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The following was researched, written and is copyright by Jamie Monckton, Girl Scout Troop 4014 May 1996.
In the southeast of Orenaug park is a quiet place known as Bethel Rock. An appropriate name meaning "Meeting Place". It was once the meeting place of the original Woodbury settlers from Stratford, prior to the construction of a church building. They would find their way to this quiet sanctuary at the call of a drummer from Drum Rock, behind where the Old Schoolhouse now stands. No history of Bethel Rock, written pr spoken, would be complete, however, without the "legend of Bethel Rock".
"Some ten years after the return of inhabitants to Woodbury from their enforced residence at Stratford during King Phillip's War, Waraumaukeag, a young Pootatuck Indian fell in love with Sarah Walker, a young girl of seventeen, a niece of the venerable pastor. Sarah was on a visit of some months' duration. Waraumaukeag was a youth of manly proportions, of graceful figure, and finely molded limbs. He was far in advance of other Indians in intelligence and in all manly virtues, and a friend to the settlers. It seemed to be his ambition to adopt the habits and customs of the white man. He spent a great deal of time visiting the old pastor and thus became very fond of Sarah. Sarah liked to wander through the quiet village and toward evening she would often go up into the park to watch the sunset.
As time went on Waraumaukeag took presents to Sarah. Knowing the import Sarah firmly but kindly declined the gifts. Letting nowhere with Sarah, Waraumaukeag pleaded with the pastor, but he would not try to influence his niece. And so Waumaukeag left, and no more was seen of him for a long time. They did worry a bit and kept close watch of the house for a while as they feared revenge.
Our delightful evening, in the gorgeous "Indian Summer", Sarah left her uncle's home as usual for her walk up to Bethel Rock. Whenshe didn't return a search was started. The next morning her body was discovered at the foot of the rock, mangled by the fall, but 'with her limbs decently arranged, her hands folded, and her clothing wrapped carefully around her.' Beside her was the lifeless body of Waraumaukeag. It was thought that he had come upon Sarah unexpectedly, that she stepped back quickly and fell from the cliff. It appeared the Waraumaukeag went down to her by a path, arranged her body and clothing, went back up the cliff, and then flung himself from the edge to die by her side." (Paraphrased by Charlotte Isham from William Cothren's History of Woodbury)
Now, along with its legend, Bethel Rock still remains, a quiet sanctuary in the southeast of Orenaug Park. It can be found by following a trail 0.3 miles in length, approximately 0.25 miles from the main entrance to Orenaug Park on Park Road.
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