The Ghost of Harry Maine – Legends of America
The chilling tale of Harry Maine, a figure etched in the folklore of Ipswich, Massachusetts, has been passed down through generations. More than just a ghost story, it’s a glimpse into the maritime history and the fears that gripped early American coastal communities. This is a story woven with whispers of piracy, greed, and a punishment so severe it echoes through the ages.
The chilling tale of Harry Maine, a figure etched in the folklore of Ipswich, Massachusetts, has been passed down through generations. More than just a ghost story, it’s a glimpse into the maritime history and the fears that gripped early American coastal communities. This is a story woven with whispers of piracy, greed, and a punishment so severe it echoes through the ages.
Harry Maine – you have heard the tale;
He lived there in Ipswich Town;
He blasphemed God, so they put him down,
With an iron shovel, at Ipswich Bar;
They chained him there for a thousand years,
As the sea rolls up to shovel it back ;
So when the sea cries, the goodwives say
“Harry Maine growls at his work today.”
– James Appleton Morgan
The Arrival and Descent
The year was 1671 when Harry Maine, a fisherman, first set foot in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He journeyed from the Isles of Shoals, a cluster of islands off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, accompanied by a man named Andrew Diamond. Both had previously tasted success in the fishing trade in New Hampshire. While Diamond continued to flourish in Ipswich, forging partnerships, building wharves, and amassing wealth through shipping ventures, Harry Maine’s fortunes took a dark turn.
Unable to replicate his earlier success, Harry Maine succumbed to a life of crime, earning a sinister reputation that would forever haunt the town.
The Wandering Jew of Ipswich: Pirate and Mooncusser
Harry Maine became known as the "Wandering Jew of Ipswich," a label that spoke to his restless spirit and questionable dealings. He was whispered to be a pirate, preying on ships that sailed the New England waters. But his most infamous title was that of a "mooncusser," a land-based pirate of the most treacherous kind.
Mooncussers were masters of deception, exploiting the treacherous coastline to their advantage. They would set fires or hang lanterns along the dangerous shores, mimicking the lights of safe harbor. Unsuspecting ships, lured by these false beacons, would run aground on the hidden sandbars and rocky breakers. Once the vessels were wrecked, Harry Maine and his crew would descend upon the scene, not as rescuers, but as scavengers. They murdered the survivors, plundered the wreckage, and vanished into the night with their ill-gotten gains.
These wreckers, as they were also called, were a scourge on the seas, feared by sailors and coastal communities alike. Their actions not only resulted in loss of life and property but also instilled a deep sense of unease and distrust.
Justice at Ipswich Bar
The reign of terror perpetrated by Harry Maine and his fellow "wreckers" eventually came to an end with their arrest. As punishment for his heinous crimes, Harry Maine was sentenced to a fate as cruel as the deeds he had committed. He was chained to Ipswich Bar, the very site where he had orchestrated so many shipwrecks and murders.
There, bound by heavy chains, he was forced to shovel sand for what would be the remainder of his life. As the tides rose, threatening to engulf him, his enraged screams echoed across the water, a testament to his defiance and despair. Local residents, familiar with his wickedness, would simply shake their heads and say, "Old Harry’s growling again!"
This gruesome spectacle served as a stark warning to others who might be tempted to follow a similar path of criminality.
The Hunt for Hidden Treasure
Following Harry Maine’s death, his home on Water Street became the focus of intense speculation and frantic searches. Rumors swirled that he had amassed a vast fortune through his piratical activities and had hidden it somewhere on his property. Driven by greed, people ransacked his house and dug up the surrounding grounds, hoping to unearth the treasure. However, despite their relentless efforts, no gold, silver, or jewels were ever found.
The legend of Harry Maine’s hidden treasure persisted, fueling the imaginations of treasure hunters for generations to come.
The Dream of Buried Riches
Adding to the lore of hidden riches was a tale of a local man plagued by a recurring dream. In his dream, he saw a specific hill in Ipswich where a significant sum of money was buried. The dream was so vivid and persistent, appearing three nights in a row, that he felt compelled to investigate.
Under the cover of darkness, armed with a spade, a lantern, and a Bible for protection, he ventured out to the hill. Guided by his dream, he located the spot and began to dig. After some time, his spade struck a hard object. With feverish excitement, he cleared away the earth and uncovered a flat stone with an iron bar laid across it.
As he reached out to move the stone, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of cats with glowing eyes. Fear gripped him, but he managed to grab the iron bar, wave it at the cats, and shout, "Scat!" The cats fled, but in their wake, the man found himself waist-deep in cold water that had flooded the hole.
Terrified, he abandoned his treasure hunt, fleeing with only the iron bar in hand. The bar was later fashioned into a door latch by a blacksmith and became a local curiosity, a memento of the treasure hunter’s ill-fated adventure.
The Haunting of Ipswich
Even after death, Harry Maine’s spirit refused to rest. His ghost was said to roam the sandhills on stormy nights, his mournful howls carried by the wind for miles around. His former residence on Water Street also became a site of paranormal activity, haunted by his restless spirit.
Fear gripped the town. Some residents were too afraid to venture out after dark, while others whispered that "The Devil is raising Old Harry." His name became a tool for parents, used to frighten children into obedience.
Legacy and Remembrance
Today, the house at 32 Water Street, where Harry Maine once lived, no longer stands. Yet, the legend of Harry Maine persists, a chilling reminder of the dark side of Ipswich’s maritime past.
The story of Harry Maine serves as a cautionary tale, a blend of historical events and folklore that continues to captivate and terrify. It speaks to the human fascination with the supernatural, the enduring power of legends, and the importance of remembering the past, both its triumphs and its tragedies.
Compiled by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2023.
Also See:
- Ghost Stories
- Legends, Ghosts, Myths & Mysteries
- Massachusetts – The Bay State
- Massachusetts Photo Gallery
Sources:
- Drake, Samuel; New England Legends and Folk-Lore, S.J. Parkhill & Co., 1901
- Historic Ipswich
- Listverse
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