It seems that I am a descendent of Rebecca and I would love to trade info from any other descendants -- Genealogy is not a matter of life and death, It's more important than that! visit our family tree at http://www.cgo.wave.ca/~fcrosgre/bud.htm visit our business site at http://www.cgo.wave.ca/~fcrosgre/edna.htm

Hello all! Back at the beginning of the summer, I posted some info about this upcoming seminar at the Peabody-Essex. The deadline for registering is fast approaching, so I thought I'd just post it again as a reminder for those who put it off, and for new subscribers finding out about it for the first time so you don't miss out! Cheers, --Margo The 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials: Fact, Fiction, and our Forefathers September 17, 18, & 19, 1999 Members $195 Nonmembers $245 Payment due September 1, 1999 See: http://www.pem.org/education/wts99.htm Back by popular demand, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., announces a repeat of its popular program on the 1692 Salem witchcraft trials. The three-day seminar will take place at the museum in Salem. Lectures will be offered on such topics as life in Salem in 1692, witchcraft and Colonial law, and witchcraft in Europe, along with videos, tours, a demonstration of a new "Witchcraft in Salem Village" website, and an opportunity to take part in a mock witchcraft trial. A special opportunity to do research in the renovated Phillips Library is also available. The keynote speech will be delivered by David Greene, co-editor of The American Genealogist, and author of several articles on the trial victims. Other speakers include Danvers, Mass., town archivist Richard B. Trask, Professor Stephen P. Marrone of Tufts University, Ph.D. candidate Thomas E. Conroy of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and assistant curator Paula B. Richter and curator Jane E. Ward of the Pebody Essex Museum. The seminar will conclude with an optional trip to sites in Danvers, Mass. This seminar will appeal to anyone interested in the 1692 trials, but especially to those descended from one of the vistims of this terrible tragedy. For more informtion and registration, contact; Jane E. Ward, Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, Salem, Mass., 01970-3783, 978-745-9500, ext. 3032. Margo Burns, List Owner of the SALEM-WITCH List at Rootsweb.com [email protected]

I apologise if this question has been asked and I missed the reply, but, does anyone have information on the ancestry of Samuel Parris' neice Abigail Williams? Peter Cloyes (2nd husband to Sarah Towne Bridges) had a sister Abigail who married Jenkin Williams. They had a daughter Abigail Williams born about 1665 who married Samuel Allen. Both of these Abigail's would have been too old to be THE Abigail - but I wondered if there was a connection? Stephanie Shenandoah Valley, VA [email protected] http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/w/a/l/Stephanie-J-Walker/index.html Currently collecting/sharing these surnames BARTHOLOMEW (<1800, NY), CLAYES/CLOYES, CUPPERNALL, CURTIS (CT), FAIRBANKS, GENT/JENT, PARKHILL, PEPPER, PHIPPS, THOMPSON (VT, CT), WALKER (MA,NY), WATSON (MA) **************************************************************** "Listen to the footsteps that echo behind when you walk alone." *****************************************************************

This is being posted MAESSEX-L and SALEM-WITCH-L. I am a descendant of Rebecca (BLAKE) EAMES (b. abt 1640, Gloucester, Essex Co., MA; m. Robert EAMES abt 1660; d. 8 May 1721, Boxford, Essex Co., MA), convicted of witchcraft in Salem on 17 Sep 1692. Although sentenced to be hanged, she confessed, and was reprieved and released from prison in 1693. I seek to identify documents that specifically name her, her genealogy, her life before and after the witchcraft hysteria, and, of course, her involvement in the 1692 witchcraft outbreak. Following are sources I have identified to date. I would appreciate learning of any others. I will be glad to share what I have gathered to date, including my photos of her headstone and footstone. 1. The Salem Witchcraft Papers: Verbatim Transcripts of the Legal Documents of the Salem Witchcraft Outbreak of 1692, 3 vols., ed. Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum (New York, 1977) I:279-285; III:986-987, 1018-1019, 1024 (also at http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/texts/) 2. The Devil in the Shape of a Woman--Witchcraft in Colonial New England, Carol F. Karlsen, New York, 1987, pp. 140-41 3. Witchcraft in Salem Village, by Winfield S. Nevins, pp. 28, 85, 231, 254-6 4. Essex County Archives, Salem-Witchcraft, Vol. 2, p. 25 5. Salem Possessed, The Social Origins of Witchcraft, Boyer & Nissenbaum, Cambridge, MA, 1974, pp. 12 (n. 28) & 215 6. Records of Salem Witchcraft, Woodward, New York, 1864, vol. II, pp. 143-146 7. A Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, MA, Essex Society of Genealogists, p. 19. (Rebecca EAMES is buried in the West Boxford Burying Ground, now called Mount Vernon Cemetery.) 8. Cemetery Inscriptions Prior to 1800 from Boxford, MA, p. 12 (extracted from The Essex Antiquarian, 1900) --- Bruce C. Lyon LtCol, USMC (Ret) Database Manager, Lyon(s) Families Association The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Number 148842 Willington, CT [email protected]

Hi, I'm new to the list and have question about the ancestry for 2 of the jurors listed in a webpage on notable women in history. They are listed in a Declaration of Regret statement from the jurors. Jurors in question are; 1. John Peabody 2. Thomas Perkins Thanks for any assistance, Alan

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It isn't exactly pertaining to the whole trial hysteria, but the coincidence is too good to pass up, considering my similar question regarding the Orne line a week ago... I have a Sarah Orne, married to Twisden Bowden (great-grandson of Michael Bowden, who wed Sarah Nurse, daughter of Rebecca), and while I have yet to verify exactly WHICH Sarah Orne she was (it seems it was a common name back in those days), the most likely couple who would be her parents are.... John Orne and Abigail Conant (married July 10, 1744 in Marblehead). <g> Strange world, no? - Jody Roberts ----- Sent using MailStart.com ( http://MailStart.Com/welcome.html ) The FREE way to access your mailbox via any web browser, anywhere!

Chris: There was an interesting article on Roger Conant in the Essex Genealogist, Aug 1999 issue. "Old Planters of Beverly".......the first group who settled in Salem in 1626...and subsequently,Beverly which was known as the "Bass River Side of Salem". Since the article is copyrighted, I cannot give you any more information but if you contact, the Essex Society of Genealogist....you may be able to buy a copy of the issue. The address is 18 Summer Street Lynnfield,Mass 01940-0313 Also, there's a genealogist,Steve Hall who is on the staff of Beverley historical society.....located at the John Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street,Beverly,Mass 01915. if you have questions about ancestors who lived in Beverly, Salem,Gloucester areas, ask Steve. To answer your question whether Conant was involved in the 1692, witchcraft hysteria....no....he died in 1672 at age 80 years. Cynthia descendant of Elizabeth Jackson Howe, hanged 19 July 1692 Christopher Andrews wrote: > Hello- > Being a distant relative of Roger Conant (the founder of Salem), I am curious > if there are any Conant's that were involved in the Salem Witch hysteria. > Thanks, Chris Andrews

> I have a friend who is descended from her but > does not have a computer to check it out herself. > > Thanks in advance, > Joan Kondratowicz Hi Joan, Here is a website page devoted to Susannah Martin. Why don't u go there and print it out for your friend? There are also links to other pages. If your friend wants genealogical information u can e-mail me off list w/ yr snail address and I can xerox what I have Leslie > /www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/sm.html

Is there anyone on the list who may have information on Susan/Susanna Martin who was executed as a witch? I have a friend who is descended from her but does not have a computer to check it out herself. Thanks in advance, Joan Kondratowicz

Hello- Being a distant relative of Roger Conant (the founder of Salem), I am curious if there are any Conant's that were involved in the Salem Witch hysteria. Thanks, Chris Andrews

Hi, Does anyone have a 1700s Jacob Bradbury married to an Abigail Cole? Thanks, Peggy Peggy A Dolan [email protected]

In researching my own history, I've noticed that there is a line that, in the latter part of the 18th century seemed to be one of the wealthier/more recognized names in the region, ORNE (theres a street in Marblehead bearing that name, a greataunt of mine who is a direct descendent of Twisden BOWDEN & Sarah ORNE still lives in the house they owned back then) Now, what I am wondering, is since they apparently had wealth and recognition, were they involved in any way with the witchract trials? - Jody Roberts

In editing the legal documents pertaining to the Salem witch trials, I am finding that previously unpublished manuscripts are popping up here and there. If any of you run into any manuscript related to the trials, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Many thanks, Bernard Rosenthal

Margo, thank you for the information. It was helpful. Jo, I'd be interested to see how your family ties to Mary Towne Esty. I too am a descendant. Please email me privately and we'll figure how we are related. Jennifer [email protected]

I am new to this list and have just found out that my 10th ggrandfather was Giles Corey. Can anyone tell me if they know where Giles is buried? I am descended through his daughter Margaret who married William Cleaves. Would appreciate anything you can tell me about him. Carol Sherman Houghton Researching: Sherman, Briggs, Smith, Dexter, Carpenter, Lovejoy, Matthewson, Hall, Mosher in MA, RI and ME Houghton, Franklin, Palmer, Moore, Jewell, Rickerson in Pa, WVa, Va and NY _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Here is part of an email I got from a Hoag cousin. Can anyone comment? I thought Sarah and Martha Goodwin were both daughters of Richard Goodwin(b. 1658) but maybe not. Can anyone on the list verify or clarify? Thanks. Leslie > Leslie, > You really got me started, connecting Martha and Sarah Goodwin to the > Salem witch trials. I knew nothing about that before, and the story is > fascinationg. They actually predate the 1692 trials, and they came from > Boston,where their father, John Goodwin, was a member of South Church. > In 1688, Martha accused a laundry girl of stealing some linens. The > peoor girl's mother, Goody Glover, " cursed " the children, who proceeded > to have pains and fits. The oldest son, who was out working with his > father, plus the "suckling babe", both had no symptoms, but 13 year old > Martha put on a show worthy of "The Exorsist," and three younger sublings > followed suit. > Poor Goody - she was poor, female, old, uneducated, terrified, > stressed, Irish speakng, and Catholic.- it's hard to imagine that she ever > had a chance. She was hanged. The symptoms persisted until Martha had been > studied and prayed over for many months - and grew tired of exhibiting her > problems. > Cotton Mather, who was only in his twenties, wrote a book about this > called "Memorable Providence" and this book was in the tiny library of Rev. > Parris in Salem four years later when his daughter began some of the Slem > persecutions. It was like having a handbook. > I typed Cotton Mather Martha Goodwin on http://www.dogpile.com > The firt thing I came up with was Images of the Salem Witch Trials. > http://www.umkc.edu) It gave a good chronology, then at the end of that, > I hit Homepage, and they accually put Mather's "Memorable Providence" on > line. It's way too long to forward, but you can read it in fifteen minutes. > What a story - and such a sad result. > Do you think that this girl was the same as Martha Goodwin Hoag? This > one would have been born in 1675, her father was John Goodwin, and she was > living in Boston. Of course, that doesn't mean that shecouldn't be around > Amesbury/Newbury at some time. I wonder because somewhere I thought Sarah's > father was Richard Goodwin and she was born in Amesbury. I don't even have > notes on this, but I thought you would like to see the information that I > did pick up/ > I like the "profane Quaker" Hoag boys. I can see where they would turn > against a Puritan church which had condoned such madness. It speaks well > for the Quakers that they spoke out so early against such murderous > superstition.

On 8/14/99, Jennifer <[email protected]> wrote >I just learned of the Memorial for the victims of the >witchcraft trails, and I was even more surprised to learn that Mary Esty was >included on it. She is also included on the section for quotes. I was >hoping that someone on the list is from Danvers Mass. and could get a picture >or a rubbing of the Memorial for me. I believe there are actually at least three memorials that I know of -- one in Salem, one in Danvers, and one in Topsfield (where the Towne sisters hailed from). The one in Salem was created for the tercenniary in 1992, with a unique stone-wall-enclosed park with benches protruding from the wall, each engraved with the name of an executed person. The opening on one of the four sides has words from the condemned sandblasted into the street-level stones, which are then overlapped and cut off where the stone wall starts to rise. It's pretty dramatic. See http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/stones1.htm for some images -- although I don't think they have them all. The one in Danvers, on Hobart St. across from the street where the Salem Village meetinghouse once stoods, is more of a traditional memorial stone than the other "concept" one. See http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/Commemoration.html for images and the inscriptions. I think this may be the one Jennifer is refering to. Then there's one in Topsfield for the three Towne sisters -- Rebecca Towne Nuse, Mary Towne Esty and Sarah Town Cloyce. I saw an image of it in a brochure for the Towne Family Association, but I haven't found any images of it on-line. I'm not at home, so I can only describe the picture from memory, and it seems to me that it looks like a large boulder with the memorial for the three accused women engraved in it. Try checking in with their home page at http://home.att.net/~roomejim/towne.htm periodically to see if they've expanded it to include more than three generations of vital statistics. Cheers, Margo Margo Burns [email protected] http://www.ogram.org

Thank you for the quick reply about Robert Calef. I have several books in which Robert Calef is mentioned. The best are below. A BOOK OF NEW ENGLAND LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE by Samuel Adams Drake Printed 1883 by Roberts Brothers, Boston This has a chapter titled "More Wonders of the Invisible World" by Calef. It is written in easier to understand English. It explains how Calef & Mather clashed. At the end is the John Greenleaf Whittier poem "Calef in Boston". NEW ENGLAND LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE based on writings by Samuel Adams Drake and illustrated with photographs by Samuel Chamberlain. Published by Hastings House in New York 1972. This is an adaptation from the above listed book plus other writings. There are several chapters (i.e. Legends of Salem, The Salem Witchcraft Tragedy, The Escape of Philip English, Robert Caled the Man Who Defied Witchcraft and Cotton Mather, and Mary Dyer a Quaker among Puritans, etc.). And then there is the 3 volume set I cherish the most. THE WITCHCRAFT DELUSION IN NEW ENGLAND with Preface, Into & notes from Samuel G. Drake. Published by Burt Franklin in New York. The first volume is Cotton Mather's book WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD. The second and thrid volumes are Robert Calef's MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD. The reading is rather difficult since it is printed in Old English. I always knew these books were written originally about 1700. These volumes were reprinted in 1970. I believe I saw it listed in Amazon.com. I would really like to hear from those interested in Robert Calef. Beneby Haynes Tucson, AZ

Hello everyone! I am new to the list. My ancestor Mary (Towne) Esty was hanged in Salem on Sept. 22, 1692. I just learned of the Memorial for the victims of the witchcraft trails, and I was even more surprised to learn that Mary Esty was included on it. She is also included on the section for quotes. I was hoping that someone on the list is from Danvers Mass. and could get a picture or a rubbing of the Memorial for me. Thanks! Jennifer