From Litchfield's great church stove war to Hartford's Charter Oak to Stonington's infamous Lantern Hill, these traditional tales from the Nutmeg State span four centuries of Connecticut history. Personal legends, narratives, anecdotes, and supernatural stories--all are fascinating, humorous and rich with the history and lore of the land.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction —Homer D. Babbidge, Jr. Author's Foreword Part I—Personal Legends A. Heroes An Introduction 1. "The Old Leatherman," Harwinton, et al. 2. Israel Putnam, Pomfret, et al. 3. Perry Boney, Sherman, et al. 4. Chauncey Judd, Middlebury 5. Gurdon Saltonstall, Branford 6. Abel Buell, Killingworth, et al. 7. "Mother" Bailey, Groton 8. Elmer Bitgood, Voluntown, et al. 9. "Old Gard" Wright, Putnam 10. Lorenzo Dow, Coventry, et al. 11. Capt. S. L. Gray, Lebanon 12. Jemima Wilkinson, Ledyard, et al. 13. "The Old Darn Man," New London, et al. 14. Rufus Malbone, Putnam 15. Uncas, Norwich 16. "First Lady of Connecticut," Wehtersfield B. Anecdotes 17. The Rev. Bulkley's Advice, Colchester 18. George Washington's Horse, Bridgeport 19. Noah Webster's Reply, New Haven Part II—Local Legends  A. Place-Names An Introduction 20. Silver Hill, Roxbury 21. Rhodes' Folly, Stonington 22. Bride's Brook, East Lyme 23. Lantern Hill, North Stonington 24. Devil's Den, Sterling 25. Devil's Hopyard (and other Diabolical Places), East Haddam, et al. 26. Silver Lane, East Hartford 27. Sachem's Head, Guilford 28. Town of Bozrah, Bozrah B. Historical Events 29. The Charter Oak, Hartford 30. Dudleytown, Cursed Village, Cornwall 31. "Swamp Yankee," Thompson 32. The Church Stove War, Litchfield 33. The Dark Day, Stamford, et al. 34. Laddin's Leap, Greenwich 36. Yankee Doodle Dandies, Norwalk 37. The Phantom Ship of New Haven, New Haven 38. The Winsted Wild Man, Winchester 39. The Hessian Husband Kidnappings, Simsbury, et al. 40. Barkhamsted Lighthouse, Barkhamsted 41. Escape from New-Gate Prison, East Granby 42. Legends of Mt. Riga, Salisbury 43. XYZ, Deep River 44. The Irving-Johnson Murder, Bozrah 45. The Lonely Death of Capt. Smith 46. The Moodus Noises, East Haddam 47. The Atlantic's Bell, New London 48. The Sunken House of Gardner Lake, Salem 49. Norwich's Barrel Burning, Norwich 50. The Tell-Tale Apples, Franklin 51. The Windham Frog Fight, Windham 52. The Church of Bacchus, Eastford 53. Two Tales of the Insurance City, Hartford Part III—Supernatural Legends An Introduction 54. Hannah Cranna, The Wicked Witch of Monroe, Monroe 55. Midnight Mary, New Haven 56. The Black Dog of West Peak, Meriden, et al. 57. Haunted Gay CIty, Hebron 58. The Jewett City Vampries, Griswold 59. Ghost of the Benton Homestead, Tolland 60. The Green Lady of Burlington, Burlington 61. The Black Fox of Salmon River 62. Debby Griffen, Simsbury 63. The Headless Horseman of Canton, Canton 64. The Vanishing Hitchhiker, Chester Part IV—Colonial Legends about Indians An Introduction 65. Legend of Lake Pocotopaug, East Hampton 66. The Nipmuck Fishing Fires, Thompson 67. Legends of Lake Alexander, killingly 68. Lillinonah's Leap, New Milford 69. Legend of Samp Mortar Rock, Fairfield Biography Notes and Sources Bibliography Index