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Text File | 1991-03-09 | 20KB | 494 lines

         WITCHES NEAR FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT IN 1654 & 1692
              Plus Notes on Other New England Witches
                      by James Davis et al
                          24 Feb 1990
         ------------------------------------------------
      I've seen some talk of Salem Witches.  I just wanted to say that
Salem or Massachusetts didn't have a corner on the witch hysteria.
     In 1654 Goodwife BASSETT (wife of Thomas Bassett) was tried in
Stratford, found guilty and executed.  Also Goody KNAPP (wife of Roger
Knapp) of Fairfield was executed.  Mary STAPLES of Fairfield was
accused but her husband sued her accusers (political rival) for slander
and won. She wasn't executed.
     In 1692 in Fairfield (same time as the large SALEM furror) Mercy
DISBOROW of Compo, Goody MILLER, goodwife Elizabeth CLAWSON or SLAWSON
and Mrs. STAPLES (again) were accused.  One jury failed to give a
verdict. Another found them guilty.  A trial by water (innocent if
sink and guilty if float) found the the 1st and 3rd guilty. Three got off
but DISBOROW was sentenced to death.  However the towns people
petitioned for her pardon and she was still alive in 1707.
     It seems the the stereotype witch was middle aged, married,
abrasive and usually with out status (status refers to principally to
wealth I think).

 * Origin: Time Traveler -- Sacramento, CA (Opus 1:203/42)

=======================================================================
083/182 02 Mar 90 19:50:29
From:   Sandy Clunies
To:     David Stever
Subj:   Desc. of Witches Orgs.
------------------------------------------------
There are at least two groups for descendants of witch persecution -
Keep in  mind that, just as for DAR, etc. you must provide certified
birth,  marriage and death certificates back as far as you can for
each person,  and then verified sources for the rest.
And don't forget - there were men as well as women accused of
witchcraft.

I believe the best book on the Salem Witch hysteria is "The Devil In
Massachusetts", which I have in my home library.

1.      Sons and Daughters of the Victims of Colonial Witch Trials
        c/o Wayne E. Higley, Jr.
        PO Box 164
        Stoneham, MA 02180

        I have correspondence dated November 1988, so hope that is
        still the address.


2.      Associated Daughters of Early American Witches
        Mrs. Kline d'Aurandt Engle, President General
        800 East Missouri Avenue #113
        Phoenix, AZ 85014

        My correspondence is dated October 1988, so the officers may
        have changed.  Note this group is for women only.

* Origin: GreyEagle_Point/346  <* Derwood, MD *>  (1:109/312.346)

====================================================================
080/617 10 Mar 90 20:18:37
From:   Chuck Krause
To:     Sandy Clunies
Subj:   Re: DESC. OF WITCHES ORGS.
------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the address's of the Witch descendants orgs.  I have just
discovered my own "witch" ancestor in Salem.  She was Sarah Cloyse,
sister of Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty.  Sarah , it isn't clear how,
escaped with her life, but both of her sisters were hanged.  For those
interested in this subject, another good book is:  Salem Witchcraft
with an Account of Salem Village and A History of opinions on
witchcraft and Kindred Subjects by Charles W. Upham. Corner House
Publishers  1971. It's a two volume set describing the incidents
leading up to the hysteria, as well as a good account of the trials
themselves. --- TBBS v2.1/NM * Origin: NGS/CIG BBS - Arlington, VA
[phone] *DHST/V.32* (109/302) 129/34 226/10 273/1

====================================================================
270/600 04 Apr 90 16:11:30
From:   Linda Sibley
To:     Rick Rupert
Subj:   CLAWSON
------------------------------------------------
>Could you check your resources for any link with the surname of
CLAWSON....
>I found one reference before but it was little more than just an
isolated
>name.

All I have is this "Elizabeth Clawson, in Conn. Yr 1692."
My source is Margrett Murry's book "The Witch Cult in Western Europe"
Her source may help you if you can find it, it was;
John Tailor, "The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut" New
York n.d.

====================================================================
271/600 04 Apr 90 16:13:08
From:   Linda Sibley
To:     Beverly Conolly
Subj:   JACOBS
------------------------------------------------
>Linda, my husband's ancestor was George Jacobs who was hung in
Salem-Danvers,
>Mass. Do you by any chance have anything on old George? Beverly
Conolly

I've got his a lot on him, almost too much to enter here.  Chadwick
Hanson has the most complete account of the Salem Trials, in his
book "Whitchcraft at Salem," Signet Books 1969.  If you can get this
book it has the True story of what happened at Salem.  If you can't
find it let me know and I'l copy the parts about George Jacobs Sr.
By the way, He was tried on 5 Aug and executed on 19 Aug 1692.
B-B Linda
 * Origin: NGS/CIG BBS - Arlington, VA [phone] *DHST/V.32*

====================================================================

272/600 04 Apr 90 16:14:42
From:   Linda Sibley
To:     Chuck Krause
Subj:   CLOYES
------------------------------------------------
>Linda, does your book have anything on Sarah Cloyes, widow of Edmund
Bridges?

I've got his a lot on her, almost too much to enter here.  Chadwick
Hanson has the most complete account of the Salem Trials, in his
book "Whitchcraft at Salem," Signet Books 1969.  If you can get this
book it has the True story of what happened at Salem.  If you can't
find it let me know and I'l copy the parts about Sarah Cloyes,
(Pgs 85-89, 124, 140)
By the way, she was the sister of Rebecca Nurse, and Mary Easty.
She was charged with Witchcraft on 4 Apr, a warent for her arrest
issued on 8 Apr, and Examined on 11 Apr, She was then sent to
Boston Jail.  Her sister Rebecca was tried on 30 Jun and executed
on 16 July.

====================================================================
463/625 10 Apr 90 17:21:09
From:   Linda Sibley
To:     All
Subj:   FOR: J. DALLA & D. STEVER
Attr:
------------------------------------------------
The "book" that I mentioned in the first message is actualy
a whole library of books, that I have been collecting for over
10 Years, and is part of my coven's library.  They were picked up
from used bookstores all over the country.  The "list of names"
that I have was compiled from many books.  I will list the main
sources for you and at the same time make you an offer.  If you
find these books for sale pick them up and I will buy them from
you, most are collectors items. (except the first)

Chadwick Hansen, "Witchcraft at Salem", Signet 1969.
Margrett Murry, "The Witch Cult in Western Europe", Oxford Press.
Margrett Murry, "The God of the Witches", New York 1952.
Kittredge, George Lyman, Witchcraft in Old and New England",
Cambridge,Mass 1929.
Lea, Henery Charles, "Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft"
e.d. Arthur C. Howard, Phil 1939.
Works Project Administration "Salem Witchcraft"  1938.
--- TBBS v2.1/NM
 * Origin: NGS/CIG BBS - Arlington, VA [phone] *DHST/V.32*
(109/302)
132/101
300/51

====================================================================
625/625 13 Apr 90  11:12:58
From:   Jack Sanders
To:     All
Subj:   Witches
Attr:
------------------------------------------------

Several messages recently have expressed interest in information on
witches, particularly in eastern Massachusetts, in the 17th century.
Linda Sibley listed several titles. Here are two others that may be
found in libraries, perhaps in book stores, and sometimes at used-book
sales and shops:

The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Enquiry into the Salem Witch
        Trials, by Marion L. Starkey, New York: Dolphin, 1961.
        Paperback, with extensive index and notes. Reprint of a
        1949 book. Good bibliography source.

Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft, by Paul Boyer and
        Stephen Nissenbaum, Cambridge:Harvard, 1974. Scholarly
        paperback; good index; genealogical sections on Putnam and
        Porter families.



====================================================================
494/626 10 Apr 90 07:54:37
From:   Betty Doremus
To:     Chuck Krause
Subj:   Re: WITCHES
Attr:
------------------------------------------------
Chuck, I have accumulated quite a bit of info on this family.  The
three sisters, Rebecca, Sarah and Mary were daughters of William TOWNE
and Joanna BLESSING m. 25Mar1620 in Yarmouth, Norfolk Co.,Eng. The
date of their immigration unknown, but in 1640 they were living in
Lynn, MA. In 1651 they removed to Topsfield...later to Jaffrey, NH
(from History of Jaffrey, NH.) I have found one of the most available
and readable accounts to be "The Devil in Massachusetts" by Marion L.
Starkey in Doubleday paperback.  The story of the three sisters was
made for television by American Playhouse and is aired periodically on
public television.  It is called "Three Sovreigns for Sarah" and is
shown in three one-hour segments. My line goes through Rebecca's
grandaughter, Sarah who married Henry SAWYER.  Sarah who married Henry
SAWYER.

My mail address is R. R. 5, Metamora, IL 61548.  I'll be glad to send
more by mail if you're interested.


====================================================================
224/688 15 Apr 90 12:21:05
From:   Carol Mann
To:     Thomas Johnson
Subj:   Witches on acid
Attr:
------------------------------------------------
Yes, what you have heard is true.  A group of scientists re-read some
of the descriptions of the "witches" behaviours, and decided that they
had been poisoned by ergot, a mold that grows on rye grains stored in
damp places.  Virtually all the "witches" had lived in low, swampy
areas.


====================================================================
466/755 20 Apr 90  05:44:02
From:   Dianne Bell
To:     John Dalla
Subj:   Re: Witches
Attr:
------------------------------------------------
John,
  A friend of mine is also researching Susannah (North) Martin, and
has recently recieved 70+ pages of information on her from the
following source:
Bailey Rogers, Genealogist
10018 Regency CT.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45251
Tel [phone]
 I have not seen the material myself, but my friend said that it was
worth the $15 or so that he paid for it.
-Dianne in CT


====================================================================
387/646  3 Aug 90 16:32:37
From:   Colin Dick
To:     Bernard Dawe
Subj:   PERKINS, Mary
Attr:
------------------------------------------------
Hi there cousin;

>PERKINS, Mary (John 1) m ca 1632 Thomas BRADBURY

Mary d. 20 Dec. 1700, was convicted of witchcraft, but not executed.
Defended, and testimony proved she had not hexed a proposed wedding,
rather the guy's father derailed it.  Quite a famous case.  Her
father was John, b. 23 Dec. 1583, Warrackshire Eng, d. 1654 Ipswich.
Mother was Judith Gator b. 9 Oct 1608, Warrackshire Eng. I have
John's father Henry (m. 29Nov 1579 to Elizabeth ____, and d. 2 Mar
1607/08)and his father Thomas who d. 23 Mar. 1591, wife Alice Kebble.

I am descended from her daughter Mary, b 17 Mar 1643 at Salisbury, m.
17 Dec 1663, to John Stanyan.  The m/n is my 10th generation, where
do you fit in?  May have a little more.  Surprisingly, no other names
ring bells.  Send me a group sheet, tree for that era, etc. Glad to
help.

and from my mail, to confuse things a bit,

FROM:    Gary Roth                     Area # 25 (    GENEALOGY     )
TO:      Colin Dick                    MSG # 100, Mar-27-90 7:22pm
SUBJECT: Re: PERKINS, John, b. 1583

He sent me info some time ago but I was replying to anothers request.
I go back
to Mary's parents, John Perkins (b. 1590 Newent, England d. 1654
Ipswich,
Massachusetts) and Judith (?).  (Certain Comeoverers R929.2 C852C).

Mary is also my line, she married Thomas Bradbury 1637 (Salsbury BMD
R929.3744
Sa339v).

Never followed up with Gary, no reason I can see.


...cgd Searching DICK DILLEN ROELANTS LEAVITT PEABODY ROBINSON CHASE
HALE and LOCKE   add. #3 Northmount Cr NW, Calgary, Ab   T2K 2V6


--- via Silver Xpress V2.26 [NR]


--- QM v1.00
 * Origin: GENERATIONS BBS of Calgary, Alberta [phone]
(1:134/8.0)
24
264/160


Date:   Tue Oct 16 1990  11:22:00
From:   Kristi Gross
To:     Gene Shifflett
Subj:   NURSE/Witches
Attr:
genealogy                      -------------------------------
All -
...The 20 people executed during the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692
are mostly remembered in history lessons and tourist attractions, but some
of their descendants are organizing to emphasize their humanity.  "We want
to keep their memory alive", said Howard HAY of Boston, a descendant of
accused witch Susanna MARTIN.  "This type of thing keeps happening around
the world. People keep getting persecuted.  I don't know if we'll ever
learn the lesson."
...He is President of the recently formed "Sons & Daughters of the Victims
of Colonial Witch Trials", c/o Howard HAY, 555 East Sixth Street, Boston,
MA  02127, which has 45 members, all direct descendants of the trial
victims.
...HAY founded the group with Wayne HIGLEY of Stoneham, MA, a descendant of
accused witch Rebecca NURSE.  They are members of numerous genealogical
societies and discovered their link to the witch trial victims while
researching their lineage.
...Using standard statistical formulas, they say there could be up to 20
million descendants of the accused witches in the United States.  One of
the more famous, according to Gary Boyd ROBERTS of the New England
Genealogical Society is Joan KENNEDY, former wife of Sen. Edward M.
KENNEDY, whose ancestry dates back to accused witch Mary ESTY.  She is not
a member of the group.
...The witchcraft hysteria began during the winter of 1691 when a girl,
Tituba, told voodo tales to a group of young girls and taught them
palmistry and magic.  Tituba and two other women were killed as witches
after a doctor examined them and pronounced them bewitched. The scare
continued for about a year, resulting in the execution of 20 people and the
imprisonment of 150.
...The descendant's group is concentrating on the approaching 300th
anniversary of the witch trials.  They hope to hold an observance on
Gallows Hill in Salem, MA.
.....................................................................
The above is an article that appeared in the "Muskogee Daily Phoenix,
Muskogee, OK on the 30th of October 1988.  I talked with Mr. HAY in the
winter of 1989 and he said the group was growing then.  Not sure, but the
address given for him is probably still correct. Maybe this group could
help you folks on Rebecca NURSE information?
No known witches in my line as of yet, but found this interesting. Hope it
helps - Kristi
---
 * Origin: Midnight Micro [phone] V.32 Broken Arrow,OK (1:170/613)



Date:   Thu Oct 25 1990  07:26:40
From:   Ea Richards
To:     Gene Shifflett
Subj:   WITCH TRIAL JUDGE
Attr:
genealogy                      -------------------------------


What I said in essence was that one of the Judges at the Salem trial was
one of the Richards noted in our Morse Book of the Richards Family, which
shows our direct line from Thomas Richards 2 in 1635 to the present.

Even in the book Judge Richards is criticized for his activities in the
Salem witch hunts.....

(Just think, if the witches truly did associate with the devil, and do so
today, they probably would be allowed to pursue such activities under First
Amendment rights.  Unhappily for the witches, they were ahead of their bill
of rights time)

--- TBBS v2.1/NM
 * Origin: Radio Free Since 83 UFO & Paranormal 414-352-6176 HST
(1:154/414)



Date:   Mon Feb 18 1991  17:35:42
From:   Jack Sanders
To:     Ken Vantassell
Subj:   persecuted witches of Salem, Ma.
Attr:
genealogy                      -------------------------------

Ken Vantassell said in a message on Feb 11:

 ``1992 is the 300th anniversary of the Witch trials of Salem,
 ``Ma.Does anyone know of any events being planned? Is there any
 ``organizations for this group?

Try:

1.      Sons and Daughters of the Victims of Colonial Witch Trials
        c/o Wayne E. Higley, Jr.
        PO Box 164
        Stoneham, MA 02180

2.      Associated Daughters of Early American Witches
        Box 50304
        Palo Alto, Calif., 94303

3.      Essex Institute
        132 Essex Street
        Salem, Mass., 01970

4.      Salem Witch Museum
        Washington Square
        Salem, Mass., 01970

5.      Salem Chamber of Commerce
        Old Town Hall
        32 Derby Street
        Salem, Mass., 01970



--- msged 2.07
 * Origin: SOURCE OF MAGIC: Northeast Roots 203-431-4687 HST (1:141/725)



Date:   Thu Feb 21 1991  05:05:00
From:   Kristi Gross
To:     Jim Kalach
Subj:   New England witches
Attr:   recvd
genealogy                      -------------------------------
* In a message to All, Jim Kalach said:
JK *>  I am researching the Salem witch trials, and would be
JK *>  interested in any good information sources on the
JK *>  subject.  Also interested in sources of info on witches
JK *>  in other New England states, especially Connecticut.  I
JK *>  have heard of an association called The Sons & Daughters
JK *>  of the Victims of the Colonial Witch Trials.  Does anyone
JK *>  have a current contact name and address?  Any help would
Jim - don't know if it is a 'current address' or not, but try to write c/o
Howard HAY, 555 East Sixth Street, Boston, MA  02127.
.
For information on witchcraft try:
.
"The Salem Press Historical and Genealogical Record, 1891, Volume 2, pages
151 and 168.
.
Records relating to MASS, witches try:  The New England Historical and
Genealogical Register, Volume 70, page 65.
.
Records relating to CONN, witches try:  New Haven Genealogical Magazine,
Volume 4, page 951.
.
The above three citations come from "Index to Genealogical Periodicals", by
Donald Lines JACOBUS, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1978, Baltimore, MD.

---
 * Origin: Midnight Micro! [phone]<<<Stereo>>>[phone]
(1:170/108)



Date:   Sat Mar 02 1991  00:21:09
From:   Bryan Tierney
To:     Ken Vantassell
Subj:   PERSECUTED WITCHES OF SALEM, MA.
Attr:
genealogy                      -------------------------------
Hi Ken!
  Probably your best contact in Salem for this information is Laurie Cabot
who is a practicing witch and runs a small shop called "Crow Haven Corners"
(which sells books on witchcraft as well as various items used for spells
and potions! The shoppe is located on the same street where several of the
witches of those historic trials are buried. If this shoppe is not still in
operation (it's been a couple of years since I've been by there) then you
should try the "Salem Witch Museum" which is a couple of blocks from there.
I hope you find Laurie, because she was proclaimed the head witch of the
commonwealth of Mass. several years ago by the Governor (Sargent?) as well
as being called in as consultant on the witch trials for a movie shot in
Salem. She should be fairly easy to locate otherwise.

--- TMail v1.20
 * Origin: HACKNET - 1-942-1298 (1:101/145)