A readable, welldocumented account of connecticuts witch trials the first and most ferocious witch hunt in new england. Salem trials came later if you were an outspoken woman, a widow who inherited a lot of money or a crotchety or disliked man or woman in connecticut between 1647 and 1692, you could have easily been charged for being a witch and hanged, according to milford resident cynthia wolfe boynton, author of connecticut witch trials. Well be in the town where mary johnson was accused of witchcraft in 1648 and the carringtons were also thought to be witches in 1651. My 8th greatgrandmother the witch of hartford, connecticut. Dannel malloy to sign a proclamation clearing the names of the victims. But connecticuts were among the first such trials in new england, preceding salem s by four decades. Taylor lists thirtyfive cases between 1647 and 1697, as well. Connecticut witch trials by cynthia wolfe boynton overdrive. Cynthia wolfe boynton is the author of connecticut witch trials 3. The first witch in the new world was actually killed in connecticut, according to boyntons book. The first panic in the new world kindle edition by boynton, cynthia wolfe. The littleknown story of the first witch hunt in new englandnearly half a century before salem. Not the best book on the witch trials in the colonies.
They were victims of a halfcenturylong witch hunt that sent 11 people from the connecticut and new haven colonies to the. The hartford, connecticut witch panic of 1662 historic hartford, connecticut while not nearly as famous as the salem, massachusetts witch trials of 1692, witch hunts in connecticut began decades earlier in 1647 and lasted intermittently until 1697. The legacy of the connecticut witch trials will be held on october 12th from 7 pm to 9. Oct 30, 2017 the connecticut residents who died as witches, however, set both a legal and moral precedent that led, in part, to the more famous salem witch trials of 169293. Lydia gilbert a witch of windsor, connecticut legends. Connecticuts 17thcentury witch trials have long been overshadowed by the more numerous and better publicized proceedings in salem, massachusetts. If you were an outspoken woman, a widow who inherited a lot of money or a crotchety or disliked man or woman in connecticut between 1647 and 1692, you could have easily been charged for being a witch and hanged, according to milford resident cynthia wolfe boynton, author of connecticut witch trials. Bridgeport native andy piascik is an awardwinning author who has written for many publications and websites over the last four decades. Thirtyfour people were tried for witchcraft and nearly half of them were convicted and hanged. And before i had started writing that book, i had heard about the connecticut witch trials and i was surprised because i had no idea that connecticut had witch trials.
Seven years after the witch hunts in connecticut began in 1647 lydia gilbert was charged with witchcraft in windsor, connecticut in 1654 prior to this time, lydia and her husband, thomas gilbert were boarding with a single man named henry stiles in windsor who was about 52 yearsold. Long before the infamous salem witch trials, connecticut, for 45 years, had its own witch trials. Milford authors book explores connecticut witch trials. The witchcraft delusion in colonial connecticut by john m. However, no alleged witches were executed after 1662. Table of those tried for witchcraft in connecticut.
The history of the witchcraft trials of colonial connecticut from original documents including, in some cases, depositions to court and letters not previously published. This is an informative read about the not as wellknown witch trials in connecticut. Detail from the book, englands grievance discovered, in relation to the. Well before the salem trials, connecticut residents were executing witches.
The connecticut witch trials, also sometimes referred to as the hartford witch trials, occurred from 1647 to 1663. But connecticuts were among the first such trials in new england, preceding salems by four decades. The connecticut witch hysteria lasted at least more than a decade. Nov 23, 2014 connecticuts witch trials explored in new book. Tomlinson, witchcraft trials of connecticut, 1978 for other accusations and mentions of witchcraft in the colonial records of connecticut.
Sep 01, 2018 after youngs public hanging, at least five other connecticut residents met a similar fate. In new haven, william meeker was accused of cutting off and burning. When i discovered my heritage, it really was an obvious choice. However, it was in hartford in 1662, 30 years before the infamous salem witch trials, that a witch. On may 26, spada basto will attend a memorial event in windsor for victims of connecticuts witchcraft trials.
In fact, as late as the 19th century, historians thought no witch trials had ever occurred in connecticut. The hartford, connecticut witch panic of 1662 legends of. Witchcraft was punishable by death in the connecticut colony, but its 1642 witch hysteria occurred a full half a century before the notorious 1692 witch hunts in salem, massachusetts. Connecticut had a series of witch trials that were held between the 1640s and 1690s, though the last witch execution in connecticut took place in 1662. Purchase it from amazon or your favorite book store. During this period, puritan elites prosecuted witches zealously. Although the trials didnt occur until 1692, the book alludes to the salem witch trials. Mar 24, 2019 young and gilbert were hanged as witches in 1647 and 1654, respectively. Trumbull, ct connecticut had its own witch hunts, more infamous than the salem witch trials, state historian walt woodward said. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading connecticut witch trials. The coverup of the connecticut witch hysteria of 164763. Connecticut s witch hunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fifty years before the infamous salem witch trials.
Ct witch memorial is dedicated to educating the public about connecticut s witchcraft trial history and efforts to acknowledge the victims. It was the first colony to execute someone for witchcraft. Connecticut witch trials fairfield public library overdrive. Of course, there is not much data available on these occurances, but more thought could.
However, the newbery medal winner is perfect for younger guys wanting to learn more. Tomlinson, author of the book witchcraft prosecution. Long before the much more famous trials at salem, massachusetts, connecticuts witch trials were held in the mid1600s, mainly between 1647 and 1697, although no alleged witches were executed after 1662. Taylor lists a total of 37 total cases, 11 of which resulted in executions. Although historians cannot say with absolute certainty what gave rise to the witch trials, many believe that fear was the primary caused. However, by the time salems witch trials started in 1692, connecticutthe only colonial american place other than salem with a significant track record of witch trials and executionswas. Long before the much more famous trials at salem, massachusetts, connecticut s witch trials were held in the mid1600s, mainly between 1647 and 1697, although no alleged witches were executed after 1662.
Salem was the first town in the state of connecticut to have a plantation, owned by the browne family. Taylor lists thirtyfive cases between 1647 and 1697, as well as two more in the 18th century, of which a total of eleven resulted in executions. May 20, 2018 after the 1662 trials, connecticut continued to hang many of those convicted of witchcraft in the colony. Connecticuts witch hunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fifty years before the infamous salem witch trials. Cindy wolfe boynton, creator of the connecticut witch trials trail app, is also the author of connecticut witch trials. Oct, 2016 explore carolynstearnss board mary barnes 1662 witchcraft trial ct.
Covers the period from the first execution for witchcraft in america alse youngs of windsor, ct 1647to the fairfield witch panic of 1692 contemporary with the salem, ma trials. Connecticut s witch trials were held in the mid to late 1600 s, between 1647 and 1697. Bridgeport native andy piascik is an awardwinning author who has written for many. Salem is more infamous for its witches, but all throughout connecticut magistrates and. Contains the great hartford witch panic of 1662 which produced the last executions in connecticut, 30 years before the salem trials. Before salem, the first american witch hunt history.
Oct 31, 2016 however, by the time salems witch trials started in 1692, connecticutthe only colonial american place other than salem with a significant track record of witch trials and executionswas. Mary sanford and the forgotten connecticut witch trials. Earlier reports of these activities and trials were collected primarily by ministers and included information on demonic possession, bewitchment, counter magic, witch accusations, legal. Connecticut witch trials garland county library overdrive. Legacy of the connecticut witch trials at the naugatuck. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Connecticut witch trials meet your next favorite book. Witchcraft in connecticut connecticut history a cthumanities. Jul 19, 2012 the connecticut witch trials are dreadful examples of our countrys dark past that shows us how a secluded community made up of a particular group of people, persecuted, labeled, and punished other members of society simply because they didnt like or understand them. Connecticut witch trials america, 1647 1697 witchcraft. Thirtyfour people were tried for witchcraft and nearly half of. They were the first largescale witch trials in the american colonies, predating the salem witch trials by nearly thirty years. The author explains the fear of witches in that time as well as the legal aspects that allowed these accusations to result in trials and deaths.
Taylor wrote a book called the witchcraft delusion in colonial connecticut, 16471697. The connecticut residents who died as witches, however, set both a legal and moral precedent that led, in part, to the more famous salem witch trials of 169293. Free talk in wethersfield, ct tomorrow 1017 about alse young and the beginnings of the ct wtich trials with one of windsor author beth caruso. Connecticuts witch trials wethersfield historical society.
Stamford weve all heard of the salem witch trials, thanks in large part to arthur millers play, the crucible. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Inscribed copies can also be purchased directly from cindy by clicking here see connecticut witch trials. The execution of alse young of windsor in the spring of 1647 was the beginning of the witch panic in the area, which would not come to an end until 1670 with the release of. This reader found some aspects of the book to be troubling. Cynthia wolfe boynton author of connecticut witch trials. But there was another witch hunt that year, in stamford, connecticut, that has never been examined in depth. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and women from across the state were formally charged with witchcraft. Now richard godbeer describes this other witch hunt in a concise, fascinating narrative that illuminates the colonial world and shatters the. But salems saga wasnt the only witch hunt that blew through new england in 1692. John whiting, minister of the first church in hartford stated that. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and. As a part of this greater madness, the hartford witch panic began in 1662.
Cynthia wolfe boynton, author connecticut witch trials damned. Apr 22, 2014 connecticut s witch hunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fifty years before the infamous salem witch trials. Technically not a book set in salem either, the witch of blackbird pond takes place in nearby connecticut in 1687. Windsor is the hometown of alice young, who was hanged in. In his book the witchcraft delusion in connecticut 16471697, john m. The first panic in the new world, published in 2014 by the history press. Nov 22, 2014 long before the infamous salem witch trials, connecticut, for 45 years, had its own witch trials. Young was the first person executed for witchcraft in. Ross, professor emeritus and former college librarian at trinity college, hartford connecticut as he gives a presentation on the ct witch trials. Few events in american history are as well remembered as the salem witch trials of 1692.
After youngs public hanging, at least five other connecticut residents met a similar fate. The state librarys subject guide to connecticuts witchcraft cases. Legacy of the connecticut witch trials at the naugatuck event. Taylor lists thirtyfive cases between 1647 and 1697, as well as two more in the 18th century, of which a total. Ct witch memorial is dedicated to educating the public about connecticuts witchcraft trial history and efforts to acknowledge the victims. When most people think of witch trials and hangings in colonial america, they focus on salem, mass. They were the first largescale witch trials in the. Hall, editor, witchhunting in seventeenth century new england r. Cynthia wolfe boynton connecticuts witchhunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fiftyyears before the infamous salem witch trials.
From that year to 1663 in connecticut, 21 people were accused of being witches and 11 were. Lydia gilbert a witch of windsor, connecticut legends of. For a variety of reasons examined in this book the witch hysteria spread rapidly throughout new england and first erupted in the connecticut river valley. While not nearly as famous as the salem, massachusetts witch trials of 1692, witch hunts in connecticut began decades earlier in 1647 and lasted intermittently until 1697. Connecticut witchcraft trials everyone knows about the infamous salem witch trials, but few people realize that connecticut has an older and arguably more colorful history when it comes to accusations ofand executions forwitchcraft. Connecticut witch trials the ferguson library overdrive. In fact, of the thirtyfive recorded witch trials in connecticut during this time, eleven resulted in executions, which is getting close to salem numbers, though salems numbers came from one. Witchcraft in connecticut connecticut state library. After the 1662 trials, connecticut continued to hang many of those convicted of witchcraft in the colony. In the puritan settlements of the new world, these highly religious, conservative, righteous, and intolerant people looked for something or someone. Hall, editor, witch hunting in seventeenth century new england r. Through the special court appointed to hold the witch trials, and early in its. She coedited african american connecticut explored, a book of 50 essays by 30 scholars about 400 years of african american history in connecticut published by wesleyan university press in 2014. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and women.
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