by Erin Nieto
Spirited. Outspoken. Liberal-minded. Progressive.
These are all terms used to describe who the Chesterville Witch was during her lifetime over 100 years ago. Whatever you decide to call it, it didn’t mesh very well with her tradition-bound Amish Community of nearby Chesterville, Illinois.
At the time, the Amish community was experiencing its fair share of internal struggle. Having newly arrived in Illinois in the mid-19th century, and working hard to establish itself, there already existed a deep divide as to the progression of the Amish faith in this new settlement: remain faithful to tradition, or accept social and industrial advancements into the community.
Whatever the views this young woman carried and dared to voice, or whatever powers she was said to have, it certainly raised the ire of the church elders, and in turn, the Amish community. Ultimately, her transgressive behavior earned her the title of “witch”, and expulsion from Chesterville.
Unfortunately, it didn’t end there. Shortly after being shunned from the community, her lifeless body was discovered in a nearby farmer’s field. The official cause of death is not known, but was recorded as a ‘natural death’. Whether that was, in fact, the case, or a cover-up of the true circumstances of her untimely death, we may never know.
The body of the Chesterville Witch was then lain to rest in the Chesterville cemetery. Legend has it that a tree was planted on her grave in order to trap her spirit and prevent it from taking revenge on the community.
Although the village of Chesterville no longer appears on the map, her grave can still be seen at the cemetery today: surrounded by wrought iron fencing, headstone partially missing, her name lost to time.
The tree remains intact, and at its age is a towering giant, having grown right over a portion of the iron fence. It is widely believed that if it is damaged or cut down, it will release her spirit and she will seek her vengeance on the community.
Was this young woman a witch to be feared or simply someone with a manner repugnant to the Amish community, aggravating a sensitive divide at that time? We may never know. Unless, of course, something happens to that tree.