I am an nonfiction author and am working on historical fiction as a change. I grew up in Johnstown, Ohio, and remember a story my elderly neighbor told me. (now deceased) At the time I wasn't paying attention, but as an adult and writer, I realize the tale has potential.

Have you ever heard that a 13 year old girl was burned alive at the stake for being a witch in 1830s Johnstown? She is supposedly buried in the Concord Cemetery, Liberty Twp, Licking County. If the story is true (my neighbor swore it was), what on earth made the people of a small rural town afraid enough of a little girl to kill her? Especially for witchcraft in the 1830s? The Salem, MA, tragedy happened in the 1690s!

If you have any information about the validity of this old tale, know someone who might have the info, or have suggestions on how I might validate (or negate) this story, please write me. I would love to know if this is a real event in Johnstown's history. Thank you for any leads. Christine