Hannah Cranna & Friends

Hannah Cranna & Friends

Haunted Halloween

at the Beardsely Homestead

            Sunday, October 31, at 2 pm will be a supernatural time at 31 Great Ring Road  in Monroe. The infamous  Lady in White will  guide you through the Old Beardsley Homestead where you will meet some of her departed friends and hear some frightful tales from Hannah Cranna, the witch of Monroe.

            A seasonal craft activity plus refreshments are included in the day's entertainment.  Registration is required as space is limited.  Contact Karen at kbcardi@charter.net or 203-445-1082.  Cost is $5.00 per child.  Adults are free when accompanied by a child.

            The White Lady is said  to wander between Union Cemetery in Easton and Stepney Cemetery in Monroe.  She is always wearing a white bonnet and dressOn her walks, she has been accidentally hit many times by drivers on Route 59, but no one has ever had any damage done to their car.       

            Hannah Hovey (also known as Hannah Cranna), who depended upon charity after her husband's death, was perhaps more shrewd than most in her era and seldom lacked for firewood and food. She knew that area folk were subject to superstitions and by threatening them with dire misfortunes she tricked her neighbors into accommodating her needs. As her infamy grew, many catered to her to avoid her displeasure and wrath.

      A more courageous element in the community sought to bring her to trial for practicing witchery and the occult. She was supposedly arraigned but continued to live out her days, still held in awe by the populace.