The Local Legend of: The Portsmouth Witch & Her Cat

By Kyle 'Fig' Newton

In the era of witch burnings, many accusations left the person(often women) dead, at hands of the court. One particular woman's story, Jane Walford of Portsmouth New Hampshire, ends a little differently than most. Local Legends were spread about her for years, and this is one of the tales held against Jane during her trial, in 1656. Now it's up to you to decide if the legends were true about the infamous..."Witch of Portsmouth."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kyle 'Fig' Newton
• Release date: Feb 23, 2023

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Dedicated To Mr. Mez.

Immortalized in my heart, and now in my literary adventures. Thank you for the memories, old friend.

The Legend Of The Portsmouth Witch & Her Cat

Greetings reader, and welcome to another edition of Local Legends: New England! Being known as a ‘White Mountain Folklore Historian,’ having grown up in the rugged region of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, I’ve become somewhat of a specialists in the paranormal lore within the area, but when I discover a story like this, I am willing to travel outside my usual haunts, for this legend.

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Far south from the notorious weather of Mount Washington, beyond the Lake’s Region, marks the beautiful, albeit small, coastline of New Hampshire. Many towns nestle along this quaint shoreline, such as Hampton and its well-known beach, or the town of Rye and its historic landscape. However, none of them hold as much mystery and witchcraft as Portsmouth New Hampshire.

For years, the legend of ‘The Portsmouth witch’ lived within this little seaside town, due in part to the fact it was supported by the local physician of the time: Doctor Spokesfield. In fact, the reason this legend spread all the way north to Shelburne New Hampshire is due to the good doctor’s influence within southern New Hampshire. But the story of Shelburne’s Witch is for a later time (*hint, hint*). For now, enjoy the legend of