Ada Gutteridge Freer (1857 - 1931)

Born 15 May 1857 in Uppingham, Rutland, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Died 24 Feb 1931 at age 73 in New York, United States

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Ada Goodrich Freer was a medium, clairvoyant, psychical researcher and author. Her paranormal work was published under the pseudonym Miss X.

Biography

Ada Gutteridge Freer was born on 15 May 1857 ^[1] in Uppingham, Rutland, England ^[2] to Dr. George Freer and Mary (Adcock) Freer. ^[1] She was baptized at age 5 on 29 Mar 1863 at St. Peter's parish church in Leeds, St Peter, Yorkshire, England. ^[1] Her father was a veterinarian surgeon ^[1] who died in 1866, and records seem to indicate that she never actually lived with her parents, but rather with her maiden aunt Ann Adcock.

In 1880, Ada joined the Society for Psychical Research with the encouragement of F. W. H. Myers. About this same time, it is reported that she began living with Constance Moore, daughter of Canon Daniel Moore and sister of Aubrey Lackington Moore, to 1901, though the 1881 census indicates otherwise. She initially lived with the Moore family at Holy Trinity Vicarage, Paddington, and later shared a house with Constance in Bushey Heath. It is rumored that their relationship was sado-masochistic. The Alleged Haunting Of B-- House, Including a Journal Kept During the Tenancy of Colonel Lemesurier Taylor , with John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the Marquess of Bute, 1897. After criticism of her work on the Ballechin House, her other reporting was repudiated by the SPR and she abandoned psychical research. She also worked as a medium in London, until she was caught cheating at a séance. In December 1901 she fled to Jerusalem, where her wrote books of her travels, including "Inner Jerusalem" 1904,"In A Syrian Saddle" 1905,

In 1905, she married Dr. Hans Henry Spoer, a German-born American scholar of ancient languages who is referred to in In A Syrian Saddle as "the Doctor". (The book's dedication even referred to their impending marriage. ^[3] ) Spoer believed Ada was Adela Monica and that was 12 years younger than her true age. This was an illusion she carried through to the end. ^[4] Her passport claimed that she was born on 1869 in Neilgherry Hills, India; a real place, though the spelling was grossly inaccurate.^[5]

Together they went to Britain in 1909 to 1911, while her husband was training for ordination at Lichfield Theological College in Stanfordshire. They then returned to Cairo and Turkey. In 1923 they moved to Detroit; in 1926 to Sycamore, Illinois and then to New York where Hans was chaplain of the New York Mission Society.

As Adela Monica Spoer, she died in St Luke's Hospital, New York, on 24 February 1931 and was buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson, New Jersey. Her reported age was 56 ^[6]; her actual age was 75.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910 for Ada Gutteridge Freer, Age: 5, Record Type: Baptism, Birth Date: 3 May 1857, Baptism Date: 29 Mar 1863, Baptism Place: Leeds, St Peter, Yorkshire, England, Father: George Freer, Mother: Mary Freer (Ancestry.com [on-line database w/ image]).
2. ↑ 1861 England Census for Ilkley, Yorkshire, England. England. With school mistress aunt Anne Adcock 55, self Ada Freer 3 Where born: Uppingham, Rutland; governess Mariane Texton 36, governess Agness P Close 19, servant Anna Johnson 25, servant Sarah Emily 23, servant Sarah J Salaibury 20, and students Alice Foster 16, Mary F Cooper 16, Ada Greenwood 14, Annie Robinson 12, Katherina G Taylor 11, Janet Greenwood 9 (Ancestry.com [on-line database]).
3. ↑ "This record is dedicated BY THE LADY TO THE DOCTOR On the eve of starting together an even longer journey." https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t3cz3dz67&view=2up&seq=8&size=125
4. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census for Queens, Queens, New York. With husband 56 Germany & self Amonica Spoer 56 England.
5. ↑ Wikipedia: Nilgiri Mountains
6. ↑ New York, Episcopal Diocese of New York Church Records, 1767-1970: Manhattan Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine 1913 - 1937 for Adela Monica Spoer, Death Age: 56, Event Type: Burial, Birth Date: abt 1875, Death Date: 24 Feb 1931, Burial Date: 26 Feb 1931, Burial Place: New York, New York; Church Name: Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, died of Carditis, buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, New Jersey (Ancestry.com [on-line database]).

See also:

• Wikipedia: Ada Goodrich Freer.
• 1871 England Census for WIth aunt Ann Adcock 65, Ada G Freer 13, Mary A Dodsley 20, Edith M Price 16, Marion T Bower 14, Alice Eyre 11, Mary H Hellewell 10, Mary A Storey 39, Sophia W Dyson 24 (Ancestry.com [on-line database]).
• 1881 England Census for Paddington, London, England. Lodger in the home of Sarah S. Slade 74 annuitant, lodger Jessica Shenton 66 blind annuitant, servant Alice Wilson 17, lodger C. Rawlings 45 annuitant, lodger (aunt) Anne Adcock 75 annuitant, self Ada G. Freer 23 annuitant arts scratched through, lodger Helen P. Smith 61 annuitant, housekeeper Anna A. Huges 49, servant Susan Overington 24 (Ancestry.com [on-line database]).