The Dark History of the Boston Common and the Women Who Haunt It

Boston Common has the distinction of being the first Public Park in America after Puritan colonists bought the land in 1634. Though it’s beautiful today, this park has a deeply dark history. It quickly became the grounds for Puritan punishments (think: whipping posts, stocks, and executions). Grab a warm cup as we explore the lives of women who were put to death here and whether or not they still haunt the grounds today.

Tea of the Day: DM & Co. Kettle Corn Tea 

Theme Music by Brad Frank

Sources:

• The Freedom Trail, “Boston Common.” https://www.thefreedomtrail.org/trail-sites/boston-common#:~:text=Established%20in%201634%2C%20Boston%20Common,area%2C%20Anglican%20minister%20William%20Blackstone.
• New England Folklore, “Ghosts of the Great Elm and The Witching Elm.” By Peter Muise, May 03, 2015 https://newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com/2015/05/ghosts-of-great-elm-and-witching-elm.html
• Nightly Spirits, “The Haunts of Boston Common in Boston.” June 2, 2020 https://nightlyspirits.com/the-haunts-of-boston-common-in-boston/
• Boston Hidden Gems, “Boston History: The Great Elm History.” Nov 14, 2022, https://www.bostonhiddengems.com/blog/the-great-elm
• City of Boston, “Notes from the Archives: Mary Dyer executed #onthisday in 1660.” Published by Archives and Records Management, Last updated: June 1, 2017, https://www.boston.gov/news/notes-archives-mary-dyer-executed-onthisday-1660
• Quakers in the World, “Mary Dyer.” https://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/15/Mary-Dyer
• UMKC School of Law - Famous Trials, “The Life, Trials, and Execution of Mary Dyer: An Account.” by Douglas O. Linder  (2019) https://famous-trials.com/dyer/2489-the-life-trials-and-execution-of-mary-dyer-an-account
• Michals, Debra.  "Anne Hutchinson."  National Women's History Museum.  Natonal Women's History Museum, 2015.  Site Accessed October 11, 2024, https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/anne-hutchinson
• Ghost City Tours, “The Ghost of Mary Dyer: the story of one of Boston's most famous ghosts.” https://ghostcitytours.com/boston/ghost-stories/mary-dyer/
• Seven, John, “This Wealthy Woman Was Hanged as a Witch for Speaking Her Mind.” Published: October 24, 2018, History.com, https://www.history.com/news/witch-trial-execution-anne-hibbins-boston
• Buck, Stephanie, “This woman was executed as a witch because she complained about her carpenters.” Medium, Nov 30, 2016, https://medium.com/timeline/ann-hibbins-witch-a92a9cff276d
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64261891/ann-hibbens: accessed October 15, 2024), memorial page for Ann Moore Hibbens (1605–19 Jun 1656), Find a Grave Memorial ID 64261891, citing Granary Burying Ground, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by James Bianco (contri