Here are the most frequently asked questions, from Emails and phone, on this town. It can act as a quick-reference for you.

1. So there is NO link from Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to the Dudleytown brothers?

NO--there is none. I have only a slight idea as to how anyone may have gotten this--but as it involves genealogy, a science that most of the Legend tellers have no knowledge of, I seriously doubt that it would have figured in. The link appears to be totally fabricated, and is NOT supported by history or genealogy.

2. When was Dudleytown founded?

In 1737, when Thomas Griffis purchased the land at an Auction. It became known as Dudley after the three Dudley brothers--Gideon, Barzillai, and Abiel, settled there.

3. So there was only THREE brothers--not 4?

Correct. Martin Dudley, NOT connected to the Dudleytown brothers, arrived later. He married Gideon's daughter Anna in Cornwall.

4. Are you saying that Dudleytown was NEVER a town--it never had even a church??

Correct. Dudleytown was, and is, part of Cornwall. It was never incorporated...it still isn't. It only had about 12 houses on the hill at any one time. No churches, cemeteries, meeting houses, NOTHING. Just houses. Its population never exceeded 100, and most histories put the number far below--about 50.

5. You state that all the deaths there are natural. What do you have to support this?

Town records, histories of Cornwall, obituaries, church records, letters from residents (those still in existence) were all used in the article, and will be dealt with in greater detail in my book. I have evidence for every one of the deaths. NONE are fabricated.

6. Then why do people say they are all part of a "curse?" Surely they can't all be lying!

I have no earthly idea why "they" say that. As per my article, the first "Dudleytown is haunted" story was written in 1938 in a book "They found a way." I have no idea where they got their information. Everyone else seems to have copied, and embellished, the original.

7. Do you really believe Dr. Clark, whose wife went mad in the last happening, REALLY bought the town?

No, I KNOW it. He, along with other N.Y. Doctors, bought THE ENTIRE AREA and founded the "Dark Entry Forest Association", who own it TODAY. By the way, he died in Cornwall in 1943. His new wife continued to live there after that.

8. But what about all the photographs of Dudleytown? The ones with all the ghosts in them? Were they forgeries?

I cannot say that. The pictures here, at the site, are from the SAME trip that are on another site--that has these "energy globules" etc. There are none in mine, but many in theirs. I can not help but wonder why. The things (now watch what I say) that are in their photo's CAN be faked, or attributed, to lens flare, cigarette smoke, or just fog. I will just have to leave the truthfulness of the ghost pictures to you to decide.

9. But I was up there! I FELT something! How do you explain THAT.

I could try: you went up there EXPECTING something. You went into what even I admit is a spooky looking place--all cold and forested. You probably went with others who believed in it.................and guess what? You experienced something!

And that is the main problem with all "psychic" experiences....and the main reason why the Paranormal Sciences will NEVER be taken seriously as a SCIENCE. It relies on EMOTION and experiences---not facts. Not tangible evidence. People FEEL things everyday--but never act upon them or draw conclusions from them. With "ghosts", however, it seems to be different.

10. So YOU do not believe in the Paranormal, right?

On the contrary--I do. But only that which can be reasonably proven. I must know the BACKGROUND of what I am shown. As a historian, and a genealogist, I deal in FACTS. I research what I can, and THEN draw conclusions from what I find, and then from what I see.

11. But I just KNOW you are wrong.

There is ONE simple way to disprove me. RESEARCH my facts. Do NOT just believe me. FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF. I did it in Texas--and so can you. To quote my favorite TV show:

So go find it.

12. Yea, and those OWLS! I was up there, and didn't see ANYTHING!

Lucky you. There are bears, snakes, bobcats, and assorted other goodies in Dudleytown. And lots of birds. You didn't stay the night (I know, because it is NOT allowed, and they tow cars there after dusk). However, residents (of which I DO know a few) report wildlife everywhere. Do remember, we humans tend to make a lot of noise, which our animal friends just do not like!

13. But people keep telling me its DEAD silent!

When I was there, there were birds chirping, we saw a chipmunk, and everything was as a forest should be. Others have told me the same thing. I would imagine that those who had heard nothing probably scared the wildlife away. Simply that.

14. How can you use HISTORY to prove a PARANORMAL thing? And what IS GENEALOGY?

Because history is based upon FACTS. Paranormal experiences are just that--an experience, something someone believes happened to them. Ghosts (if you believe in them) occur because of SOMETHING: their life wasn't complete; they died without finishing something: they had an terrible thing happen to them, etcetera. Whatever. The HISTORY of Dudleytown shows that none of this ever occurred there. In fact, many of the deaths connected to Dudleytown never even took place there! Do the math...........85% of the legend of Dudleytown is false–made up! The other 15% is pure embellishment---that is, something that DID happen that was expanded, and added to. Sort of like the Blair Witch Project--a mythology that many get sucked into and believed in, and it is false.
GENEALOGY is the study of ones ancestors---your roots! In studying it, we use court, probate, death, marriage certificates, census', and other records to determine whom our ancestors were and what, when, where, and how they were born, married, and died, etc. That is how I found out about the Dudley Brothers who settled Dudleytown.
Because history is FACTS. Paranormal experiences are just that--something someone believes happened to them. Ghost occur because of SOMETHING---their life wasn't complete, they died without finishing something, they had an terrible thing happen to them. Whatever. The HISTORY of Dudleytown shows that none of this ever occurred there. In fact, MOST of the deaths connected to Dudleytown never even took place there! Do the math...........85% of the legend of Dudleytown is FALSE! Made up! The other 15% is pure embellishment---that is, something that DID happen that was expanded, and added to. Sort of like the Blair Witch Project--a mythology that many get sucked into, and is false.

15. What is "Witches Dam", and why is it called that?

"Witches Dam" is actually Marsella Falls, located about 3/4 of the way up Dark Entry Road--it was dammed up during the heyday of Dudleytown to power a mill on Bonney Brook, the main source of water for Dudleytown. I have no explanation as to why its called "Witches Dam" other than the story that I was told about a group of Wiccans (modern day witches) who used to hold their rights a little farther down the hill.

16. What, and where, is this VORTEX?

I didn't know the answer to that one till I went there myself--and now I can tell you: The VORTEX is just Cook Road (see the map). Nothing else. Cook Road is now so grown over that it appears the trail ends about 1/4 mile down it. It really doesn't--it will continue on down the hill to another road. Because its so grown over, its actually a more strenuous hike than Dark Entry is--and more dangerous because of it. It gets very claustrophobic there, and that may account for the weird feelings some get there. CAUTION--THIS IS THE AREA OF THE RECENT FIRE--it destroyed parts of the trail, and you could become lost quickly. Since Dudleytown is now closed, this is a moot point, but should it reopen, I suggest you stay away from it for about a year till some of the foliage comes back.

17. Well, you sure give a lot of "cautions." Sounds like you're trying to cover something up!

Those who have actually been there will tell you my "cautions" are NOT a joke--even if they disagree with me. The area IS dangerous--even by day. At night it is just CRAZY to go there. You MUST be familiar with the rules of hiking, and be appropriately dressed to attempt this trip. IF you know what you are doing, and with the necessary precautions, you will have a nice trip. Unfortunately, some of the email I get plainly show that so many city folk try this NOT knowing what they are doing---and some pay the price with sprained ankles, bruises, and HUNDREDS of mosquito bites.

18. Who are these weird people that some folks see when they go there--the ones that ask questions and all?

Probably some of the locals that are out for a hike! OR, it could be other hikers who "KNOW" the legend and are out to scare you. As for locals, remember, they do NOT want you there. They WILL be suspicious. IF they are DEF members---they are also the OWNERS of the place! If you are treating the land with dignity, being careful, and NOT responding to them with disrespect--they will leave you alone. Act like a bunch of "Ghostbusters" rejects and they will call the State Police. Pure and simple. However, IF you notice that your new acquaintances are REALLY weird, leave and call the Police yourself. I have never heard of this being necessary, but you never know. I DO suggest a good, firm, walking stick, however. Not only to help you on the hike, but it makes for good defense also. Be aware that they could also be members of a Paranormal Group out to "investigate" the area. These folk are usually harmless--but are out for a "ghost hunt." They will find something, I am sure. They always do.

19. Are there OTHER areas of Cornwall that may really be haunted?

Yep. The Cornwall Inn, the bridge, and the railroad tracks are all supposed to be. The only one worth looking into is the Cornwall Inn, however. I have had a lot of (for the most part) serious Investigators tell me about that one. Not only may it be haunted, but serves up some good (albeit a tad over priced) food! Check it out!

20. How long will Dudleytown remain closed?

That is hard to say. Some people are now starting to (I can't believe this) steal the “No Trespassing” signs, and the DEF is not amused. The last I heard is that the closure is “indefinite.” DEF has plans on posting new signs every fifty feet or so going up the roads that lead into Dudleytown.

One thing is for sure: the Connecticut State Police have a standing request to be out in force every Halloween.

21. So all this information is here. Why buy your book?

That's a fair question. Here is a fair answer: I do not cover everything in detail as I do in the book. I have MUCH more info in the book, 126 + pages full, over 100 footnotes, a more extensive timeline, a full index, etc. If you are REALLY interested in Dudleytown, then this is the book for you. Additionally, you see EXACTLY what I did to solve the mystery.

Till later.........God Bless you.