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| Buck's monument. |
Many tourists have visited Bucksport Cemetery because of a curse. The man who was the victim of this curse actually lived and died in Maine. Colonel Jonathan Buck fought in the American Revolutionary War. He formed the Fifth Colonial Regiment.
Later he founded “Buckstown,” which became known as Bucksport, Maine. He died in 1795, but not before, according to legend, his mistress cursed him. Some state there is visual proof even today that this curse lives on.
The Bucksport curse was first
mentioned in an article in The Cambridge City Tribune written by J. O.
Whittamore, over a hundred years later, in 1899.
As the story goes, Colonel Buck had a mistress by the name of Ida Black. * The two were happy until Ida’s looks began to fade. At which point, the Colonel found himself a new younger mistress. During the mid-1700's Maine was in the grips of Witchcraft Hysteria. Buck decided to use this to his own advantage.
As the story goes, Colonel Buck had a mistress by the name of Ida Black. * The two were happy until Ida’s looks began to fade. At which point, the Colonel found himself a new younger mistress. During the mid-1700's Maine was in the grips of Witchcraft Hysteria. Buck decided to use this to his own advantage.
To get rid of Ida, he accused her of being a witch. Buck was believed because he was a leading citizen of the community. Ida was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to burn.
It is said as she burned, she placed a curse upon the Colonel. She warned that she would haunt his grave. As the crowd and Colonel Buck watched, she proclaimed that she would “dance upon his grave” at his death.
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| Depiction of Ida--the witch. |
It is said as she burned, she placed a curse upon the Colonel. She warned that she would haunt his grave. As the crowd and Colonel Buck watched, she proclaimed that she would “dance upon his grave” at his death.
When Jonathan Buck died
in 1795, evidence of Ida Black’s curse was noted. Shortly after the colonel’s death, a
“bloody leg print” appeared upon his large grave monument.
Many people over the years have tried to remove it, but it always reappears.
Descendants of Colonel Buck have replaced the stone twice, but the bloody print always returns. Reports state that the print always appears more pronounced on the anniversary of the Colonel’s death.
Many people over the years have tried to remove it, but it always reappears.
Descendants of Colonel Buck have replaced the stone twice, but the bloody print always returns. Reports state that the print always appears more pronounced on the anniversary of the Colonel’s death.
Some state this story is
true, others state that it was actually just a fabrication of J. O. Whittamore’s
imagination.
Regardless, tourists still flock to see the Colonel’s large stone monument in Bucksport Cemetery.
The print is still very much in evidence in recent photos.
Regardless, tourists still flock to see the Colonel’s large stone monument in Bucksport Cemetery.
The print is still very much in evidence in recent photos.
* I have not found any
evidence that an Ida Black lived in Bucksport. But as with most good legends this story has elements of truth, which keeps it alive.
Bucksport Cemetery is located off Maine Street/ Highway 1 in Hancock County, Maine.
I thought US law prevented "Spectral" evidence? Salem being the turning point in peoples opinion of it in 1692? And how did Buck served during the Revolutionary war in 1776....then die in 1875?
ReplyDeleteThe Revolutionary war was from 1775 till 1783. Buck died in 1795. As for your point about "Spectral evidence." This story is a legend. So I have no idea how US law applies to a story that is just told for entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThe only 1800s date I cite in this post--relates to a date given when an article was written about the curse 105 years later.