Folklore

The following items are but a small sample of the myth and legend that surrounds this fascinating island:
Witchcraft

Although there is no evidence of witchcraft on Portland , it is known that some Portlanders in the past, were believers in witchcraft and during the early years of the Methodist movement in Portland , around 1816, were excommunicated. However, with their strong belief in Methodism they still gathered in the "Long Room" at Chesil which was later known as "Conjurers Lodge" Here services were held despite their ex-communication and some years later they were taken back into the main body of the Church.
In the museum at Wakeham is the petrified body of a cat. It was found in the walls of a cottage at Straits which was believed to have been occupied by a witch. It is thought that the body was put there to ward off evil spirits.

Superstition & Lawbreaking

Fear of the unknown has always prevailed amongst almost every community, and anyone who was slightly peculiar or eccentric was generally treated with suspicion. With so much inter-marriage on the Island, it may be supposed that every little hamlet had its odd character who was said to "Have the power". Any poor soul who seemed strange would be called after by the children, who were ignorant of the cause of their afflictions but always prepared to run away to avoid the effects of any strange power they might possess.
It was also very convenient to encourage these superstitious beliefs in order to keep law-abiding citizens indoors at night and to keep them from prying into the illegal activities that took place during the hours of darkness such as the smuggling ashore of wines, spirits and bales of cloth.
Bringing ashore contraband, and robbing the wrecks of vessels which had fallen foul of our shores was one of the chief occupations of Portlanders, men and women alike. From these deeds one hears of the "Jack-o- lantern" which was used to guide the smugglers to their destination.

Any inquisitive individual caught by the tough and fearless smugglers would be thrown from the cliff tops to his death, to prevent word of their activities reaching higher authority. The victims death would be attributed to "Jack-o-Lantern" or evil spirits. These rumours would be actively encouraged to heighten fear of the unknown and so protect the nefarious night-time activities.
It is said that the "Jack-o-Lantern" was strapped to the back of a donkey and walked along the cliffs at night to lure ships on to the rocks beneath. This was common practice all along the Channel coastline.
As with "Jack-o-Lantern" here on Portland, "Will of the Wisp" was found in low lying areas. This elusive light caused by marsh gas may well have lured some unfortunate to his or her death in the bog.