Dudleytown
Dudley town was a small
village that was an isolated part of Cornwall, Connecticut. It was founded in the
1700s and at the height of its popularity there was an estimated 26 families
living within. The village now looks as it did the day it was founded, with
just cellar holes and skeletal remains of its leftover foundations. Not even
animals take residence in these thick woods leaving the eerie village in a
ghostly silence. Shadowed by three large mountains and rocky terrain, made it
hard for farmers to farm and for the villagers to live; but it wasn’t the
sparse food that was killing the villagers and leaving this small village…in
desperate mystery.
village that was an isolated part of Cornwall, Connecticut. It was founded in the
1700s and at the height of its popularity there was an estimated 26 families
living within. The village now looks as it did the day it was founded, with
just cellar holes and skeletal remains of its leftover foundations. Not even
animals take residence in these thick woods leaving the eerie village in a
ghostly silence. Shadowed by three large mountains and rocky terrain, made it
hard for farmers to farm and for the villagers to live; but it wasn’t the
sparse food that was killing the villagers and leaving this small village…in
desperate mystery.
The Curse
England 1510, Edmund Dudley is
beheaded by King Henry the 7th, for trying to overthrow the King. On
this day of his beheading, someone or something placed a curse on the rest of
Dudley’s descendants. Shortly after this, Edmund’s son, John Dudley, attempted
to take control over the British throne by arranging for his own son, Guilford,
to marry Lady Jane Grey – this failed and ended with the execution of Lady Jane
and John and Guilford Dudley. After the execution, Guilford’s brother, whom was
a military officer, returned from France and with him, brought home a plague
that wiped out a massive number of the British soldiers and spread throughout
the country killing thousands.
beheaded by King Henry the 7th, for trying to overthrow the King. On
this day of his beheading, someone or something placed a curse on the rest of
Dudley’s descendants. Shortly after this, Edmund’s son, John Dudley, attempted
to take control over the British throne by arranging for his own son, Guilford,
to marry Lady Jane Grey – this failed and ended with the execution of Lady Jane
and John and Guilford Dudley. After the execution, Guilford’s brother, whom was
a military officer, returned from France and with him, brought home a plague
that wiped out a massive number of the British soldiers and spread throughout
the country killing thousands.
And it’s off!
-
1745:
Thomas Griffis settles in the area that would later be named Dudleytown,
Connecticut.
1745:
Thomas Griffis settles in the area that would later be named Dudleytown,
Connecticut.
-
1748:
Gideon Dudley buys land from Mr. Griffis, so that he may start a small farm.
1748:
Gideon Dudley buys land from Mr. Griffis, so that he may start a small farm.
-
1753:
Gideon dudley’s two brothers, Barzillai and Abiel, also purchase land nearby
and the three brothers give the little village its name.
1753:
Gideon dudley’s two brothers, Barzillai and Abiel, also purchase land nearby
and the three brothers give the little village its name.
Within
the following years, a Martin Dudley, from a different line of the family,
moves from Massachusetts and into the area where he marries Gideon’s daughter.
Soon after, more townsfolk begin to come: the Tanner family, the Jones’, the
Patterson’s, the Dibbles, and the Porters.
the following years, a Martin Dudley, from a different line of the family,
moves from Massachusetts and into the area where he marries Gideon’s daughter.
Soon after, more townsfolk begin to come: the Tanner family, the Jones’, the
Patterson’s, the Dibbles, and the Porters.
After this the town grew away from
farming and into mining the iron ores that were discovered nearby. This leads
the small village to lean on the towns nearby for food and water. The small village
was so petite that it had no stores, shops, schools or churches in the area and
due to this, once one would die their body would need to be taken to Cornwall
to be buried in a cemetery.
farming and into mining the iron ores that were discovered nearby. This leads
the small village to lean on the towns nearby for food and water. The small village
was so petite that it had no stores, shops, schools or churches in the area and
due to this, once one would die their body would need to be taken to Cornwall
to be buried in a cemetery.
-
1759:
Abiel Dudley loses his entire fortune and can’t pay his debts. His property is
taken away; he soon loses his mind and becomes a ward of the village. After
this a Nathaniel Carter buys his house.
1759:
Abiel Dudley loses his entire fortune and can’t pay his debts. His property is
taken away; he soon loses his mind and becomes a ward of the village. After
this a Nathaniel Carter buys his house.
-
1763:
Nathaniel abandons his living in Dudleytown and moves his wife and four
children to Binghamton, New York. At one point the Carters move to Delaware, in
the middle of an Indian territory. During this time, they were attacked by the
Natives. Nathaniel, his wife and infant child were killed; and the three other
children were abducted and taken to Canada. In Canada the two daughters were
ransomed but the son, David Cart, remained with the Natives, married an Indian
woman and later returned to the United States to further his education. He
would later edit newspaper and become a justice on the Supreme Court.
1763:
Nathaniel abandons his living in Dudleytown and moves his wife and four
children to Binghamton, New York. At one point the Carters move to Delaware, in
the middle of an Indian territory. During this time, they were attacked by the
Natives. Nathaniel, his wife and infant child were killed; and the three other
children were abducted and taken to Canada. In Canada the two daughters were
ransomed but the son, David Cart, remained with the Natives, married an Indian
woman and later returned to the United States to further his education. He
would later edit newspaper and become a justice on the Supreme Court.
-
August,
1774: The Cholera plague sweeps through Dudleytown, taking the lives of
Adoniram Carter’s family, brother of Nathaniel Carter.
August,
1774: The Cholera plague sweeps through Dudleytown, taking the lives of
Adoniram Carter’s family, brother of Nathaniel Carter.
-
1792:
Seven years before Abiel Dudley passes away, his good friend and former
neighbor, Gershon Hollister, died while building a barn. Some speculate if he
had fallen to his death or was killed.
1792:
Seven years before Abiel Dudley passes away, his good friend and former
neighbor, Gershon Hollister, died while building a barn. Some speculate if he
had fallen to his death or was killed.
-
April,
1804: General Herman Swift; a man who served under George Washington in the
Revolutionary War, suffers tragedy at Dudleytown when his wife, Sarah Faye is
struck by lightning on their front porch and killed instantly. After this, some
claim that General Swift, became “Slightly demented.”
April,
1804: General Herman Swift; a man who served under George Washington in the
Revolutionary War, suffers tragedy at Dudleytown when his wife, Sarah Faye is
struck by lightning on their front porch and killed instantly. After this, some
claim that General Swift, became “Slightly demented.”
A Mr. Tanner was also said to have gone
insane but this was possible through old age, rather than otherworldly
influence. He lived to the ripe age of 104, which back then was phenomenal.
According to records, he was also slightly demented by the time of his death.
What throws the story to paranormal was that he claimed to have told other
villagers about the “strange creatures,” that came out of the woods at night. This
may be the rambling of an old man, but there is another resident who claimed
the same thing, we’ll be getting to that shortly.
insane but this was possible through old age, rather than otherworldly
influence. He lived to the ripe age of 104, which back then was phenomenal.
According to records, he was also slightly demented by the time of his death.
What throws the story to paranormal was that he claimed to have told other
villagers about the “strange creatures,” that came out of the woods at night. This
may be the rambling of an old man, but there is another resident who claimed
the same thing, we’ll be getting to that shortly.
Over
the years it’s been reported that a woman named, Mary Cheney committed suicide
in Dudleytown. However, local historians disputed this report; Mary Cheney died
of lung disease and had, in fact, never visited Dudleytown.
the years it’s been reported that a woman named, Mary Cheney committed suicide
in Dudleytown. However, local historians disputed this report; Mary Cheney died
of lung disease and had, in fact, never visited Dudleytown.
Over
the next hundred years the population dwindled to almost nothing. Children grew
up, married and moved on.
the next hundred years the population dwindled to almost nothing. Children grew
up, married and moved on.
-
1901:
The last residents, John Patrick Brophy and his wife were next on the curse
list. John’s wife died of consumption, which back then was of the normal. Unfortunately
afterwards his two children mysteriously disappeared into the woods, never
heard of again. After, John’s home burned down, possibly at his own hand, and
then John walked away from Dudleytown to never have been seen again.
1901:
The last residents, John Patrick Brophy and his wife were next on the curse
list. John’s wife died of consumption, which back then was of the normal. Unfortunately
afterwards his two children mysteriously disappeared into the woods, never
heard of again. After, John’s home burned down, possibly at his own hand, and
then John walked away from Dudleytown to never have been seen again.
And
then…Dudleytown was deserted.
then…Dudleytown was deserted.
Born
Again
Again
1903. Cancer
Specialist, Dr. William Clarke came to Cornwall, Connecticut from New York
City. Falling in love with the scenery he bought some land off Dark Entry Road
where he would build a cabin for himself and his wife, Harriet Banks Clarke.
They would often spend their weekends at this cabin. In 1917, Harriet was
diagnosed with a chronic illness, that some say was tuberculosis. Around 1918,
Dr. Clarke left Dudleytown on emergency leave back to New York, leaving his
wife behind. After returning three days later, he found that she had gone
insane, making claims that strange creatures came out of the forest and
attacked her. After this, she committed suicide in their New York home.
Specialist, Dr. William Clarke came to Cornwall, Connecticut from New York
City. Falling in love with the scenery he bought some land off Dark Entry Road
where he would build a cabin for himself and his wife, Harriet Banks Clarke.
They would often spend their weekends at this cabin. In 1917, Harriet was
diagnosed with a chronic illness, that some say was tuberculosis. Around 1918,
Dr. Clarke left Dudleytown on emergency leave back to New York, leaving his
wife behind. After returning three days later, he found that she had gone
insane, making claims that strange creatures came out of the forest and
attacked her. After this, she committed suicide in their New York home.
This event wouldn’t stop
Dr. Clarke’s affair with Dudleytown, he would often bring friends and
associates on his weekend getaways and even his new wife after he remarried.
Soon, others would begin to move back to the village. In December 1924,
together with friends, Dr. Clarke formed the Dark Entry Forest Association,
which was formed to mostly be a nature preserve.
Dr. Clarke’s affair with Dudleytown, he would often bring friends and
associates on his weekend getaways and even his new wife after he remarried.
Soon, others would begin to move back to the village. In December 1924,
together with friends, Dr. Clarke formed the Dark Entry Forest Association,
which was formed to mostly be a nature preserve.
Today:
The Dark Entry Forest
Association stills own most of the land today and since the late 1990s, they no
longer allow hikers to go on their land due to vandalism. Whether there was a
curse or not, the stories circulated and attracted witches, cultists, and
Satanists to visit the area. And although forbidden, this hasn’t stopped daring
hikers and ghost hunters to travel the narrow trails to Dudleytown.
Association stills own most of the land today and since the late 1990s, they no
longer allow hikers to go on their land due to vandalism. Whether there was a
curse or not, the stories circulated and attracted witches, cultists, and
Satanists to visit the area. And although forbidden, this hasn’t stopped daring
hikers and ghost hunters to travel the narrow trails to Dudleytown.
Records do state that before
Dudleytown was founded, it once belonged to the Mohawk Indian Tribe but the
records tell us little of the first settlers. People who visit boast about
paranormal photographs, overwhelming feelings of terror, mysterious lights,
sight, and sounds, being touched, pushed and scratched by unseen hands.
Dudleytown was founded, it once belonged to the Mohawk Indian Tribe but the
records tell us little of the first settlers. People who visit boast about
paranormal photographs, overwhelming feelings of terror, mysterious lights,
sight, and sounds, being touched, pushed and scratched by unseen hands.
Unfortunately, what is left of
Dudleytown, as mentioned, has been vandalized. No buildings are standing and
there has been theorized that the soil is contaminated by lead.
Dudleytown, as mentioned, has been vandalized. No buildings are standing and
there has been theorized that the soil is contaminated by lead.
Critics and believers
Reverend Gary Dudley, a Dudley
family genealogist says that there never was a curse. He points out that the
first published mentioning of his curse was found in the book, “They Found a
Way,” written by Stephen Daye Press, in 1938. To further disclose that there is
no hereditary curse bond to the land is this fact:
family genealogist says that there never was a curse. He points out that the
first published mentioning of his curse was found in the book, “They Found a
Way,” written by Stephen Daye Press, in 1938. To further disclose that there is
no hereditary curse bond to the land is this fact:
William Dudley, the Dudley that
came to America, and his children having named Dudleytown, would have been the
son of Robert Dudley of England that the curse was put on, but he wasn’t.
Robert Dudley had only two sons, and one of them died while still a child and
whiles the rest of his descendants’ remained in England. There is no link
between the cursed Dudley and the ones who named Dudleytown.
came to America, and his children having named Dudleytown, would have been the
son of Robert Dudley of England that the curse was put on, but he wasn’t.
Robert Dudley had only two sons, and one of them died while still a child and
whiles the rest of his descendants’ remained in England. There is no link
between the cursed Dudley and the ones who named Dudleytown.
Let’s also bring up that three
of the Dudley’s moved out of the region and lived long, full lives, dying of
natural causes.
of the Dudley’s moved out of the region and lived long, full lives, dying of
natural causes.
Famous Demonologist, author and
ghost hunter, Ed Warren stated, “The curse in Dudleytown started after the
village became a thriving town. People went mad and reported seeing
monstrosities in the forest – things that were unnatural. Everyone left the
town.”
ghost hunter, Ed Warren stated, “The curse in Dudleytown started after the
village became a thriving town. People went mad and reported seeing
monstrosities in the forest – things that were unnatural. Everyone left the
town.”
The Cursed Lead:
Do I believe there is a curse?
I’m abet skeptical myself to be honest. Curses can follow families, they can
stick to lands, they can stick to one single person – curses are evil, they are
practically contagious. I don’t think that the Dudley men were cursed – if it
were just them then just their family would be destroyed and not everyone
around them. Does that mean the land is cursed? It is quite possible, in my belief;
I noticed through my research that no one cared to ask the Mohawk tribe, if
there is still one near the area, if they had any ancestral stories about the
land that they could potentially resemble after the Dudley’s arrived. It may
have provided some information.
I’m abet skeptical myself to be honest. Curses can follow families, they can
stick to lands, they can stick to one single person – curses are evil, they are
practically contagious. I don’t think that the Dudley men were cursed – if it
were just them then just their family would be destroyed and not everyone
around them. Does that mean the land is cursed? It is quite possible, in my belief;
I noticed through my research that no one cared to ask the Mohawk tribe, if
there is still one near the area, if they had any ancestral stories about the
land that they could potentially resemble after the Dudley’s arrived. It may
have provided some information.
Maybe there were Native beliefs
of monsters in the area? Wendigos’, two faced demons, the sorts but we don’t
know because we never asked. Were there any deaths of the natives? Any of them
crazy? Again – no one knows, except for them if they kept the stories. That’d
be the only thing that can prove to me, at least, if there is a genuine curse
on the land.
of monsters in the area? Wendigos’, two faced demons, the sorts but we don’t
know because we never asked. Were there any deaths of the natives? Any of them
crazy? Again – no one knows, except for them if they kept the stories. That’d
be the only thing that can prove to me, at least, if there is a genuine curse
on the land.
Let’s get back to that lead
theory.
theory.
Metals within the ground, even
stones, have a way of collecting energy. Places with large amounts of limestone
generally have a greater chance of “paranormal activity.” And not just that –
lead is poisonous especially if ingested. If lead is in the ground, being
absorbed into the crops they eat and into the water they drink it is definitely
possible for them to get “mysterious illnesses,” and go “demented or insane.”
Lead can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, stomach and nervous system.
Ultimately producing hallucination, comas, seizures, mood changes, memory loss,
mess up sleep patterns and much more; it can slow down the thought process and
growing process of children. It can cause violent sicknesses. If the villagers
mined the iron ore and lead was in the ground around it, the lead was disturbed
and then can become airborne as well, being indigested that way.
stones, have a way of collecting energy. Places with large amounts of limestone
generally have a greater chance of “paranormal activity.” And not just that –
lead is poisonous especially if ingested. If lead is in the ground, being
absorbed into the crops they eat and into the water they drink it is definitely
possible for them to get “mysterious illnesses,” and go “demented or insane.”
Lead can cause damage to the brain, kidneys, stomach and nervous system.
Ultimately producing hallucination, comas, seizures, mood changes, memory loss,
mess up sleep patterns and much more; it can slow down the thought process and
growing process of children. It can cause violent sicknesses. If the villagers
mined the iron ore and lead was in the ground around it, the lead was disturbed
and then can become airborne as well, being indigested that way.
Usually large amounts of lead
poisoning that probably would cause this much damage would have been from
pollution, such as manufacturing, paint, makeup, and the such but I do not know
if there was any actual testing on the land and how much lead is within. It
could very much be enough to kill off people, make them go insane and even –
keep animals from entering.
poisoning that probably would cause this much damage would have been from
pollution, such as manufacturing, paint, makeup, and the such but I do not know
if there was any actual testing on the land and how much lead is within. It
could very much be enough to kill off people, make them go insane and even –
keep animals from entering.
What do you believe? Do you
think it was a curse? Or something more scientific? Or both?
think it was a curse? Or something more scientific? Or both?
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