During the Maryland Witch Trials in the late 1690s the legend of Moll Dyer was born. After a deadly plague and failed crops had taken their toll on the people of Leonardtown, the deeply religious community determined that witchery was to blame. The unfortunate target of their wrath was a woman named Moll Dyer who lived by herself on the southern edge of town. When the angry mob of townsfolk came to torch her home, Moll barely escaped. 

 

Running into the bitter cold, Moll knew she wouldn’t survive the cruel winter night. Exhausted, she came to rest by a small boulder. Placing one hand on the stone, she cursed the town and all of its inhabitants before freezing to death. Days later, she was discovered frozen with one hand still on the boulder and the other reaching toward the heavens. 

 

A road named after Moll Dyer now runs by the place of her demise, but you may want to think twice before hopping in your car for a drive. Sightings of phantoms, will-o’-the-wisps, and even a white dog with glowing red eyes have been reported along the stretch of road by frightened motorists. A mysterious fog has also been seen there, manifesting as if from nowhere and causing many tragic accidents. 

 

In 1972 members of the National Guard moved the Moll Dyer stone to town where it now sits on the grounds of Tudor Hall. Inscribed on a plaque above it is a warning that the curse of Moll Dyer will befall any that are foolish enough to touch it.

Would you?