Witch trials in Connecticut

Introduction

The Connecticut Witch Trials occurred between 1647 to 1697 and were the first witch trials to occur in America. predating the Salem Witch trials of 1693, John M. Taylor lists a total of 37 total cases, 11 that resulted in executions..

Brief history of Witch Trials

Giles Corey pressed to death with stones During the Salem Witch Trials. This was one of the many kinds of execution utilized during this time

Witch trials/hunts are defined as the search for "witches" or those practicing "black magic". Witch hunts occurred throughout colonial North America resulted in 1500 to 2000 recorded executions. During the 14th and 15th century the definition of a witch, from a religious perspective, developed to be a devotee of satanism, in return gaining supernaturals abilities.Generally the accused were of low social standing, majority of which were women. This statistic changed in different part of the world; In Europe the majority of the accused were men. In certain situations, children were also accused of practicing witchcraft.

When witchcraft was believed to be involved, a complaint was entered against the accused with local judges, and evidence permitting, they were arrested and committed to a public trial.The evidence used in Witch trials was mostly Spectral evidence, defined as " evidence based on dreams and visions". This kind of evidence was not based on any physical action, rather it focused on the actions of the accused "Spirit". The majority of the accused were executed, either by being burnt a the stake, decapitated or hung. During the Connecticut With trials, the main form of execution was by hanging.

With hunts continued through out Europe and America until mid 17th century, though isolated incidents occurred after this point. This can be attributed to a strengthening of legal system linked to the trial and technological advancements.

Key figures

Alse Young

Alse Young was the first person executed for witchcraft in colonial America. on the 26th of may 1647, she was hung at Hartford. Alse Young's execution was recorded in the journals of John Winthrop, the governor of Massachusetts bay, and Matthew Grant the town clerk of Windsor. There are no further records on Young's trial, or specification of the charges against her. Around the time of Young's trial, an influenza epidemic occurred throughout the New England area, including her hometown of Windsor. The death count rose to 40-50 people. Witches were commonly blamed for the failing of crops and plague; this may have been a factor behind Alse Young's accusation. Alse Young was also eligible to inherent here husband's estate, which was also considered a reason behind her accusation. Alse young's daughter, Alice Young Bemoan, was also accused of witchcraft 30 years later in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Mary Johnson

Mary Johnson was the first recorded confession of witchcraft. Johnson worked as a house servant and was accused of theft in 1648. After extensive torture and interrogation, Mary confessed to Practicing Witchcraft, also known as "familiarity with the devil" Mary stated she also committed adultery and child-murder, however she was only trialed for witchcraft, and sentenced to execution based on her confession. Her execution was delayed as she was pregnant during her imprisonment at Hartford. Mary Johnson was executed in June, 1650.

Katherine Harrison

Katherine Harrison was a former maid servant of captain John Cullick and the widow of Wethersfield's town crier. The estate she and her daughters inherited was worth 1000 pounds, making Katherine one of the wealthier members of Wethersfield. Katherine experienced several legal problems ; including the death of her livestock and the destruction of crops. Though her losses were supported by eye witnesses, she received no compensation. In 1668 , she was sued for slandering Goody Griswold.

Between 1668 and 1669, Katherine Harrison was also accused of Witchcraft. The evidence used against her was breaking the sabbath, fortune telling and using black magic, as well as appearing in spectral form to people. Katherine was also accused of calling to the devil by the swamp. On May 11th 1669 she was moved to the local jail to await her trial. Katherine's trial faced many complications; The first jury couldn't reach a decision, a second found her guilty, but the magistrates disagreed as most of the evidence held against Katherine was spectral evidence, which relied solely on the accuser. A panel of ministers would later establish a proper rules for evidence used in cases of witch trials; Spectral evidence would no longer be viable as evidence in Connecticut.

On May 20th 1670, the court disagreed with the Jury's decision, and Katherine Harrison was released from prison. Katherine and her family moved from Wetherfields to Westchester, New York.

Wethersfields and Hartford

Wethersfield

During the 1650's, several people were trialed for witchcraft through the Connecticut area. In Wethersfield , Joan and John Carrington were executed in 1651. Wethersfield was also the home of Mary Johnson, the first open confession of Witchcraft, and Katherine Harrison. This resulted in the coining of the term " Wethersfield Witches" by historians. The Carringtons were prevalent members of the Wethersfield community before being accused of Witchcraft.

The Hartford Statehouse. People given the death penalty for witchcraft were often hung here.

Hartford

Between 166s and 1663, the town of Hartford saw a surge in Witch hysteria. A series of accusations were made amongst the townsfolk. The first accusation was by Anne Cole, who accused Rebecca Greensmith and Elizabeth Seagre of tormenting her through magic. The parents of Elizabeth Kelly accused Goody Ayres of using black magic to kill their daughter. Other claims of black magic from Hartford were more peculiar; one claimed satan caused her to speak with an accent, another said her neighbours transformed into animals at night.

From Hartford, a total of four people were executed for the crime of Witchcraft; Nathaniel and Rebecca Greensmith, Mary Sandofrd and mary barnes were hung in 1662.

Decline of the Witch trials

In 1662, John Winthrop jr, the governor of Connecticut, established more concrete rules for conduction Witch Trials. the ruled that there must be two witnesses for each act of Witchcraft, reducing the number of trials cases that proceeded to trials. Spectral evidence was also no longer valid at this point in time. John Winthrop jr. Also intervened in certain cases, overruling the verdicts given by the court and jury.

The last recorded Witchcraft occurred in 1962, when a servant accused 6 women of giving her fits and spasms. The accused women were given reprieves based on unsatisfactory evidence placed against them.

Witchcraft & modern day.

Witches & witchcraft have become more popular in popular culture. However, witches that are depicted in forms of entertainment are often exaggerated; either emphasizing the fantastical aspect or the role of satanism. In both cases, witches were usually depicted as villains.

A theatrical performance of Arthur MIllers "The crucible"

The crucible

The Crucible was written in 1954 by Arthur Miller, and was based off the Salem Witch Trials. Miller's play was written during the communist hysteria in America , and could be regarded as kind of passive protest. Miller was influenced by Charles W.Upham's study of the Salem Witch Trials, and how they affected personal relationships mass hysteria and irrational fear of the devil within the colony resulted in a 200 accusations and 20 executions. This radical response was likely one of the reasons the Connecticut Witch Trials remained so obscured in comparison.

Cover for the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Motion Picture Soudn StracK", released in 1992. The album fel into multiple genres of music, including electronic, hip-hop anr rock.

Buffy The Vampire slayer

"Buffy The Vampire Slayer" was a American tv show airing from 1997-2003, and focussed on Buffy Anne Summers, played by Sarah michelle Geller. Willow Rosenberg, a secondary character on the show, learns magic and is closest the show comes to having a "witch". The show primarily focussed on romantic relationships and other aspects of the drama genre, and as a reuslt the dpeiction of "witches" is left rather innacurate.