In 1648, a midwife named Margaret Jones found herself at the center of a witchcraft trial in Massachusetts, becoming the first person in the state and the second in New England to be executed for such accusations. This event predated the more infamous Salem witch trials by decades. Fast forward nearly four centuries, and the state and region are still grappling with the dark legacy of witches and how they had been hunted.
The Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project: Seeking Justice for the Accused
A group known as the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project has emerged, comprised of history enthusiasts and descendants of those accused of witchcraft. Their mission is to clear the names of all individuals accused, arrested, or indicted for witchcraft in Massachusetts, irrespective of whether these allegations resulted in executions. The group, led by Josh Hutchinson, seeks to prompt the state to confront its early history in a more comprehensive manner.
Centuries of Accusations: The Scope of Witchcraft Trials in Massachusetts
Between 1638 and 1693, hundreds of individuals faced witchcraft accusations within the territory that would eventually become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Many of these individuals narrowly escaped execution. While considerable attention has been paid to vindicating those who were put to death during the Salem trials, the vast majority caught up in witchcraft trials during the 1600s have largely been overlooked. This includes five women hanged for witchcraft in Boston between 1648 and 1688.
Seeking Apology and Justice for Witches
Josh Hutchinson, who has both accusers and victims among his ancestors, emphasized the importance of correcting past injustices: “We’d like an apology for all of the accused or indicted or arrested.” Currently, the group is gathering signatures for a petition but aspires to take their cause to the Statehouse.
Notable Accusations: Ann Hibbins, Goody Glover, and More
One such accused individual in Boston was Ann Hibbins, the sister-in-law of Massachusetts Governor Richard Bellingham, who was executed in 1656. A character inspired by Hibbins would later appear in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” published in 1850. Another Bostonian accused of witchcraft, known as Goodwife Ann Glover or Goody Glover, was hanged in the city in 1688. A plaque dedicated to her can be found on the front of a Catholic church in Boston’s North End, describing her as “the first Catholic martyr in Massachusetts.” It remains one of the few tangible reminders of the city’s witch trial history.
Connecticut’s Apology and Exoneration of Witches
The Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project has already played a pivotal role in a similar effort in Connecticut. Connecticut senators voted overwhelmingly in May to absolve 12 women and men convicted of witchcraft, 11 of whom were executed over 370 years ago. They also issued an apology for the “miscarriage of justice” during a dark 15-year period in the state’s colonial history. The effort passed in the House of Representatives, requiring no further gubernatorial approval.
A Personal Connection: Descendants and Genealogists
For many, the historical events in Boston, Salem, and other areas are simultaneously intriguing and personal. David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, counts his 10th great-grandmother, Mary Perkins Bradbury, among the accused who were supposed to be hanged in Salem in 1692 but narrowly escaped execution. He noted that while history cannot be changed, an apology to the accused can help bring some closure.
Massachusetts’ Efforts to Confront Witch Trial History
Massachusetts has taken previous steps to confront its history of witch trials, including public confessions and bills to clear the names of those convicted in Salem. In 2017, Salem unveiled a memorial for the witch trial victims. In 2022, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. was exonerated, marking the latest effort to set aside a conviction from the Salem witch trials.
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Beyond Massachusetts: Confronting Witch Trial Histories in Other States
Similar efforts have taken place in other states as well. In Pownal, Vermont, a town bordering Massachusetts and New York, a historical marker was dedicated to recognize the survivor of Vermont’s only recorded witch trial, Widow Krieger. This event took place in 1785, and Widow Krieger was accused of witchcraft and subjected to a trial by water, but she miraculously survived. A dedication ceremony and a witches’ walk were held to honor her memory and challenge baseless accusations against those who are perceived as different.