Reading Samuel Sewall’s diaries
Thomas Danforth and his role in the Salem witch trials.
Tag: William Stoughton
Confessions of accused witches, part 4
Examination of George Burroughs
A conversation between Tony Fels and Margo Burns about the confessions during the Salem witch trials. Read the original post, part 1, part 2, and part 3. Margo Burns responds: Tony: Thanks for your thoughtful reply, but I still don’t accept …
Confessions of accused witches, part 2
Ann Foster examination, 1692
A conversation between Tony Fels and Margo Burns about the confessions during the Salem witch trials. Read the original post and part 1. Margo Burns responds. Tony, respectfully, it’s necessary to look at the historical data more closely—per case and …
Richard Francis: From Sewall biographer to Salem witch trials storyteller
No doubt Samuel Sewall never anticipated his private diaries would be widely read and quoted by historians and others interested in the minutiae of his life. As a family man, merchant, and part-time judge, Sewall faced common challenges that rocked …
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Capitalizing on seasonal interest in the Salem witch trials
Every October it’s inevitable that new publications on the Salem witch trials are published. It’s odd because the witches of our Halloween imaginations have nothing to do with the innocent people hanged in 1692. This time one of the new …
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The Salem witch trials and the Body of Liberties laws
When the witch hunt started in Salem Village in February 1692, the Massachusetts colonists were waiting for Rev. Increase Mather to return home from England with a new governor, Sir William Phips, and joint monarchs William & Mary’s new charter. …
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No ‘memento mori’ for Mary
Sometimes you’re so sure your ancestor is buried in a certain cemetery, but you can’t find any proof. Unfortunately, someone went too far. Besides the obvious lines to keep the lettering straight, you can tell by the B, the Y, …