Peter Rugg

By Crusader1307

Most Literary Scholars assign The Legend of Peter Rugg as nothing more than an example of 18th Century ‘’Urban Legend’’. Originating out of The City of Boston, Massachusetts (US) – it was first published in 1824. According to Folk Lore, Peter Rugg was a Loyalist (friendly to Britain) – when Paul Revere and His Associates rode ‘’into The Night’’, to warn the Countryside of the approach of The British Army (thus initiating The Revolutionary War when American Militia countered The Army at Lexington, 1775). Rugg was determined to warn The British of the betrayal. But The Fates decided that Peter Rugg should not interfere with the establishment of Liberty, and so cursed Him. Riding His Carriage at breakneck speed, He was ‘’carried up’’ into a Storm which ‘’appeared out of nowhere’’. It is said that He was so cursed to ‘’ride The Storm for all Eternity’’. Many reports of People over the Centuries – have stated that Rugg (or someone) was encountered ‘’a Man driving His Carriage and Horses like a Madman’’ over (mostly) long forgotten roads and paths. Some attribute The Legend to a variation on The ‘’Flying Dutchman’’ Curse and Legend, and was used as an early form of Colonial American ‘’propaganda’’. There are MANY variations, from Rugg taking His young Child with Him, ‘’determined’’ to protect ‘’Him’’ from The Colonials (and this poor unfortunate too – is cursed to ride with His Father – forever. Another is that it is Rugg’s Wife.