The Legend of The Witch's Grave - Part 3

Whispers carry on the wind across PEI, tales of a shadowy, enigmatic landmark known as the Witch's Grave. But where does this mysterious grave lie hidden? Who is the alleged Witch resting within? Could it be found nestled in the solemn grounds of North Carleton Pioneer Cemetery? Or is the Witch's Grave merely a figment of Island lore, a chilling story passed down through generations?

Join me as we delve into the eerie legend of the Witch's Grave, separating fact from folklore and unearthing the secrets buried deep within Prince Edward Island's past.

Whispers of A Witch

Picture of Jererusha Murphy's grave marker standing, now it lies alone

While researching the Pioneer Cemetery for my first post, a dark secret emerged. Posts and articles about the Witch's Grave, hinting that her haunted remains may lie within North Carleton Pioneer Cemetery's very grounds.

The following is taken from the Facebook group, Ghost Stories of PEI.

This is a question from Tracy

"Has anyone heard of the Witch's Grave? A lot of the kids in Summerside visit it this time of year and come home with weird pictures, unexplained scratches, etc. Does anyone know the story about the Witch's Grave?"

Some of the comments are interesting,

" I personally have never heard of this. Does anyone know of this or have any stories? In Borden by St Peter's Catholic Church on Cemetery Rd. if I remember correctly. " - Kara Lynn Pineau

" Its on the Pioneer Cemetery road because it's actually a grave site from a shipwreck involving some pioneers. There used to be more gravestones, but they disappeared. The eeriest part is that the ground is all raised in a big circle where the graves are." - Olivia Wood

"Maybe there are others, I've only heard of the one in C'town." - Kerri Byrne

" Sooo, its either maybe in Borden or maybe in Charlottetown." - Ann MacNeil

Then I found an article called

Where In The Hell Is The Witch's Tombstone?

by William Blackwell

He tries to decipher where the Witch's Grave lies and gives a few examples of where the Witch's Grave could reside.

Here is an exert from that article;

Statue at Paddy's grave

"Location One. The witch’s tombstone is said to be in Charlottetown in The People’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, 110 Kensington Road, behind the Saint Pius Catholic Church. The tombstone, made from concrete and wire mesh, depicts a cloaked, grief-stricken young woman, with a weather-beaten cross leaning against her. Her left arm has been amputated, probably the result of Mother Nature’s wrath."

Click here to continue to the article https://www.wblackwell.com/where-the-hell-is-the-witchs-tombstone/

What is the history?

All I could find on Jererusha Murphy is she is the wife of James Murphy, who passed away on April 12, 1858, at the age of 56, and their son, John, who died on July 23, 1858, which still remains. A comment from a relative stated she came from Ireland.

So is this our infamous 'Witch'?

And then there is the matter of the 4 posts that surround her grave. What does it mean?

4 posts surrounding the grave of Jererusha Murphy

I did a little digging and had read that sometimes 4 posts around a grave could be there for protective purposes to keep curious on lookers away ... and safe. For legends say that anyone that dares walk in they will be cursed by the witch. Then there is probably the more logical answer. Defining the burial plot, respecting the burial plot (not walking on top of the grave)

North Carleton Pioneer Cemetery

While the term "witch's grave" often refers to a grave with a stone slab or other unusual feature, the four posts are more likely to be part of a standard kerb set. The "witch" association is often a legend or folklore surrounding the specific grave, not necessarily related to the structure itself.

But as William Blackwell states;

"Of all the graves scattered across Prince Edward Island, it’s the one in Charlottetown that stirs the most curiosity. The tombstone of Paddy McGuinness carries an unsettling weight. Locals whisper that she was a witch, the leader of a cult accused of poisoning children—an accusation that, if true, led to her public hanging in the early 1900s. It’s a chilling story, steeped in folklore and fear. But what lingers isn’t just the legend. The grave itself tells a quieter tale. There’s sorrow etched into the stone—grief, not wickedness. And for those who stand before it, like the visitor who captured its image just days ago, the question remains: was Paddy McGuinness truly a villain… or simply a woman history."

Was there witchcraft going on in 1800s PEI?

Its very unlikely. Unlike the detailed records of earlier witch trials in Europe, I could not find that any such instances on PEI have been documented.

It's possible that some individuals on PEI held beliefs about magic, curses, or the power of certain individuals to influence events through supernatural means.

These beliefs could have led to unofficial accusations of witchcraft, where individuals might be ostracized, feared, or even harmed based on rumors or suspicions, though this would not have been a widespread or publicly acknowledged phenomenon.

But to conclude, The Legend of The Witch's Grave is just seems to be that, a legend, a folklore, a mystery.

But then maybe there is some truth to it just waiting to be found.