Friday, October 22, 2010

Witch's Grave

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image from the William A. Renfrow Online Gallery

Annapolis, Maryland, has its share of haunted history. In Truxton Park, near the head of Spa Creek past the ballfields, there's a gnarled tree leaning over the bank; the immediate area is known as the Witch's Grave.

One version of the local story claims that three witches were executed - two were hung, one burned - and buried there in the 1800’s. It's said that their ghosts haunt the local woods and can be seen from the road.

The second and more publicized bit of lore says that the victims of a vengeful witch spook the place. The crone was reportedly hung and buried here, but rose from the dead and escaped her grave, never to be seen again.

That wasn't good news for her executioners; she got her payback, and it's been told that you can see their apparitions hanging from the same tree that claimed her.

Some say the legend holds true during any dark evening; others say it only holds sway on Halloween. Oh, and if you stay and gawk too long, according to the lore, you could end up being one of those swinging bodies.

The Witch's Grave is the stuff of urban legend; no local documentation or history to support a local witch hunt or trial can be found. Still, the story started somehow and is passed on to this day...and Halloween is fast approaching if you have the itch to find that tree.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was MOLESTED repeatedly at Truxtun Park in the summer of 1979 by a camp counselor named Thomas. He and his friend (Mike? Mark?) used to initially entice young girls into the woods by using this ghost story. I was 8 yrs. old at the time. Thomas was supposedly 18, he was African American (nothing racial... just a description), and he usually wore red swim trunks with blue and white trim. I'd like to hear from other individuals who were molested at Truxtun Park.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'm really sorry you had this experience! I don't know what you're looking for, but I hope you find peace!