118: The Haunted Woods
We take a spooky trek through history to explore the legend of Moll Dyer, Maryland’s most famous witch—and the inspiration for a certain horor movie that took the late 1990s by storm.
Written Hosted, and Researched by Laurah Norton
Additional Research by Anna Luria
Engineered by Southern Gothic Media/Rachel Boyd
Episode Intel:
In this investigation, we explore the centuries-old legend of Moll Dyer, a figure from the colonial archives of St. Mary’s County, Maryland. While often dismissed as a ghost story or folklore, we dig into the historical records to see if a real woman—and a real tragedy—lay at the heart of this "witch" narrative.
Subjects of Investigation:
The Winter of 1698: We examine the localized tragedies—including livestock loss and illness—that led 17th-century settlers to seek a scapegoat in the woods of Leonardtown.
The Physical Evidence: An analysis of Moll Dyer Rock, the legendary boulder said to bear the permanent impressions of the woman who perished against it.
The Lynn Buonviri Research: We look at the 21st-century archival search for a documented Mary Dyer and the paper trail that might bridge the gap between myth and history.
Colonial Witchcraft Trials: A look at the legal history of Maryland, including the case of Rebecca Fowler and the social climate of the 1600s.
The Cinematic Connection: How a 300-year-old local legend became the direct inspiration for one of the most successful independent horror films in history.
Modern Leonardtown: The transformation of a dark folklore tale into a contemporary community initiative.
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Works Cited
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