We’re joined by Antonio Infante, a Salem Witch Trials Historic Tour Guide and author. Antonio shares his journey into becoming a guide, sparked by a personal connection to the Salem witch trials through his ancestor. As he highlights the importance of accurate storytelling, Antonio offers a snapshot look at the Essex National Heritage Area’s historic tour that dispels myths about the trials. This episode also explores broader Massachusetts witch trial history and ongoing efforts for justice for all those wrongfully accused, not just the accused in 1692. He gives us a glimpse into his upcoming book about accused witch Sarah Cloyce, sister of Rebecca Nurse, titled Sober and Civil: Being a true narrative of one Sarah Towne Cloyse, formerly Bridges.

Links

Donate to Our UK Conference Trip GoFundMe Campaign to speak and learn about ending witch hunts

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Maryland Witches Exoneration Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

A critical issue still impacting children in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa is the ongoing crisis of witchcraft accusations. Carolyn Gent, a lawyer and chair of the Stop Child Witch Accusations Coalition, has dedicated her career to community development that prioritizes the safeguarding of children from these harmful accusations and the violence that often accompanies them.

Carolyn shares her coalition’s innovative efforts to combat child witch accusations through education, community engagement, and faith-based initiatives. Listeners will gain insight into the root causes of these accusations, including poverty, fear, and misconceptions about child development, and learn about the coalition’s work to train church leaders and community members to foster safer, more compassionate environments.

Key points discussed include the development of the “Heart of the Matter” training resource, the role of media in perpetuating harmful beliefs, and the importance of international collaboration in addressing witch hunts globally. Carolyn’s experience offers hope, demonstrating how education and compassion can transform communities and protect vulnerable children.

www.stop-cwa.org

Case Study, Synergies: Contagion of Positive Action

Donate to Our UK Conference Trip GoFundMe Campaign to speak and learn about ending witch hunts

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Maryland Witches Exoneration Project

Witch Hunt Website
Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

In this episode of Witch Hunt Victim Stories, Josh Hutchinson presents the story of Margaret Scott, an enigmatic woman convicted and executed for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Hutchinson provides detailed accounts of the accusations and testimonies against Scott from various witnesses, tracing the events leading to her indictment and execution on September 22, 1692. Scott's name was not cleared until 2001, highlighting the enduring stigma and injustice faced by those accused of witchcraft. The episode sheds light on the personal experiences and historical context surrounding Margaret Scott's tragic fate.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Daniel A. Gagnon, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Emerson W. Baker, The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

This episode is a follow-up to our podcast episode on "The Link between Witchcraft Accusations and Dementia with Berrie Holtzhausen." We interview Andrias Musigeni Mangundu, a registered nurse with the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia. Andrias shares his journey into dementia care, heavily influenced by his experience and friendship with Berrie Holtzhausen, the founder of Alzheimer’s Dementia Namibia. He discusses how dementia impacted his personal life, particularly through his mother's misdiagnosed condition, which was wrongly attributed to witchcraft.

Andrias educates listeners on the symptoms and types of dementia, dispelling myths that often confuse dementia with witchcraft in local communities. He emphasizes the importance of awareness programs, community education, and collaboration with healthcare providers to advocate for proper dementia care. The conversation also explores the societal challenges and the need for early diagnosis and support systems.

Join us as we explore the intersection of healthcare and cultural beliefs, highlighting both the obstacles and the inspiring stories of change in Namibian communities. Gain a new perspective on dementia care and the power of education in transforming lives.

Alzheimer's Dementia Namibia Facebook

African Witchfinder Documentary 2018

‘They wanted her to confess to witchcraft’: ending the chilling effects of dementia stigma in Nigeria

Donate to Our UK Conference Trip GoFundMe Campaign to speak and learn about ending witch hunts

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

In this episode of Witch Hunt Victim Stories, host Josh Hutchinson explores the life and untimely death of Samuel Wardwell, a carpenter and fortune teller from Andover, Massachusetts. Convicted and hanged during the Salem Witch Trials on September 22, 1692, Samuel was the only confessor executed. The episode provides a detailed account of his life, family, and the events leading to his arrest and execution. It also delves into the aftermath for his surviving family members and the eventual reversal of some wrongful convictions.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Daniel A. Gagnon, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781594163678

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Emerson W. Baker, The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780230623873

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780316200592

Dive with us into one of the most infamous chapters of American history—the Salem Witch Trials. Returning to the show is author and host of The Salem Witch Trials Podcast, Greg Houle, who brings a unique perspective to these events through his historical fiction novel, The Putnams of Salem. As a descendant of Thomas Putnam Jr., a key accuser in the trials, Greg has a personal connection to the story that inspired his writing.

Greg shares his journey in crafting The Putnams of Salem, exploring how his lineage influenced his portrayal of the historical figures involved. Greg's innovative storytelling approach in his book, which features a dual narrative from the perspectives of Thomas Putnam Jr. and his daughter Ann, offers fresh insights into the trials' dynamics.

In this conversation we discuss the complexities of the Salem Witch Trials, and the significance of challenging common misconceptions and humanizing the individuals through podcasting and writing. We also discuss how his successful podcast, The Salem Witch Trials Podcast, complements his novel by offering deeper insights..

Throughout our conversation, we examine themes of fear, frontier conflicts, and the personal motivations of those involved in the trials, offering a nuanced perspective that only descendants could provide on a widely misunderstood episode in American history.

Whether you're a history buff, a fiction lover, or simply curious about the Salem Witch Trials, this episode by Salem descendants promises a fascinating discussion on how fiction can shed light on historical truths and the complexities of the past.

www.theputnamsofsalem.com

The Salem Witch Trials Podcast

greghoule.info

AP Article: Group seeks to clear names of all accused, convicted or executed for witchcraft in MA

Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

www.massachusettswitchtrials.org

Pownal Historical Society on Facebook

Bennington Museum Special Exhibits

This episode explores the story of Wilmot Redd, one of the nine individuals executed during the Salem Witch Trials in September 1692. Detailing accusations, examinations, and trial proceedings, the episode delves into Redd's life in Marblehead and the allegations against her for bewitching various individuals. Despite conflicting testimonies and a grand jury's mixed decisions, Redd was found guilty and hanged on September 22, 1692. The episode also discusses the historical context of her posthumous exoneration, including the memorials and legal actions leading up to her final exoneration in 2001.

History of Massachusetts Blog, The Witchcraft Trial of Wilmot Redd

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Daniel A. Gagnon, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Emerson W. Baker, The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England
Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

In this episode of Witch Hunt, host Josh Hutchinson explores the life and tragic fate of John Procter, a victim of the Salem Witch Trials. Hutchinson begins by introducing the real John Procter, contrasting him with Arthur Miller's portrayal in "The Crucible." The episode delves into Procter's background and family life, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the man behind the infamous trial.

The narrative unfolds with the events leading to John and Elizabeth Procter's accusations of witchcraft. Hutchinson details their examinations and trials, offering insight into the intense scrutiny and unfair treatment they faced. A highlight of the episode is John Procter's eloquent petition to ministers in Boston, which demonstrates his intelligence and desperation in the face of impending doom.

The podcast recounts the heartbreaking tale of the hangings, including John's execution and Elizabeth's narrow escape due to her pregnancy. Hutchinson then explores the aftermath of the trials for Elizabeth and the Procter children, shedding light on the long-lasting impact of the witch hunt on their family.

Listeners learn about the legal battles that ensued following the trials, including efforts to clear the Procters' names. The episode traces the timeline of these efforts, noting that Elizabeth's attainder was reversed in 1703, while John's was not cleared until 1711. The Massachusetts government's restitution payments to the Procter family in 1712 are also discussed, providing a sense of the belated attempts at justice.

Throughout the episode, Hutchinson shares notable quotes, including Elizabeth Procter's poignant statement during her examination: "I take God in heaven to be my witness that I know nothing of it, no more than the child unborn." These firsthand accounts bring the historical events to life, allowing listeners to connect more deeply with the Procters' experiences.

The show notes also mention the Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project (massachusettswitchtrials.org) for those interested in supporting an official apology for the witch trials. This information provides listeners with a way to engage with the historical issues raised in the podcast.

Finally, the episode touches on the enduring legacy of John and Elizabeth Procter, mentioning that their farm was featured on HGTV's Farmhouse Fixer. This modern connection demonstrates how the story of the Procters continues to captivate public interest, bridging the gap between historical events and contemporary culture.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Daniel A. Gagnon, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Emerson W. Baker, The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem