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Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials 101 Part 2: Mary and Hugh Parsons of Springfield
Welcome to the second installment of Thou Shalt Not Suffer’s 101 series exploring the Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials. In Part 2, we delve into the intricate narratives of Hugh Parsons and Mary Lewis Parsons, whose witch trials unfolded in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, years before the infamous Salem Witch-Hunt took place. This Springfield, MA duo found…
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Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials 101 Part 1: 1648-1656
n Part 1 of Thou Shalt Not Suffer: The Witch Trial Podcast’s Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials 101 series, we start at the beginning of witch hunt history in Massachusetts Bay Colony, decades before the famous Salem Witch-Hunt. This episode focuses on the stories of those accused of witchcraft who faced trial in Boston, including Margaret Jones,…
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Massachusetts Witch Trials with Alyssa G. A. Conary
Show Notes Introducing Alyssa G. A. Conary, Historian and Author of witchcraft, magic and 17th century New England. In this conversational episode covering Massachusetts witch trial history, Alyssa, Josh and Sarah discuss shocking aspects of these stories including the courts, magistrates, ministers, misogyny, what was written about the behavior of the accused, and the circumstances…
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Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project Seeks Exoneration and Apology
The Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project has today launched an initiative to exonerate all accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts. Those convicted during the Salem Witch-Hunt have been cleared with legislation. However, the five persons hanged for witchcraft in Boston have never received such recognition, and neither have three people convicted in Boston but reprieved. Further, no…
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Seeking an apology for all Massachusetts Witch-Hunt victims and exoneration for all convicted victims
JUSTICE
Exoneration and an Apology
The Massachusetts Witchcraft Trials occurred between 1638 and 1693. During this period, at least 254 individuals were accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts. 209 of these were complained of, implicated in court, questioned, arrested, and/or imprisoned. To date, the names of 31 of the convicted Salem victims have been cleared by legislation. However, 8 individuals convicted in Boston in other witch trials have not been exonerated and none of the victims has received an official apology.
By clearing the names of the past victims, we honor the dead, educate the living, reduce the potential for future witch-hunts of all kinds, and send a message that we stand opposed to violence against persons accused of witchcraft. Exoneration is a way to show our respect to generations gone before us and provide comfort to the victims’ descendants. This is also an opportunity to learn many lessons applicable today. Through sharing the history of past witch-hunts, we learn how to identify and stop similarly oppressive actions in the present.
Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project 