Among the forgotten pine woods of Chatham County lays a place known only as the Devils Tramping Ground. It’s a perfectly round barren circle where nothing will grow; no flowers, grass, weeds or trees. Even stranger, any object left in the circle before dusk will have moved outside its bounds by dawn. Teenagers have made fruitless attempts to sleep here overnight, only to be scared out by disembodied sounds and shadowy figures. But what is the truth behind the barren soil?

Rumors spoke of a feud which existed in the mid 1600’s between the Keyauwee and Sissipahaw tribes. They were fighting over lands from which to begin trading with the European settlers who were arriving (guns and horses for fur). After a few smaller battles and some bloodshed, the tribe leaders came upon an agreement. They would send out their best fighters to settle the dispute and the land that could be claimed.

Native Warrior

Each tribe prepped their greatest warrior, dressing them in traditional wear, a small patch of clothing with no shirt. Giving them a spear and a knife they took to the circle. The two men began to scuffle and the battle was an even match. Each took a turn cutting and prodding the other, causing them to bleed. Eventually the blood-loss became so extreme that it filled the circle and both men collapsed; dying in the middle. Aw-struck by what they had seen, the spiritual leaders of the tribe decided the battle was a draw and that no tribe would lose territory. They had believed that a Devil had come to the circle and killed the great men of their tribes. A Devil that is still seen today.

As more settlers arrived from Europe, the Devil began to take a further liking to the area. The belief in him had come over with the English/Scottish settlers. In fact this belief can be seen in names of common areas in North Carolina. From the Kill Devil Hills to Devil’s Chimney; any strange or dangerous place would often be named for The Devil. As the legend states, the Devil goes there to walk in circles as he thinks up new means of causing trouble for humanity. Little children who snuck out at night would speak of seeing him under the full moon.

Devils Tramping Ground Today

Today that circle is the Devils Tramping Ground. It is said that items placed at Dusk will strangely move by the morning. Anyone who tries to sleep there overnight will never be heard of again. Strange noises can be heard in the woods and mysterious black figures move between the trees. New tales talk of hell-hounds that chase visitors away in the dead of night. Local scientists have tried to undercover what is so special about the land, but have been left stumped.

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Haunted Places, Legends and Ghosts

Devils Tramping Ground : Bennett, NC

Devils Tramping Ground : Bennett, NC

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