Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure
Across the vast expanse of the American landscape, whispers linger of fortunes lost and treasures hidden, guarded by spectral figures and steeped in local lore. These tales, often passed down through generations, ignite the imaginations of treasure hunters and history buffs alike. The allure of undiscovered riches, combined with the eerie presence of ghostly guardians, creates a captivating narrative that continues to fuel expeditions and spark campfire stories. While the verifiable treasures of the nation’s wealthiest families, like the Astors, may be quantifiable, the estimated value of these legendary caches scattered throughout the land far exceeds such figures. The pursuit of these elusive fortunes has driven countless individuals to invest considerable sums in elaborate schemes, from dredging rivers to blasting into the depths of unexplored caves, with tangible success remaining stubbornly out of reach. This article delves into some of the most intriguing and enduring accounts of Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure from across the United States.
One such tale unfolds along the Saugus River in Massachusetts, a setting that became the backdrop for a peculiar transaction in the mid-17th century. Under the cover of a summer evening, a ship silently anchored near the river’s mouth, and a small contingent of its crew rowed ashore. The next morning, the ship was gone, leaving behind only a cryptic message at the local forge. The message requested the creation of a specific number of shackles and handcuffs, promising silver equivalent to their value in exchange. Intrigued and perhaps emboldened by the promise of easy riches, the townspeople fulfilled the order and, as promised, found the silver waiting for them. Despite maintaining a vigilant watch, the ship and its crew vanished without a trace, only to reappear several months later.
The four men eventually returned, choosing to reside in the surrounding woods. Local gossip painted them as pirates, with rumors swirling around a beautiful woman, presumed to be the pirate chief’s mistress, who frequented their company. This mysterious group was eventually apprehended, with three of the men meeting their end on the gallows in England. The fourth, Thomas Veale, managed to escape, finding refuge in a cavern believed to hold a significant portion of their ill-gotten gains. Veale lived in seclusion within the cave until the earthquake of 1658, when a rockfall sealed the entrance, trapping him inside. Dungeon Rock in Lynn, Massachusetts, stands today as a somber reminder of this pirate’s entombment and the Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure associated with it.
The legend of Dungeon Rock took an intriguing turn in 1852 when Hiram Marble claimed to receive guidance from spirits. These ethereal entities purportedly revealed the location of the pirate treasure and directed Marble to begin excavations. With the help of his son, Marble tirelessly tunneled into the solid granite, creating a passage that stretched 135 feet, seven feet high and seven feet wide. Over three decades, the Marbles pursued their spiritual quest, often receiving cryptic instructions from their "mediums" to alter their course. Despite their relentless efforts, they found no treasure, save for an old scabbard discovered within a crevice. Ironically, it was Hiram Marble’s heir who ultimately profited from their endeavors. Capitalizing on the enduring fascination with Dungeon Rock, she boldly charged visitors a fee of 25 cents to enter the excavation site, effectively levying a tribute reminiscent of the early settlers.
Moving westward into the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, we encounter another tale of hidden wealth and spectral encounters. The Heart of Greylock, a crater-like depression nestled within the tallest peak, was once known as Money Hole, and the stream flowing through it as Money Brook. This area served as a clandestine operation site for counterfeiters. According to local lore, some of their spurious coinage remains hidden within the recess. The stream also earned the name Spectre Brook, a testament to the ghostly apparitions seen by late-night hunters and soldiers, who mistook the forgers moving around their furnaces for spirits. This blend of illicit activity and spectral sightings further enriches the tapestry of Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure woven into the fabric of American folklore.
Venturing north into Vermont, Province Island in Lake Memphremagog is rumored to conceal the profits of an extensive smuggling operation that thrived near the lake for many years. The island’s remote location and the clandestine nature of smuggling have contributed to the enduring belief that hidden caches of contraband and wealth lie buried within its shores.
Another Vermont legend tells of a small band of Spanish adventurers who, in the early 18th century, sought to trade with settlements along the St. Lawrence River. As they passed the Green Mountains, they buried a portion of their gold on Ludlow Mountain and another cache on Camel’s Hump. The adventurers agreed that none should return without their companions. However, circumstances forced their separation, and some eventually returned to Spain. Decades later, the last surviving member of the group attempted to locate the hidden treasure on Camel’s Hump, but his search proved fruitless, leaving the gold to remain lost to time.
The historical context of the American Revolution also provides fertile ground for tales of lost treasure. As Royal Governor Wentworth fled New Hampshire in the face of the rising rebellion, he found himself burdened by both his wife and a chest of valuables. Forced to lighten his load to escape the pursuing colonists, Wentworth chose to bury the chest in a secret location within the forest, prioritizing his wife’s safety over his material possessions. The whereabouts of the Wentworth plate and moneybags has remained a mystery for centuries, fueling speculation and searches for the lost treasure.
Following Burgoyne’s surrender at Saratoga, the Hessian troops, burdened with plundered valuables and their own dwindling funds, feared attacks from the resentful farmers along their march to Boston. Upon reaching Dalton, Massachusetts, the Hessians decided to conceal their valuables within a howitzer, burying it in the woods with the intention of retrieving it after the war. An Indian, who had been trailing the troops, observed their movements but did not understand the significance of the burial. The location of this artillery piece filled with treasure remains a mystery, despite numerous searches and the watchful eyes of locals who scrutinized any stranger venturing into the woods. The legend of the Hessian howitzer adds another layer to the Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure in the region.
Even within the heart of a bustling city like Boston, legends of hidden wealth persist. The Old Elm, a venerable tree that stood on Boston Common for centuries, was once used as a gallows. One autumn evening in 1776, a miser named Mike Wild was visited by a ghostly figure who claimed to have buried treasure at the foot of the Old Elm. Driven by greed, Mike followed the spirit to the tree and began digging, but he found nothing. Terrified by strange noises and the increasingly menacing apparition, Mike fainted and awoke the next morning in his own bed. The encounter turned out to be an elaborate prank orchestrated by a neighbor who had wagered that he could fool Mike. Despite the deception, the Old Elm retained its reputation as a haunted place, forever linked to the story of the ghostly treasure.
A shipwreck off the coast of Connecticut in 1753 gave rise to another tale of lost riches and supernatural guardians. The Spanish galleon Saints Joseph and Helena, en route from Havana to Cadiz, was forced to seek repairs in New London after encountering a storm. While the ship’s cargo was unloaded for repairs, a significant portion mysteriously disappeared. In 1827, a woman with purported psychic abilities revealed to two young men that a box of dollars was buried beneath one of the wharves. They dug to the water level, encountering an iron chest, but it was too hot to touch. They were then confronted by menacing apparitions – a giant dog, flashing red eyes, and a screaming goose with blazing green eyes. Terrified, they fled, and the next day, the chest was gone, perpetuating the legend of the guarded treasure.
Further north, on Crown Point, Lake Champlain, lies the ruins of a fort built by Lord Amherst. Local lore claims that when the French abandoned the area, they buried money and bullion in a well, expecting to return. Numerous attempts to recover this treasure have been made over the years, but only lead and iron have been found.
In the Adirondacks, Follingsby’s Pond bears the name of a recluse who was believed to be a disillusioned English nobleman. Upon his death, a trapper who attended him found a box containing a jeweled sword, trinkets, and letters revealing Follingsby’s true identity. The fate of these valuables is unknown, but rumors of more hidden treasures persist.
From the shores of Coney Island to the valleys of the Catskills, from the islands of Lake George to the bluffs of Long Island, Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure echo across New York State. Pirates, British officers, and wealthy Tories are all implicated in stories of hidden fortunes, often guarded by malevolent spirits or tragic circumstances.
Pennsylvania, too, is rich in treasure legends. From the Doane gang’s hidden gold in Indian Gap, guarded by witches and blue flames, to the unrecovered fortune of a remorseful British spy in Chester County, the allure of lost riches continues to captivate the imaginations of treasure hunters.
Even the natural landscape is imbued with tales of hidden wealth. The Isle of the Yellow Sands in Lake Superior, believed by Indians to be made of gold dust, was fiercely protected by vultures. In Michigan, the brass kettle of gold buried by the Indian trader Old Francois Fontenoy at Presque Isle remains undiscovered.
The southern states also contribute to the tapestry of treasure legends. In Tennessee, a searcher for gold was reportedly attacked by invisible forces near the Cumberland River. In Mississippi, the lost Spanish gold near Natchez has become the stuff of legends. The Ozark Hills of Missouri are said to hold the ghosts of Spanish miners who met violent ends over their ill-gotten gains.
Finally, in the American Southwest, the mythical seven cities of Cibola and the lost gold of the Quivira tribe have lured countless adventurers to their doom. The ruined towns of New Mexico, once magnificent, now bear the scars of treasure hunters who foolishly tunneled and blasted in search of elusive riches. The Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure continue to fuel dreams of wealth and adventure.
The Pacific Northwest also has its share of treasure legends. In 1841, a mutinous crew buried a valuable cargo near Columbia City, Oregon, only to be thwarted by hostile Indians and internal conflicts. Attempts to recover the treasure years later were plagued by misfortune and death, leading to the belief that the treasure is cursed.
These are but a few examples of the countless Tales of Ghostly Lost Treasure that continue to circulate throughout America. Whether rooted in historical events, embellished by local folklore, or fueled by the human desire for wealth and adventure, these stories serve as a reminder of the enduring power of the past and the mysteries that still lie hidden beneath the surface of the American landscape.
