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. Thirtyfour people were tried for witchcraft and nearly half of. Inscribed copies can also be purchased directly from cindy by clicking here see connecticut witch trials. Not the best book on the witch trials in the colonies. Milford authors book explores connecticut witch trials new. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and women from across the state were formally charged with witchcraft. Cynthia wolfe boynton, author connecticut witch trials damned. 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. When most people think of witch trials and hangings in colonial america, they focus on salem, mass. The witchcraft delusion in colonial connecticut by john m.
During this period, puritan elites prosecuted witches zealously. John whiting, minister of the first church in hartford stated that. Cynthia wolfe boynton author of connecticut witch trials. In new haven, william meeker was accused of cutting off and burning. In the puritan settlements of the new world, these highly religious, conservative, righteous, and intolerant people looked for something or someone. Read this book and over 1 million others with a kindle unlimited membership. Young was the first person executed for witchcraft in. Connecticut witch trials meet your next favorite book. Legacy of the connecticut witch trials at the naugatuck event. Long before the infamous salem witch trials, connecticut, for 45 years, had its own witch trials. Salem is more infamous for its witches, but all throughout connecticut magistrates and. Mar 24, 2019 young and gilbert were hanged as witches in 1647 and 1654, respectively. They were the first largescale witch trials in the. Hall, editor, witchhunting in seventeenth century new england r.
Connecticut witch trials fairfield public library overdrive. The first panic in the new world kindle edition by boynton, cynthia wolfe. 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. 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.
The connecticut witch hysteria lasted at least more than a decade. The coverup of the connecticut witch hysteria of 164763. 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. However, it was in hartford in 1662, 30 years before the infamous salem witch trials, that a witch. Through the special court appointed to hold the witch trials, and early in its. Salem was the first town in the state of connecticut to have a plantation, owned by the browne family. 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. Now richard godbeer describes this other witch hunt in a concise, fascinating narrative that illuminates the colonial world and shatters the. Connecticut witch trials the ferguson library overdrive. My 8th greatgrandmother the witch of hartford, connecticut. Connecticut s witch trials were held in the mid to late 1600 s, between 1647 and 1697. Connecticuts witch trials wethersfield historical society. Cynthia wolfe boynton connecticuts witchhunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fiftyyears before the infamous salem witch trials.
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. Ct witch memorial is dedicated to educating the public about connecticuts witchcraft trial history and efforts to acknowledge the victims. Technically not a book set in salem either, the witch of blackbird pond takes place in nearby connecticut in 1687. Nov 23, 2014 connecticuts witch trials explored in new book. 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. 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. Ross, professor emeritus and former college librarian at trinity college, hartford connecticut as he gives a presentation on the ct witch trials. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
When i discovered my heritage, it really was an obvious choice. Contains the great hartford witch panic of 1662 which produced the last executions in connecticut, 30 years before the salem trials. After the 1662 trials, connecticut continued to hang many of those convicted of witchcraft in the colony. The first witch in the new world was actually killed in connecticut, according to boyntons book. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and. However, the newbery medal winner is perfect for younger guys wanting to learn more. Taylor lists thirtyfive cases between 1647 and 1697, as well as two more in the 18th century, of which a total.
Table of those tried for witchcraft in connecticut. Cindy wolfe boynton, creator of the connecticut witch trials trail app, is also the author of 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. The hartford, connecticut witch panic of 1662 legends of. 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. Ct witch memorial is dedicated to educating the public about connecticut s witchcraft trial history and efforts to acknowledge the victims. Stamford weve all heard of the salem witch trials, thanks in large part to arthur millers play, the crucible. Connecticut witch trials america, 1647 1697 witchcraft. But the first hanging for witchcraft in the newly settled world was in connecticut in 1647, according to richard g. Cynthia wolfe boynton is the author of connecticut witch trials 3. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading connecticut witch trials. Bridgeport native andy piascik is an awardwinning author who has written for many publications and websites over the last four decades. The state librarys subject guide to connecticuts witchcraft cases.
Milford authors book explores connecticut witch trials. Purchase it from amazon or your favorite book store. The first panic in the new world, published in 2014 by the history press. Well before the salem trials, connecticut residents were executing witches. They were the first largescale witch trials in the american colonies, predating the salem witch trials by nearly thirty years. 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. After youngs public hanging, at least five other connecticut residents met a similar fate. Connecticut witch trials garland county library overdrive. It never received as much attention as the salem witchcraft trials, mostly because connecticut officials swept the whole sad chapter under the rug. 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. Taylor lists a total of 37 total cases, 11 of which resulted in executions. They were victims of a halfcenturylong witch hunt that sent 11 people from the connecticut and new haven colonies to the.
Detail from the book, englands grievance discovered, in relation to the. Lydia gilbert a witch of windsor, connecticut legends. Bridgeport native andy piascik is an awardwinning author who has written for many. 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. Lydia gilbert a witch of windsor, connecticut legends of. Windsor is the hometown of alice young, who was hanged in. Witchcraft in connecticut connecticut state library. 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. Hall, editor, witch hunting in seventeenth century new england r.
The legacy of the connecticut witch trials will be held on october 12th from 7 pm to 9. Dannel malloy to sign a proclamation clearing the names of the victims. May 20, 2018 after the 1662 trials, connecticut continued to hang many of those convicted of witchcraft in the colony. 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. Connecticut s witch hunt was the first and most ferocious in new england, occurring almost fifty years before the infamous salem witch trials.
But connecticuts were among the first such trials in new england, preceding salem s by four decades. However, no alleged witches were executed after 1662. Oct, 2016 explore carolynstearnss board mary barnes 1662 witchcraft trial ct. This is an informative read about the not as wellknown witch trials in connecticut. Few events in american history are as well remembered as the salem witch trials of 1692. Sep 01, 2018 after youngs public hanging, at least five other connecticut residents met a similar fate.
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. Tomlinson, witchcraft trials of connecticut, 1978 for other accusations and mentions of witchcraft in the colonial records of connecticut. 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. Of course, there is not much data available on these occurances, but more thought could. As a part of this greater madness, the hartford witch panic began in 1662. 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. In fact, as late as the 19th century, historians thought no witch trials had ever occurred in connecticut. Mary sanford and the forgotten connecticut witch trials. This reader found some aspects of the book to be troubling. Thirtyfour people were tried for witchcraft and nearly half of them were convicted and hanged. Although the trials didnt occur until 1692, the book alludes to the salem witch trials. Tomlinson, author of the book witchcraft prosecution. But salems saga wasnt the only witch hunt that blew through new england in 1692. Taylor wrote a book called the witchcraft delusion in colonial connecticut, 16471697.
But there was another witch hunt that year, in stamford, connecticut, that has never been examined in depth. Witchcraft in connecticut connecticut history a cthumanities. 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. Before salem, the first american witch hunt history. Taylor lists thirtyfive cases between 1647 and 1697, as well.
Nov 22, 2014 long before the infamous salem witch trials, connecticut, for 45 years, had its own witch trials. The connecticut witch trials, also sometimes referred to as the hartford witch trials, occurred from 1647 to 1663. In his book the witchcraft delusion in connecticut 16471697, john m. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. The history of the witchcraft trials of colonial connecticut from original documents including, in some cases, depositions to court and letters not previously published. Between 1647 and 1697, at least thirtyfour men and women. 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. On may 26, spada basto will attend a memorial event in windsor for victims of connecticuts witchcraft trials. But connecticuts were among the first such trials in new england, preceding salems by four decades. Legacy of the connecticut witch trials at the naugatuck. Although historians cannot say with absolute certainty what gave rise to the witch trials, many believe that fear was the primary caused. The littleknown story of the first witch hunt in new englandnearly half a century before salem. Connecticuts 17thcentury witch trials have long been overshadowed by the more numerous and better publicized proceedings in salem, massachusetts.
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