The Hermit of Erving Castle, part 1

Episode 233

It started with a stereoview photograph and a note on the back: "Given by the hermit John Smith, Erving Castle" ... we were amazed to find out this hermit lived very close to one of those places that keeps popping up in Strange Familiars stories, Athol, MA!

After having lived as a professional hermit in Scotland, John Smith came to America in 1866. He soon found himself living in a cave in Erving, MA where he became somewhat of a local celebrity. John Smith welcomed many visitors to his cave, which he called "Erving Castle" - where he sold photographs of himself and a biography of his life.

In the first part of this two episode series, we begin reading John Smith's biography, The Hermit of Erving Castle, published in 1871. We hear John tell of his early life in Scotland: a poor childhood, denied by a rich uncle, his occupations as a peddler, an actor, and eventually as a hermit, living on the grounds of lords and ladies throughout Scotland.

To be continued in episode 234.

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