Unmasking the Witch Trials Legacy in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Group Fights to Clear Names of Accused Witches from 400 Years Ago Seeking Justice and Apology

Massachusetts group seeks apology for accused witches from 400 years ago.

Four centuries have passed, and Massachusetts still grapples with the haunting legacy of its witch trials. But fear not, dear readers, for there is a group of history buffs and determined descendants known as the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project. Their mission? To clear the names of all those accused of witchcraft in the state, regardless of the infamous outcome. Led by the charismatic Josh Hutchinson, this group seeks a full reckoning of Massachusetts’ early history.

From 1638 to 1693, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts saw hundreds of individuals accused of witchcraft. Most were lucky enough to escape the noose. While much attention has been given to the victims of the Salem witch trials, the majority who suffered throughout the 1600s have been overlooked. Yes, my friends, even five brave women were hanged for witchcraft in Boston. It’s high time we correct the injustices of the past, don’t you agree?

To achieve their noble goal, the group has been amassing signatures for a petition. But their aspirations reach further—to the hallowed halls of the Statehouse itself. Among the notable accused in Boston was Ann Hibbins, sister-in-law to Massachusetts Gov. Richard Bellingham. This remarkable woman eventually inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s unforgettable character in “The Scarlet Letter.” Another Boston witch, the intriguingly named Goodwife Ann Glover or Goody Glover, met her fate on the gallows in 1688. Nowadays, a plaque dedicated to her brave soul adorns the front of a Catholic church, proclaiming her as “the first Catholic martyr in Massachusetts.”

Now, let us take inspiration from neighboring Connecticut, where a similar effort has seen success. The Nutmeg State, home to the first colonial witchcraft execution, recently voted overwhelmingly to absolve twelve women and men, eleven of whom were executed, for their alleged witchcraft crimes over 370 years ago. An apology for the “miscarriage of justice” was also tendered. Oh, Connecticut, how commendable!

For those of us captivated by these distant events in Boston, Salem, and beyond, the quest for justice is deeply personal. Just ask David Allen Lambert, the illustrious chief genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He can proudly claim Mary Perkins Bradbury, his 10th great grandmother, as one of the accused in the Salem witch trials. Luckily, she narrowly escaped the grasp of the hangman’s noose.

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Massachusetts has made strides in reconciling its history of witch trials. Back four centuries ago, Judge Samuel Sewall publicly confessed his role in the Salem witch trials and begged for forgiveness. In 1711, colonial leaders cleared the names of some convicted in Salem. In 1957, an apology was finally issued for Ann Pudeator and others who suffered the grave injustice of execution. And in 2001, five women wrongly accused during the Salem witch trials were exonerated. Salem itself unveiled a memorial for the victims in 2017, a fitting tribute to their memory.

But the work is far from complete. In 2022, lawmakers finally exonerated Elizabeth Johnson Jr., the last accused Salem witch to have her conviction overturned. Other states have also confronted their dark histories. Just last month, Pownal, Vermont dedicated a historical marker to the sole survivor of the state’s recorded witch trial. Widow Krieger, accused in 1785, miraculously escaped drowning in the Hoosic River while others believed witches floated. A witches’ walk, complete with bewitching attire, accompanied the dedication ceremony—a defiant reminder that accusations based on appearances and stereotypes have no place in our modern society.

So, dear readers, let us join forces with the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project. Together, we can unveil the truth, restore the reputations of the accused, and ensure that history’s witches are never forgotten. Join the cause, sign the petition, and let us bury this dark chapter in Massachusetts’ past. The time for justice is now!