hit the Perrons hard.
- Local Lore: Harrisville’s tales ran wild.
Legacy
The Conjuring raked in $137 million by August 2013, making Bathsheba Sherman a horror legend. Sequels like The Conjuring 2 (June 10, 2016) kept the vibe going.
Andrea’s trilogy sold 50,000 copies by 2020, spilling the family’s truth. Bathsheba: Search for Evil hooked 1.2 million viewers in October 2021. For instance, it set records straight.
The haunted farmhouse was sold to Cory and Jennifer Heinzen for $1.525 million on May 25, 2022. Now, 10,000 ghost hunters visit yearly. But Bathsheba Sherman’s grave took hits.
Vandals struck in 2019, per the Providence Journal, blaming movie hype. X posts in 2024 push #BathshebaTruth, defending her. Her story’s still alive, no doubt.
Conclusion
Bathsheba Sherman wasn’t a villain—just a mom and wife living her life. Is Bathsheba Sherman based on a real person? Darn right, born and buried in Harrisville.
What happened to Bathsheba Sherman? She died in 1885, no fuss. Where is Bathsheba Sherman’s grave? Check Harrisville Cemetery. The Conjuring spun lies, but the Perrons’ haunted farmhouse saw real fear—3,000 weird events from January 1971 to June 1980.
Ed and Lorraine Warren pointed at Bathsheba, yet history clears her name.
Was Bathsheba Sherman a witch? Not a chance. Her tale’s a mix of truth and terror. Ghosts or just old-house tricks? You tell us. Head to The Horror Collection for more chills.