EPISODE 34October 29, 2023

The Swamp Hag of Bell Island

Bell Island, Newfoundland is said to be one of Canada's most haunted places, with more than its share of tragic deaths and mysterious phenomena. But one story stands out above the rest. "Taste what I tasted. Smell what I smelled." These are the haunting words of the Ghost of Dobbin's Garden, more commonly known today as the Swamp Hag of Bell Island. Said to be the restless spirit of a woman who died tragically, she is doomed to roam the island forever, looking for victims to share in her torment. Join me as we learn the legend and review the history of this terrifying icon of Canadian folklore.

Sources

“The Legend of the Woman in White.” Historic Wabana. Accessed September, 2023 https://www.historic-wabana.com/woman-in-white.html#:~:text=The%20%22Woman%22%20was%20really%20a,the%20Island%20on%20Memorial%20Drive

 

Anstey, Desiree. “Newfoundland’s Bell Island the ‘most haunted place in Canada.'” Saltwire, October 27, 2021. Accessed September 2023. https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/lifestyles/newfoundlands-bell-island-the-most-haunted-place-in-canada-100650727/

 

Cooke, Ryan. “Bell Island swamp hag celebrated with Canada Post Halloween stamp.” CBC News, September 12, 2016. Accessed 2023. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/canada-post-bell-island-hag-halloween-stamp-1.3758614

 

Lackner, Chris. “Bell Island, Canada’s X-Files Isle.” Canada’s History, January 12, 2016. Accessed September 2023. https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/travel/bell-island-canada-s-x-files-isle

 

Pelley, Chad. “Who is This ‘Hag of Bell Island’ on the New Canadian Coin & Stamp Series?” The Overcast, September 13, 2016. Accessed September 2023. https://theovercast.ca/who-is-this-hag-of-bell-island-on-the-new-canadian-coin-stamp-series/

 

Sutherland, Joel. “The Swamp Hag,” Haunted Canada 6: More Terrifying True Stories. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada Ltd., 2016, pp 1 -5

 

Widdowson, John. If You Don’t Be Good: Verbal Social Control in Newfoundland. Social and Economic Studies N0. 21. St. John’s, Newfoundland: Institute of Social and Economic Research, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1977.

 

Creepy Canada: Season 2, Episode 7. Directed by William Burke, Larry Santos. Episode aired 9 December 2003.