Field Journal   by Daniel V. Boudillion

Lake Nagog at Nashoba Indian Village (Sarah Doublet Forest)

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Updated 18 December 2009

11 new articles posted since June 19, 2009!

 

A Record of Excursions & Adventures in Massachusetts

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472,800 visitors since July 2001

 

   About this Page

Massachusetts has a wealth of unusual and enigmatic stone structures of uncertain antiquity and unknown origin.  These have been conjectured to be constructed by ancient Celts, Native Americans, Colonial farmers, and neo-pagans.  I have personally located many previously unrecorded dolmen, stone circles, standing stones, prayer seats, underground chambers, altars, turtle shaped boulders, and odd stone arrangements.  There are many mysteries here worth investigating.

 

Also in my travels I have come across many other strange and wonderful things tucked away in the woods - such as a Shaker dancing ground from 1840, haunted cemeteries like Spider Gates, various Tophet Swamps, and innumerable small caves called Devil's Den's.

 

The following is a record of my travels and investigations over the last eight years.  As I turn these investigations into Field Reports, links will be provided.  A photo gallery is also in the works.

 

Enjoy - and if you find anything I might be interested in, please let me know.  Thanks!

D. V. Boudillion


 

   Speaking Engagements

• Upcoming: 

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2010 - To be determined Boxborough Historical Society 1720: Witchcraft in Littleton & Boxboro

 

• Past:

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2009 - November 19 Littleton Historical Society 1720: Witchcraft in Littleton
2009 - November 14 NEARA Fall Conference The Tophet Swamp Mystery
2009 - March 19 Littleton Historical Society The Tophet Swamp Mystery
2008 - November 20 Carlisle Historical Society The Tophet Swamp Mystery
2008 - November 7 NEARA Fall Conference Nashoba Hill: The Hill that Roars
2008 - October 26 Boxborough Historical Society Nashoba Hill: The Hill that Roars
2008 - June Nashoba Ski Hill Nashoba Hill: The Hill that Roars
2008 - March 27 Littleton Historical Society Nashoba Hill: The Hill that Roars
2006 - November Harvard Historical Society Harvard Shaker's Fountain of Youth

         

I am available to give PowerPoint presentations on my original research and local history in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Please contact me at dvb@boudillion.com if you would like me to speak. 


 

   Publications: NEARA Journal & Weird Massachusetts

A number of my articles and photographs have seen publication in the NEARA Journal and Weird Massachusetts.  There are over 6 million people in Massachusetts, and when Weird Massachusetts was looking for writers, they contacted me - I'm assuming that's a compliment, right?  In any event, I contributed a story to Weird U.S. (reprinted in Weird New England).   In Weird Massachusetts I have a chapter, and another dozen or so stories sprinkled throughout the book.  (Jeff Belanger is the primary author of Weird Massachusetts, with contributions by Christopher Balzano and myself.)  There are 2 of my articles in the NEARA Journal, with another 2 scheduled for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010. 

 

     

 

If you are interested in running a writing assignment by me, please do.  My specialties are historical research and the odd and unusual in Massachusetts and New England.  Contact me at dvb@boudillion.com.


 

   Field Reports & Links

• New England Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) Field Reports by D. V. Boudillion:

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Deed Rock & God's Ten Acres  A deed to God carved in a rock in Worcester  New June 2009

Rattlesnake Hill, Where Are You?  Looking for, and finding, Rattlesnake Hill

Druid Hill Stone Circle  A Stone Circle in Lowell Massachusetts? 

Pots Point the Way?  An Enigma in the Dog Town Woods 

Father John & the Rock Pile  A Recent Donation of an Antique Medicine Bottle? 

Fountain of Youth Found  The Harvard Shakers' Miraculous Spring 

A Second Shaker Spring  Harvard East Family Village

The Six Altars Of Nashoba  A question of purpose and origin

Half Moon Meadow Brook   A Solstice Sunrise Site in Boxborough Massachusetts
Boxborough Esker   As featured in Manitou, a Native ceremonial site in Boxborough Mass
Burnt Hill   Stone circle and standing stones on a hill in Heath Mass

 

• Littleton History Field Reports by D. V. Boudillion:

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The Indian Fort at Fort Pond  Mini-report: Locating the Fort's well  New December 2009!

Sarah Doublet's Cave  Mini-report: Sarah's vision-quest cave found  New December 2009!

Nashoba Hill: The Hill that Roars  Vision Quest and Nashoba Praying Indian Village Updated December 2009

Rattlesnake Hill, Where Are You?  Looking for, and finding, Rattlesnake Hill

Ceremonial Time  The facts vs. Mitchell's fictions in the Littleton 1720 Dudley witch accusations

 

• Misc. Field Reports by D. V. Boudillion:

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Picture Glossary  Pictorial of New England Lithic Constructions  New October 2009!

Gallows Hill: Where Were the Salem Witches Hung?  The real site of the hangings  New September 2009

Witch Caves & Salem End Road  The tale of Salem's Towne sisters  New July 2009

The Ecstatic Spirits of Holy Hill  How the Shakers Invented Spiritualism  New July 2009

Pierce Tomb in Old Hill Burying Ground   Newburyport's weirdest clubhouse  New June 2009

Devil's Footprints  Leaving infernal footprints in Ipswich & Norton  New June 2009

Witch Bridge: Norton, Massachusetts  A lady + a buggy = a witch?  New June 2009

Mormon Temple Alignments  A look at a curious alignment in Palmyra

Spider Gates: Photo Fakery & Photo Theft  Fake "ghost" photos busted! 

Hoosac Tunnel: Abode of the Damned?   An Exploration of the "Bloody Pit"  

Alistair Crowley's Lam & the Little Grey Men  Another striking resemblance? Updated September 2009

Nothing is easier to see then lights in the sky at night   An obvious observation about UFOs

Acrobatic Nocturnal Lights  Are we looking in the wrong direction? 

Interview with Raymond Fowler  UFO Investigator, Author of the Andreasson Affair

Mothman & The Thunderbird  A striking resemblance between two creatures of legend. Updated September 2009

Spider Gates  The most haunted cemetery in Massachusetts?  Updated September 2009

 

• Special Features, updated regularly and irregularly, by D. V. Boudillion: 

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Roadside Architecture  Weird and whacky stuff seen on the side of the road in Mass  Updated April 2009!

Antique Postcards of Littleton Massachusetts & Vicinity  15 new postcards - revised January 2007!

MST3K Reviews  Reviews of Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes

Awesome Chipmunk Stories  How history really happened 

Rogues Gallery  All the usual suspects at all the usual places. Updated October 2009!

 

• Links:

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New England Antiquities Research Association   Reports and pictures of lithic constructions

Berkshire Mountain Man   Jim is the foremost cave expert, locator, and explorer in Mass

Littleton Historical Society  Littleton Massachusetts Historical Society

The Hoosac Tunnel: Now and Then  A comprehensive site by Jerry Kelley

Carol A. Hanny   Megaliths, caves and other interesting stuff!  (Litchfield County Ct)

Concord Lithics   Peter Waksman's home page of lithics in and around Concord Ma

Hockomock Journals  Reports on excursions in Southeast Massachusetts

Memoirs of a Rolling Stone  Jim Moore's New England Cave & Lithic Blog  New October 2009

Waking Up On Turtle Island Tim MacSweeney's turtle rocks blog in CT

Avalon Foundation  Nick Reiter's many articles on the paranormal and historical oddities

Jeff Belanger  Author and investigator of all that Weird in Massachusetts

Rockpile Blogspot  Unusual and interesting (native?) rockpiles and lithics in New England

Mormon Temple Alignments  Adding some more info to previous work

Hoosac Tunnel  Marc Howes Hoosac Tunnel page

Worcester Friends Cemetery  Official Spider Gates webpage with cemetery policy.

New England Oddities  All that's strange, weird and wonderful in New England       

Indian Rock Piles   Peter Waksman's rock pile website

New England Anomaly  A wide variety of links to the anomalous in Massachusetts

Paranormal Crossroads   Christopher Balzano's Massachusetts Paranormal Crossroads

Ghost Village  by Jeff Belanger, the web's largest and most popular supernatural community

 

• Email:

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dvb@boudillion.com   Email Daniel V. Boudillion    If you are looking for directions to some of the locations I have visited, bear in mind that I am not always at liberty to divulge this, especially in the case of places in private ownership or of a hazardous nature.  Also note, if you can't be bothered to say hello, please, and thank you, I can't be bothered to write you back. 


  

Field Journal

 

Et in Arcadia ego.

 


 

   Field Journal 2009

• December 5, 2009: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with NEARA - results: led field trip and looked at the various lithic structures.  South Shaker Village in Harvard with NEARA - results: looked at standing stone and rocking stone.

 

• November 8, 2009: Fox Sisters Farm in Hydesville New York with Nick Reiter - results: looked at the foundation of the old Fox Farmhouse where Spiritualism first began.

 

• November 7, 2009: Mormon Temple in Palmyra New York with Nick Reiter - results: took pictures of the Moon Stones, Sun Stones, and Star Stones on the Temple.

 

• October 31, 2009: Blanchard & Dudley Witchcraft sites in Littleton - results: took pictures of the Dudley and Blanchard houses.

 

• October 18, 2009: Witchtrot Road in South Berwick Maine with Gary Boston - results: the road the Reverend George Burroughs was escorted on in a thunderstorm back to Salem, and thence hung as a witch.  Etiole the 300 year old alien of Old Orchard Beach Maine with Gary Boston - results: found the house, but not the car he lives in.  (See Eelkat's blog.) 

 

• October 17, 2009: Joseph Smith Birthplace in Royalton Vermont with Gary Boston - results: Joseph Smith birthplace house foundation, memorial obelisk. Lithic monuments in Royalton Vermont with Gary Boston - results: McIntosh chamber adjacent to Smith birthplace. 

 

• September 18, 2009: Walter Powers Farm in Littleton with Dave Powers - results: looked at all the Walter Power sites in Littleton. 

 

• April 5, 2009: Nashoba Brook in Acton with Andy Bowers - results: the old mill run and damn of the Thoreau Pencil Factory. 

 

• March 28, 2009: Odd named hills in Northborough with Gary Boston - results: visited Ghost Hill, Fay Hill, Sulfur Hill, and Mt Pisgah.

 

• March 22, 2009: Dudley House in Littleton - results: toured the 1700 Samuel & Abigail Dudley house.


 

   Field Journal 2008

• November 23, 2008: Tophet Swamp in Littleton with Gary Boston - results: investigated mounds in the swamp and found a solstice sunrise alignment

 

• November 22, 2008: Tophet Swamp in Littleton - results: took various pictures in the swamp for upcoming presentation in Carlisle. 

 

• November 15, 2008: Nashoba Praying Indian Village in Littleton with Hugh Newman and Glenn Broughton - results: looked at chambers and lithics including the Whitcome Ave chamber and the restored Nashoba Brook chamber.

 

• May 1, 2008: Magnetic Hill Road in Leominster with Andy Bowers - results: drove down the "magnetic road" near Magnetic Hill, no untoward effects noted.  Bancroft Silver Mine in Harvard with Andy Bowers - results: located the "cut" where the mine used to be. 

 

• April 27, 2008: Nashoba Hill in Littleton with Gary Boston - results: large white quartz boulder at top, very wide stone wall


 

   Field Journal 2007

• June 3, 2007: Witch Brook in Townsend - results: Nissitissit Village on Witch Brook on old North Road in North Pepperell, said to have been cursed. 

 

• June2, 2007: Blanchard House in Boxborough - results: house where the Blanchard girls lived. 

 

• June 1, 2007: Wizard's Glen in Dalton with Gary Boston - results: Wizard's Glen, Altar Rock, Indian Painting, Lucky Seven CaveWitch Rocks in Framingham with Gary Boston - results: caves where escapees from the Salem witch trials hid for a winter. 

 

• May 30, 2007: Shaker Village in Harvard with Gary Boston - results: main street, avenue to the Holy Hill of Zion, Holy Hill of Zion dancing groundSilver Mine in Harvard with Gary Boston - results: tunnel is somewhere along this ridge

 

• May 26, 2007: Salem End Road in Framingham with Gary Boston - results: houses built by Salem witch trial refugees, (Towne, Nurse, Cloyes, and Bridges).  Danforth Rock in Framingham with Gary Boston - results: a large rock that was supposed to signal safety to Salem Refugees.  Old Burying Ground in Framingham with Gary Boston - results: Cloyes graves, "struck by lightning.Death Valley in Topsfield with Gary Boston - results: stretch of road with high traffic fatalities.   Witch Hill in Topsfield with Gary Boston - results: location where Mary Easty was arrested.  Towne & Easty sites in Topsfield with Gary Boston - results: William Towne homestead site, Isaac and Mary Easty homestead siteDevils Footprint in Ipswich with Gary Boston - results: a rock where the devil left his footprint.

 

• April 21, 2007: Tophet Swamp in Lynnfield with Gary Boston - results: Tophet SwampTophet Swamp in Carlisle with Gary Boston - results: Tophet Swamp.

 

• April 14, 2007: Satan's Kingdom in Westwood with Gary Boston - results: a rocky hill with a spectacular viewDevil's Oven in Westwood with Gary Boston - results: old filled in cave, supposedly an Indain tunnel.  Devil's Brook in Sharon with Gary Boston - results: brookWitch Pond in Foxborough with Gary Boston - results: pond

 

• April 7, 2007: Podunk in East Brookfield with Gary Boston - results: Quaboag Pond, Podunk Road, Podunk Village & Cemetery, and an old section of Podunk Road

 

• March 31, 2007: Deed Rock in Worcester with Gary Boston - results: A deed of land to God carved in a rock, foundations of Solomon Parson's Forest Sanctuary Temple, old foundations of Brown's Hermitage, Rattlesnake Ledge, a talus cave, and the Hanging Tree.


 

   Field Journal 2006

• December 21, 2006: Littleton/Westford line - results: took photos at "prayer seat" of Winter Solstice Sunset alignment over esker. 

 

• December 20, 2006: Littleton/Westford line - results: set up sightlines at "prayer seat" for possible Winter Solstice Sunset alignment over esker. 

 

• December 19, 2006: Gallows Hill in Salem with Gary Boston - results: took more pictures of the Perley site but camera malfunctioned again.  Witch Rock in Danvers with Gary Boston - results: examined the rock with flash lamps for markings - one marking found, but does not resemble the supposed markings.

 

• December 8, 2006: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Kevin Crispell - results: examined the "praying pet cemetery." 

 

• November 19, 2006: Gallows Hill in Salem - results: took pictures of the Perley gallows site, camera malfunctioned.  Castle Hill in Salem - results: most of the hill has been excavated for a warehouse.  Witch Rock in Danvers - results: looked for the sigils but were unable to locate them. 

 

• October 15, 2006: Littleton/Westford line - results: found an apparent Prayer Seat that appears aligned to view the Winter Solstice Sunset over an esker. 

 

• May 28, 2006: Underground Chamber in Harvard - results: viewed subterranean chamber used in the Underground Railroad.

 

• May 5, 2006: Cow Culvert in Littleton - results: located the old cow culvert under Route 2A near Mannion Place.  Took pictures of the last remaining stone wall section at the Old Powers Graveyard. 

 

• April 31, 2006: Powers Farm in Littleton - results: took pictures of some of the fields that have been in cultivation since 1675. 

 

• April 22, 2006: Mormon Temple in Palmyra NY with Scurv Dawg - results: took GPS and compass readings.  Toured the Joseph Smith Sr. Farm in Palmyra NY where Joe Jr. said he had visions.  Toured the Grandin Print Shop in Palmyra NY where the Book of Mormon was originally printed.  (See the Palmyra Report for pictures and more info.)

 

• April 21, 2006: Cumorah Hill in Palmyra NY with Scurv Dawg - results: took compass readings at the Hill Cumorah Moroni Monument.  Walked around the Sacred Grove in Palmyra NY where Joseph Smith Jr. had visions. 

 

• April 9, 2006: Lake Nagog in Littleton - results: took GPS readings at the original North Corner of the 1660 Nashoba Praying Indian Village.

 

• April 8, 2006: Lake Nagog in Acton with Colin Duncan - results: took GPS readings and confirmed the East Corner of the 500 acre Indian reservation of 1714. 


 

   Field Journal 2005

• October 2, 2005: Old Hill Cemetery in Newburyport with Carlton Jablonski - results: examined the repeatedly violated Pierce Tomb, looked for the "ghost head," saw the gopher Dog Town in Gloucester with Carlton Jablonski.

 

• September 22, 2005: Indian Point on Mt. Desert Island, Maine - results: took measurements of a large mound.  Several smaller mounds found to be in alignment with it. 

 

• September 17, 2005: Cross Point in Edgecomb, Maine with Ros Strong & Susanne Carlson - results: examined several stone mounds.

 

• April 30, 2005: Shabokin in Ayer - results: located Hell Pond in the "place of the departed souls."

 

• April 30, 2005: Fort Pond Hill in Littleton/Acton with Gary Boston - results: located the "row of stones" bounding the westerly side of the 1714 Indian New Town as mentioned in the 1735 Jones deed.  The boundary line crosses Fort Pond and picks up on the far side here.  Saw a series of unusual rows in the area as well.

 

• April 23, 2005: Fort Pond Hill in Littleton/Acton - results: looked for Southwest Corner of the 1714 Indian New Town as extrapolated from Harwood's 1894 account.  Approximate location is around here, but nothing obvious found.  Funky wall construction in general area.  Lake Nagog in Littleton/Acton - results: found Southeast Corner Cairn at Lake Nagog as extrapolated from Harwood's 1894 account.  Found old Littleton/Acton town corner, and 1911 General Court established Littleton/Acton town corner

 

• April 17, 2005: Cobb's Woods in Littleton - results: Harwood's 1894 location of the Northeast Corner of the 1714 Indian "New Town," an unusual cairn there, and the eastern boundary of the "New Town" based on the Harwood corner.  Fort Pond Swamp in Littleton - results: a non-engraved marker slab under and ancient apple tree.  Nashoba Road in Littleton - results: a pyramid shaped rock at approximate place the Northern boundary of the "New Town," based on the Harwood corner, crosses Nashoba Road. 

 

• April 16, 2005: Fort Pond Hill in Littleton/Acton - results: the southern boundary and approximate Southwest Corner of the 1714 Indian "New Town" as indicated from old maps, and a large cairn

 

• April 9, 2005: Power Road in Littleton - results: garrison house location, old stone bridge and route of Snake Road.

 

• April 8, 2005: Reservoir Road in Southeast NY with Gary Boston - results: a stone chamberRoute 301 in Kent NY with Gary Boston - results: three stone chambers: A, B, and CLower Mine Road in Southeast NY with Gary Boston - results: a roadside shrine lit late at night on a deserted road. 


  

   Field Journal 2004

• November 14, 2004: Snake Hill in Ayer with Shawn Damery - results: a rock shelter under a ledge with stonework enclosure, a stone wall with large gaps, Colonial quarry with chisel marks rather than drill holes, and an unusual well.  (thanks to Shawn for showing me these locations.)

• November 7, 2004: Potato Cave in Acton, Whitcome Ave Chambers in Littleton, John Whitcome bear site in Littleton with Carlton Jablonski and his friend Joe - viewed chambers and speculated on purpose. 

• October 23, 2004: Lake Nagog Woods in Acton with Gary Boston - results: a number of rock piles, effigies, and rows previously reported in this Field Journal were observed to be destroyed by a new golf course.

• February 7, 2004: Sheehan Swamp in Harvard with Marc Sevigny and Jonathan Feist - results: showed the aqueduct marker to the Harvard Historical Commission.  Shaker Village in Harvard with Marc Sevigny and Jonathan Feist - results: viewed the old Shaker herb drying building

• January 18, 2004: Sheehan Swamp in Harvard - results: located the only remaining Harvard Shaker Village aqueduct marker slate

• January 3, 2004: Elliott Hill Cemetery in Leicester with Gary Boston - results: visited an obscure 1760 cemetery hidden in the woods. 


 

   Field Journal 2003

• November 30, 2003: Quagana Hill in Littleton - results: located site of the Ralph Shepard homestead.

• November 29, 2003: Mill Pond in Littleton - results: located probable site of the Witch Tree (the Kimball Elm) and thus the approximate location of the Abigail Dudley homestead.  Beaver Brook Road in Littleton Massachusetts - results: located large rock that was the original north corner of Nashoba Indian Plantation.  Garrison House in Littleton Massachusetts - results: took pictures of original 1670's well at site of King Phillips War garrison house.  Quagana Hill in Littleton Massachusetts - results: located hill where Mary Shepard was captured by Indians in 1676, but could not find the rock she was supposedly sitting on. 

• November 28, 2003: Mill Pond in Littleton with Andy Bowers - results: looked for the site of the "Witch Tree" (The Kimball Elm), said to be near the site of the Dudley homestead on the shore of Mill Pond.  (Abigail Dudley was wrongfully accused of witchcraft in 1720.)

• October 28, 2003: Dog Town in Gloucester - results: found various old cellar holes and the old main street of the abandoned 1650's colonial village called Dog Town.  Took pictures of large rocks carved with inspirational messages by a local eccentric.  Viewed extensive glacier created boulder fields. 

• October 16, 2003: Man o' War Brook in Acadia with Julie Boudillion - results: British war ship used to provision fresh water from the brook.

• October 15, 2003: Devils Den in Acadia with Julie Boudillion - results: took pictures of sea cave, location is now known as Sea Anemone Cave.

• October 15, 2003: Eagle Cliffs & Dog Mt. in Acadia - results: cliffs were rumored in the 1850's to be the hiding place of Blackbeard's treasure.  Area now called Acadia Mountain. 

• October 4, 2003: "Witchcraft School" in Salem - results: finally got pictures of Witchcraft Heights Elementary School to come out.  Gallows Hill in Salem - results: visited the traditional site of Gallows Hill, watched sunrise Parris Parsonage in Danvers - results: visited the foundation of the parsonage where the witch accusations began.  Witch Ground in Danvers - results: located the fields near the parsonage where the witches were supposed to hold their meetings.  Ingersoll Ordinary in Danvers - results: an Inn where the witch trials magistrates would repair to after a hard day of condemning innocent people to death.  Rebecca Nurse House in Danvers - results: the Nurse homestead, and family graveyard where Rebecca was buried in an unmarked grave in the dead of night.  Also found the creek that her son used to row her body from Gallows Hill to the homestead.

• September 27, 2003: Hoosac Tunnel in North Adams with Jerry "Ringo" Kelley - results: located abandoned tunnel, viewed opening of the West Shaft. 

• September 13, 2003: Nashoba Hill in Littleton - results: took pictures of the 1660's Walter Powers Farm area.  Fort Devons Military Cemetery in Devons (Ayer) - results: located the grave of Robert F. Massie, a participant in the event that inspired Poe to write the Cask of Amontillado.  Whitcomb Farm in Littleton with Andrew Bowers - results: searched for and located the valley where John Whitcomb killed the last bear in Littleton.  Old Burring Ground in Littleton with Andrew Bowers - results: searched for the grave of Abigail Dudley, wrongfully accused of witchcraft.  Found the Dudley plot, but not Abigail. 

• September 12, 2003: Friends Cemetery (Spider Gates) in Leicester with John Larochelle - results: viewed the cemetery (picture courtesy of John Larochelle), also explored the west section of Earle Street for the abandoned house, but did not find it.

• September 7, 2003: Warbeck Rock in Warwick with Gary Boston - results: a prominent rock located on the old turnpike which was once an Indian path.  Devil's Washtub in Warwick with Gary Boston - results: located waterfall basin and old mill. 

• August 31, 2003: Fort Pond in Littleton - results: investigated second of two islands in the swamp (view from island) for indications of Indian burials.  Found nothing obvious, but did locate stone table and saw bear sign.

• August 30, 2003: Fort Pond in Littleton - results: investigated one of two islands in the swamp (view from island) for indications of Indian burials.  Found signs of stone work and a short north/south wall, but nothing obvious. 

• August 23, 2003: Littleton: observed Mars at 5:30 am over Littleton Center.  Hockanum Hill in Warwick - results: took picturesHoosac Tunnel West Portal in Adams with Jerry Kelley - results: west portalHoosac Tunnel East Portal Compressor Building in Florida with Jerry Kelley - results: explored the ruins of the old compressor building and sluicewayBerkshire Mountains with Jerry Kelley - results: located a possible cave Littleton with Andy Bowers and Andrea Curran - results: observed Mars.

• August 21, 2003: Littleton: observed Mars on its closest approach in 60,000 years.

• August 19, 2003: Shaker Village in Harvard - results: located the place where the Harvard Shaker aqueduct marker, now in Groton, was taken from.

• August 18, 2003: Groton Center - results: located one of the Harvard Shaker aqueduct markers in the yard of a private residence. 

• August 17, 2003: Wenimisset in New Braintree with Gary Boston - results: located the sites of the lower and middle Indian camps on the Ware River where Mary Shepherd and Mary Rowlandson were held captive in 1676.  Could not find upper camp.  Devil's Elbow Road in Brookfield with Gary Boston - results: old pre-1668 road to Old Braintree Village.  Wickaboag Lake Indian Burying Bluff in West Brookfield with Gary Boston - results: the bluff is developed with houses.  Devil's Lane in Brimfield with Gary Boston - results: old dead-end road Quabaug Old Fort in Brimfield with Gary Boston - results: located site of old Indian fort on southern bluff of Indian Hill.  Devil's Peak Hill in Warren with Gary Boston - results: located hill, not enough time to locate the peak.

• August 16, 2003: Bell Rock Cemetery (Sandy Bank Old Burying Ground) in Malden - results: located the grave of Ralph Shepherd (1606 - 1693) of Littleton.  Bell Rock Park in Malden - results: see picture.  Fort Pond in Littleton - results: investigated some the "islands" in the swamp said to be Indian burial grounds. 

• August 15, 2003: Nashoba (Concord Village) in Littleton - results: identified possible site of Old Powers Burying Ground.  Grist Mill Road in Littleton - results: Found earthworks and spillway from early settler's Mill. 

• August 14, 2003: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton - results: identified site of old Indian Fort on Speen's Hill at Fort Pond from 1914 photo and old records.

• August 10, 2003: Nashoba (Concord Village) in Littleton - results: searched for the 1670's Shepard Homestead, found Quagana Hill, but homestead site looks built over.  Located the well of the 1675 Walter Powers Garrison House.  Searched for original settlers burial ground, but textual accounts disagree and the general area is built over.  Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton - results: a fourth grave has been added.  Also trash pit resembles 1914 picture of well at the now lost "Indian Fort on Speen's Hill."

• August 2, 2003: Hockomock Swamp in Raynham with Carlton Jablonski - results: abandoned factory associated with Bigfoot sightings, abandoned railroad associated with spook lights.  Route 138 in Raynham with Carlton Jablonski - results:  50 foot milk bottle used a restaurant, 2 foot diameter golf ball.  Anawam Rock in Rehoboth with Carlton Jablonski - results: rock where King Philips War ended.  Bad Luck Brook and Bad Luck Swamp in Rehoboth with Carlton Jablonski - results: located both brook and swamp, saw the llama.  Dighton Rock in Dighton with Carlton Jablonski - results: viewed inscriptions on rock, translated them as 'beware the llama.".  Profile Rock in Freetown with Carlton Jablonski - results: rock has Indian head profile, excellent view from top. 

• July 27, 2003: Mohawk Indian Icon in Shirley - results: 30 foot tall Indian.

• July 13, 2003: Witchcraft School in Salem - results: again, pictures did not come outWitch Hill in Topsfield - results: rural hill with water-tower, some lithics, no indications of why it is called "witch".  Tophet Swamp in Bedford/Lexington - results: another Tophet Swamp

• July 12, 2003: Gallows Hill in Salem with Gary Boston - results: located actual hill of the hangings, which is not the one called "Gallows Hill".  Also found foundation rocks from the scaffold.  Witchcraft School in Salem with Gary Boston - results: school is marked "Witchcraft School" on topo map, but the building reads "Witchcraft Heights School."  Pictures of school mysterious did not come out.  Witch Hill in Topsfield with Gary Boston - result: photos did not come out.  Salem-Beverly Waterway in Wenham with Gary Boston - results: waterworks canal built sometime between 1904 and and 1944.  Danvers State Hospital in Danvers with Gary Boston - results: called the "Witch Castle" because of its architecture - main grounds are now no trespassing, did see a few out buildings Witch Rock in Danvers with Gary Boston - results: found the rock, but could not find any petroglyphs on it.  (Carvings did appear to be on an adjacent rock.)  Devil's Dishful Pond in Peabody with Gary Boston - results: located the pond but not the summer community it was supposedly named for.  Joseph Tapley's Tomb in Lynnfield with Gary Boston - results: lone tomb on street corner.  Tophet Road in Lynnfield with Gary Boston - results: road appears to new, may have not Colonial era "Tophet" connection. 

• May 18, 2003: Sheehan Road Swamp in Harvard - results: located place where the old Shaker aqueduct passes through he swamp and under the old stage coach road.  (click here)

• May 17, 2003: Old Stage Coach Road in Littleton/Harvard with Gary Boston - results: old stage coach road, recent donation of antique medicine bottle at a stone pile.  (See the Father John & the Rock Pile report.)  Shaker Village in Harvard with Gary Boston: located site of gate valves for the old Shaker aqueduct. 

• April 25, 2003: Long Pond Park in Littleton with Gary Boston - results: odd stone construction in old cart path, anthropomorphic seal-shaped boulder, stone wall fishing weir found in river.

• March 22, 2003: Potato Cave in Acton, Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton, Whipping Stone in Harvard, and Balance Rock in Harvard with Jim Moore.  Looked for Snake Hill Balance Rock in Ayer with Jim Moore - results: located balance rock, found old well.

• February 8, 2003: Sheehan Road Swamp in Harvard with Carlton Jablonski - results: searched for slate markers that mark path of 1850's Shaker Aqueduct.  None found, snow a factor.

• January 19, 2003: Sheehan Road Swamp in Harvard with Gary Boston - results: searched for slate markers that mark path of 1850's Shaker Aqueduct.  None found, snow a factor.

• January 17, 2003: "Spirit Island" in Littleton with Gary Boston - results: looked for Indian "grave stones" said to be on island.  None found, snow a factor.


 

   Field Journal 2002

• December 27, 2002: Redemption Rock in Sterling with Andy Bowers - results: large rock outcrop that was an Indian meeting place.  Also, nearby underground chamber.

• November 30, 2002: South Shaker Village in Harvard with Andy Bowers and Marc Sevigny - results: toured the South Shaker Dormitory building.

• November 25, 2002: Old Coke Kiln Road in Leverett with Andy Bowers - results: old brick lime kiln.  Rattlesnake Gutter in Leverett with Andy Bowers - results: searched Rattlesnake Gutter for three chambers reported in the area, none found.  Numerous talus caves, including longest cave in Franklin County.

• November 16, 2002: Glidden Point in Damariscotta Maine with Ros Strong - results: shell middens Temple Heights in Northport Maine with Ros Strong - results: old foundation and thirty foot tunnel Greers Bog in Belmont Maine with Ros Strong - results: stone chamber West Chops Point in Bath Maine with Ros Strong - results: unusual stone row, chamber.

• November 3, 2002: East Shaker Village in Harvard - results: located path of aqueduct on west side of Route 2.

• October 26, 2002: Shaker Village in Harvard with Marc Sevigny and George Watkins - results: Shaker spring house, Shaker whipping stone.

• October 19, 2002: Mt. Cadillac in Acadia with Gary Boston - results: dolman (recent?), view from top.

• October 14, 2002: Hoosac Tunnel in the Berkshires with Andy Bowers - results: walked 5 mile RR tunnel, said to be haunted.  See the Hoosac Tunnel: Abode of the Damned?  report.

• October 8, 2002: Glacier Erratic Complex in Littleton with Jeff Kunz - results: investigated possible alignments.  No significant alignments were found.

• October 6, 2002: Heron Rookery in Littleton with Gary Boston - results: earthworks, probably modern.  Also, nearby glacier erratic complex, perched rock.

• September 29, 2002: East Shaker Village in Harvard with Gary Boston - results: located track of old Shaker road that connected Shaker Road & Old Littleton Road via Oak Hill.

• September 20, 2002: Halibut Point in Rockport with Jeff Kunz - results: talus cave at high tide mark.  Enjoyed the full moon.

• September 15, 2002: Crow Hill in Acton - results: rock structures shaped like an animal with additional rocks for "ears".

• August 11, 2002: East Shaker Village in Harvard - results: located the "Fountain of Youth", the Shaker village spring said to be the source of Shaker longevity.  Also located route of mile long aqueduct from spring to village.  See the Fountain of Youth Field Report.

• August 10, 2002: Old Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster with Julie Boudillion - results: gravestones dated 1674 and 1683.

• July 22, 2002: North Cemetery in Shirley with Jeff Kunz - circa 1850's cemetery near Shirley Shaker Village.  Old Lancaster Cemetery in Lancaster Flats with Jeff Kunz - results: a gravestone dated 1697.

• July 20, 2002: South Shaker Village in Harvard with Gary Boston - results: two sets of steps, twenty feet long,  leading up to an earthen platform cut from a hillside, buttressed with fieldstone facing.  (click here)

• July 13, 2002: Hockomock Swamp in West Bridgewater with Jeff Kunz - investigated east section of swamp at 4:00 a.m. in bigfoot sightings area - results: no sightings or tracks observed.  Dighton Rock in Dighton with Jeff Kunz - results: museum closed.  Collage Hill in Hopkinton with Jeff Kunz - results: 60 foot sheer cliffs. 

• June 29, 2002: "House at the Entrance of Nashoba" in Littleton - results: looked for large stone cross reported to be in niche of old foundation - niche found, but cross does not exist as reported.

• June 23, 2002: Westford Knight in Westford with Carlton Jablonski - results: stone effigy of sword.

• June 22, 2002: Tannery Falls in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: 2 waterfalls, old mill works, stone table.  Estes Cemetery in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: old family plot Balance Rock in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: large perched glacial erratic, boulder with small stones placed around it.  Shaker Cemetery & Foundations in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: site of 1820 settlement.  Crooked Forest in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: unable to locate.  Babbitt & Tower Cemeteries in Savoy with Carlton Jablonski - results: old family plots.  Hoosac Tunnel, east entrance, in Florida with Carlton Jablonski. 

• June 20, 2002: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough - results: confirmed solstice sunrise alignment. 

• June 19, 2002: Black Pond South in Littleton - results: solstice sunrise at rock alignment, also, stone steps found.

• June 16, 2002: South Shaker Village in Harvard - results: 5 foot tall standing stone, 1 ton rocking stone, stone table, donation stone, possible site of Shaker Whipping Stone.  Capt. Benjamin Stewart's grave in Harvard - died 1775.

• June 15, 2002: Eliot's Pulpit & Cave in Boxborough - Photo located, actual Swanson Road site destroyed by construction. Fruitland's Museum in Harvard - results: photo of King Philip's War Club, Thunderbird artifact that resembles "The Mothman".  See the Mothman & Thunderbird report.

• May 4, 2002: Nagog Hill in Acton – results: new photos of altar, possible seat or basin stone.

• May 2, 2002: Pin Hill in Harvard – results: colonial quarry, several talus caves.

• April 28, 2002: Zion Hill in Harvard with Jeff Kunz – results: stone steps and stone work, dancing at the dancing grounds, tape recording spirit voices.

• April 27, 2002: Shaker Village in Harvard with Ed Cornish – results: effigies, Zion Hill dancing ground, base of God/Fountain Stone, stone piles, effigy, North Village and barn ruins, triangular stones in rows, South Village dormitory and barn ruins, old stage coach road.

• April 22, 2002: Shaker Village in Hancock with Julie Boudillion. Dam, Mill Race, Foundations in Phillipston with Julie.

• April 21, 2002: Indian Burial Ground in Stockbridge with Julie Boudillion.  (click here)

• April 20, 2002: Hoosac Tunnel, east entrance in Drury with Julie Boudillion – results: located Church Street.  Hoosac Tunnel, west entrance in North Adams with Julie – results: located West Shaft Road.  Tophet Brook in Adams with Julie – results: located Tophet Brook, found a stone chamber on East Street.

• April 13, 2002: Bumblebee Park, Whitcome Ave. Chambers, Esker, Half Moon Meadow with Steve Glines.

• April 10, 2002: Black Pond North in Harvard with Andy Bowers – results: possible Eliot's Pulpit and cave, more lime quarries, odd rock pile on boulder, other rock constructions.

• March 20, 2002: The Boulders in Boxborough with Andy Bowers – results: three seats carved from rock, possible Eliot's Pulpit and cave.

• March 17, 2002: Flag Hill in Acton with Jim Salem – results: Shaker bridge.  Flag Hill in Acton with Peter Waksman, Tim Fohl, Jic Davis – results: Colonial spring house.

• March 14, 2002: Sergeant Road in Boxborough with Gary Boston – results: prayer seat, embrasure, Manitou stone on southern boundary of Nashoba.

• March 10, 2002: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Jim Salem.

• March 4, 2002: Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton – results: more alignments.

• March 2, 2002: Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton with Andy Bowers – results: stone wall lines up with summer solstice sunrise - ravine is a Colonial lime quarry.

• February 18, 2002: Dog Town in Cape Ann – results: dolman, boulder caves, perched rock, aligned pots.

• February 17, 2002: Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton – results: photos.

• February 16, 2002: Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton – results: compass readings.  Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough – results: compass readings.

• January 30, 2002: Oak Hill in Littleton – results: compass reading on both altars, found large capped well or cistern.

• January 27, 2002: Purgatory Brook & Falls in Mont. Vernon NH with Ed Cornish – results: three sets of falls, four piles of stones in a row. Purgatory Hill in Mont. Vernon NH with Ed Cornish– results: two old foundations.

• January 26, 2002: Lake Nagog in Acton – results: compass readings at altar, aligned true east. Nagog Hill in Acton – results: more compass readings at second altar, aligned true north, offering found.

• January 20, 2002: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough – results: compass readings.

• January 12, 2002: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough – results: scallops.  Compass readings: embrasure faces big dipper, scallops face midsummer sunset. Yapp Farm in Littleton with Cal Yapp – results: turtle stone (found in Westford quarry circa 1890).

• January 6, 2002: Oak Hill in Littleton – results: altar, standing stone, spring, stage coach tracks in rock.  Silver Mine in Littleton – results: dam, possible Colonial strip mine.  Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough – results: rock piles, altar, 2nd twins effigy, 3rd viewing platform, keyhole rock formation, large embrasure, pail.  (See Half Moon Meadow Report)

• January 5, 2002: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough – results: six foot tall stone walls, berm on island, “twins” effigy, dolman, rock piles, rock circle. Nashoba Brook in Acton with Peter Waksman and Jim Salem – results: stone piles, stone enclosure, potato cave chamber.

 

• January 4, 2002: Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton with Bill Ray – results: third well, 30 feet deep; examined ravine for signs of silver mining, results negative – also, Bill has no recollection of altar or prayer seat.  Silver Mine in Harvard with Bill Ray – results: Colonial strip mine.


  

Field Journal 2001

• December 30, 2001: Colonial Silver Mine in Pepperell with Leah Jablonski – results: 50 foot horizontal shaft, bats.  Witch Brook in Townsend with Leah Jablonski. (click here Fay Cemetery in Athol with Leah Jablonski – results: Fay family cemetery. Perched Rock in Athol with Leah Jablonski – results: yellow quartz rock found beneath perched rock.

• December 29, 2001: Balance Rock on Rte 111 in Boxborough – results: not a tipping stone.  Esker in Boxborough with George Krusen - results: observed sunset (not significant), found earthen u-shaped prayer cove.  Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough with George Krusen - results: 2 embrasures, “grave” – also, stone pile at Half Moon Meadow Brook is vision quest site per Byron Dix.

• December 27, 2001: Mounds on Rte 111 in Boxborough with Peter Waksman – results: asphalt and gravel dump.  Flag Hill in Acton with Peter Waksman - results: stone piles in two areas, keyhole rock, colonial dam.  Half Moon Meadow with Julie Boudillion - results at sunrise wall: spur in row, platform in row, different style of stone in section of row, pails by row – results at sunrise rock: bear head rock.

• December 23, 2001: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough for solstice sunrise with Gary Boston - results: sun rises in cleft of rock as seen from viewing platform at 7:30 at E25S, bear profile seen in lichen of sunrise rock, also noticed stone pile with construction where Half Moon Meadow Brook crosses Littlefield Road.

• December 22, 2001: Corn Grinding Stone/ Stone Seat in Acton for solstice sunrise - results: sun does not rise over rounded rock on knoll, line of sunrise misses egg rock, sun rises over stepped rock - also, found possible prayer seat and altar.  Black Pond and Ridge in Littleton - results: 3 wells, 100 foot long ravine, talus caves, stone shelter, stone altar, large erratic, odd row construction.  Whitcome Chamber and Tunnel in Littleton – results: tunnel appears to be a Shaker-style drainage culvert.

• December 21, 2001: Half Moon Meadow in Boxborough for solstice sunrise - results: (too overcast to see sunrise), sunrise rock, viewing platform, equinox mound, midsummer stone pile and wide row, George Krusen.

• December 19, 2001: Esker in Boxborough – results: reviewed embrasure, found public entrance; Field Report submitted to NEARA.

• December 16, 2001: Esker in Boxborough – results: 4 earthen ramps, 4 earthen circles, 2 prayer seats, embrasure, pails, summer solstice sunset row, Manitou stones, 2 bank and ditch with rows, scallops.  (See Boxborough Esker Report)

• December 9, 2001: Dogleg Chamber in Harvard – results: Partridge Road, could not see chamber, if it still exists it is in a front yard.

• December 5, 2001: Corn Grinding Stone/Stone Seat in Acton with Mark Magowan – results: egg rock (large erratic), mismatched rows, stacked stones on row, curving row.

• December 2, 2001: Wizard's Glen in Dalton with the Berkshire Mountain Man (click here) – results: Lucky Seven cave, talus caves.

• December 1, 2001: Corn Grinding Stone/Stone Seat in Acton with Gary Boston – results: stone piles.

• November 25, 2001: Witch's Caves in Ashland with Ed Cornish (click here) – results: talus caves. Pout Rock in Ashland with Ed Cornish – results: old Indian ford on the Old Connecticut Path; linear earth works, possibly old aqueducts. Devil's Den in Ashland with Ed Cornish (click here) – results: possible solution cave. Perched Rock in Hopkinton with Ed Cornish. (click here)

• November 24, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton – results: 2nd turtle rock (carapace), newly constructed standing stone, donation stone, stone seat – also visited: turtle rock, chamber, corn mounds.

• November 23, 2001: Cobb's Pond in Littleton – results: perched rock A, perched rock B, Indian dam and ditch.

• November 22, 2001: Lake Nagog in Acton – results: stone altar on north/south axis, 3 cobblestone rows, 2 foundations, well, rock piles, turtle shaped rock piles, water works, effigies, goddess stone, Manitou stones, corn-grinding stone/stone seat – stone seat appears to point at winter solstice sunrise point.

• November 21, 2001: Nashoba Hill/Pickard Farm in Littleton – results: 2 large whale shaped rocks.

• November 19, 2001: Newtown Hill in Littleton - results: large crescent shaped berm and ditch, small stone stack, stone pile, possible effigy, neo-pagan stone circle in woods.

• November 18, 2001: Meteor Shower 4:00am – results: about one per second.  Bumblebee Park with Peter Waksman and Jic Davis – results: investigated pond, rock mounds, well.  Newtown Hill in Littleton – results: large well near the pond.

• November 17, 2001: Spider Gates Cemetery in Leicester with Gary Boston (click here) – results: Quaker cemetery, Shaker-style bridge, old water-works, ledge “cave”, old dam and mill.  (See Spider Gates Report)

• November 11, 2001: Bumblebee Park in Littleton – results: stone mounds, stone “bench”, well, shaker bridge, triangular pond, large triangular rock pile, (property owner is Chip).  Whitcome Road Chambers in Littleton – results: Chamber A, Chamber B, Manitou stones.

• November 10, 2001: Devil's Den in Williamsburg with Andy Bowers (click here) – results: talus caves, river ravine, potholes in river, stacked stones, placed stones, stone altar, prayer seat, neo-pagan offerings, cellar holes, abandoned family cemetery of six plots (Roger's family).  (click here)

• November 3, 2001: Burnt Hill in Heath with Ed Cornish – results: many standing stones, rows, stacked stones, white quartz piles - Field Report submitted to NEARA. (See Burnt Hill Report)

• October 21, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton – results: white quartz effigy, serpent mound, turtle stone pile, rounded bend in row, dolmen, old foundation at Nagog, stone pile – also mapped old quarry.

• October 20, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Andy Bowers and John Hanson Mitchell – results: John found the graves convincing and doubts property owner's story.

• October 14, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton – results: photos of chamber interior.

• September 29, 2001: Hockomock Swamp in Raynham with Gary Boston – results: walked railroad bed before dawn, no bigfoot or spook lights seen, split rock found, Black Brook.

• September 23, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton – results: a second older quarry? - the cuts on right-angle stone face north and west.

• September 1, 2001: Tophet Chasm & Swamp in Littleton.  (Tophet is old term for Hell)

• August 26, 2001: Tophet Swamp in New Ipswich NH with Julie Boudillion. (click here)

• August 25, 2001: Tophet Swamp in Westminster – results: peninsula/island in swamp.  (click here)

• August 18, 2001: Tophet Swamp in Shirley (click here) – results: old railroad line.  Fort Pond & Kalava Road in Shirley.  White Rabbit Swamp in Townsend. (click here)

• August 16, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Mark Magowan – results: looks like pet cemetery to him – also visited colonial quarry, chamber, turtle rock, ledges, corn mounds.

• August 11, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Gary Boston – results: title research shows property owner purchased the land on October 1, 1991 (cemetery looks much older) - also, property owner is a developer.

• August 10, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Rick Roth - results: Rick spoke with property owner about the cemetery, claims it to be their pet cemetery (1 cat and 2 dogs).

• August 4, 2001: Nashoba Brook in Westford – results: stone circle with pit, odd stone post in row.

• July 25, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Sean Tierney – results: Sean felt the headstones were convincing and looked like some of the old Colonial era gravestones he has seen while surveying, the rings of stones around the graves weren't as convincing to him and he wondered if they were added later - pointed out circular earthworks as possible Indian Fort location.

• June 23, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Andy Bowers and Peter Waksman to look at the graves – results: Andy noticed a large white quartz rock in row marking site, Manitou-style bottle dump found in circular earthwork 20 feet from graves.

• June 17, 2001: Sarah Doublet Forest in Littleton with Peter Waksman – results: three small graves with non-inscribed headstones abutting stone row, grave plots outlined with cobble stones; headstones appear to be quite old, cobblestone newer – also visited: 2 stone circles, chamber, colonial quarry, corn grinding stone, corn mounds, large glacial erratic, 2 springs, stone turtle, ledge-shrines with white offering stones.


 

 

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Copyright © 2001- 2010 by Daniel V. Boudillion

 

dvb@boudillion.com

 

 


 

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