In a remarkable discovery, a Victorian-era bottle filled with human teeth, fish hooks, glass, and a mysterious liquid was unearthed during roof repairs at the former Star and Garter Inn in Watford Village, Northamptonshire. This intriguing artifact, found at the childhood home of Angeline Tubbs—known as the “Witch of Saratoga”—is believed to have been used to ward off evil spells, offering a glimpse into lingering fears of witchcraft in 19th-century England.
Angeline Tubbs, born in 1761 on the very property where the bottle was found, became a legendary figure in Saratoga Springs, New York, where she later settled. Leaving England at age 15, Tubbs earned a living as a fortune-teller in America, surrounded by her brood of cats and cloaked in a distinctive red hooded cape and turban-like handkerchief. Described in Reminiscences of Saratoga and Ballston as a “mysterious and uncertain character,” she lived an extraordinary life, reportedly reaching the age of 104—a rare feat for her time. Fortunately, she escaped the brutal witch hunts that plagued earlier centuries, such as those in Salem.
The bottle, discovered during the demolition of the building’s chimney, is torpedo-shaped, a design not produced before the 1830s, long after Tubbs had left for America. Its contents—human teeth, fish hooks, glass, and an unidentified liquid—suggest it was a “witch bottle,” a common protective charm used to counter witchcraft. According to researchers at the Museum of London Archaeology, such vessels were often hidden beneath floors, in churchyards, or along riverbanks to guard against malevolent spells. While many contained nails, pins, or even urine, the inclusion of human teeth in this bottle adds an eerie dimension to the find.
Dr. Ceri Houlbrook, a lecturer in folklore and history at the University of Hertfordshire, noted that the bottle likely dates to a later period than Tubbs’ time in England, making it unrelated to her childhood. “It’s certainly later than most witch bottles, so sadly not contemporary with Angeline Tubbs, but still a fascinating find,” she said. Over 100 similar bottles have been documented, primarily from the 17th century, a time when fear of witchcraft led to the execution of up to 300 people in eastern England between 1644 and 1646. England’s witchcraft laws were not repealed until 1736, nearly a century before this bottle’s creation.
The property’s current owner, who chose to remain anonymous, was surprised by the discovery but is considering its future. “I will probably hide it away again for someone to find in another 100 years or so,” he remarked, adding a layer of intrigue to the artifact’s story. This find not only connects to England’s complex history of witchcraft but also echoes broader historical narratives, such as the infamous Salem Witch Trials in America and even more severe persecutions in Spain and Scotland.
For a homeowner who never expected to uncover a piece of history, this witch bottle is a remarkable relic. It serves as a tangible reminder of a time when fear of the supernatural shaped everyday life, offering a window into the beliefs and practices of a bygone era.