A chilling renovation surprise turned a dream project into a ghostly tale when a couple discovered ancient bones—and possibly darker secrets—hidden within their centuries-old farmhouse.
At a Glance
- 16th-century farmhouse in Barrowford, Lancashire revealed hidden bones
- Discovery includes a suspected human finger bone
- Ties to local folklore of witchcraft and a murderous neighbor
- Renovations revealed costly mold and structural issues
An Unexpected Discovery
In February 2023, Emmie Brookman and her fiancé Norton Johnston purchased a 16th-century farmhouse in Barrowford, Lancashire, hoping for a rustic DIY adventure. Instead, as the Daily Mail reports, they stumbled upon something far more sinister: bones hidden within the walls.
While stripping the old facade, Emmie spotted something fall from the front wall—a discovery that initially made them fear they had unearthed a full skeleton. Among the remains was what appeared to be a human finger bone, possibly dating back to the 16th century when superstitions about warding off evil were common.
Watch Mirror’s video showing the eerie farmhouse discovery.
Echoes of Folklore
Adding to the house’s mystique, the couple found a green bottle filled with ashes and herbs, a traditional charm believed to fend off witches. According to the New York Post, the farmhouse’s grim legacy includes proximity to a former neighbor, James Hargreaves, infamously remembered for murder.
“It was very obviously a bone. I was really creeped out. What do you do when you find a bone in the wall?” Emmie told the Daily Mail. Local legends and eerie relics only deepened the haunting atmosphere surrounding their renovation project.
A Labor of Love
Despite the spine-chilling finds, Emmie and Norton stayed the course, committed to preserving the farmhouse’s historic charm. They faced serious challenges beyond folklore, including pink mold and heavy moisture damage, which ballooned their workload beyond initial expectations.
Doing much of the labor themselves saved an estimated £17,000, and as Emmie told the New York Post, “If we’d have had professionals we’d be at £50K ($66,565) to £60K ($79,878).” Budget-conscious and determined, the couple prioritized sourcing authentic vintage materials to respect the property’s original style.
Embracing the home’s eerie past, they even plan to display some of the bones and have returned a few to the walls—ensuring that the farmhouse’s chilling history remains alive even as they craft a bright new future.
