I don’t call him a hero, because according to one variation of the story. Buck had an affair with this woman. And the town accused her of being a witch. She was sent to the gallows to die. And the woman pleaded for her life for him to tell the truth. He respected his reputation and denied any involvement with her. She cursed John Buck and she was hanged. When John Buck died, her foot appeared on his grave and her ghost is said to haunt his grave. To keep an eye on her unfaithful lover. That is one thing I’ve heard about him.

I was born and reared in Maine and the story I grew up with was quite different: John Buck (Founder of Bucksport, Maine) was married and had a mistress. When his mistress became pregnant, Captain Buck knew there was a chance of his wife finding out – and worse, his position and reputation would be compromised if it got around. He devised a solution; accusing his mistress of witchcraft and demanding that she be put to death. His mistress got word of his intentions and tried to escape before they came for her; heading for the woods where she thought she’d have a better chance of hiding. While running, she got her foot caught in an animal trap; the trap closed on her leg, nearly to the knee. Captain Buck and his men caught up to her and, as further punishment (for running away), he had one of his men cut her leg off, rather than remove the trap. As she screamed in pain and terror, she laid a curse on Captain Buck; swearing that her leg and the heart of their unborn child would haunt him forever. She was then put to death for being a witch. To this day, that portion of her leg and foot can be seen on his headstone – as well as a tiny heart, above the leg and foot. It is said that if one looks at the heart (harder to find; you have to look for it, as it is, indeed, tiny) long enough, they will see it beat. I have seen it, myself. ~lydy from Orono, Maine

Maine epic extreme metal band Shadar Logoth have a song released on their new album “Curse” entitled “Spitting His Curse With Venom” based on the legend of Buck’s Cursed Tomb. Contact us through our site if you are interested in a copy of the lyrics. The album will be available soon through Bull Moose Music and a sample of the song can be heard on the bands myspace. One of the band’s member’s currently lives in Bucksport.

I am a Buck from Bath, Me. This story is told throughout my family- I remember hearing it when I was a child and then to see it and learn it was general haunted lore to all of Me., I had to see it myself. I love it! It’s a great conversation piece!

That’s not how it happened. Captain Buck, who settled/founded Bucksport, was part of the witch trials. He had the lady who was said to be a witch burned at the stake. When she was on her way to be burned she went crazy and started screaming random words. It was said to be a curse. Her son was very upset and while she was being burned, her leg rolled out of the fire. The son grabbed it and ran off. since then, you can see the foot of the witch who was burned on his tombstone. I only know this because my grandparents live near there, and there’s a board thing that says the whole story right next to his headstone in the Bucksport Cemetary.

Whenever we pass through town (several times in the last 19 years) my wife points out the foot to the kids – its great fun.