The Witch of the Monongahela by Thomas White

Author:Thomas White [White, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781467145152
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing SC
Published: 2020-09-21T00:00:00+00:00

Postcard from the early twentieth century showing George’s Creek. The creek runs past many of the locations mentioned in the legends of Moll Derry. Author’s collection.

It was thought by many persons that he was a wizard, and could charm the deer. He sometimes used a certain ingredient that he rubbed on his moccasins and leggings. He would then make a circuit where the deer were plenty, and take his position some twenty-five or thirty steps at either side. In a short time he would see a buck coming at a slow trot. When at proper range he would bleat, the deer would stop, and he was always sure of his meat. If he wanted another one he never had to wait long.

This short passage indicates that at least some people believed he used an enchanted salve or powder and possibly a special call to attract the deer and hold it in place. Also of note is the fact that he made a circle around the area where the deer were located. While he may have been just searching for a good position, he may also have been creating a magic circle.

One may wonder why Valentine and his hunting magic did not become a local legend or at least part of Old Moll’s tales. There could be several reasons, including the fact that he seemed to have died long before Mary. The exact day or year of his death has not been discovered, but he is thought to have been born in the early 1750s, making him almost a decade older than Mary. From the few available sources, we can make a reasonable guess that he was dead before 1805. Another reason may be the fact that the stories about Mary are more interesting and dramatic. And of course, it could simply be the fact that she was a woman and therefore more likely to be associated with magic and witchcraft in the nineteenth century and by later writers and storytellers.

Though “The Mountain Hunter” was primarily about Valentine, the second half of the article focused on Mary. After referencing his wife, it said, “She was famous, not only in the neighborhood, but in places more remote, as a ‘Fortune Teller.’” Clearly, Old Moll’s reputation was well established, but not necessarily as a witch. It went on to say, “Young men and maidens and those of a more mature age and wisdom visited her mountain home in the hopes of hearing of something that would help them for either weal or woe.” From the tone of the article, it seems that Mary was perceived as a helpful practitioner of folk magic, with the exception of one line near the end of the following quotation. The article continues to describe her work in more detail:

Was anything lost or stolen, whether horse or cow, pocket-book, money, jewels, silver spoons, or anything of real or imaginary value, the powers of this celebrated fortune-teller, having the well known name of Moll Derry, were frequently called into requisition.

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