Common Mystics Jennifer James and Jill Stanley

On this episode of Common Mystics, we uncover the untold story of a woman whose enigmatic life and startling demise remain cloaked in secrecy.* It was in September 1894, in Providence, RI, that Mrs. Emily Chambers, after resigning from her position as a live-in maid, adorned herself in her finest clothes, hired a carriage with a substantial amount of money, and vanished without a trace. Her body was later discovered in a secluded wooded area miles away in North Scituate. As detectives embarked on a quest to find her murderer, they eventually apprehended a suspect. But the question remains: Was justice truly served? Support Common Mystics on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content like the Detours from each episode.
* This episode includes discussion of violent acts and may not be suitable for sensitive audiences. Listener discretion is recommended.

On this episode of Common Mystics Jen and Jill delve into the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the death of a Puritan woman in 1673. Rebecca Cornell tragically perished in a fire at her Portsmouth home, a death authorities initially deemed an accident. However, the narrative took a chilling turn days later when her brother reported a ghostly visitation from Rebecca, seemingly seeking vengeance for her murder. The alleged perpetrator? Her own son, Thomas Cornell, Jr. This accusation led to Thomas’ murder trial, establishing a perilous precedent for future legal proceedings in New England, notably influencing the Salem Witch Trials. Support Common Mystics on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content like the Detours from each episode.

On this episode of Common Mystics, Jen and Jill explore the mysterious murder of Benjamin J. Burton, once Rhode Island’s most affluent Black businessman. A self-made man, Burton began his career loading cargo at the docks of Newport, RI, eventually founding an express company and establishing the city’s first mass transit system. Admired and respected, his tragic death from gunshot wounds on October 6, 1885, sent shockwaves through Newport society. Initially ruled a suicide by the coroner, community outcry prompted a reexamination, leading to the uncovering of a sinister truth.

On this episode of Common Mystics Jen and Jill delve into the tale of a wise woman turned vengeful witch according to a local legend. Foster, RI, now a quaint settlement, has faced numerous challenges and documented hauntings over time. The town’s struggles have been attributed to a witch named Dolly Cole, yet evidence suggests alternative origins for the negative energies. Support Common Mystics on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content like the Detours from each episode. *Please note that this episode contains references to suicide and may be triggering for sensitive audiences. Please take care while you listen. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for free assistance 24/7.

On this episode of Common Mystics Jen and Jill explore the mysterious death of Tom Hepburn*. Before she was a Hollywood legend, Katharine Hepburn was one six offspring of Dr. Thomas Hepburn and Katharine Houghton Hepburn. The children enjoyed a life of privilege, and were brought up in an environment of intellectual pursuits and social activism. Tom Hepburn, the eldest son and closest sibling to young Katharine, was bright, athletic, handsome and popular. He planned to attend Yale and John’s Hopkins in his father’s footsteps. Why, then, in 1921 was his life cut short at the tender age of 15? Support Common Mystics on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content like the Detours from each episode. *Please note that this episode contains discussion of suicide and may be triggering for sensitive audiences. Please take care while you listen. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for free assistance 24/7.

On this episode of Common Mystics Jennifer and Jill examine the tragic life of Elizabeth Shaw.* Born in Connecticut in 1726, Elizabeth was considered a burden by her family due to perceived intellectual limitations. Unmarriable in the eyes of her community, her life took a tragic turn when she mysteriously became pregnant at age 18. The birth of her bastard child marked the beginning of a sorrowful series of events that ultimately led to her execution. Almost three decades after her premature demise, her tale was immortalized in poetic form as a stark warning about the perils of premarital relations. Support Common Mystics on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/commonmystics and sign up for exclusive bonus content like the Detours from each episode. *Please note that this episode contains discussion of abortion, infanticide and sexual crimes against women and may be triggering for sensitive audiences. Please take care while you listen.