Molly Leigh's Ghost
The Turk's Head and St John's Church Public House in Burslem, Staffordshire, is home to a most intriguing haunting. This historic pub is said to be frequented by the ghost of Molly Leigh, a woman accused of witchcraft during her lifetime. According to local legend, Molly's spirit briefly returned from the dead on the day of her burial in 1748 and took up residence in the pub. Her malevolent presence was so feared that she was eventually exorcised, but her legacy lives on.
Historical records confirm that Molly Leigh was a local woman who lived in Burslem during the 18th century. She was accused of witchcraft and subsequently executed. Her grave, which faces north to south, can still be found in the churchyard of St John's Church. Locals claim that running around her grave three times will summon her spirit. While there are no contemporary accounts of Molly's haunting, the legend has endured for centuries, and her ghost remains a popular figure in local folklore.
18th-century witchcraft accusations and executions were not uncommon in Staffordshire.
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