Hermitage Gatehouse
Haunted Hamilton - Hermitage Walk - Ancaster
This location is popular with hikers, nature enthusiasts as well as followers of the paranormal. The ruins made from the remnants of the stone mansion are minimally 165 years old. The Hamilton Conservation Authority is currently maintaining the property.
The property has a few different stories as to its origin. One of the earliest owners documented was Reverend George Sheed. Some believed Sheed to be the First Presbyterian Minister in the area. Reverend Sheed built a house near the northwest corner of the current ruins. He was responsible for the construction site of the Church. Unfortunately, Sheed died a few short months after the church doors opened in 1832.
The Hermitage was acquired by a person named Otto Ives the following year after the Reverend's death. Otto moved to Ancaster township in 1833 with his wife Magdalene and a female relative of hers. The identity of this women is unknown. Otto hired a Coachman for Magdalene and her relative by the name of William Black. He also was the English tutor. During that time, Mr Black began to have feelings for the female relative and fell in love with her.
William Black approached Otto for permission to marry the female relative. He was denied. (In today's pop music, we could press play and listen to the song called Rude by Magic.) Mr Black was deeply affected by this; he was found the following day hanging in the barn. It is presumed to be suicide.
Those days, people who died by suicide were not permitted burial in the Church Graveyard. Instead, it is believed that he had been buried at the current intersection of Lover's Lane and Sulphur Springs. Perhaps this has something to do with the naming of Lover's Lane.
Since Black's death, there is crying and moaning sounds heard in different property locations. It is thought to be the ghost of William Black calling for the love that he lost.
In 1855 Mr George Leith purchased the property and built the house currently on the property. He brought in a tenant farmer. Around this time, "The Lodge" was built, constructed for the Granddaughter of Leith. This construction is what we currently refer to as the "Gatehouse."
In the 1860s, Mr Leith sold some of his property to his daughter and husband, Matthew Wright. The sulphur spring on the north side was known to have healing properties by local Settlers and the Indigenous people.
The young couple sold the property, and a hotel was opened as a spa that had the water pumped in from the sulphur springs for bathing and drinking.
In 1934 a fire destroyed the house's interior leaving the walls as they are now left standing.
The property and any remaining structures were donated to the City of Hamilton.
Haunted Hermitage
The belief is William Black still wanders around, longing for his love. It is common for people to report sounds of moaning and crying in different areas of the property. Many other visitors have reported seeing orbs and the feel of an ominous presence while visiting the location.
If you dare walk the grounds with your love, hold them tight.
Check out:
https://ghosts.fandom.com/wiki/Hermitage_Mansion
https://ghostwalks.com/hermitage-ruins/
