The Silvery Witch of Rose Hall is a famous legend that is deeply ingrained in the folklore of Jamaica. Rose Hall is an eerie and imposing Georgian mansion located in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The legend tells the chilling story of Annie Palmer, the beautiful and ruthless owner of the plantation who is believed to have practiced witchcraft. Annie Palmer, also known as the White Witch or the Silvery Witch, was originally from England but moved to Jamaica after marrying John Palmer, the owner of Rose Hall. Shortly after their marriage, John Palmer mysteriously died, leading many to suspect Annie's involvement. It was rumored that Annie had a penchant for killing her husbands and slaves, which ultimately led to her becoming the most feared person in the area.
Quite creepy and sad. The article was very convincing and so I doubt I’d ever want to visit there ! Reply
Robert Rutherford, a handsome and educated young man of means just arrived from England, is standing on the verandah with Annie Palmer, beautiful young widow and owner of the plantation. Three or four savage dogs rushed out the instant they perceived him, barking and showing their teeth at him; then a black boy quickly descended the steps and ran up with the question What massa want.
It was rumored that Annie had a penchant for killing her husbands and slaves, which ultimately led to her becoming the most feared person in the area. According to the legend, Annie used her powers of witchcraft to control and dominate those around her. Some of the methods she allegedly used include Voodoo rituals, casting spells, and even sacrificing slaves.
The White Witch of Rose Hall
Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Rose Hall, is the stuff of songs and legends. Yet she was also a real person who lived in Jamaica in the early 19th century and a morbidly fascinating figure in her own right. The fact that she now supposedly haunts Rose Hall makes her all the more interesting…
I recently took a tour of Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Here’s what I can remember of the sordid tale of Annie Palmer, after more rum-and-ginger-beers than I can count.
Miss Palmer was born in England, to parents of middling wealth, and raised in Haiti, but was orphaned at young age. She was primarily raised by her nanny, and schooled in the ways of Voodoo, which she soon adapted for her own nefarious purposes. Once she was in her late teens, she moved to Jamaica and used her skills to land herself a rich husband, John Palmer, the owner of Rose Hall, a stately home and vast sugar plantation near Montego Bay. Rose became the mistress of Rose Hall, and was soon revealed to be a malevolent, sadistic opportunist, who tortured her slaves for fun, and soon murdered not one but three husbands. Slaves lived in terror of her; men were under her spell. No living portrait of her exists, but some people think the petite woman dressed in red might be said to represent Annie:
Look closely at the children in this portrait
Annie Palmer loved the color red — color of blood, color of passion — and though she never bore children, she supposedly had this portrait painted to convince people she was indeed the motherly type. Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth. Look closely at the children in the painting. Do they seem stiff and unnatural, and overly posed? They possess none of the vibrancy and realism of the scarlet-clad Annie. In all likelihood, they were modeled on dolls, and here they remain wooden props in Annie’s unconvincing effort to seem human. It is impossible to see from this photograph, but if you find yourself walking beneath the painting, you will notice that Annie’s eyes follow you as you move. For she is still keeping watch on everything in the house… as a “duppy.”
Duppy is the Jamaican obeah term for a ghost or a malevolent spirit — they can manifest in human form, or in animal form. According to our guide, duppies often take the form of bats, so if you happen to see a bat flying low at twilight, beware.
Like most people who live lives of utter debauchery and sin, Annie Palmer eventually received her karmic punishment. After dispatching of three husbands and instigating a reign of terror on the plantation, one of her former slaves, Takoo, decided he’d had enough. Takoo had actually been freed by Annie because she chose him to be her lover. He visited her bedroom nightly and was by all accounts loyal to her — until she crossed a line. Never one to limit herself to just one lover, Annie set her eyes on the plantation’s accountant, one Robert Rutherford. But Rutherford only had eyes for a pretty young slave girl named Millicent — who happened to be Takoo’s grand-niece. Annie murdered Millicent out of jealousy, and to avenge her death, Takoo made love to Annie one final time, then strangled her in her bed.
The bed where Annie was murdered
But Annie’s voodoo retained its power from beyond the grave. Soon after she died, she began to make ghostly appearances around Rose Hall, driving servants, guests, and residents mad with terror. Before long, the house was abandoned and fell into ruin — for no one but Annie could ever be mistress of Rose Hall.
Rose Hall before the restoration
There was one family who did try to live at Rose Hall, in the early 1900s, but they were swiftly driven from the place when their maid was thrown from a second story balcony by an invisible set of hands.
The lethal balcony
Not only is the balcony the site of the poor maid’s death, but it was the very spot where Annie herself would stand to enjoy the spectacle of her slaves being tortured, which occurred in the yard below. After someone had been tortured to Annie’s satisfaction, they would be led down a set of steps to the dungeon below, where without food, medicine, or water, they would die in a matter of days.
The dungeon steps
After the death of the maid on the balcony, the new family fled Rose Hall and it lay in silent ruin until the 1960s, when it was then cleaned up, restored, and revived for public use as a historic house and plantation. Now, lush green golf courses, high end hotels, and a busy staff cater to the island’s wealthiest tourists. Surprisingly, Rose Hall is a popular place for weddings — just a stone’s throw from where Annie rests quietly, but not soundly, in her grave.
Annie Palmer’s Grave
All photographs are copyright of Boroughs of the Dead (in case you’re compelled to steal my smartphone snaps).
She was said to be particularly attracted to young and handsome men, seducing them before ultimately killing them. Annie's viciousness and beauty earned her the reputation of being a witch. The dark tales surrounding Annie Palmer and Rose Hall have fascinated locals and visitors alike for centuries. The mansion itself has become a popular tourist attraction, offering guided tours where visitors can learn more about the history and mystery of the White Witch. Today, the story of Annie Palmer and her haunting presence at Rose Hall continues to capture the imagination of those who visit the mansion. Many believe that her spirit still haunts the halls, seeking vengeance or simply relishing in her dark legacy. Whether the legend is based on truth or simply folklore, the Silvery Witch of Rose Hall remains an intriguing and chilling tale that has become an integral part of Jamaican history and culture..
Reviews for "The Unforgettable Stare: The Eyes of the Silvery Witch of Rose Hall"
1. Sandra - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Silvery Witch of Rose Hall" as I am a big fan of supernatural thrillers. However, this book did not meet my expectations. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters fell flat and I didn't feel any connection to them. The writing style felt disjointed and it was hard to follow the events happening in the book. Overall, I was disappointed with this read and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Tom - 1/5 stars - "The Silvery Witch of Rose Hall" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was predictable and filled with cliches. The so-called twists were obvious from the beginning, and I found myself bored throughout the entire book. The author's attempt at building suspense fell flat, and the characters were one-dimensional. I struggled to finish the book and ended up skimming through most of it. I wouldn't waste my time on this one.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Silvery Witch of Rose Hall," but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without any significant developments. The writing was mediocre at best, lacking depth and emotional resonance. The characters felt poorly developed, and I couldn't find myself invested in their journeys. The ending was underwhelming and left loose ends. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a thrilling read.
4. Jason - 3/5 stars - "The Silvery Witch of Rose Hall" had an intriguing premise, but it didn't live up to its potential. While the concept of a witch in Rose Hall was fascinating, the execution fell flat. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts that made the story drag on unnecessarily. The character development was lacking, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the protagonists. There were some interesting elements in the book, but they weren't enough to salvage the overall experience for me.