Moll Pitcher – Famous Fortune Teller of Massachusetts
Mary Diamond, better known as Moll Pitcher, remains an enigmatic figure in the folklore of Massachusetts. Born in Marblehead around 1736, she rose to prominence in nearby Lynn as a celebrated clairvoyant and fortune teller. Her life, shrouded in mystery and embellished by countless anecdotes, paints a portrait of a woman who captivated the imagination of her time, drawing visitors from all walks of life, including wealthy Europeans and superstitious sailors.
The early life of Moll Pitcher provides a glimpse into the social fabric of colonial Massachusetts. Born to Aholiab Diamond, a shoemaker, and Lydia Silsbee Diamond, Mary, as she was known then, appears to have received some level of education, despite the absence of formal schooling for girls. On October 2, 1760, she married Robert Pitcher, who was purportedly an apprentice of her father. The couple settled in with her parents and eventually had four children. It was shortly after her marriage that Mary Pitcher began to gain recognition for her extraordinary abilities as a fortune teller.
Her ancestry played a significant role in shaping her reputation. Her grandfather, Captain Aholiab Diamond, was known throughout Marblehead as "The Wizard of Marblehead." He was reputed to possess supernatural powers, utilizing them to rescue sailors from perilous shipwrecks and locate missing persons and stolen goods. This familial legacy of wizardry undoubtedly contributed to the aura surrounding Moll Pitcher and fueled the belief in her own extraordinary gifts.
The methods employed by Moll Pitcher in her fortune-telling practices are particularly fascinating. She primarily used tea leaves, interpreting the patterns formed by the leaves in the bottom of a cup to reveal insights into her clients’ lives. These consultations covered a wide range of concerns, from matters of the heart and inheritance disputes to criminal investigations and, most notably, predictions regarding the fate of maritime voyages. Sailors, ship owners, and even treasure hunters sought her counsel, demonstrating the breadth of her influence. One humorous anecdote recounts her impatience with treasure seekers, retorting, "Fools, if I knew where money was buried, do you think I would part with the secret?"
Stories of her remarkable accuracy circulated widely, further solidifying her status. Some accounts even suggested that she had secretly aided George Washington during the American Revolution by passing along British military secrets and foretelling his eventual presidency. While the veracity of these claims remains debatable, they underscore the extent to which Moll Pitcher was woven into the fabric of local lore and national identity.
The popular perception of Moll Pitcher often leaned towards that of a witch, a label that likely stemmed from her perceived supernatural abilities and the superstitions prevalent during the 18th century. Had she lived a century earlier, during the height of the Salem Witch Trials, she might have faced a far different fate. However, the changing social climate allowed her to practice her craft without fear of persecution, though not without a degree of skepticism and suspicion from some quarters.
Moll Pitcher died on April 9, 1813, at the age of 74. Her birthplace and family home in Marblehead remains standing to this day, a tangible link to the legendary figure. While she was initially buried in an unmarked grave, a tombstone was later erected in her memory, bearing an epitaph drawn from a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, a testament to her enduring impact on the region’s cultural landscape.
In the years following her death, Moll Pitcher became a popular subject for writers and playwrights. John Greenleaf Whittier penned a lengthy poem about her, though his portrayal was less than flattering, depicting her as a witch engaged in sinful practices. In contrast, some historical accounts attempted to provide a more nuanced and balanced perspective on her life and abilities.
An article published in the Boston Traveler on July 12, 1879, offers a more detailed account of her personality and methods. It describes her home on Essex Street in Lynn as a "black two-story hovel" that stood in a large field, accessible via a well-worn path. The article challenges the popular image of her as a wizened hag, suggesting that she was actually a rather attractive woman in her younger years, possessing "piercing black eyes and a long Athenian nose, which indicated great shrewdness."
The Boston Traveler article also provides insights into her fortune-telling techniques. It reveals that Moll Pitcher often relied on her daughter, Becky, to gather information from visitors before their consultations. Becky would engage them in conversation, ostensibly to pass the time while they waited for her mother, but in reality, she was discreetly extracting details that Moll Pitcher could later use to impress her clients with her apparent knowledge. This shrewd approach, combined with her keen understanding of human nature, allowed her to make remarkably accurate predictions, or at least create the illusion of doing so.
According to the Boston Traveler, Moll Pitcher was not necessarily a true prophetess, but rather a skilled observer and manipulator of information. She possessed a sharp intellect and an ability to discern patterns and predict likely outcomes based on the information she gathered. Her predictions often had a significant impact on the lives of those who sought her counsel, particularly in the maritime community. Sailors refused to board ships she deemed unlucky, and ship captains struggled to find crews willing to sail on voyages she had foretold would end in disaster.
The article also recounts a rather humorous anecdote about how Moll Pitcher and her daughter would use a large ox chain to frighten clients who refused to pay her fees. Becky would drag the chain across the floor of the upper chamber, creating a terrifying racket that convinced the visitors that the devil was after them, prompting them to quickly settle their debts.
Despite her fame and influence, Moll Pitcher was not without her detractors. The Boston Traveler article recounts an incident in which she was caught stealing goods from a local store, suggesting that she was not above engaging in dishonest practices. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to her character, highlighting the contrast between her public persona as a wise and respected fortune teller and her private actions.
Her legacy as Moll Pitcher continues to endure in the folklore of Massachusetts, inspiring countless stories and legends. While the truth about her abilities may never be fully known, she remains a fascinating figure who embodies the enduring human fascination with the supernatural and the power of belief. She was a woman of her time, shaped by the social and cultural forces of colonial Massachusetts, but she also transcended those limitations to become a legend in her own right. Her story serves as a reminder of the rich and complex history of the region, and the enduring power of folklore to shape our understanding of the past.
The grave of Moll Pitcher can be found in the Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts.