Massachusetts Urban Legends, Myths & Folklore: Not Your Average Bucket List Season 2
Marisa Roman
Author
Welcome back to another spine-tingling episode of Not Your Average Bucket List – Local Lore & Legends. This season we’ve been delving deep into the mystical, macabre, and historical findings across the United States. Today, we’re embarking on a journey through Massachusetts local lore and urban legends, and this one is a doozy! Prepare yourselves for our final episode of the season as we explore the rich tapestry of stories that have haunted the shadowy corners of the Bay State for generations.
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Massachusetts Urban Legends We’ll Cover In The Episode
- What are Pukwudgies?
- A deep dive into the Salem Witch Trials of Massachusetts
- What is The Bridgewater Triangle?
- The Spider Gates Cemetery – a gateway to hell?
Pukwudgies – A Massachusetts Cryptid
As the sun sets over the swampy regions of eastern Massachusetts, stories unfold of peculiar beings that dwell in the shadows. Picture, if you will, the image of tiny, grey, humanoid creatures bearing an uncanny resemblance to upright-walking porcupines. These elusive Pukwudgies, according to legends passed down through generations, possess an ability to lure unsuspecting souls to a sinister fate. According to Wampanoag folklore, the Pukwudgies are diminutive, grey-skinned beings that dwell in the depths of the eastern Massachusetts swampland.
The Massachusetts Salem Witch Trials
The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts during the early 1692 to mid-1693 period. This dark chapter in history saw over 200 individuals accused of practicing witchcraft, which was believed to be the devil’s magic, resulting in the execution of 20 people.
The accusations and subsequent trials began when a group of young girls in Salem Village claimed to be possessed by witches. Their strange behavior, including fits and convulsions, led to suspicions and accusations being cast upon various members of the community. The trials quickly escalated as more individuals were accused, resulting in a wave of hysteria and paranoia.
The legal proceedings during the trials were deeply flawed, with spectral evidence, based on the testimony of witnesses claiming to have seen the accused person’s spirit tormenting others, being considered admissible in court. This led to the wrongful conviction and execution of innocent people.
The trials finally came to an end when the governor of Massachusetts intervened and disbanded the court. The surviving accused individuals were released, and in 1711, the colonial authorities issued pardons and compensation to some of the families affected by the trials.
The Massachusetts Gateway To Hell
Spider Gates Cemetery, the old Quaker cemetery in Leicester, has gained a sinister reputation as the gateway to hell. According to local legends, the cemetery’s center was allegedly utilized for satanic rituals and worship. Mysterious white substances were said to seep from the ground, and it was believed that spirits could be conjured from their eternal resting places. Additionally, the cemetery holds a dark history marked by human tragedies.
Among the chilling accounts associated with Spider Gates Cemetery, one involves the gruesome murder and dismemberment of a young girl, which has left an indelible mark on the site’s notoriety. Another haunting tale speaks of a teenage boy who tragically took his own life by hanging himself within the cemetery’s eerie grounds.
Not Your Average Bucket List Podcast Timestamps:
(02:20:00) Pukwudgies – A Massachusetts Cryptid
(06:55:00) The Massachusetts Salem Witch Trials
(24:32:00) The Bridgewater Triangle
(26:35:00) The Massachusetts Gateway To Hell
Are you ready to tune into the episode? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Get In Touch!
If you have personal experiences with any of the local lore and legends mentioned above, call or text 805-298-1420! We’d love to hear your thoughts on these creepy, potentially haunted places and maybe even share your clip on the show! You can also reach out to us via email at podcast@onlyinyourstate.com.
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