The Witch of Saratoga is a historical figure who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. Her real name was Jane McCrea, and she hailed from New Jersey. Jane McCrea was engaged to a British officer named David Jones, who was fighting for the loyalist cause. During the war, British and Native American forces were conducting raids in the Hudson Valley region. In July 1777, a group of Native Americans allied with the British captured Jane McCrea near Fort Edward in present-day New York. The exact circumstances of her death are still debated, but it is believed that she was killed by her captors.
The exact circumstances of her death are still debated, but it is believed that she was killed by her captors. The death of Jane McCrea had a profound impact on the American public and became highly sensationalized. Her tragic story was used as propaganda by the American Patriots to garner support for their cause.
Witch of Saratoga, Northampton’s Forgotten Magickal Emigrant
Northamptonshire has long been a hotbed of ‘witchcraft’ and the associated persecution.
The most infamous example being the Northamptonshire Witch Trials of 1612, which saw five people executed following a public dunking.
The county also claims the dubious distinction of being the last place in England to execute witches.
On 17 March 1705, Elinor Shaw and Mary Phillips were hanged, then burned before they were completely dead.
Northamptonshire’s ‘witches’ were even found in the New World.
A Northampton man stood accused of witchcraft during the notorious Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
He was killed by ‘pressing’ after refusing to confess.
But perhaps the County’s most overlooked magickal emigrant is Angeline Tubbs, the so-called Witch of Saratoga.
In America, she is legendary – her reputation fuelled by ghost vigils and fireside tales.
Yet in England hardly anyone remembers her name.
Her story began in a rural English backwater.
Origins of the Witch of Saratoga
Angeline was born in 1761 at the The Star and Garter Inn in the village of Watford, Northamptonshire, where her parents were landlords.
The Star and Garter Inn in Northamptonshire, where Angeline Tubbs – the future Witch of Saratoga – was born.
In subsequent years, renovation work here would uncover numerous artefacts such as witch-bottles and hidden shoes, all intended to keep evil at bay.
Angeline grew into a beautiful woman, with flowing hair and piercing black eyes. At the age of fifteen she was married off to a British officer from the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot.
Angeline Tubbs travels to America
When her husband was posted to fight in the American Revolutionary War, the young bride travelled with him.
In 1777, following the British defeat at the battle of Saratoga in New York State, Angeline’s husband tried to murder her.
Having failed, he abandoned her. As the British troops withdrew, the jilted bride was left alone in an unfamiliar land.
She walked to Saratoga Springs, where, at the base of what is now known as Mount Vista, or Angeline’s Hill, she constructed a hovel.
Angelina Tubbs aka the Witch of Saratoga.
Here, like some medieval European witch, Tubbs lived an isolated, feral and self sufficient existence, accruing dozens of cats to keep her company.
Folk in nearby settlements were unnerved by this curious English woman and her feline familiars.
Tales abounded that upon stormy nights she could be seen standing on the cliffs of Mount Vesta, her hair streaming in the wind, red lightning encircling her as as she communed with spirits.
Suspecting witchcraft, the locals accused the outcast of numerous crimes, had her arrested and sentenced to death.
She told her tormentors she would not die until the last of her cats had passed away. Tubbs survived the noose, although she carried its mark for the rest of her life, and her beauty began to fade until she resembled the arch-typical crone.
Witch of Saratoga becomes an outcast
As she grew older, and less able to fend for herself in the wilderness, Tubbs began telling fortunes to make ends meet.
In her 90s, a professional photographer published Angeline’s image and entitled it ‘The Witch of Saratoga’, turning Angeline into an unexpected tourist draw.
But reading fortunes didn’t generate much income. In 1865, at the age of 104 having outlived all her cats, Tubbs died in the poorhouse.
In the years since, witnesses claim to have seen the ghost of a sad young woman walking with a man in military uniform.
On stormy nights, a lonely figure has been reported standing on the outcrops of Mount Vista, silhouetted by lightening, and screaming with her arms outstretched in the wind.
Exile, fortune teller, spirit-talker, murder/execution survivor, and in death, an unquiet and oft-sighted spirit: the story of the enigmatic Angeline Tubbs, Northamptonshire’s forgotten witch, is sure to fascinate the curious for many years to come.
She saw the town grow rich, and she saw the wealthy tourists in their fancy carriages.
The incident was seen as evidence of the savagery of the British and their native allies. In the years following her death, various legends and myths surrounded the story of Jane McCrea. Some claimed that she was a spy, while others asserted that her death was orchestrated by American soldiers to turn public sentiment against the British. However, historical evidence does not support these theories. The story of the Witch of Saratoga has continued to captivate the imaginations of historians and writers alike. Her legend became intertwined with the larger narrative of the Revolutionary War and served as a symbol of the brutality and chaos of the conflict. Despite the controversy and speculation surrounding her death, Jane McCrea remains an enduring figure in American history..
Reviews for "Witchcraft in Saratoga: Examining the Witch Trials"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch of Saratoga". The story felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also very bland, with repetitive descriptions and a lack of originality. Overall, I found the book to be a dull and uninspiring read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Witch of Saratoga" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I struggled to get through the first few chapters and eventually gave up. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, and the author's attempt at creating suspense fell flat. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Robert - 2 stars - "Witch of Saratoga" had so much potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. The historical setting was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The writing seemed amateurish and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and the romance subplot felt forced. Additionally, there were several plot holes and inconsistencies that left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "Witch of Saratoga" promised a captivating historical fantasy, but it failed to deliver. The story felt rushed and superficial, lacking the necessary development and world-building. The protagonist was unrelatable and her actions often didn't make sense. The romance was also poorly developed, lacking chemistry and believability. I was hoping for a gripping read, but instead, I found myself struggling to stay interested.