Dungeon Rock

One evening in the late 1600's, a mysterious ship entered the mouth of the Saugus River. A small rowboat with four men was launched and rowed up the Saugus River. Several days later, a laborer at the Iron Works discovered a note requesting shackles and handcuffs. The note promised a stack of silver coins for payment with detailed instructions as to where the exchange would take place. The settlers were jubilant with the exchange realizing the pirates had left. Months later, four pirates returned to live as settlers in a glen by the Saugus River. The pirate chief was accompanied by a beautiful woman who would become ill and die. While mourning their loss, British troops surrounded the pirate settlers. Three were arrested and hung but the pirate Thomas Veal escaped. Veal fled to Dungeon Rock where the pirates had stored their treasure. Veal became a shoemaker, living an isolated life only to visit the town to purchase supplies.

Joel Dunn was a woodcutter who lost his way in the woods during a storm. He came across the pirate Veal who invited him into his cave for shelter. Dunn entered cautiously. Veal appeared from the darkness screaming and waving a dagger. Joel looked down, saw a ring and placed it on his finger. Veal demanded a drink of rum but when Dunn said that the keg was empty, Veal was insulted. Veal lunged with the dagger and Dunn fled the cave back out into the storm. A large deafening crash knocked Dunn unconscious. When he recovered he learned that the crash was an earthquake, entombing Veal and his treasure within the cave. That ring was Dunn's proof that he was with Veal during his last hours on Earth.

Hiram Marble worked as a mason in Charlton, MA to support a wife and two sons. Marble had a vision; to go to Dungeon Rock, unearth the treasure and become wealthy. Marble was a spiritualist. The ghost of Thomas Veal promised Marble that he would help him find the treasure. Marble viewed this as an opportunity to prove the validity of spiritualism while becoming rich. Marble moved his family to Lynn in 1852 and purchased Dungeon Rock from the City.

Marble attacked the cave with dynamite like a man possessed. The treasure was never found. He often charged admission and sold stock to support his project. Marble gave tours charging 25 cents. He spent years digging, often consulting mystics for direction. He would die exhausted in 1868.

The family photo taken at the entrance of Dungeon Rock on the left is a very rare card just sent to me by Steve Babbitt. I encourage everyone that has a great post card like this to scan, email and share it with us!