The Witch's Well and The Holy Judgement Altar of Mount Holly, New Jersey
The Mount, which sits 185 feet above sea level, was owned by Isaac Hazelhurst and consisted of 100 acres until 1837.
During Hazelhurst's ownership, the land was clear cut and all of the timber sold. Over the years, subsequent owners sold off parcels which reduced the amount to its current 10 acres. In 1921, prompted by rumors of another clear cut, the Township purchased the Mount to protect it.
A group of local businessmen took the steps needed in 1934 to make the Mount a public park with 1.5 miles of trails. In 1935, an altar was built in this spot by the Protestant Churches of Mount Holly for Easter Sunrise Services. It is used by the Rancocas Valley Clergy Association and area congregations for Easter and other services.
Much has changed over the years since we first started documenting this mysterious location.
The goats, who once were located here to remove the weeds, have been taken away.
The security system, that guarded the well, has been silenced.
The memorial for the banished witch is missing.
There are many legends and tales of lore associated with this location.
Tales of either a witch or the Jersey Devil Himself, are stored within the Witch's Well
The Witch's legend is of a witch that was thrown down the well, but did not die, instead she lived for a few days and cursed the land. The townspeople then built the brick building over the well in an attempt to seal her in.
Legend states that if you knock on the huge metal door you will hear three knocks back from the witch.
The second legend is that a witch summoned the Jersey Devil and then killed her. The Jersey Devil was cast in the well and the brick structure built over him.
In 1740, the Jersey Devil was exorcised by bell, book and candle. This refers to a Latin Christian method of excommunication by anathema, imposed on a person (or perceived demon) who had committed an exceptionally grievous sin.
It has been stated that the Judgement Altar is the location where many witch's fates were determined and then hung.
These wooden posts are rumored to be the poles that were used to hang the guilty witches. The gallows.
THE LEGENDS:
The most popular legend associated with this location is that witches were hung at the Altar. For years it has been rumored that witches have been put to death near the Mount at the Holy, Holy, Holy Judgement Altar (4 feet by 8 feet by 4 feet).
Up until approximately 2014, there stood wooden posts that were designated as the gallows that the witches were hung from. The accusers decided their fate at the altar and if it was found that the individual was guilty, they were promptly walked over to the gallows only a few feet from the Judgement Table and hung.
Recently the local church constructed a sign describing the history of this table, but of course people that still believe in the story of the witches being hung by past Christians, feel that the modern church is cove
The Mount, which sits 185 feet above sea level, was owned by Isaac Hazelhurst and consisted of 100 acres until 1837.
During Hazelhurst's ownership, the land was clear cut and all of the timber sold. Over the years, subsequent owners sold off parcels which reduced the amount to its current 10 acres. In 1921, prompted by rumors of another clear cut, the Township purchased the Mount to protect it.
A group of local businessmen took the steps needed in 1934 to make the Mount a public park with 1.5 miles of trails. In 1935, an altar was built in this spot by the Protestant Churches of Mount Holly for Easter Sunrise Services. It is used by the Rancocas Valley Clergy Association and area congregations for Easter and other services.
Much has changed over the years since we first started documenting this mysterious location.
The goats, who once were located here to remove the weeds, have been taken away.
The security system, that guarded the well, has been silenced.
The memorial for the banished witch is missing.
There are many legends and tales of lore associated with this location.
Tales of either a witch or the Jersey Devil Himself, are stored within the Witch's Well
The Witch's legend is of a witch that was thrown down the well, but did not die, instead she lived for a few days and cursed the land. The townspeople then built the brick building over the well in an attempt to seal her in.
Legend states that if you knock on the huge metal door you will hear three knocks back from the witch.
The second legend is that a witch summoned the Jersey Devil and then killed her. The Jersey Devil was cast in the well and the brick structure built over him.
In 1740, the Jersey Devil was exorcised by bell, book and candle. This refers to a Latin Christian method of excommunication by anathema, imposed on a person (or perceived demon) who had committed an exceptionally grievous sin.
It has been stated that the Judgement Altar is the location where many witch's fates were determined and then hung.
These wooden posts are rumored to be the poles that were used to hang the guilty witches. The gallows.
THE LEGENDS:
The most popular legend associated with this location is that witches were hung at the Altar. For years it has been rumored that witches have been put to death near the Mount at the Holy, Holy, Holy Judgement Altar (4 feet by 8 feet by 4 feet).
Up until approximately 2014, there stood wooden posts that were designated as the gallows that the witches were hung from. The accusers decided their fate at the altar and if it was found that the individual was guilty, they were promptly walked over to the gallows only a few feet from the Judgement Table and hung.
Recently the local church constructed a sign describing the history of this table, but of course people that still believe in the story of the witches being hung by past Christians, feel that the modern church is cove
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