Margaret Leigh (or Molly as she is more
commonly known) was born in Burslem, 1685. Molly was a solitary
character who made a living selling milk from her herd of cows
to travelers and passers-by. She was an eccentric person who
kept a pet blackbird. The bird often sat on her shoulder when
she brought milk into Burslem to sell to the dairy. She was
known for her quick temper, and the people of Burslem were
suspicious of her. This was not uncommon. Throughout the country
women, particularly elderly women, who lived on their own in
remote places, were labeled as witches.
MOLLY GROWS UP
It’s claimed that Molly was something of an
oddity from birth – choosing to suckle from animals and chewing on
stale bread even before her teeth had developed.
The early death of her parents forced her into a
lonely existence on the outskirts of town, keeping the cows through
which she earned a meagre living. She was a regular sight around
Burslem as she delivered milk, her pet blackbird (or some say it
was a jackdaw) perched on her shoulder - and she was constantly
accused of watering down the milk.
Her cottage was some distance from the town, at
Hamil Grange (then known as the Jack-field). It was said that the
hawthorn bush outside her cottage, a favourite perch of the
blackbird, never blossomed.
Molly Leigh's cottage in Hamil Road -
Burslem.
THE ARGUMENT
It’s unclear precisely how and why the rumours
did begin, but local people began to claim that the blackbird was a
sign of witchcraft. The local Reverend Spencer did little to abate
the situation by publicly claiming Molly rarely attended church –
in those days a serious social faux pas.
The story goes that, angered by the Reverend’s
claims, Molly sent her blackbird to spy on him at his favourite
drinking haunt, The Turk’s Head. It’s alleged that when the bird
appeared atop the pub sign the beer turned sour and the customers
suddenly developed rheumatism.
The Turk's Head, Market Street frequented by the
Reverend Parson Spencer.
What’s more, the Reverend fetched his gun and
took a shot at the bird but missed. He was bedridden for days after
with mysterious stomach pains. Molly’s unpopularity grew and grew,
until the people of Burslem began to blame her for anything
unexplained or unfortunate that happened to them. She became
increasingly unwelcome in town, and apparently lived out the rest
of her days in solitude aside from her pet blackbird. She died in
1748.
DEATH AND BURIAL AND REBURIAL
Molly’s death was just the beginning of an
enduring local myth. Legend has it that shortly after her burial, a
group led by Reverend Spencer went to Molly’s cottage in search of
the malevolent blackbird. Looking through the grimy windows, they
found no bird. Instead, they were shocked to see Molly herself
sitting peacefully by the fire in her rocking chair mumbling to
herself,
“Weight and measure sold I never, Milk and water sold I
never”
Rumours of witchcraft were re-ignited and spread
throughout the town. Had the townspeople of Burslem really lived
all these years with a powerful witch amongst them? What would be
the revenge for her ill treatment? Matters were not helped when the
blackbird became a regular sight around town, pecking and harassing
people and crowing into the small hours.
The folk of Burslem soon had all they could take
of the troublesome bird and Reverend Spencer decided to take
action. He summoned together a group of local priests to deal with
Molly once and for all.
One midnight in April, they travelled to the
graveyard at St. John’s with a mysterious sack. They set to the
earth with shovels - it must have been an oddly amusing sight to
see a group of be-cassocked priests toiling away like farmhands.
However, holy men or no, they succeeded at the grim task of
exhuming Molly’s body and drove a stake through her heart. The
blackbird was grabbed from the sack and bundled, still alive, into
the coffin. The lid was swiftly resealed, and then pet and owner
were re-interred.
It appears that the actions of the Reverend and
his gang of cassock-cronies worked. Although, there are various
reports of Molly roaming Burslem, and black shades seen in the
graveyard
THE LEGEND
Finally, the legend is that if, at Halloween,you
dance around her grave and sing "Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, you
can't catch me" her apparition will appear.
THE CACHE
This cache is a 4 stage multi with the fourth
stage being the final location.
STAGE 1
The hunt begins at St. John's Church in Burslem.
The co-ordinates above are for parking. Stage 1 of this multi can
be found at N53 02.552 W002 11.787. The co-ordinates for stage
two are N53 02.ABC, W002 11.FGD where ABC is:
- _____ the year of death of Ralph Mountford +
- _____ the year of death of Job Bate +
- _____ the year of death of Isaac Baddeley +
- _____ the year of death of Spencer Windsor +
- _____ the year of death of Henry Humphries
- _____ (Total) minus 8825
and DEFG is the year that Enoch Ford died.
STAGE 2
The co-ordinate for stage 2 will bring you to
the grave of Molly Leigh. It should be easy to spot because it lies
at a different angle to all of the other graves as you will see
from her story.
Rumour has it that if you dance around her grave
on All Hallows 'een singing “Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, Show me the
co-ordinates for stage 3”. Molly's apparition will appear with
directions to Stage 3 of this multi. However, if you are attempting
this cache at a time other than All Hallows 'een you will find
alternative co-ordinates for stage 3 from the following.
With your back to Molly Leigh's grave and facing
away from the church walk directly ahead approximately 20 paces
(although it's a brave soul who turns thie rback on Molly's grave).
You will find another gravestone and in the bottom left hand corner
you will find a plaque with 4 characters on it. The last 2
characters are H and I.
The co-ordinates for stage 3 can be found at:
N53 02.F(C-H)C W002 11.IDD
STAGE 3
The co-ordinate for stage 3 will bring you to
the original location of the Turk's Head. Close your eyes and see
if you can imagine Molly's pet jackdaw landing on the pub sign and
suddenly all of it's occupants being struck with rheumatism. (Who
knows what might happen if you get the clues wrong!)
There is parking very close by in a pay &
display. Parking is charged Monday to Saturday 7am to 6.30pm. The
charges (at the time of listing) are 15 minutes for 20p or 30
minutes for 40p. You shouldn't need any more than 15 minutes but
you definitely won't need anymore than 30.
In what year did Henry Doulton die? This is
J.
In what year did he acquire the Nile Street
Factory? This is K.
J - K gives you 2 digits which are L and M.
From where you are standing can you identify the
building where the "BOTTOM KNOCKERS" would have felt at
home? (You may have to research this on the internet first if you
are not a local).
How many front facing windows does this building
have not including doorways (and only counting the large window
frames - not individual panes). This is N.
The co-ordinates for stage 4 can be found at:
N53 02.(H+L)(NxL+B) W002 11.(N-I)MB
PLEASE NOTE: JUDGING FROM THE LOGS MY
CO-ORDINATES ARE OUT AND THE FINAL CACHE IS CA. 10 METRES ENE FROM
THE GIVEN FINAL CO-ORDINATES
STAGE 4
The cache is hidden close to the original
location of Molly Leigh's house. So watch out whilst hunting for
the cache in case you disturb her peace and she comes hunting for
you.
Suggested parking for stage 4 is listed as an
additional waypoint. I think it is free although I placed it at
night when everything was locked up so I can't be certain.
The cache is a regular sized click lock
tupperware box. Starting contents are: Multicoloured pen,
Pedometer, Stretchy Man, TB cover, Karibiner, Compass drawpull, SAS
Survival Guide, & the FTF prize is an unregistered travel
slug.
HAPPY HUNTING
