Nell Racker, whose real name was Ellen Wallace could possibly be thought of as a pioneer in her skilled use and knowledge of herbs.
She was also a midwife, skilled bone-setter, fortune teller and spiritualist.
Nell was rumoured to be a witch, as in the past many wise women were said to be witches, simply because they understood the use of herbs and were able to treat people for illnesses and injuries.
She was born at Pigslee, Bury in 1846 and moved to Milnrow the following year.
After marrying her second husband in 1872 she moved to Belfield Cottage where she would dispense her knowledge for free, set a broken arm or arrange to attend a birth.
Her nickname, Nell Racker, which she is said to have hated, may have alluded to her racks of drying herbs or perhaps it was the practice of ' racking ' or stretching a broken limb.
She is listed in Clegg's Commercial Directory of Rochdale under Belfield Road as :
Wallace, Mrs. Ellen, Belfield Cottage. Midwife and Medical Botanist.
Is there any one with family images of this woman? and where is she buried? I'd like to see more image's of this woman and her work.
ReplyDeleteMy Great grandfather was William Hilton, the famous healer and botanist/herbalist of Heywood. His father was William McAlister Botanist of Heywood/Plumpton woods and Carr Woods. My Great grandfather was 'NOT' allowed to be named after his father 'MCALISTER' BY THE HEYWOOD AUTHORITIES........ALL HIS LIFE HE WANTED TO HAVE HIS SCOTTISH NAME..........BUT WASN'T ALLOWED, Yet a witch named Nell was allowed to keep her name 'WALLACE'.............THE SAME LINE AS 'McAlister'..........I have three Ggrandmother's and Three GGrandfather's........go figure that one out Heywood and now a Granny witchy Wallace? ha-ha, no wonder it's called Monkey Town. But seriously now, if I have four Grannie's, so have you!
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