Delve into dark New England legends like Bathsheba Spooner's deadly conspiracy, Chief Chokurua's eerie demise, and Doc Benton's quest for immortality. Explore the chilling encounters with the Burning Beast and the mystery of America's Stonehenge.
The legend of Bathsheba Spooner highlights colonial tensions and controversial executions in New England history.
Chief Chokurua's tale underscores the lasting influence of local folklore on regional narratives and conflicts.
Deep dives
America's Dark Past: The Tragic Tale of Bathsheba Spooner
During the American War of Independence, Bathsheba Spooner, in love with a soldier named Ezra Ross, conspired with her lover and accomplices to murder her wealthy husband, Joshua Spooner, who opposed colonial interests. After the murder, they hid the body in a well but were eventually caught and tried. Bathsheba was executed while pregnant, sparking controversy as to her actual condition, making her the first woman executed post-Declaration of Independence.
Tragic Vengeance: The Curse of Chief Chokurua
Following the Battle of Lovewell and the death of his son, Native American chief Chokurua seeks vengeance after a deadly accident involving a settler's poison. The settler, Cornelius Campbell, relentlessly pursues Chokurua, leading to a confrontation on a mountain with conflicting stories of the chief's demise. The legend of Chief Chokurua exemplifies the enduring impact of local folklore in shaping New England accounts.
Doctor Benton: The Dark Enigma of Immortality
Doc Benton of New Hampshire, once a respected physician, turns reclusive and conducts mysterious experiments after personal tragedies. Local suspicions arise due to peculiar livestock deaths and disappearances, linking Benton to bizarre occurrences. Reports of his malevolent activities culminate in a chilling encounter where he is allegedly seen committing monstrous acts, fueling fears of his dark immortality and elusive nature.
The older the place, the deeper the legends seem to run. And in New England, that means there’s a treasure trove of dark tales just waiting to be explored.
Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Harry Marks and Aaron Mahnke, and research bySam Alberty.
Thorne: Give your body what it really needs with Thorne. Go to Thorne.fit/lorepodcast for 10% off your first order.
SimpliSafe: Secure your home with 24/7 professional monitoring. Sign up today at SimpliSafe.com/Lore to get 20% off any new SimpliSafe system with Fast Protect Monitoring.
BetterHelp: Lore is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/LORE, and get on your way to being your best self.
To report a concern regarding a radio-style, non-Aaron ad in this episode, reach out to ads@lorepodcast.com with the name of the company or organization so we can look into it.