Hello Frank, I am also a descendant of Rebecca Nurse. My line is as follows: Francis Nurse m. Rebecca Towne Mary Nurse m. John Tarbell John Tarbell m. Hannah Flint William Tarbell m. Ruth Richardson William Tarbell m. Elizabeth French Elizabeth Tarbell m. Isreal Hunnewell Elizabeth Hunnewell m. John Dean William Ansel Dean m. Emma Jane Potter Orris Lee Dean m. Stella Katherine Day George William Dean m. Shirley Kathleen McDonald ME: Melissa (Dean) Brown I don't have much for records and have little time to track them down. I would love any information you are willing to share about anyone in this family whether it's a direct descent or not. (Brothers, sisters, etc.) Thanks in advance. Melissa

Essex-County Historical & Genealogical Register   Vol 1   No 2 Ipswich, Mass Feb, 1894 (1692) "Mrs. Ann Foster was accused , tried, and condemed as a witch. Her case with others is spread upon pages 199-219 of Miss Bailey's excellent History of Andover. Miss Bailey says "Several women who confessed, accused MARTHA CURRIER as the cause of their being led into witchcraft. Three of them were Ann Foster, her daughter Mary Lacey and her granddaughter Mary Lacey Jr.. Ann Foster said she rode on a stick with Martha Currier to Salem Villiage (now Danvers), that the stick broke and she saved herself by clinging ariund Matha Currier's neck. She said they met 300 witches at Salem Village." It goes on to say " Ann Foster, however, was not hanged, having died in prison before the law could take its course. She was evidently weak in mind and body, and was ready at the trial to confess almost anything." Does anyone have a copy of "History of Andover, by Miss Bailey". Looking for what became of Martha Currier and any of her family information. Thanks, Kevin Clark

Hi, [email protected]! On 2/27/99, Bonnie Johnson <[email protected]> wrote: >I received information that there is a bill before the Massachusetts State >Legislature to exonerate five women who had been executed as witches at Salem >in 1692. I remember seeing some brief mention of this in a negative campaign ad in the recent governor's race in Massachusetts last year. I think it was pointed at then Acting-Governor Celluci's election campaign -- anyone else out there who saw this ad, please correct me: I saw it only once, and it made my jaw drop. It was making fun of the candidate for a whole string of things, including mentioning his support of a bill to pardon the "witches" convicted in Salem in 1692, while they displayed a picture of a pointy-hatted hag flying on a brookstick on the screen. (btw, Celluci won and is now Governor.) Imagine that: it's STILL being used as a political football three centuries later! Can you imagine what it must have been like back then? Cheers, Margo Margo Burns, Webweaver [email protected] http://www.ogram.org Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously." -- Chomsky

Dell & Joanne, So glad to hear from you. Susanna Martin is my 8th great-grandmother. You may write to the following address to show your support for the bill: Senator Robert S. Creedon, Jr. Chairman Joint Committee on the Judiciary State House--413-C Boston, MA 02133 Here is an excerpt from a letter I received from the person who originally sent me the information: "It's a good idea to get people from Rootsweb involved in the campaign for Susanna's bill. Tell anyone who's interested to send a letter to the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee (the address I gave you). Once the bill is reported out of the Judiciary Committee-which should take a month or two-then it will go to several other committees. The trick is to keep it moving through the committees by sending letters to the various chairs of the committees it is in. I'll send you the addresses of the other committees as we move through the process. As I mentioned, letters from non-Massachusetts residents are not very persuasive to state legislators BUT your email to me was very impassioned and tells a good story; encourage others to follow your example. Have them talk about their strong interest in the witchcraft trials and the lessons America has learned from the trials. If there are more Susanna ancestors out there they can make an even stronger case." No one spoke for those women in 1692 or 1711; they were left out again in 1957, but I think the MA Legislature will be surprised at how many will be willing to speak for them now! Thanks for your support, Bonnie PS you might be interested in this site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nwa/witch.html

I received information that there is a bill before the Massachusetts State Legislature to exonerate five women who had been executed as witches at Salem in 1692. I had always thought that all those who had been executed had been exonerated either by the reversal of attainders in 1711 or the Resolve passed by the Mass Legislature in 1957. No one spoke for Bridget Bishop, Susanna Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, and Wilmot Redd in 1711, so there were no reversals for them. The 1957 Resolve refers to Ann Pudeator and "certain other persons." These five are also referred to as "said persons" but their names are never mentioned. Technically these women still stand condemned of witchcraft. Evidently, the bill has received some bad press because some folks feel that this is a trivial issue and a waste of taxpayer dollars for the legislature to spend any time on this matter. I find it interesting that some people feel it is a trivial issue and a waste of tax dollars to exonerate those five women. I wonder how much tourist revenue has been generated in MA from the Salem Witch tragedies? I know some people feel that this happened over 300 years ago to people long gone, sad and even tragic, but its only connection to modern times is as a tourist destination. I can tell you though, those "witch" descendants that I have communicated with, feel a strong connection to those ancestors. I am always amazed by the courage and convictions of those who were executed. They could have confessed and saved their lives but they didn't. They weren't even given the dignity of a decent burial. I wonder if I could have been so courageous......... Exoneration is the least that can be done now. If you would be interested in sending a letter in support of this issue to the Mass. Senate Judiciary Committee, I will be happy to post the address. Thanks, Bonnie Johnson [email protected] http://www.erols.com/pjohn

I am a descendent of Sarah (Wildes) Bishop, accused and imprisoned, along with her husband, Edward Bishop, Jr., in April of 1692. Being a writer myself, my family has asked that I attempt to write a family history story based on the events that took place. >From what I've been able to ascertain so far, Sarah and Edward were accused of witchcraft and imprisoned, only awaiting death warrants, when they escaped from prison and fled to New York. I've been able to find nothing that indicates how they might have escaped, or who might have helped them. With so little actual documentation of those times, I've not even seen a reference to whether they imprisoned husbands and wives together. If so, the question is still how (and with whose help) did they escape. If not, I've got a whole other mystery to unravel: how they both escaped! If anyone can remember reading anything about this, please let me know by private e-mail. I'm certainly not adverse to a little literary license, but I'd like to at least base it on as much fact as I can find. If you know the story and have an opinion or idea, please let me know also. Thanks, all, for your input! Laura "When you're having a bad day and it seems like people are trying to piss you off, remember, it takes 42 muscles to frown and only 4 to pull the trigger of a decent sniper rifle." ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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hi folks Is there anyone out there researching or is a descendant of George Corwin, sheriff at the time of witch trails or his father in law Bartholemew Gedney who was a magistrate at the trials. Also interested in the Corwin family after they went to New Jersey. THANKS Bob Moore St Thomas Ont

George, what are you talking about? Can you please fill us in on the details? joan

It sounds as if something really bad has happened to you...how sad. I hope you are ok. The internet can be so good...or so awful. Warmly, Judi

Hi everyone, Due to recent event that have to do with the US GENWEB of Maine and my web site the Gathering Point. I have been forced to remove all data from the site. Because of this action I have decided not to participate in the Genealogical area of the internet any longer. This include many lists such as this one of which I have enjoyed. Also I will nolonger freely give out Genealogical data on or about my family any longer. I wish all of you good luck in finding your information on your ancestor. George A. Sjostrom II. Son of Romna C. Sands, Sjostrom, Labay. Grandson of Evelyn Alice Wardwell, Sands. first great grand son of Leroy Wardwell. Second great grandson of Dominicus Jordan Wardwell. Third great grandson of William Wardwell. Forth great grandson of Samuel Wardwell. fifth great grandson of Jonathan Wardwell. sixth great grandson of William Wardwell. Seventh great grandson of Samuel Wardwell . eigth great grandson of Thomas Wardwell. ninth great grandson of John Wardwell. tenth great grandson of Hugh Wardwell. eleventh great grandson of Hugh Wardwell.

[email protected] kindly delete, thank you

Hi folks, The post I made re: Huntington's chorea was for a doctor doing a research project, not for myself. IMHO I don't think chorea had anything to do with the witch trials but I posted Michael's emails to me in case I was wrong. I know that we have amazingly well informed, intelligent folks on this list and I felt that if there was any validity to Michael's premise, there would be people on this list who could point him in the right direction. While I am very interested in reading the comments on this issue, anyone responding should also email Michael since he is not a subscriber to the list. His address is [email protected] Thanks, Bonnie

Hi group, I received the following emails and I thought perhaps someone here might be able to help Michael out. I am a physician at the University of Florida. (A Neurologist) I am doing research on chorea. I believe that many persecuted in Salem may have had Huntington's chorea. Do you know how I can obtain the medical records or descriptions of the movements or abnormal movements observed of the woman tried?? Any help you could give me would be great??? I have been through most of the records in detail from the trials in the U.S. and I have come up empty for anything that is close to chorea. You are correct when you ascert that chorea of the Huntington's variety is not intermittent. (We see that in children and others with Glutaric Aciduria) I am unsure what afflicted the three children?? Sounds like fear?? I would be grateful to anyone who could give me a list of the "witches in Bures St. Mary" as this may be the origination point of Huntington's making it to the U.S. The story has it that a Mary Haste may have been the carrier who passed on the trait. Three men and their wives sailed on the John Winthrop fleet to the US. They brought chorea...I think?? I would like to do a feature piece on the relatives of those with chorea in the US who may have been tried as witches. I am also interested in delving into the literature to study the decribed movements and how consistent they were with chorea. I would appreciate any help I could get on seeing and reviewing some of those documents. I have training in History (B.A.) and now practice Neurology and run the History of Medicine Course at UF in Gaineville. By the way... Original trial records indicate one of the courts clerks was named Huntington, any relation to George I wonder?? Michael S. Okun, M.D. University of Florida Brain Institute [email protected] sounds interesting, don't you think.................can anyone help? Please email Michael as he does not subscribe to the list. Thanks, Bonnie

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Hello, I'm new to the list, and I've been monitoring messages to see if witches from places other than Salem would be discussed. I am descended from Ann Foster of Andover, MA who was found guilty of witchcraft and put in prison where she died in 1692/93. She was the wife of Andrew Foster, and the mother of Mary (Foster) Lacy who was also supposedly involved in witchcraft. I have seen a copy of part of Ann's trial in which she confesses to riding on a stick. I am interested in learning more of her ancestry. I have seen suggestions that her maiden name was Alcock, and that she might have been the daughter of George Alcock( including Torrey's book on marriages before 1700). However, I've not been able to find any evidence to support this claim. Does anyone have any information about Ann, particularly anything that confirms, or strongly suggests her parentage. I would love to make contact with others researching Ann Foster; and I would be happy to share what information I have, including my descent from Ann, if anyone is interested. Gordon Kirkemo [email protected]

Hi all, It's been a while since I was last on this list but I take it "non-Salem" witch postings are still OK? On my Meyers branch from Herkimer Co., NY: Hans Meyer (?, Elwangen, Germany - bef. birth of son Peter) | Hans Peter Meyer married (17may1640) Barbara _____?_____ (?, Gaildorf Germany - ?) Peter was a teacher and a Sexton. | Hans David Mayer, a schoolmaster (20sep1640-20nov1711) married 2nd (20sep1680) Anna Maria Kobler, daughter of Hans Kobler | Johannes "Hans" Mayer, a tailor and schoolmaster (23feb1686-02jul1753) married (10feb1705) Anna Margaretha Bauer (09may1682-?), daughter of Hans Jorg Bauer, a forester & Margaretha ____?____. Children of Hans & Margaretha: 1- Johann Michael Meyers 2- Martin Peter Meyers (bpt 18nov1714 Michelfeld, Kingdom of Wurtemberg -29jan1802 Herkimer, NY) 3- Johann Joseph Meyers (or Moyer) (bpt 03mar1712 Michelfeld, Kingdom of Wurtemberg - c.1778 NY) married (nov1734) Maria Dorothea Deininger. Arrived in Philadelphia sept1738 on the S/S Nancy. Children of Johann Joseph & Maria: 1- John Meyers 2- Jacob Meyers married (before 1766) Margaret 3- Joseph Meyers (may1746-15apr1812 Warren, NY) married (before 1769) Catherine Clappsaddle (18nov1748-03apr1839), daughter of Andrew Clappsaddle and Eva Hess. Joseph fought in the French & Indian War in Capt. Conrad Frank's Regiment along with his father and 2 brothers. According to "Early Families of Herkimer Co.", the brothers John, Jacob & Joseph came from Wurzburg. Does anyone know of any connection to the Meyers "Witch" found at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/6696/burnwit1.htm?#M It says: "#290. Meyer, (first name unknown): beheaded at Würzburg, Germany, 1628-1629" I realise my Meyers were in the Elwangen/Gaildorf region during the early 1600s but maybe the trial/execution was held in Wurzburg. Any ideas?? *Any* info at all would be *very* much appreciated. Thanks! -- Kami =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Gathering Leaves Genealogy TM http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6325 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

If you want to read an excellent book on the Puritans and the culture of New England-- read: ALBION'S SEED: by David Hackett Fischer It is a fancastic book--anyone with ancestors prior to 1700 in Massachsetts Bay Colony this book is a MUST READ. It is one of the best history books I have ever read......each chapter has it's own heading with small headings to make reading much easier and interesting. I have been reading this with a yellow highlighter at my side as much of what is in this book relates to all of 35 ancestors who were here by 1640 and they lived this.......fascinating !!! Cynthia Desc.of Elizabeth Jackson Howe, hanged 19 July 1692 Rick Rusinak wrote: > I just finished reading > A Break With Charity - A Story About the Salem Witch Trials > copyright 1992 by Ann Rinaldi. > Paperback; 284 pages. > > This book is historical fiction. The situations are fictional but possible; > the characters are real and based on historical fact. > > The book provided me with a picture of everyday life in Puritan New England > and a plausible explanation for the hysteria of 1692. > > I was especially interested to have ancestors that I know were involved in > the trial come to life in this book. > > I also appreciated the "Author's Note" at the end of the book wherein Ann > separates the fiction from the fact in her book. The book includes a > bibliography. > > I recommend the book to anyone with an interest in the Salem witch trials > and especially to anyone with ancestral connections to those events. > > Rick Rusinak > [email protected] > http://www.isd.net/rrusinak/ > Researching Surnames: BRADBURY_BRIDGES_BRUCE_CLARK_DANE_ELLIS_FOSTER_FOX > FULTON_GASPER_GIBSON_HASEY_HOWE_HORTON_JACKSON_KERR_LEGUS_LEPINGWELL_LOGAN > MARSTON_McCELLAN_MILLER_MOODY_MURDOCH_MURPHY_MYERS_PERKINS_RUSINAK_SHANKS > SMITH_TYLER_WHITE

I just finished reading A Break With Charity - A Story About the Salem Witch Trials copyright 1992 by Ann Rinaldi. Paperback; 284 pages. This book is historical fiction. The situations are fictional but possible; the characters are real and based on historical fact. The book provided me with a picture of everyday life in Puritan New England and a plausible explanation for the hysteria of 1692. I was especially interested to have ancestors that I know were involved in the trial come to life in this book. I also appreciated the "Author's Note" at the end of the book wherein Ann separates the fiction from the fact in her book. The book includes a bibliography. I recommend the book to anyone with an interest in the Salem witch trials and especially to anyone with ancestral connections to those events. Rick Rusinak [email protected] http://www.isd.net/rrusinak/ Researching Surnames: BRADBURY_BRIDGES_BRUCE_CLARK_DANE_ELLIS_FOSTER_FOX FULTON_GASPER_GIBSON_HASEY_HOWE_HORTON_JACKSON_KERR_LEGUS_LEPINGWELL_LOGAN MARSTON_McCELLAN_MILLER_MOODY_MURDOCH_MURPHY_MYERS_PERKINS_RUSINAK_SHANKS SMITH_TYLER_WHITE

Debbie, What is your line of descent from Susannah? Janet Yates (Descendant of Susannah North Martin through son George)