The Witch of Saratoga explained

Angeline Tubbs
Caption:The Witch of Saratoga
Country:United States
Region:Saratoga Springs, New York
Grouping:Ghosts
Similar Entities:Agnes of Glasgow
First Attested:1770s
Folklore:New York
Details:Spurned or murdered lover abandoned in America by British soldier

Angeline Tubbs, aka The Witch of Saratoga, was a semi-legendary figure who lived in the area of Saratoga Springs, New York in the 1700s and 1800s.

Background

Tubbs was born in England around 1761, in the Star and Garter Inn in the village of Watford in Northamptonshire.[1] She became engaged to a British officer from the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot and at age fifteen followed him when he was sent to the colonies to fight in the Revolutionary War. After the British defeat in the Battles of Saratoga, he abandoned her.[2] With no place to go and knowing no one in a strange country, Tubbs supposedly walked fifteen miles through what was then uninhabited wilderness to the neighborhood of Saratoga Springs.[3] There she settled at the base of a hill called Mount Vista, described as "a small mountain one mile north of the village",[4] probably a promontory in the vicinity of Glen Mitchell -

For many years Tubbs lived there in a hut surrounded by a brood of cats. She developed a reputation as a witch and made a living telling fortunes[5] and trapping. Stone provides the following description:

Death and legacy

Tubbs died in 1865 at the age of 104. Reportedly her ghost can still be seen haunting the woods and she is a popular subject for "ghost walks".[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ancient anti-witchcraft potion found at former pub . BBC News . 4 September 2020 . 31 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Woutersz . Jeannine . 2011-09-22 . History Lesson: Revolutionary War brought "Witch of Saratoga" to Wilton . 2024-08-24 . Saratogian . en-US.
  3. News: Woutersz. Jeannine. History Lesson: Revolutionary War brought "Witch of Saratoga" to Wilton. September 2, 2013. The Saratogian. September 22, 2011.
  4. News: Stone. Wm.L.. Reminiscences of Saratoga: Who was He?. Sep 4, 2013. The Saratogian. Apr 29, 1869.
  5. Web site: 2019-06-26 . Witch Of Saratoga, Northampton's Forgotten Magickal Emigrant Spooky Isles . 2024-08-24 . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Jung. Alyssa. Supernatural Saratoga: History Ghost Walks expose city's ghostly side. Spotlight News. September 2, 2013. 3 September 2013. https://archive.today/20130903045911/http://www.spotlightnews.com/news/2011/aug/16/supernatural-saratoga/?templates=desktop&page=3. dead.