Annie Palmer was a fascinating historical figure known as the Pagan Priestess. Born in 1802 in England, she later moved to Jamaica and became notorious for her involvement in witchcraft and voodoo rituals. **Annie Palmer's main claim to fame was her alleged practice of black magic and her role as a Pagan Priestess.** She was said to have possessed great beauty and charm, which she used to manipulate and control those around her. **Annie's dark reputation was further solidified by her numerous acts of cruelty and murder**. Legend has it that she was responsible for the deaths of three husbands, as well as countless servants and slaves who lived on her plantation.
The following year Rosa entered a brief and unhappy marriage with the Hon. Norwood Witter, a widower from Westmoreland. Witter died in 1767, leaving Rosa a widow for the third time.
John Palmer moved to Jamaica to take charge of Rose Hall and soon married Annie Patterson the lady who became the subject of the White Witch of Rose Hall legend. They never visited Jamaica or had children by the time they died the last one died in 1818 so the estates passed on to Palmer s grand nephew John or possibly James Palmer.
Legend has it that she was responsible for the deaths of three husbands, as well as countless servants and slaves who lived on her plantation. **Annie was said to have created a secret room in her mansion dedicated to her voodoo rituals**. It is believed that she would often perform bloody and gruesome ceremonies, using her victims’ blood, bones, and body parts to further enhance her powers.
The facts about Rose Hall
The true story of Rose Hall begins long before Annie Palmer was even born. Rose Hall's first mistress was Rosa Palmer (nee Kelly), a daughter of Irish immigrants living in Jamaica. In 1746 Henry Fanning, an Englishman, was anticipating marriage to Rosa so he purchased a 290 acre plot of land in St. James Parish on which to build their married home. The two were married in 1747 but Fanning died within months of the marriage.
Rosa married again in 1750 to George Ash, a landowner in St. James. Ash spent £30,000 building a marvelous home on the land with ornately carved mahogany doors, floors and staircases. The estate was named Rose Hall in Rosa's honour. Sadly for the couple Ash did not survive long after the property was completed and died in 1752.
The following year Rosa entered a brief and unhappy marriage with the Hon. Norwood Witter, a widower from Westmoreland. Witter died in 1767, leaving Rosa a widow for the third time.
Rosa finally found happiness and a lasting marriage the following year when she married the Custos of St. James, John Palmer who owned the neighbouring Palmyra estate. Palmer was a widower with two sons living in England. The two were happily married until Rosa died in 1790, leaving Rose Hall to John Palmer in her will. As a tribute to his wife, Palmer commissioned renowned artist John Bacon to carve a memorial to her in the St. James parish church. John Palmer later died in 1797, leaving Rose Hall and Palmyra in trust for his sons in England. They never visited Jamaica or had children by the time they died (the last one died in 1818) so the estates passed on to Palmer's grand nephew John (or possibly James) Palmer.
John Palmer moved to Jamaica to take charge of Rose Hall and soon married Annie Patterson (the lady who became the subject of the White Witch of Rose Hall legend). Little is known about the lives of Annie and John but all evidence points to then being a happily married couple and model citizens. John Palmer died in 1827, his death was widely reported in Jamaica but there has been no recorded suggestion of foul play. There is evidence to suggest that Annie Palmer vacated Rose Hall by 1830 and died in Bonavista near Anchovy in 1846.
The basis for most of the White Witch legend seems to come from H.G. de Lisser's 1928 novel "The White Witch of Rose Hall". This was a popular novel telling the gripping story of an Annie Palmer that lived a very different life to that indicated by the records available from the time.
Rosa finally found happiness and a lasting marriage the following year when she married the Custos of St. James, John Palmer who owned the neighbouring Palmyra estate. Palmer was a widower with two sons living in England. The two were happily married until Rosa died in 1790, leaving Rose Hall to John Palmer in her will. As a tribute to his wife, Palmer commissioned renowned artist John Bacon to carve a memorial to her in the St. James parish church. John Palmer later died in 1797, leaving Rose Hall and Palmyra in trust for his sons in England. They never visited Jamaica or had children by the time they died (the last one died in 1818) so the estates passed on to Palmer's grand nephew John (or possibly James) Palmer.
The rumors and stories surrounding Annie Palmer's practices quickly spread throughout Jamaica and even abroad. **Her reputation as a Pagan Priestess made her one of the most feared and infamous figures in Caribbean folklore**. Despite the gruesome tales of her deeds, some skepticism exists regarding the truth behind Annie Palmer's story. Some argue that the legends may have been exaggerated or even outright fabricated. **The lack of concrete evidence makes it difficult to determine the extent of Annie's involvement in witchcraft and voodoo rituals**. Regardless of the veracity of Annie Palmer's actions, her legacy lives on in the tales and myths that have been passed down through the generations. **Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of delving into forbidden practices**. Annie Palmer, the Pagan Priestess, remains an intriguing and enigmatic figure in the annals of history..
Reviews for "Annie Palmer: A Glimpse into the World of Jamaican Paganism"
1. John - 2/5 - I didn't enjoy "Annie Palmer the pagan priestess" as much as I had hoped. The story seemed to lack depth and complexity, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot felt predictable and there were no surprising twists or revelations. Overall, it was a mediocre read for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - "Annie Palmer the pagan priestess" failed to capture my attention from the beginning. The writing style was bland and repetitive, and I found it hard to sympathize with the protagonist. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The concept had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short in execution.
3. Alex - 1/5 - I found "Annie Palmer the pagan priestess" to be a complete waste of time. The story was confusing and disjointed, with a jumble of random events that didn't seem to fit together. The characters were unlikable and lacked any depth or development. There were numerous inconsistencies and plot holes that left me frustrated and questioning the author's attention to detail. Overall, it was a disappointing and unsatisfying read.