The earliest mention of “Witchtrot” found so far is in an 1834 South Berwick deed.  A property on Old South Road is identified as being on the way to Witchtrot.  The legend of Witchtrot Road comes from local story telling, by generations of South Berwick folk.  The name is associated with the Salem witch trials and a minister from Wells named Rev. George Burroughs.

Reverend Burroughs was the minister at the Wells meeting house.  He was held in high regard in Wells, an Indian fighter and a hero, for leading the successful defense of the village garrison during a recent Indian attack.  However, he had formerly been the minister in Salem village, where he had made some enemies among some of the townspeople.  He also was at odds with Cotton Mather, the politically powerful Puritan minister of Massachusetts Bay.   

In 1692, three men burst into the dwelling house of Burroughs, then living in Wells with his wife and children.