Echoes of Appalachia

Have you ever heard the eerie story of Betty Hazel Price, the woman known as the “Witch of Sullivan County”? In 1888, her name sent shivers through the region, and her story continues to haunt those who speak of her today. Betty’s life ended tragically with one of the last recorded witch hangings in the area, but her legend lives on—particularly near her supposed resting place.

A Life Shrouded in Fear

Betty Hazel Price lived in the quiet, rural stretches of Sullivan County. Back in those days, anything unfamiliar or unexplained could lead to whispers of witchcraft. Betty, with her deep knowledge of plants, healing remedies, and uncanny predictions, quickly became a figure of suspicion. She was said to be able to cure illness with herbs, speak of things before they happened, and some even claimed she could control the weather.

Whether these stories were grounded in reality or rooted in fear, they spread fast. Whenever misfortune struck—a farmer’s crops withered, a family’s livestock fell ill—Betty was blamed. The rumors painted her as a witch, responsible for curses and spells that brought misfortune to the community.

The Trial and Her Fate

By 1888, the rumors had spiraled out of control. Betty was arrested and brought to trial on charges of witchcraft. In those days, superstition held more weight than reason, and it wasn’t long before the community demanded her punishment. The so-called “evidence” against her was built on fear—whispers of strange happenings and wild accusations from her neighbors. Despite the lack of any real proof, Betty was convicted of witchcraft.

The sentence was swift. Betty Hazel Price was hanged in Sullivan County that year, marking her as one of the last women in the region to suffer such a fate for accusations of witchcraft.

Where the Witch Rests

The story doesn’t end with her hanging, though. Local legend says that Betty Hazel Price is buried in the Boatyard Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Kingsport, Tennessee. Her grave is said to be unmarked, as her death brought shame and fear, and few wanted to be associated with her even after her passing. Visitors to the cemetery still whisper about strange occurrences near her supposed burial site—cold winds blowing on still days, faint whispers on the breeze, and the unsettling feeling of being watched.

A Cursed Legacy?

Some say that as Betty stood on the gallows, she cursed the town with her last breath. After her death, strange misfortunes continued to plague Sullivan County. Crops failed, illnesses spread, and her ghost was said to wander the hillsides, seeking justice for the wrongful accusations. Even today, locals swear they’ve seen her ghost roaming the cemetery at night, her spirit never finding rest.

A Haunting Reminder

Whether you believe in witches or not, Betty Hazel Price’s story is a haunting reminder of what fear and superstition can do. A woman with knowledge of nature and a life lived differently became the target of blame and punishment. Her legend endures as both a piece of Appalachian folklore and a cautionary tale about how easily fear can turn to tragedy.

If you ever find yourself near Boatyard Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Kingsport, take a moment to listen closely. Some say you can still hear whispers of Betty’s name on the wind.