If you’re fascinated by early colonial history, tales of survival, and attractions with a ghostly twist, then the Hannah Duston Memorial in Massachusetts should definitely be on your travel bucket list. Nestled in the town of Boscawen, just across the border from Massachusetts in neighboring New Hampshire (but originally part of colonial Massachusetts), this striking granite monument commemorates a woman whose legacy is as controversial as it is unforgettable. From wartime captivity to one of the most debated acts of vengeance in American history, the story of Hannah Duston is a dark yet pivotal chapter in colonial lore. And, as many visitors and ghost hunters have reported, it’s more than just history that lingers on these grounds.
The History
Who Was Hannah Duston?
In March 1697, during the final days of King William’s War, Hannah Duston was taken from her home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, by a group of Abenaki Native Americans. At the time, Duston was recovering from childbirth when her home was attacked. Her husband escaped with their surviving children, but Duston, her newborn baby, and a nursemaid named Mary Neff were abducted. Tragically, the attackers killed Duston’s baby during the forced march northward. Along with several other captives, Duston and Neff were taken through modern-day New Hampshire, where they were held in an encampment on an island in the Merrimack River.
The Escape and Its Controversy
Several weeks later, Duston, Neff, and a fellow captive—a 14-year-old boy named Samuel Lennardson—planned a daring escape. In the dead of night, they killed ten of their captors using tomahawks as they slept. Duston later returned to Massachusetts, where she was greeted as a heroine and rewarded for her actions. Her story was widely circulated, appearing in accounts by Cotton Mather and later in 19th-century schoolbooks. However, modern historians and scholars often reassess her actions within the broader context of colonialism and examine the morality of her revenge against a group that included women and children.
Establishing the Hannah Duston Memorial
In 1874, nearly two centuries after Duston’s escape, the Hannah Duston Memorial was erected to mark the location of her dramatic getaway. Standing dramatically on the small island in the Merrimack River—known as Duston’s Island—in Boscawen, not far from Concord, the statue remains one of the earliest public monuments in the United States to honor a woman. The towering granite statue of Duston shows her clutching a tomahawk and gazing defiantly into the distance. Over time, it has become both a historical landmark and a source of spirited debate regarding the retelling and memorialization of violent colonial-era events.
How to Visit
To visit the memorial today, you’ll need to find your way to Boscawen, New Hampshire, just off U.S. Route 4 along the Merrimack River. Though technically in New Hampshire today, the site was part of Massachusetts back in the 1600s. A small footbridge leads you to the island where you can stand at the base of the statue. Interpretive signs nearby provide more background, but the surrounding silence and sense of isolation on the river offer an eerie ambiance that photographs just can’t capture.
The Haunt
Despite its peaceful, remote setting, the Hannah Duston Memorial has become a lesser-known hotspot for paranormal investigators intrigued by reports of ghostly activity. The bloody history of the site—marked by kidnapping, infanticide, and revenge killings—has stirred more than just historical curiosity. Local folklore and repeated visitor accounts suggest the presence of spirits who may never have found peace.
Ghostly Sightings and Unexplainable Sounds
Visitors have reported hearing strange cries and whispers drifting over the water, often described as the wails of a baby or the urgent voices of fleeing women. Paranormal researchers who’ve walked the site after dusk speak of sudden cold spots, bizarre patterns in EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), and an overwhelming sensation of being watched—especially near the base of the statue.
Interestingly, some investigators have focused their attention not on Hannah Duston herself, but on the spirits of those she killed during her escape. Given that traditional accounts list at least six of the ten victims as women and children, some believe that their souls may still linger in confusion or unrest.
The Legend of the Tomahawk
One particularly persistent legend holds that the bronze tomahawk in Duston’s statue carries a curse—or at the very least, an unsettling energy. While the tomahawk itself is a symbolic piece of sculpture, a few local ghost hunters believe the original weapon from Duston’s escape (reportedly kept by her family for generations) holds residual power. Over time, psychics and sensitives visiting the site have reported vivid visions of violence and bloodshed whenever they approach the statue’s weapon-holding hand.
Residual Energy and “The Rush”
Among the eeriest reports from paranormal enthusiasts is something they’ve dubbed “The Rush.” It’s a sensation that hits suddenly—like a jolt or wave of adrenaline—often described as the terror of being hunted or forced to flee. Theories suggest this could be residual energy left behind by Duston, Neff, and Lennardson during their harrowing escape. Some recordings and infrared footage have captured blurred shapes or swift-moving shadows drifting through the trees and across the stone base—always out of the corner of the eye, always just out of reach.
Paranormal Investigations and Anecdotal Evidence
Though not as well-known as other haunted sites in New England, several small paranormal groups have done unofficial investigations at the Hannah Duston Memorial. One group, operating under the name Merrimack Valley Paranormal, reported multiple unexplained EMF (electromagnetic field) spikes in broad daylight and even a chilling EVP that seemed to echo the word “Run.” Another visitor, a self-described medium, claimed to have seen apparitions of two female figures standing in the brush near the footpath—one holding a bundle and weeping.
Conclusion: A Must-Visit for Ghost Hunters and History Buffs Alike
Whether you’re drawn by its colonial backstory, artistic monument, or paranormal potential, the Hannah Duston Memorial offers a multi-layered experience that blends history with haunting. With its gripping tale of captivity and vengeance, it’s a place that challenges you to reflect on where myth ends and truth begins. For ghost hunters looking to explore energy-laden sites that haven’t been saturated by mainstream tourism, this island in the Merrimack River is nothing short of a hidden gem.
So grab your gear—your EMF detectors, your audio recorders, your curiosity—and step onto the hauntingly quiet island where past meets present in the most palpable, and possibly paranormal, way. The Hannah Duston Memorial invites not just historians and curious travelers but also the brave souls who aren’t afraid to ask: who—or what—still walks this forgotten monument of time?