Brittany E. Scott

THE TAUNTON RIVER

The Native American Tribe known as the Wampanoags, were indigenous to the Southeastern shore of modern-day Massachusetts. The Taunton River was the heart of the land, serving the community as a plentiful source of fish and as a mode of transportation.

This same water route is believed to have been used by Captain Church to return Indian King "Metacom" Philip's body to the Plimoth Colony as a war trophy.

THE 'NEW WORLD' CONVERSION

Freelance pastor and house-painter, Karston Kydland.

In the late 1600’s Puritan missionaries proposed a "humane" solution to the Indian “problem:” converting native peoples to Christianity.

A “Praying Town” for Native Americans.

Englishman and Chief Lieutenant to John Smith, Thomas Hunt, planned to establish his reign in the New World by selling Native Americans as slaves to Spain.

Until his interaction with Tisquantum, better known as “Squanto”.

Squanto’s life and freedom were spared when an agreement was made between the two to share his Native know-how of survival: farming squash and beans, catching fish, collecting seafood and most iconically, cultivating corn.

ANAWAN ROCK

Atop a high cliff at the edge of the Squanakonk Swamp, the newly appointed Wampanoag Chief, Anawan, lay asleep with his youngest son.

Captain Benjamin Church, once a friend to the Natives, discovered the two and abruptly captured them. As a sign of peaceful surrender, the Chief gifted Captain Church with a belt fashioned with birds, animals and flowers worn by the late King Philip.

It was with this defeat on the 28th of August 1676, that the King Philips War was declared over.

THE LIZZIE BORDEN HOUSE

“Lizzie Borden took an axe,

And gave her mother forty whacks,

When she saw what she had done,

She gave her father forty-one.”

-Anonymous

Actually, the Bordens’ received only 29 whacks.

Mrs. Borden’s death remains a mystery.

Mr. Borden’s body was found here.

His blood was said to have pooled beneath the couch and seeped through the floorboards, into the basement.

The evidence from his murder is said to have been concealed by an area rug.

“Sometimes when I keep my shop open late, I can hear them screaming

next door. It still confuses me why people would want to stay overnight

in a haunted house like that. All you’re going to do is freak yourself out.”

- Pedro (barber at Shalom Hair Studio,neighbor

to the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast)

THE 'HOCKOMOCK PLAZA'

During the seventeenth century, The Hockomock Swamp, a 6,000 acre wetland, was used as a fortress by the Wampanoag, a predominating tribe of warrior natives in the area, against the invasion by early white settlers.

The term “Hockomock” translates to “place where spirits dwell”.

This shopping plaza, on the outskirts of the swamp has been the site of over 20 gruesome murders and drive-by shootings in the last 10 years.

THE '44 HITCH HIKER'

The "Red-Headed Hitch Hiker" of Route 44 haunts only at night.

Preferring only vehicles of young groups of three, it is cautioned to always leave a seat open if he so chooses your car as his target. Always leaving as quickly as he appeared, the “44 Hitch Hiker” often leaves behind a cigarette burn on his reserved backseat and a resonating maniacal laughter.

“It’s really a shame what happened between the Indians and the Pilgrims way

back when. Everyone thinks of the whole ‘Thanksgiving’ thing, and figure

it was a happy time. I guess its just easier to believe that version of the story.”

-Kim, (waitress at a popular Fall River diner)

EXPLORING THE 'WITCH TREE' FIELD

In 1636 Thomas Bradbury took Mary Perkins as his bride.

In 1662, at 47 years of age, Mary Perkins Bradbury was accused of causing terror in the night in the metamorphic form of a blue bull. She was later convicted of casting spells upon merchant ships, and countless other acts of sorcery.

Mary Perkins Bradbury was laid to rest amidst these roots.

THE "BUD TREE"

"PAUL DEVER"

"Most of our beliefs and superstitions are part of Indian folklore, and early settlers. And if you think about it, since the dawn of time the two things that people have fought for are religion and real estate. So if the Indians made up 'curses' or 'spirits' in this area, it was probably to protect their land."

-Evan (landscaper and martial artist)