The York Witch Grave
Mary Nasson
BIRTH: 1745
DEATH: 8 Aug 1774 (aged 28–29)
BURIAL: Old York Cemetery
York Village, York County, Maine, USA
Mary Nasson was the wife of Samuel Nasson. She had been a successful and respected herbalist in the community, and she was also skilled at performing exorcisms. Her portrait is said to be the carved portrait that adorns the top of her headstone.
Legend states that Mary was a witch and was executed. Her grave is known as "Witch's Grave," and it is reported to be haunted and that the large stone slab emits heat.
Mary's husband erected a headstone, a footstone, and then placed a heavy stone slab between them, covering the ground over her body. The legend goes that the stone was placed there to keep her from crawling out of her grave. Historians disagree, saying that Mr. Nasson placed the slab there to keep cattle from damaging the grave. Whatever the reason for the slab, it is the only one of its kind in the entire cemetery.
To add more fire to the legend, crows which frequent the cemetery in the summer are reported to be Mrs. Nasson's "familiars," still paying tribute to her.
The inscription on the headstone:
"Here liest quite free from Lifes
Distressing Care,
A loving Wife
A tender Parent dear
Cut down in midst of days
As you may see
But - stop - my Grief
I soon shall equal be
when death shall stop my breath
And end my Time
God grant my Dust
May mingle, then, with thine.
Sacred to the memory of Mrs. MARY NASSON, wife of Mr. SAMUEL NASSON, who departed this life Aug. 18th 1774, AEtat 29".
The York Witch Grave
Mary Nasson
BIRTH: 1745
DEATH: 8 Aug 1774 (aged 28–29)
BURIAL: Old York Cemetery
York Village, York County, Maine, USA
Mary Nasson was the wife of Samuel Nasson. She had been a successful and respected herbalist in the community, and she was also skilled at performing exorcisms. Her portrait is said to be the carved portrait that adorns the top of her headstone.
Legend states that Mary was a witch and was executed. Her grave is known as "Witch's Grave," and it is reported to be haunted and that the large stone slab emits heat.
Mary's husband erected a headstone, a footstone, and then placed a heavy stone slab between them, covering the ground over her body. The legend goes that the stone was placed there to keep her from crawling out of her grave. Historians disagree, saying that Mr. Nasson placed the slab there to keep cattle from damaging the grave. Whatever the reason for the slab, it is the only one of its kind in the entire cemetery.
To add more fire to the legend, crows which frequent the cemetery in the summer are reported to be Mrs. Nasson's "familiars," still paying tribute to her.
The inscription on the headstone:
"Here liest quite free from Lifes
Distressing Care,
A loving Wife
A tender Parent dear
Cut down in midst of days
As you may see
But - stop - my Grief
I soon shall equal be
when death shall stop my breath
And end my Time
God grant my Dust
May mingle, then, with thine.
Sacred to the memory of Mrs. MARY NASSON, wife of Mr. SAMUEL NASSON, who departed this life Aug. 18th 1774, AEtat 29".