South End Burying Ground

Years before the Salem Witch Trials, Long Island had its own accused witch. In 1685, Elizabeth Gardiner Howell became ill with a fever and began to hallucinate. During her delirium, Elizabeth would shout that she was under attack by a witch.

Before she passed away, Elizabeth pointed her accusations at a local woman, Goody Garlick. Garlick was not well liked by the townspeople, and soon after the accusation was made, the people would gather and speak of other evils potentially caused by the “witch.”

Elizabeth’s father, Lion Gardiner, who was the first settler of the town and respected by all, determined Goody would be tried in Connecticut. This was done to attempt to ensure that Goody had a fair trial. The Connecticut court determined that Goody Garlick was not guilty of witchcraft.

She returned to East Hampton, where she would live the remainder of her days as a free woman. The remains of Lion Gardiner and Goody Garlick are interred at South End Cemetery in East Hampton.