Wanting to wish all on this list and all those working on this list a very safe and a Much Happier New Year! Everyone enjoy yourselves and be safe. Wanda Mallett of Revere, Massachusetts __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com

In a message dated 12/31/01 1:29:58 PM, misslavender@earthlink.net writes: << Why were the women referred to as "Goodwife"? Was there a religious reason. Or was it because they couldn't remember the first names. >> Colonial America did not escape social compartmentization. Goodwife was a title, the step below mistress. Abby

--- Julie Jirout <juliejirout@hotmail.com> wrote: > where is the documentation? Have you a quote or > something indicating that the parents were involved > in the manipulation? A couple instances come to mind immediately. Adult instigation was clearly evident in the case of Capt. John Alden who wrote: "One of these accusers pointed several times at one Captain Hill, there present, but spake nothing. The same accuser had a man standing at her back to hold her up. He stooped down to her ear, then she cried out, 'Alden, Alden afflicted her.' One of the magistrates asked her if she had ever seen Alden. She answered no. He asked her how she knew it was Alden. She said, 'the man told her so.' Frances Hill, in her "A Delusion of Satan" discusses this encounter in further detail (see pp. 144-45, with source endnotes). John Tarbell, son-in-law of Rebecca Nurse, apparently had his own concerns regarding who was putting the names into the children's mouths. He testified "being at the house of Thomas Putnam's upon the 28 day of this instant March, being the year 1692, upon discourse of many things, I asked them some questions, and among others I asked this question: whether the girl that was afflicted did first speak of Goody Nurs before others mentioned her to her. They said she told them she saw the apparition of a pale-faced woman that sat in her grandmother's seat, but did not know her name. Then I replied and said: but who was it that told her that it was Goody Nurs. Mercy Lewes said it was Goody Putnam that said it was Goody Nurs. Goody Putnam said it was Mercy Lewes that told her. Thus they turned it upon one another, saying it was you and it was you that told her. This was before any was afflicted at Thomas Putnam's beside his daughter, that they told his daughter it was Goody Nurs." (see Boyer and Nissenbaum's "Salem Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England," p. 33). One could reasonably argue that it was Cotton Mather, an adult, who ultimately brought about the destruction of Rev. George Burroughs. I'm sure you already have the references to what transpired at Burrough's execution. In addition, there are documented instances of blatant fraud practiced by the adult afflicted in the community. Sarah Nurse, daughter-in-law of Rebecca Nurse testified that "[The deposition of Sarah Nurse,] aged 28 years or thereabouts, [who] testifieth and saith that being in the Court this 29th of June, 1692, I saw Goodwife Bibber pull pins out of her clothes, and held them between her fingers, and clasped her hands round her knee, and then she cried out and said Goody Nurse pinched her." (see Boyer and Nissenbaum's "Salem Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England," p. 28). __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com

Hello All, Why were the women referred to as "Goodwife"? Was there a religious reason. Or was it because they couldn't remember the first names. Thank you Becky S Carolina

Eleanor, Re: Passage below. In the trial transcripts it's clear that the magistrates and others were manipulating the children - Parents were motivated to manipulate them too - but where is the documentation? Have you a quote or something indicating that the parents were involved in the manipulation? Julie Eleanor writes: Enough documentation exists to indicate that the afflicted children were boldly and blatentely encouraged by their parents, the local ministry and magistrates and other adults within the community. The tense and precarious political situation in Salem Village at the time transformed what could have been the innocent antics of children into a means for adult manipulation and the settling of old vendettas. ----- Original Message ----- From: Eleanor Watson Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2001 10:25 PM To: SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Ergot poisoning --- MoonMistress <lgorman01@snet.net> wrote: > We're dealing with extremely repressed people living > a rather harsh life under strict (almost > intollerable) religious conditions. Harsh and intolerable to whom? You and I perhaps, but this statement would be based on our 21st century American ideas of "harsh and intolerable." One could, I imagine, reasonably argue that our 17th century ancestors might think the same of our time if they had the ability to see into the future. Furthermore, Puritan life was not completely devoid of pleasure and frivolity. I might recommend "Albion's Seed," by David Hackett Fischer as a scholarly insight into the folkways of the 17th century English that settled in this country. This book, among others available today, dispels the notion of the Puritans as a bleak, bland and totally severe society. I personally do not believe that the causes for the Salem witch hysteria can be simplified to boredom, religious repression or ergot poisoning. cThe tense and precarious political situation in Salem Village at the time transformed what could have been the innocent antics of children into a means for adult manipulation and the settling of old vendettas. We have seen analagous situations replayed time and again throughout history and even into our own time. It is unfortunate that the greed and egotism of a few can be the cause for such hardship upon many. Eleanor Watson Descended from Rebecca Nurse __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.comGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

In a message dated 12/31/01 4:18:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, Birde@bigfoot.com writes: > Could someone help me with this problem. I have been told > that Elizabeth MORSE wife of William MORSE was the 1st > person convicted of witchcraft. I had never heard that and > was wondering if that was true. This information is from the > Morse Society. > Thanks > Birde > The book, "The Devil in Massachusetts," by Marion L. Starkey states on page 49 that first three accused of witchcraft in Salem by the errant girls were Tituba, a slave, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburne. The book also says not quite four years previously ............a similar providence had occurred in Boston and the hanging of an Irish washerwoman known as Witch Glover, had not effected a cure...................... Lois

In a message dated 12/31/2001 4:18:24 AM Eastern Standard Time, Birde@bigfoot.com writes: Birde, Elizabeth Goodie Morse, wife of William Morse was convicted of witchcraft in Newberry, MA. There is alot of documentation on her trial available. It is quite interesting to read. I believe she was the first woman in Newberry to be convicted of witchcraft but by far she was not the first person to be convicted ever of witchcraft. The shepherd of your line from the Morse Society can give you the information you are seeking. Audrae << List Members, Could someone help me with this problem. I have been told that Elizabeth MORSE wife of William MORSE was the 1st person convicted of witchcraft. I had never heard that and was wondering if that was true. This information is from the Morse Society. Thanks Birde >> A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and will sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

Birde, There is quite a bit of information about Elizabeth Morse in John Putnam Demos, Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England. This book is available in paperback and can be ordered online or from your local book emporium or obtained at a public library. It also contains information about my forebears William Osgood and the Rev. Stephen Bachelder, founders of communities where there were persecutions for witchcraft. Demos is very wide ranging. His account is more focused on other New England witchcraft cases rather than Salem. Demos, like Boyer and Nissenbaum, considers community culture, history and demographics as well as individual dynamics in the witchcraft cases he scrutinizes. Leslie Hope -----Original Message----- From: Birde [mailto:Birde@bigfoot.com] Sent: Monday, December 31, 2001 12:34 AM To: SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Elizabeth Morse (1st witch?) List Members, Could someone help me with this problem. I have been told that Elizabeth MORSE wife of William MORSE was the 1st person convicted of witchcraft. I had never heard that and was wondering if that was true. This information is from the Morse Society. Thanks Birde mailto:Birde@bigfoot.com

List Members, Could someone help me with this problem. I have been told that Elizabeth MORSE wife of William MORSE was the 1st person convicted of witchcraft. I had never heard that and was wondering if that was true. This information is from the Morse Society. Thanks Birde mailto:Birde@bigfoot.com

--- MoonMistress <lgorman01@snet.net> wrote: > We're dealing with extremely repressed people living > a rather harsh life under strict (almost > intollerable) religious conditions. Harsh and intolerable to whom? You and I perhaps, but this statement would be based on our 21st century American ideas of "harsh and intolerable." One could, I imagine, reasonably argue that our 17th century ancestors might think the same of our time if they had the ability to see into the future. Furthermore, Puritan life was not completely devoid of pleasure and frivolity. I might recommend "Albion's Seed," by David Hackett Fischer as a scholarly insight into the folkways of the 17th century English that settled in this country. This book, among others available today, dispels the notion of the Puritans as a bleak, bland and totally severe society. I personally do not believe that the causes for the Salem witch hysteria can be simplified to boredom, religious repression or ergot poisoning. Enough documentation exists to indicate that the afflicted children were boldly and blatentely encouraged by their parents, the local ministry and magistrates and other adults within the community. The tense and precarious political situation in Salem Village at the time transformed what could have been the innocent antics of children into a means for adult manipulation and the settling of old vendettas. We have seen analagous situations replayed time and again throughout history and even into our own time. It is unfortunate that the greed and egotism of a few can be the cause for such hardship upon many. Eleanor Watson Descended from Rebecca Nurse __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com

Hi, Well anything is 'possible' but I don't believe it to be 'probable' in this case. There was a very lengthy and intelligent discussion about this subject just a little while back, you might like to check through the archives and read those posts. Personally I think the whole thing was a prank started by a couple of little girls and it got way out of hand and control. We're dealing with extremely repressed people living a rather harsh life under strict (almost intollerable) religious conditions. Add to that there really wasn't anything to do on a saturday (or any other) night for young people or older ones and you get one big out of control mess. Even today, we all know, gossip travels at 60 miles a second and the story gets bigger and bigger as it goes. IMHO, the 'afflicted girls' needed a good spanking and so did a lot of the adults who took part in all of it. :-) Have a joyous New Year! Lisa Related to; Mary, Sarah and Rebecca Towne Ann Foster Samuel and Simon Willard Mercy Lewis James Darling John and Elizabeth Proctor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edith Bailes" <edieb@hypernet.com> To: <SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 11:35 AM Subject: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Ergot poisoning > Has anyone seen the PBS program suggesting that at least some of the odd > behavior leading to the "witch" trials in Salem may have been caused by > ergot poisoning? What do you think about it? > > I believe an ancestress of mine was tried as a "witch" and acquitted. I'll > submit an inquiry on her as soon as I can get my act together! :^) Edie in > Maine > > ______________________________

Brooke, My daughter, Kelley, did a project last year for Sophomore English. She wrote a paper about our ancestor, Rebecca Nurse, and created a web page. If you visit http://www.Brinkman2000.com/Nurse/Salem.html you can see many of the resources she used as well as a copy of her paper. If you follow the links on her page, they will take you to many other useful resources on the witch trials. You can't copy her paper, but this may help you to get started. Good luck and you are wise to get this started over Christmas vacation. Cathy Brinkman

Hey. I'm Brooke. I just subscribed yesterday. I am doing a project in school on this and its worth a lot of my grade. I was wondering if anyone knew where to find good information or could give me information on this. I also want to know who would be a good person to talk to on this subject that are located in Salem or Boston, or new jersey. >..(`'·.¸(`'·.¸ ¸.·'´)¸.·'´).. >«´·.¸¸.*Brooke*¸¸.·`» >..(¸.·'´(¸.·'´ `'·.¸)`'·.¸).. www.webzine4kids.com -----Original Message----- From: SALEM-WITCH-D-request@rootsweb.com [mailto:SALEM-WITCH-D-request@rootsweb.com] Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2001 12:01 PM To: SALEM-WITCH-D@rootsweb.com Subject: SALEM-WITCH-D Digest V01 #114

In a message dated 12/29/2001 11:48:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, edieb@hypernet.com writes: << ergot poisoning? >> Dear Edie, Seem to recall lengthy exchange on that subject within last 6 months.. Check the SALEM-WITCH Archives. Happy New Year Cheers, Bob

In a message dated 12/29/01 11:48:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, edieb@hypernet.com writes: > > Has anyone seen the PBS program suggesting that at least some of the odd > behavior leading to the "witch" trials in Salem may have been caused by > ergot poisoning? What do you think about it? > > I have seen a newspaper article which states that certain molds from rye bread can cause hallucinations. Could this been the same as ergot poisoning? I have an ancestor who was tried (and fortunately, aquitted) as a witch in Andover, MA. Lois

The ergot theory of a grad student at UC Santa Barbara was discredited by Gottlieb and Spanos in Science v. 194 almost as soon as it was proposed, but it seems to have developed a life of it's own, partly, I suspect, because people are looking for simple, easily understood answers. We had a major discussion 6 mo ago that got a bit tiresome after awhile, so I suggest you go to the archives for a look-see. The Salem witch trials have taken on the transcendence of myth it seems. For example how many times have you heard people say *burned in Salem*? There was even a movie in the 40s, I Married a Witch based on that premise. I like Bernard Rosenthal's Salem Story for Rosenthal's rational examination of some of the myths that have grown up around the witch persecutions. Leslie Hope a Martin, Alden, Osgood and Raymond (Thomas was a friend of the Putnams who gave minor testimony) descendant. I'm also descended from Richard Gardner of Nantucket whose brother Captain John was probably involved in the pressing of Giles Corey. -----Original Message----- From: Edith Bailes [mailto:edieb@hypernet.com] Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 8:35 AM To: SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Ergot poisoning Has anyone seen the PBS program suggesting that at least some of the odd behavior leading to the "witch" trials in Salem may have been caused by ergot poisoning? What do you think about it? I believe an ancestress of mine was tried as a "witch" and acquitted. I'll submit an inquiry on her as soon as I can get my act together! :^) Edie in Maine

Has anyone seen the PBS program suggesting that at least some of the odd behavior leading to the "witch" trials in Salem may have been caused by ergot poisoning? What do you think about it? I believe an ancestress of mine was tried as a "witch" and acquitted. I'll submit an inquiry on her as soon as I can get my act together! :^) Edie in Maine

Lydia Gilbert was executed (probably hanged) as a witch in Hartford, CT. in 1655. According to an article in The American Genealogist, she was the 2nd wife of Thomas Gilbert, Jr. She was accused of causing the death of Thomas' former employer through witchcraft even though it was documented that he had been accidently shot by another man. My line is through Thomas' third wife, Katherine Chapin, whom he married only 2 months after Lydia was hung. I would appreciate any further details. Who was Lydia? _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

In a message dated 12/9/2001 10:47:11 AM Eastern Standard Time, connie_barber@hotmail.com writes: << Who was Lydia? >> Dear Connie, Recommend you go to URL: http://www.google.com/ and search on LYDIA GILBERT You'll find quite a bit of data on her plus a descendent's homepage, etc. Enjoy! Cheers, Bob

Does anyone know who the woman put to death in Keene, NH for witchcraft was and her particulars? Pamela ----- Original Message ----- From: Margo Burns <margo@ogram.org> To: <SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, November 23, 2001 1:04 PM Subject: Re: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Elizabeth Kendall, Witch? > On 11/23/01, Lobomoon2@aol.com wrote: > >I have an ancestor, Elizabeth Kendall, b. 1623, daughter of John and > >Elizabeth (Sacherell) Kendall. Does anyone know whether she may be > >the witch referred to in the message below? Since she was born in > >1623 she was probably alive at the time of the witch trials. > > > >Lois > >Gulfport, FL > > > >The following information is from John Putnam Demos' book > >Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England, > >1983, Oxford Univ. Press, (Appendix A, pp. 402-9): > > > >In addition to those executed in Salem in 1692, there were 16 persons > >executed as witches in New England: 14 women, 2 men. > > > > > >1647? Elizabeth KENDALL Cambridge, MA > > > According to David D. Hall's book, Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth > Century New England, A Documentary History 1638-1693, pp. 24-25, "The > only report of this case is John Hale's in A Modest Enquiry (1702). > No one has yet been able to identify Elizabeth Kendall or to date her > execution, which took place sometime between 1647 and 1651." > > This is the text from Hale, with Hall's footnotes: > > >A woman is wrongfully blamed for a child's death > > > >Another suffering in this kind was a woman of Cambridge, against > >whom a principal evidence was a Watertown nurse, who testified, that > >the said Kendall (so was the accused called) did bewitch to death a > >child of Goodman Genings (1) of Watertown; for the said Kendall did > >make much of the child, and then the child was well, but quickly > >changed its color and died in a few hours after. The court took this > >evidence among others, the said Genings not knowing of it. But after > >Kendall was executed (who also (2) denied her guilt to the death), > >Mr. Richard Brown (3) knowing and hoping better things of Kendall, > >asked said Genings if they suspected her to bewitch their child, > >they answered no. But they judged the true cause of the child's > >death to be thus, viz. the nurse had the night before carried out > >the child and kept it abroad in the cold a long time, when the red > >gum was come out upon it, and the cold had struck in the red gum, > >and this they judged the cause of the child's death. And that said > >Kendall did come in that day and make much of the child, but they > >apprehended no wrong to come to the child by her. After this the > >said nurse was put into prison for adultery, and there delivered of > >her base child, and Mr. Brown went to her and told her, It was just > >with God to leave her to this wickedness, as a punishment for her > >murdering Goody Kendall by her false witness bearing. But the nurse > >died in prison, and so the matter was not farther inquired into. > > > >(1) Or Jennings. > >(2) John Hale's "also" refers to Mrs. Lake and Mary Johnson. > >(3) A deputy to the General Court from Watertown, Massachusetts. > >Source: Hale, A Modest Enquiry, pp. 18-19. > > Cheers, > Margo > > -- > Margo Burns, List Owner of the SALEM-WITCH List at Rootsweb.com > margo@ogram.org > >