Capt. Sluman Gray’s final whaling voyage was a long, strange trip.
Legends
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According to local history, notorious pirate Captain William Kidd visited Milford during his final voyage in 1699, a stop along the way to Boston (where he would be subsequently arrested and imprisoned before being returned to England for trial and execution). Although he actually buried treasure at Gardiners Island just off of Long Island, it’s always been believed that he also hid a portion of his fortune on Charles Island, possibly beneath a giant boulder known as Hog Rock. And of course, being a good pirate, he cursed anyone who would go looking for his treasure.
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The controversy over the exhumation of the Old Leather Man’s remains has come to a conclusion, but the mystery continues …
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Hikes and WalksLegends
Damned Hike: Lover’s Leap State Park, New Milford
by Ray Bendiciby Ray BendiciDamned Conn-ection: The name of the 160-acre state park is based on a dark legend involving the double suicide of a starcrossed lovers—Lillinoah, a Native American princess and an undentified white man,…
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Hikes and WalksLegendsWeird Places
Damned Hike: Old Leatherman’s Cave, Watertown
by Ray Bendiciby Ray BendiciDamned Conn-ection: As indicated by the title, our friend The Old Leatherman actually stayed in this cave every 34 days, although with the uphill hike to reach it, this spot certainly doesn’t…
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HauntingsInterviewsLegendsPodcasts
Damned Interview: Courtney McInvale
by Ray Bendiciby Ray BendiciCourtney McInvale, author of “Haunted Mystic,” talks about growing up in a haunted house, writing her new book and the legend of the Pig Man!
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Historian and author Dan W. DeLuca is the leading expert on The Old Leather Man. He recently took the time to answer some questions about everyone’s favorite legendary leather-clad wanderer.
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For nearly 300 years, this red cape was inhabited by six generations of Bentons — a few of which apparently still like to call the place home!
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Gardner Lake in Salem is known for many things — its natural beauty . . . its excellent fishing . . . an entire house sitting on its murky bottom . . . and of course, its mysterious piano music that seemingly rises from the depths.
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When she was alive, Hannah Cranna was known as “The Wicked Witch of Monroe,” a reputation that continues to follow her over 150 years after her death.
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If you grew up in the Valley, you’ve probably been to Hookman’s Cemetery (Great Hill Cemetery) in Seymour late at night looking for paranormal activity. The version of the legend that I…
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Just because an anonymous wanderer has been dead for over 130 years doesn’t mean he can’t still be in the headlines.