Do you have an interest in the Salem Witch Hysteria? Researching New England during that time period?

Question

I'm listening to a podcast about it. It is really very good and describes the life and times, politics, etc. of that time period. It is very helpful to understand the people in that time period. It was written by the podcaster guy and also some actual historians.

Unobscured with Aaron Mahnke is the name of the podcast.

Comments

Link to the Podcast please?

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https://historyunobscured.com/

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very cool, thank you.

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Thanks Lucy.... I am listening to the first podcast of several.  I am afraid I will be hooked.  I am the 9th great-grandaughter of John Wildes, husband of Sarah Averell Wildes.  My interest was renewed recently (this last week) when I sorted out some bad data I had on my gedcom. - I used to think I was related to Bridget Playfer Wasselbe Oliver Bishop, but all the Edward Bishops formerly confused me. Now I see it is a relation to Sarah Averell Wildes by marriage to John.  So I am hoping these podcasts will help me with getting more context. Thanks for posting!! 

Another great resource I found on Edward and Bridget Bishop was this article (I don't have copy of original article but found it quoted online elsewhere): 

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Greene, David L., "Salem Witches I: Bridget Bishop," The American Genealogist, Vol. 57, No. 3 (July 1981), pp. 129‑138 , and see:  http://www.frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I35310&tree=frostinaz01&tngprint=1 (portions of Greene article quoted in profile on Bridget Playfer)

[[Follett-757 |Bonnie Follett ]]

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The "Unobscured" podcast on this was pretty good.

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There's a transcript of the Salem witch trials along with other records at Richland College in Garland,  Texas campus library. I read past of it and it didn't at all sound like it was all hysteria. Some very real voodoo and witchcraft going on.

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Sandra, I was aware of the Univerity of Virginia having a repository, but I had no idea about Richland College.  I live in Dallas near the Plano line and will have to head over there once Covid is a thing of the past.  

Personal note on the accusations, there's no evidence that any of them were actually in cahootz with Satan.  These were mostly good Christian men and women caught up in an unfortunate hysteria.

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I am working on gathering and sorting out all the data I can find on the Parris family (and associated variations of the Parris name) in England.   As that progresses I anticipate getting enough information to firm up the links with Reverend Parris of Salem witch trials fame.  If anyone reading this is interested in either contributing material or receiving updates on progress, do please get in touch !.   John Parris

Answer 1

Thanks Lucy, will check it out

Answer 2

I’m living for this, thank you for posting about it.

Answer 3

Yes, I have an interest. I'd love to see a listing of those burned and a list of those doing the burning. I read it was'nt just women that were killed.

Comments

I can't believe you posted that answer March 17 and no one responded.  We did not burn witches in this country (or the colonies).  Most were hanged.  Most were women.  Some were killed by other means, such as a man who was tortured in order to extract a confession and died from the weight of stones piled onto his body.  Some died in jail waiting for trial.  I think you can find a list on Wikipedia.  (And by the way, last time I looked, Wikipedia had a remarkably long and thorough article on execution by fire.)

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Good catch Julie!  

I can add that there is a free space page for the Salem Witch trials on WikiTree, and we have some useful categories for those who are interested.  

Answer 4

Entertaining Satan

Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England

Updated Edition

John Putnam Demos

 This book names the accused and delves into their cases.

Winner of the Bancroft Prize

"A book that will rank with the best, a book that shows how much we still may learn from these people. This is not simply a monograph on witchcraft but a major attempt to understand the kind of society and the kind of culture in which witchcraft had a place. Rich in insights."--The New York Review of Books

"A remarkable piece of scholarship. Vividly illustrates what made certain individuals vulnerable to charges of witchcraft."--The New York Times Book Review

Comments

Thank you for the recommendation. I look forward to reading it.  Growing up with descendants of some of them, and as an adult understanding their psychology better when juxtaposed against the particulars of their life and culture, will probably induce that all too familiar hair-raising chill of familiarity in my soul. Then again what is life if we're not here to try and better understand each other.

Answer 5

It's important to remember that the Salem experience was not typical during the time of witchcraft concerns. For a more scholarly and balanced approach, read: Carol F. Karlsen, "The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England." The Kindle version is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Shape-Woman-Witchcraft-Colonial-ebook/dp/B00BP3XNEQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=devil+witch+new+england&qid=1583503290&s=books&sr=1-1

Comments

I recently finished reading a biography on LDS founder Joseph Smith which completely took me by surprise and compelled me to read it in its entirety due to the "scholarly and balanced approach". Really quite refreshing although I'm not about to give up my Episcopal leanings...  :-)