The Urban Legend of a Witch in Maryland Essays -- Urban Legends Ghost

The Legend of Moll Dyer A Witch in bloody shamelandThe first time I heard this story was in Maryland. It was told by a woman in her thirties, who identified herself as being of Irish heritage, which made the story of Moll Dyer more close to her heart. She was also an anthropology major who has had contact with topical anaesthetic folklorists in the past. This is where she first learned of the story of Moll Dyer, which she recounted to me as followsMoll Dyer was an Irish immigrant to Saint Marys County, where people began to think she was a witch. When each(prenominal) of the children of the town became sick, the people blamed her and tried to kill her. She ran away from them and they chased her to a large rock. She placed one pay on the rock and raise the other hand towards the sky gestures with one hand lowered, flat, as if on the rock, and the other hand raised towards the sky, praying. She froze like that and you can still see her hand print on the rock. Ive actually seen it and put my hand in the place. Its pretty freaky since it really does fit a human hand. Its at the courthouse in St. Marys County if you want to go see it.Although most of the stories are relatively similar to this stochastic variable, there are slight differences or additions. In one of the other versions collected, it is said that Moll Dyer lived in a remote cottage outside of Leonardtown in St. Marys County in the 1700s. This version stated that, while most of the townspeople knew nothing of her past, they believed Moll Dyer was from a wealthy family and came to this country to escape some mysterious event. This version also gave more details of the history of the townspeoples interactions with Moll. According to this version, she was given the label of witch bec... ...parainvestigator/Maryland/Maryland.html. Maryland Ghost & Spirit Association. Maryland HauntingsSt. Marys County. Access date 6 April 2005. 2000-2005. http//www.marylandghosts.com/locations/stmar ys.php. Maryland Womens Heritage Trail. Access date 6 April 2005. http//www.marylandpublicschools.org/NR/rdonlyres/3DB5F819-6E1C-4917-8F43-5251C2D49C52/2474/MD_Heritage_41_50.pdf. MDP. Maryland, the old Supernatural Stomping Ground. Access date 6 Apr 2005. http//groups.msn.com/marylandtheoldsupernaturalstompingground/comingsoon.msnwShoemaker, Sandy. Tobaccor to Tomcats St. Marys County since the Revolution. StreamLine Enterprises Leonardtown MD. Circa 2002. http//access-somd.org/tobacco_to_tomcats/tobacco_to_tomcats.htm. United States Work Projects Administration (Md.). Records microform. Reel 23, frame 034037. 1933-43.