Ada Goodrich Freer

Ada Goodrich Freer (born 15 May 1857 in Uppingham, Rutland, England, died in New York, 24 February 1931), was a medium, clairvoyant, psychical researcher and author. Much of her work was published under the pseudonym Miss X. Freer was investigated by the Society for Psychical Research and, under strong suspicion of fraud, she was disowned by the Society. She was later caught cheating at a séance and subsequently immigrated to Jerusalem and, later, the United States.

Early life Ada Goodrich Freer was the daughter of George Freer and Mary, née Adcock. She gave various accounts of her background and age, suggesting connections with Yorkshire and Scottish Highland gentry. In 1893 he founded a spiritualist quarterly, called Borderland, in which he gave full play to his interest in psychical research. The focus of the publication was on spiritualism and psychical research, mainly from a supportive point of view. The magazine appeared quarterly, priced 1/6. As with the Review of Reviews, Stead was both proprietor and editor. Stead claimed that he was in the habit of communicating with Freer by telepathy and automatic writing.

Second sight Freer was commissioned by the SPR in 1894, on the recommendation of F.W.H. Myers, to conduct an enquiry into second sight in the Hebrides in 1894-5, again funded by the Marquess of Bute. Much of her report was taken from Hebridean folklore collector Fr. Allan MacDonald of Eriskay, whom she met on her second visit in 1895. Trevor Hamilton dismisses this and suggests that Freer was simply using her acquaintance with Myers to gain status in the psychical research movement. Myers supported her socially and possibly financially.

Author John Grant has suggested that Myers was a womanizer who was easily duped and "probably seduced" by Freer." and sister of Aubrey Lackington Moore, from 1880 to 1901. Freer initially lived with the Moore family at Holy Trinity Vicarage, Paddington, There is evidence that their relationship was sado-masochistic.

She worked as a medium in London, until she was caught cheating at a séance.

Freer died in St Luke's Hospital, New York, on 24 February 1931.