Lore Legends: Settling Up – A Detailed Summary

Title: Lore
Host: Aaron Mahnke
Episode: Legends 50: Settling Up
Release Date: March 31, 2025

Introduction

In the 50th episode of Lore, titled "Settling Up," host Aaron Mahnke delves into the dark and tragic history of early American settlements, exploring themes of human conflict, supernatural legends, and the enduring impact of past atrocities on present-day folklore.

Arthur Bragdon and King William's War

Timestamp: [03:01] - [07:25]

Aaron Mahnke begins by transporting listeners to York, Maine, a remote settlement in the New World during the late 17th century. Here, he introduces Arthur Bragdon, a settler whose life was abruptly ended amidst escalating tensions between the English colonists and the local Abenaki tribe.

Mahnke explains, “In 1692, there were no food markets. In the remote corner of the New World, people relied on freshly caught game to survive” ([03:43]). As York's population grew, so did the settlers' desire for more land, leading to increased conflicts with the Abenaki, who were determined to protect their territory. This power struggle culminated in King William's War, marked by the tragic Candlemas Massacre.

During this event, Arthur Bragdon and two fellow settlers were ambushed by 150 Abenaki warriors. Mahnke recounts a contemporary French account stating, “they smashed the heads of two of them, and from a desire to get information, they bound the third one” ([05:11]). The massacre resulted in nearly a fifth of York’s population being wiped out, deeply scarring the community and perpetuating the cycle of violence between settlers and native populations.

Patience Boston: A Life of Struggle and Tragedy

Timestamp: [07:25] - [13:06]

Transitioning from mass violence to individual tragedy, Mahnke introduces Patience Boston, a member of the Nauset tribe, whose life story intertwines captivity, rebellion, and eventual execution. Born in 1711 on Monomoy Island, Patience faced hardship early on when her mother died, and her father sold her into indentured servitude to Paul Crowe.

Despite her servitude, Patience formed a bond with her enslavers, viewing them as the only family she knew. However, her rebellious nature manifested in destructive acts, including setting her master's house on fire three times by the age of 12. After gaining her freedom at 21, her life spiraled into further turmoil as she resorted to theft and ultimately committed murder by drowning Benjamin Trotter, her enslaver's grandson.

In her confession, Patience stated, “Now I am guilty of murder” ([11:55]). Her execution on July 24, 1735, marked a tragic end to a life filled with pain and mistreatment. Mahnke adds a haunting element to her story, mentioning that her spirit is said to haunt the old jail in York, instilling fear in those who work there ([13:11]).

The Sinking of the Isidore: Misfortune and Superstition

Timestamp: [14:00] - [21:33]

Mahnke shifts focus to the tale of the Isidore, a ship launched in York County's Kennebunk, Maine, in 1842. Despite ominous signs and foreboding dreams experienced by several crew members, Captain Leander Foss insisted on proceeding with the voyage to New Orleans. Mahnke notes, “They sailed south for New Orleans. Maybe they all really needed the money” ([16:21]).

Tragedy struck when a massive winter storm, later known as the Great Storm of 1842, battered the Isidore. The ship succumbed to the tempest, crashing into rocks and sinking, resulting in the loss of all 15 men aboard. Only Thomas King survived by abandoning his post, driven by recurring nightmares of coffins, which Mahnke ties back to the earlier ghostly motifs ([15:25], [21:33]).

The community's grief was palpable, with over 20% of York’s population attending the funeral of two recovered sailors ([20:35]). Thomas King’s return was met with mixed emotions, as he was celebrated as a hero despite his desertion, highlighting the complex nature of human response to catastrophe.

Mary Nason: The Birth of a Witch Legend

Timestamp: [22:07] - [31:21]

The episode culminates with the story of Mary Nason, buried in York, Maine, in 1765. Contrary to local folklore labeling her a witch, historical records suggest Mary led an ordinary life, married Samuel Nason, and died unexpectedly at 29. However, over a century later, her grave became the center of eerie legends.

Mary's tombstone features a wolf stone, intended to prevent wolves from disturbing her remains, a rarity in America. This, coupled with her distinctive portrait and the solitary wolf stone, led townsfolk to speculate that she was a witch, capable of exorcising demons and unfairly accused of witchcraft. Mahnke states, “Mary has gone down in history not as a caring mother or a doting partner. She has been remembered only as a witch” ([30:47]).

Local legends further embellish her story, claiming her ghost interacts benignly with children in the nearby playground, pushing swings without a broomstick. Despite Mahnke’s acknowledgment that these stories hold no historical truth, they persist as a testament to how communities can distort and mythologize past individuals.

Conclusion

In "Settling Up," Lore masterfully intertwines historical facts with folklore, illustrating how tragedy and human suffering can evolve into enduring legends. Aaron Mahnke underscores the persistent shadow of past atrocities and the human tendency to seek meaning—even supernatural explanations—in the face of inexplicable loss.

As Mahnke poignantly reflects, “There is pain and tragedy everywhere, from natural disasters, human error, and the sort of pain we willingly inflict on each other” ([19:10]). This episode serves as a reminder of the complexities of history and the stories we choose to remember or forget.

Notable Quotes

• Aaron Mahnke: “In 1692, there were no food markets. In the remote corner of the New World, people relied on freshly caught game to survive.” ([03:43])

• Aaron Mahnke: “Now I am guilty of murder.” ([11:55])

• Aaron Mahnke: “There is pain and tragedy everywhere, from natural disasters, human error, and the sort of pain we willingly inflict on each other.” ([19:10])

Additional Notes

• The episode also briefly mentions a rare New England earthquake with its epicenter in York, Maine, emphasizing the region's historical and geological significance ([31:23]).

• Mahnke encourages listeners to support the show through ad-free options and highlights the multifaceted nature of Lore as a podcast, book series, and television show.

Final Thoughts

"Lore Legends: Settling Up" offers a compelling exploration of how early American tragedies have shaped local legends and collective memory. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Aaron Mahnke brings to life the stories of those lost to history's tumultuous tides, reminding us that sometimes the most haunting tales are those rooted in real human experiences.