The Saratoga Witch who came from Northamptonshire
The tale is both a sad yet rather intriguing as unlike a lot of folklaw there are quite a few historical facts which I hope over time to maybe find out some more.
The name of the young lady was Angeline Tubbs and she was born in Watford Village at the former pub known as the Star and Garter around 1761. In some versions of the story she became engaged other married to a British officer from the 31st Regiment of Foot Huntingdonshire. Aged only fifteen she followed him to the colonies to fight in the Revolutionary war. After the British defeat and some terrible stories of her husband trying to murder her she was abandoned and left to defend herself on her own.
Story has it the poor woman walked fifteen miles to Saratoga Springs where she made a home for herself at Mount Vista. Living in a self made hut and hunting wild animals for food with only cats for company. There she lived for many, many years shunned by society who regarded her as a witch. There are lots of stories surrounding her. Some say she was accused but survived the hangman's noose, others that she was often seen stood on a rock arms outs screaming and what looked like welding lightning storms. Others that in her later life she did fortune telling and that she would only die when all her cats died.
She reportedly died in 1865 aged 104
I hope to do more research into Angeline Tubb's story, when I find out more information I shall post it here for you all to read.
In the mean time please visit these wonderful websites that shed more light into her life.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50186758
https://margaretfrench.com/2011/08/21/angeline-tubbs-the-witch-of-saratoga/
