The Holmes County Witch is a fascinating figure from folklore that originated in Holmes County, Ohio. This witch is said to have possessed mystical powers and was feared by the local community. The legend of the Holmes County Witch has been passed down through generations, often recounted around campfires or shared as cautionary tales. According to the stories, the Holmes County Witch was an elderly woman who lived deep in the woods. She was rumored to have made a pact with the devil, granting her supernatural abilities. Many believed that she used her powers for malevolent purposes, such as causing illness or misfortune upon those who crossed her path.
[Featured Image by Lifetime TV UK]
When a reality TV crew moves into Holmes County, Ohio to document the lives of an isolated sect of Swartzentruber Amish, production is halted by the death of a Brauchau, an Amish witch. Needless to say, someone is buried under the tree in Chesterville which is not on any map but still there and a wrought iron fence surrounds the tree to keep the curious back.
Many believed that she used her powers for malevolent purposes, such as causing illness or misfortune upon those who crossed her path. The Holmes County Witch was described as having long, unkempt hair and a haggard appearance. She was said to wear tattered clothes and was rarely seen during the day.
‘Amish Witches’: Is Lifetime’s ‘Holmes County’ True-Story Movie Based On The Chesterville Witch?
Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County is a Lifetime horror film that is set to debut this weekend. Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County is about a production crew that is pulled into a paranormal nightmare after the death of an Amish witch. The movie was directed by Jake Wade Wall and written by Dandi Dewey and Shannon Evangelista. This latest Lifetime movie stars Hayley Palmaer as Esther, Caleb Carlson as Isaac, Kaylyn Scardefield as Iva, Evangeline Young as Ruthie, Michelle Young as Katie Ann, Nicole Rodenburg as Conor, and Amanda Jane Stern as A.J, according to IMDb.
Synopsis: Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County on Lifetime
A television reality crew has arrived in town to document facts about an isolated Amish sect called the Swartzentruber Amish. But their plans change, and filming is interrupted after the death of an Amish witch named Brauchau. After the witch’s funeral, locals in the town convince the production company to document the paranormal activities that have begun plaguing them. To pull it off, the production crew and the townspeople must put up with evil forces that are set on destroying them.
A Few Mentions
Lifetime’s advertisement for Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County says that the movie is based on real events. During the research for this movie, there was no information on a witch named Brauchau. However, the story makes one think of the town of Chesterville and the story of the Chesterville Witch, according to Amish 365’s article, “Amish Witches, Fact or Fiction?”
Chesterville was a town in the Amish countryside that is no longer found on modern maps of Illinois. Chesterville is also the home of the Chesterville cemetery, which holds the body of the Chesterville witch. (Some articles call this place Chesterfield.)
According to local legend and History Witch, the Chesterville witch was a 15-year-old (age not confirmed) rebellious teen with a mind of her own. She was outspoken and was ahead of her time. Her views and speech were considered highly inappropriate, and it was rumored that she worshiped the Devil. She was hated so much that the elders of the Amish community excommunicated her from the group, and no one was allowed to associate with her. The girl was later found dead, and the local funeral home refused to give her a respectable burial despite her parent’s pleas. Instead, the body was placed on display for the locals to see a real witch, according to St. Louis Paranormal Research Society.
Then, she was dishonored even further by having a night burial with a tree placed on top of or near her grave. It is said that if the tree ever died, the Chesterville Witch would be free to unleash all of her revenge and anger upon the people who disgraced her.
Some More Key Points
- It is believed that the legend of the Chesterville Witch originated more than a century ago.
- According to History Witch, the legend was passed down orally, and over time, the witch’s real name was forgotten. (She is called the Chesterfield Witch in that article, too.)
“There are many conflicting stories- some say she invoked a violent storm on the village, others report seeing her ghost standing by the grave. Needless to say, someone is buried under the tree in Chesterville (which is not on any map – but still there) and a wrought iron fence surrounds the tree to keep the curious back.”
- While examining the story of Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County, a search of old newspapers going back to and before the 1900s didn’t turn up any information on the Chesterville Witch that we could find.
- The Swartzentruber Amish is a subgroup or sect that broke away from Old Amish Order in the early 1900s. It was started by Sam E. Yoder, Amish America states.
- Holmes County is in Ohio.
- Amish Haunting is a 2014 documentary that explores haunted houses and the grave of an Amish witch in the episode “Faceless Doll, The Witch’s Grave.”
In addition to the Chesterville Witch story, there is also the book Nightmare In Holmes County by Patrick Meechan. His book is based on his own negative experiences with the Amish community and the paranormal events that were directed toward him. It is written from a Christian perspective and discusses a home that was built over an area that was cursed by Native Americans. Readers find his story creepy but detailed and interesting.
Lifetime Television’s Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County is a Hot Snakes Media production with the A&E Television Network providing the distribution. Executive producers are listed as Eric Evangelista, Shannon Evangelista, Erik Kesten, and Jake Wade Wall.
Watch the movie, Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County, this Saturday at 8/7 p.m. Central on Lifetime. Last week, Lifetime debuted the true-story movie Death of a Vegas Showgirl, which was based on the murder of Debbie Flores-Narvaez.
[Featured Image by Lifetime TV UK]
A Few Mentions
Some accounts claim that she could shape-shift into different animals, making it difficult for anyone to catch her. The witch was known to cast curses on those who angered her, leading to their downfall. People in the community lived in fear of her, taking precautions to avoid attracting her attention. It was believed that only those who showed her kindness and respect would be spared from her wrath. Over time, the Holmes County Witch became an infamous figure in local folklore, with her name invoking fear and caution. Despite the skepticism surrounding the existence of witches, the legend of the Holmes County Witch continues to captivate imaginations and spark curiosity. Whether the Holmes County Witch was a figment of people's imagination or a real person who possessed supernatural powers remains a mystery. However, the tale of the witch serves as a reminder of how folklore and legends shape our understanding of the world and the power they hold over our collective consciousness..
Reviews for "Exploring the Dark Arts: The Holmes County Witch and Witchcraft Practices"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Holmes County Witch". I felt like the story was all over the place and lacked a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and the dialogue felt forced. The pacing was also really slow, which made it hard for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found the book to be quite confusing and not as thrilling as I had hoped.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "Holmes County Witch" was a major letdown for me. The plot was incredibly predictable and the twists were so cliché. It felt like I had read this story a hundred times before. The writing style was also hard to get into, as it lacked depth and creativity. I was expecting a gripping and spooky tale, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Holmes County Witch", but it sadly didn't live up to my expectations. The characters felt flat and lacked any depth. The story seemed promising at first, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The ending was also quite underwhelming and didn't provide any satisfying closure. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating supernatural thriller.
4. John - 2/5 - "Holmes County Witch" was a struggle for me to get through. The pacing was extremely slow and it felt like nothing of importance was happening for the majority of the book. The writing style was also dry and lacked any real emotion. The main character was difficult to connect with, and the side characters were forgettable. The concept of the story had potential, but it fell flat in execution. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and disappointing read.