The Thing About Salem

More than 150 people were accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. Had the Court of Oyer and Terminer tried them all, they may all have been hanged.They sat chained in dungeons to prevent their specters from roaming. They watched as friends and neighbors were dragged to the gallows. As the body count rose, the terror must have reached unimaginable levels. And yet the accusations kept coming.How did an entire community participate in its own destruction?In this essential introduction to The Thing About Salem, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack explore what made Salem different from every other witch hunt in American history. The mystery isn’t what ailed the afflicted girls. Why were people at the highest levels of society accused right alongside the usual suspects?This episode reveals the forces that turned Salem Village into America’s deadliest witch hunt: warfare closing in on Massachusetts settlements, economic devastation, the collapse of political and religious certainty, and the kind of existential terror that makes the unthinkable seem reasonable.**Length:** 15 minutes## What You’ll Learn• Why 150+ people faced execution when typical New England witch hunts involved 2 to 3 accusations• What conditions make rational people accept supernatural explanations for their suffering• How fear and crisis override legal safeguards and community bonds• Why focusing on the accusers matters more than diagnosing the afflicted## Key Stats• 150+ people accused in Salem• 30 convictions (vs. 4 in Hartford’s 1662 witch panic)• Only 1 witch hanged in Massachusetts in the 36 years before Salem• People at the highest levels of society were named as witches## Topics Covered• The terror of Salem’s dungeons and the rising panic• What made Salem different from other colonial witch hunts• The perfect storm: war, disease, political collapse, and religious crisis• Why popular theories like ergotism miss the point• What Salem reveals about fear, judgment, and human natureThe Thing About Salem on YouTubeThe Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectMassachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

When a seventh grader reached out with questions for their National History Day documentary, podcast hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack knew they'd been asked something special. The student's thoughtful inquiries became the foundation for this episode of The Thing About Salem.This wasn't just another school assignment. The questions this student asked revealed a depth of engagement that many adults never reach when studying 1692. They saw past the surface story to the human complexity underneath, the kind of questions that don't have easy answers but force you to truly reckon with what happened in Salem.We knew immediately these questions needed to be shared. They're the kind that make history stop being about memorizing events and start being about understanding people, choices, and consequences that still echo today.Sometimes the best teachers are the ones still in school.Keywords: Salem Witch Trials, National History Day, student history project, Rebecca Nurse, Joseph Hutchinson, Bridget Bishop, family history research, witch trial education, historical questions, Salem descendants, Tituba, Abigail WilliamsNational History Day WebsiteSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Projectwww.massachusettswitchtrials.orgSupport the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

In May 1692, one of Boston's most respected citizens walked into a Salem courtroom—and the accusers couldn't even identify him. Captain John Alden Jr., son of Mayflower passengers and decorated war hero, seemed an unlikely target for witchcraft accusations. But his connections to Native Americans and the French made him dangerous in the eyes of wartime Massachusetts.What happened when Salem's witch hunt reached beyond the village to pull in a prominent Bostonian with impeccable colonial credentials? This episode examines how Captain Alden's examination revealed the absurdity and danger of the spectral evidence system and how his escape became one of the trial period's most dramatic moments.From his parents' legendary Plymouth courtship to his own flight from justice, Captain Alden's story shows us who could be accused, who could survive, and what it took to navigate Salem's machinery of suspicion.Episode Highlights:John Alden Sr. and Priscilla: The last surviving Mayflower passenger and the marriage that inspired LongfellowCaptain Alden's controversial fur trading and the rumors that made him a targetThe chaotic May 31st examination where accusers needed promptingThe touch test, the sword, and the claims of "Indian Papooses"His September escape to Duxbury and surprising returnKey Figures: Captain John Alden Jr., John & Priscilla Alden, Judges Bartholomew Gedney and John Richards, Rev. Samuel Willard, Robert CalefThe Thing About Salem examines the people, places, and events of the 1692 Salem witch trials. New episodes weekly.Links⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch HuntsThe Thing About Salem website

Episode Description:When you think "Massachusetts witch trials," you think Salem, 1692. But what if we told you that 44 years before Salem, Massachusetts was already executing people for witchcraft in Boston?Between 1648 and 1693, more than 200 people were formally charged with witchcraft across Massachusetts. In 1957, the state cleared 31 Salem victims. But Boston's victims have been forgotten.On November 25, 2025, Bill H.1927 goes before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary to finally exonerate 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston and recognize everyone else who suffered accusations across Massachusetts.Co-hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, descendants of Salem witch trial victims and co-founders of the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, explain why Salem's story is incomplete without Boston—and how YOU can help Massachusetts finish the job.Before Salem: Boston's Forgotten VictimsFive women were executed in Boston:Margaret Jones (1648) - First person executed for witchcraft in Massachusetts, 44 years before SalemElizabeth Kendall (1651)Alice Lake (1651)Ann Hibbins (1656)Goody Glover (1688) - Executed just 4 years before Salem, her case influenced Cotton MatherThree others were convicted but not executed:Hugh Parsons (1651)Eunice Cole (1656-1680) Eunice was brought to court on witchcraft accusations over and over!Elizabeth Morse (1680)Cotton Mather was deeply involved in Goody Glover's 1688 trial in Boston. Her execution influenced his thinking about witchcraft—thinking he brought to Salem just four years later.The same fears, the same accusations, the same injustice—Boston laid the groundwork for what happened in Salem.When Massachusetts cleared Salem's victims in 1957, they left Boston's victims behind.✅ Exonerates the 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston between 1647-1688✅ Recognizes all others who suffered accusations across Massachusetts✅ Completes the work Massachusetts started in 1957 when they cleared Salem's victims✅ Acknowledges that Salem wasn't the beginning—Boston was✅ Costs nothing - zero fiscal impact1. Sign the Petition: Change.org/witchtrials - Over 14,000 signatures and growing2. Contact Massachusetts Representatives: Email or call members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary before November 25th3. Submit Written Testimony: Even if you can't attend in person, your voice matters4. Share This Episode: Help spread the word before the November 25th hearingFor decades, we've told the story of Salem 1692 as if it appeared out of nowhere. But Massachusetts had been executing people for witchcraft since 1648.The fears, the evidence, the methods—all of it was already established in Boston before it exploded in Salem.You can't understand Salem without understanding Boston.Josh and Sarah co-founded the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project and launched their podcast in 2022 to support the legislative effort. With help from listeners like you, Connecticut passed House Joint Resolution 34 in May 2023 with overwhelming bipartisan support, absolving 11 individuals and recognizing all others who suffered accusations.You were part of Connecticut's success from the beginning. Now Massachusetts needs you to help finish what they started in 1957.Boston's first execution was in 1648—44 years before SalemGoody Glover's 1688 execution influenced Cotton Mather just 4 years before SalemMore than 200 people were formally charged with witchcraft in Massachusetts (1648-1693)Massachusetts cleared 31 Salem victims in 1957, but left Boston's victims behindMassachusetts has already amended the 1957 Resolve twice (2001 and 2022)Bill H.1927 simply continues this established pattern with zero fiscal impact

In this episode of The Thing About Salem, co-hosts Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson examine one of the most invasive and degrading practices used during the Salem Witch Trials: the search for witch's marks and devil's teats. Discover how this invented "evidence" was used to convict innocent people—including the hosts' ancestors.What You'll Learn:The Origins of Witch Mark TheoryHow English legal writers like Michael Dalton (1618) and William Perkins created detailed instructions for finding "devil's marks"Why Richard Bernard claimed these marks appeared in "secretest parts" requiring invasive searchesThe shocking truth: none of this evidence appears in the BibleFamiliar Spirits in SalemCotton Mather's definition of familiar spirits as "devils in bodily shapes"Strange creatures described in testimony: hairless cats with human ears, rooster-monkey hybrids, and hairy upright beingsHow these supposed demons were believed to feed from witch's teatsThe Salem ExaminationsDocumented searches of accused witches including Rebecca Nurse, Bridget Bishop, and Elizabeth ProcterGeorge Jacobs Sr.'s brutal examination with pins driven through his fleshFour-year-old Dorothy Good's traumatic examination and the "flea bite" used as evidenceWhy some marks disappeared between examinations—and what that tells usDehumanizing PracticesThe invasive nature of stripping and examining prisoners in their "most intimate areas"How postpartum scarring from childbirth was twisted into evidence of witchcraftWhy the Court of Oyer and Terminer convicted all 27 people tried in 1692—whether marks were found or notModern Connections As Robert Calef pointed out in More Wonders of the Invisible World, witch marks weren't biblical—they were man-made tests designed to find guilt. This pattern continues in modern witch hunts worldwide, where accusers still decide what constitutes "evidence" against innocent victims.Perfect for listeners interested in:Salem Witch Trials historyColonial American historyWrongful convictions and false evidenceWomen's history and bodily autonomyModern witch hunts and human rightsHistorical witchcraft accusationsLegal history and justice reformFeatured Historical Sources:William Perkins, A Discourse of the Damned Art of WitchcraftMichael Dalton, The Countrey Justice (1618)Richard Bernard, The Certainty of the World of SpiritsCotton Mather, Wonders of the Invisible WorldRobert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible WorldDeodat Lawson, A Brief and True NarrativeOriginal Salem Witch Trial examination recordsAbout the Hosts: Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson are descendants of Salem witch trial victims and co-founders of End Witch Hunts, a nonprofit addressing modern witch hunts globally. Together, they co-host The Thing About Salem and The Thing About Witch Hunts (265+ episodes).Related Episodes: [Links to episodes about Rebecca Nurse, Mary Easty, familiar spirits, spectral evidence, etc.]Support Our Work: Learn more about modern witch hunts and how to help at EndWitchHunts.orgLinksSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem and The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project www.massachusettswitchtrials.orgSupport the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

Episode Description:How does a town infamous for executing twenty people for alleged diabolical witchcraft rebrand itself as "Witch City"? Salem spent centuries trying to forget 1692, then something changed. Join descendants Sarah and Josh as they uncover the surprising story of how grief, guilt, and capitalism collided to transform Salem into America's Halloween capital. From the first witch-themed business to the controversy over memorializing victims, this is the untold story of who chose to remember, who profited, and what got lost along the way.What You'll Discover:Why did Salem stay silent about the trials for over 150 years, and what finally broke that silence? Who made the first move to capitalize on witch trial history (the answer might surprise you)? When the city had a chance to build a memorial in 1892, why did descendants of the accusers fight so hard against it? And how did a fish company, a souvenir spoon, and a Knights Templar march help pave the "yellow brick road" to Witch City?Keywords: Salem witch trials | Witch City | Salem Massachusetts | Halloween tourism | dark tourism | historical memory | commercialization of tragedy | Salem history | 1692 witch hunt | American history | New England | modern witchcraft | Pagan community | tourism | memorialization | historical injustice | colonial America | Arthur Miller | The Crucible | Haunted HappeningsAbout The Thing About Salem: Sarah and Josh are descendants of Salem witch trial victims investigating how their ancestors' tragedy became a tourism empire, and what that transformation reveals about memory, commerce, and identity.LinksHauntedHappenings.org Salem Tourism InformationThe Salem Witch MuseumSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project www.massachusettswitchtrials.orgSupport the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

What happens when an entire city becomes Halloween for a month?Salem's Haunted Happenings started with the Salem Witch Museum as one weekend in 1982. Now it's a  month-long community event of costumes, crowds, street performers, and pure October magic.This episode captures the spirit of it all—the performers who show up year after year, the locals that go ALL OUT, the Grand Parade that kicks it off, and the chaotic, joyful energy that makes October in Salem unlike anywhere else.What to expect:How a single weekend became a month-long phenomenonThe vibe, the crowds, the performersCostumes that stop you in your tracksWhy "don't drive in Salem in October" is essential adviceThe magic (and reality) behind the Halloween capital of the worldWhether you're planning your first visit or you've been coming back every October, this one's about what makes Haunted Happenings unforgettable.🎃 Ready for Salem's October?Keywords: Haunted Happenings, October Salem, Salem Massachusetts Halloween, Salem October events, Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, Salem Halloween capital, The Thing About Salem podcastLinks:HauntedHappenings.org Salem Tourism InformationThe Salem Witch Museum Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project www.massachusettswitchtrials.org Support the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

Discover the shocking truth about ghosts in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This isn’t your typical ghost story. These supernatural encounters were used as courtroom evidence that sent innocent people to the gallows. Join hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack as they explore the different types of apparitions that appeared in Salem testimony, from murdered wives seeking vengeance to protective angels revealing hidden crimes.Some Featured Historical Cases- George Burroughs. Former minister accused by ghostly wives appearing in winding sheets- Ann Putnam Jr.’s Testimony: Multiple ghost sightings including murdered wives, children, and victims- Martha Carrier’s Examination. Thirteen ghosts appearing as evidence against her- Spectral Evidence. How ghost testimony became critical courtroom evidence leading to convictionsLearn how supernatural testimony functioned in 1692 trials.Historical Figures MentionedGeorge Burroughs, Ann Putnam Jr., Bridget Bishop, John Willard, Martha Carrier, Rebecca Nurse, Mary Bradbury, Giles Corey, Mary Easty, Susannah Sheldon, Mary Walcott, Elizabeth HubbardThe ultimate twist: In 1692, innocent people were executed for supposedly appearing as ghosts. Today, tourists pay for ghost tours hoping to encounter those same spirits. Salem, Massachusetts—where historical tragedy became supernatural entertainment.- Josh Hutchinson- Co-host, The Thing About Salem- Sarah Jack - Co-host, The Thing About SalemSalem Witch Trials, ghost evidence, spectral evidence, 1692 Salem, Ann Putnam Jr., George Burroughs, Salem ghosts, witchcraft trials, historical ghosts, Salem Massachusetts, witch trial testimony, supernatural evidence, colonial America, Salem history, ghost tours SalemKeywords#SalemWitchTrials #HistoryPodcast #TrueHistory #SalemMassachusetts #SpectralEvidence #ColonialAmerica #HistoricalGhosts #HalloweenLinksSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts WebsiteSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project www.massachusettswitchtrials.orgSupport the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

What connects a 2014 internet horror tragedy to the fear of 1692 Salem? In this captivating 15-minute clip from our full conversation, Josh and Sarah—along with Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie Podcast —draw haunting parallels between the young girls involved in the Slender Man stabbing case and the afflicted girls of the Salem witch trials.How do fear, belief, and community pressure transform young people into actors in real-world tragedies? From oppressed accusers in colonial Massachusetts to pre-teens acting on digital folklore. A thought-provoking exploration of monsters, morality, and the girls who became part of history's shocking moments.Episode Highlights🔮 Girls Under Pressure - Comparing the afflicted girls of Salem to the Slender Man crime perpetrators ⚖️ Belief Gone Wrong - When fear of something unseen leads to tragedy 🎃 Monster or Victim? - Society's struggle to categorize young people who do terrible things 👻 The Power of Narrative - How stories—whether Puritan theology or internet creepypasta—drive real-world actions 🕯️ Panic Then and Now - What the Salem trials teach us about modern viral panicAbout Our Returning GuestsSean & Carrie host Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie, where a skeptic and a believer explore the unknown, unsolved, unbelievable, and just plain weird. With their passion for history and uncovering truth, they bring complementary perspectives to every mystery they tackle.KeywordsSlender Man, Salem witch trials, afflicted girls, creepypasta, true crime, digital folklore, witch hunts, moral panic, paranormal podcast, horror podcast, Ain't it Scary, historical parallels, Salem Massachusetts, youth violence, folkloreListen & SubscribeDon't wander off the path—subscribe to The Thing About Salem and join us every episode as we explore the trials, mysteries, and untold stories of Salem and beyond.Also check out: Ain't it Scary with Sean and Carrie wherever you listen to podcasts!Keep the porch light on. 🎃LinksAin't It Scary With Sean and Carrie PodcastSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice ProjectJoin One of Our ProjectsThe Thing About Salem Podcast

In this episode of 'The Thing About Salem,' hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack explore the various ways the Salem Witch Trials have been depicted in films and TV shows over the decades. They discuss the historical and fictional elements in productions like 'The Crucible,' 'Maid of Salem,' the 'Bewitched' TV series, and 'Hocus Pocus,' highlighting how these portrayals have shaped and transformed Salem's image in popular culture. The episode also covers works such as 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' and 'Three Sovereigns for Sarah,' emphasizing the ongoing cultural fascination with this dark chapter in American history.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Salem in Pop Culture01:04 Maid of Salem and The Crucible02:37 Salem Witch Trials miniseries and Hocus Pocus05:01 Bewitched and Sabrina the Teenage Witch10:07 The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Three Sovereigns for Sarah13:49 Conclusion: The Legacy of Salem in Pop CultureLinksThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch HuntsThe Thing About Salem website

The Thing About Salem concludes our exclusive three-part series with Ben Wickey as we explore the modern implications of his debut graphic novel "More Weight: A Salem Story" in Part 3. With the book out now, we examine why this Salem Witch Trials story resonates powerfully with contemporary readers.Wickey discusses Salem's modern identity and how his work addresses the town's complex relationship with its tragic past. We explore the visual challenges of depicting historical horror, his artistic influences including Alan Moore's impact on his creativity, and why he chose a mature rating for responsible storytelling about historical brutality.What aspects of the 1692 witch trials feel most relevant today? We discuss modern witch hunts, the importance of authentic historical narratives in pop culture, and how Wickey's ancestral connection influenced his approach to Salem's psychological darkness.This final installment reveals why critics are calling this an "appalling masterpiece" and how More Weight will reshape how we understand Salem's legacy for future generations.Keywords: Ben Wickey, More Weight Part 3, Salem modern relevance, More Weight final review, contemporary witch hunts, Alan Moore influence, Salem today historical horrorLinksBuy the Graphic Novel "More Weight"Read the Alan Moore World Blog: Ben Wickey An Extraordinary EnchanterMore Weight Preview Page on TopShelfComix.comSign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Projectwww.massachusettswitchtrials.orgThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

The Thing About Salem continues our exclusive conversation with Ben Wickey in Part 2 of our three-part series about his groundbreaking graphic novel "More Weight: A Salem Story," releasing next week. This installment focuses on the heart of Wickey's narrative: the psychological transformation of Giles Corey.We explore Corey's devastating journey from testifying against his wife Martha to his defiant final moments uttering "more weight" as stones crushed him to death. Wickey reveals his meticulous research using historical documents and his innovative dual-timeline narrative featuring Nathaniel Hawthorne interludes that bridge past and present.As a Mary Easty descendant, Wickey discusses the emotional weight of bringing his ancestor's story and Salem's broader tragedy to authentic life. We examine how he balanced historical brutality with responsible storytelling, his striking use of color and its absence, and why maintaining historical accuracy was crucial to honoring the victims' memory.This is essential listening for anyone interested in Salem Witch Trials history and how graphic novels can illuminate our darkest chapters.Keywords: Ben Wickey More Weight Part 2, Giles Corey more weight, Salem Witch Trials historical accuracy, Nathaniel Hawthorne Salem, Mary Easty story, Salem history podcastBuy the Graphic Novel "More Weight" Read the Alan Moore World Blog: Ben Wickey An Extraordinary Enchanter More Weight Preview Page on TopShelfComix.com Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Projectwww.massachusettswitchtrials.orgThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

The Thing About Salem presents an exclusive three-part series with Massachusetts-born author Ben Wickey, whose highly anticipated debut graphic novel "More Weight: A Salem Story" releases next week. This Alan Moore-praised "appalling masterpiece" tells the harrowing tale of Giles Corey, the only person pressed to death under stones during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.In Part 1, we dive into Wickey's extraordinary background as an Edward Gorey Award-winning artist whose stunning visual storytelling brings historical horror to visceral life. What makes this upcoming graphic novel release so personal? Wickey is a descendant of Salem Witch Trial victim Mary Easty, bringing deeply intimate perspective to this decade-long project that Publishers Weekly compared to "From Hell."We explore Wickey's artistic journey, his pre-release excitement, and how his animation background shaped this groundbreaking work. Using the graphic novel format, Wickey cuts through pop culture mythology to restore the genuine horror and humanity of Salem's history. Don't miss this insider look at the creative process behind 2025's most important historical horror graphic novel.Keywords: Ben Wickey More Weight Part 1, Salem artist interview, graphic novel pre-release, Mary Easty descendant, Edward Gorey Award, Salem Witch Trials artistBuy the Graphic Novel "More Weight"Read the Alan Moore World Blog: Ben Wickey An Extraordinary Enchanter More Weight Preview Page on TopShelfComix.com Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Projectwww.massachusettswitchtrials.orgThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Episode SummaryNot all witch trials were the Salem Witch Trials. To truly understand the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693, we must examine the broader context of witch hunting that swept through colonial America. This episode explores the extensive history of witch trials in British North America that preceded and influenced the Salem events, revealing how witch hunts affected dozens of communities across New England and beyond.The Context Behind SalemWhy Salem didn't happen in a bubbleEuropean influence on colonial witch trialsHow English writings shaped Salem court decisionsThe role of European witchcraft tales in accuser testimoniesPre-Salem Witch Trials in New England (1647-1691)Connecticut Witch TrialsAlice Young of Windsor - First execution, May 26, 164734 total indictments with 11 executionsHartford Witch Panic (1662-1663) - 14 accused, 4 executedFinal Connecticut hangings: January 25, 1663Massachusetts Witch TrialsMargaret Jones of Charlestown - Hanged June 15, 164831 indictments between 1648-16918 convictions, 5 executionsNotable gap in executions from 1656-1688The Goodwin Children CaseGoody Glover trial as Salem's precursorCotton Mather's "Memorable Providences" (1689, 1691)How the Goodwin children became the model for Salem's afflictedWitch Trials Beyond New EnglandVirginiaFirst accusation: Joan Wright (1626)William Harding conviction (1656)Grace Sherwood, "Witch of Pungo" - water ordeal trial (1706)MarylandMultiple accusations investigatedRebecca Fowler execution (1685)John Cowman convictionNew HampshireGoody Cole trials across jurisdictionsMassachusetts Bay control influenceSalem's Wider ImpactThe 1692-1693 Salem Witch Trials affected numerous communities:AndoverBostonMaine and New Hampshire territoriesConnecticut spinoff: Katharine Branch case (1692)First witch trial execution in colonial America: Alice Young, 1647Total colonial witch trial scope: Over 65 indictments across multiple coloniesGeographic spread: From Connecticut to Maine, Virginia to MarylandTimeline: 45+ years of witch trials before SalemLegal precedents: How earlier trials shaped Salem proceduresCheck out the hosts' companion podcast: The Thing About Witch Hunts for deeper dives into European witch trial history and modern witchcraft persecution worldwide.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Episode OverviewIt wasn't moldy bread, mass hysteria, or girls dabbling in magic. Join hosts Josh and Sarah (whose ancestors lived through these events) as they uncover the real forces that created one of America's darkest chapters.What You'll DiscoverThe Real Causes: Multiple explosive factors that turned Salem into a powder kegPolitical Chaos: How governmental instability set the stage for tragedyCommunity Tensions: The deadly mix of wealth gaps, frontier trauma, and religious conflictThe Spark: What actually triggered the first accusations in January 1692Modern Relevance: Why these lessons matter for recognizing witch hunts todayKey Topics Explored✓ Belief systems that made witchcraft accusations believable ✓ Political upheaval following the revocation of Massachusetts' Royal Charter ✓ Controversial judicial decisions like allowing "spectral evidence" ✓ Economic anxieties from King William's War and previous conflicts ✓ European witchcraft beliefs that influenced New England thinking ✓ The snowball effect that made accusations spiral out of controlWhy This Episode MattersLearn the complex, interconnected causes behind one of history's most misunderstood events. Discover how fear-mongering, scapegoating, and abandoning rational thinking can lead entire communities astray—and why these patterns still matter today.Perfect for history buffs, true crime fans, and anyone who wants to separate Salem facts from fiction in just 15 minutes.Tags: #SalemWitchTrials #AmericanHistory #TrueCrime #HistoryPodcast #Massachusetts #Colonial #WitchHuntsSalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

What happens when your only defense against a death sentence is a handwritten letter? In 1692 Salem, petitions became lifelines for the accused, their families, and entire communities caught in the witch trial hysteria.In this episode, we explore:Mary Esty's remarkable final petition that prioritized saving others over herselfThe creative legal strategies colonists used to challenge "spectral evidence"How torture was used to extract confessions (and documented in writing)The economic reality of having family members imprisoned for witchcraftCommunity petitions that reveal the social chaos engulfing entire townsWhy some people recanted their confessions—and what that tells us about coercionFrom character witness statements to desperate pleas from prison, these historical documents reveal the human cost of mass hysteria and the courage it took to speak truth to power with nothing but ink and parchment.Plus: The meaningful modern connection—how middle schoolers in 2022 successfully petitioned to clear a victim's name, and why there's still a bill before Massachusetts legislature today.Perfect for history buffs, true crime fans, and anyone fascinated by how ordinary people navigate extraordinary circumstances.Keywords: Salem witch trials, historical petitions, spectral evidence, Mary Esty, colonial justice system, Massachusetts historySalem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem Website⁠The Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

The thing about witch hunts is what happens after can be just as revealing as the hunt itself. After 20 executions and over 150 arrests, Salem had a serious PR problem on its hands. How do you explain away one of colonial America's most notorious legal disasters? Simple: you control who gets to tell the story.But here's the thing about cover-ups—they rarely go according to plan. Join us as we dive into Salem's messy aftermath, where the real question wasn't who practiced witchcraft, but who was willing to admit they'd been wrong. Because the thing about truth is it has a funny way of surfacing, even when powerful people are trying their hardest to bury it.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch HuntsSign the Petition

What if history's most infamous witch hunt could have been stopped with just a few different decisions? We're examining the pivotal moments between January 1692 and May 1693 when someone—anyone—could have pumped the brakes on Salem's runaway train of accusations.From the shocking arrest of four-year-old Dorothy Good to Martha Carrier's unfortunate promotion to "Queen of Hell," we'll explore how escalating choices transformed a local crisis into colonial America's most notorious legal disaster. We'll meet the key players who either fanned the flames or tried to douse them—including Cotton Mather's mixed messages and Governor Phips' late-in-the-game reality check.Join us as we dissect the moments when cooler heads could have prevailed and discover how 45 residents of unlucky Andover got swept up in accusations that would make even the devil blush. Sometimes it takes a village—or several villages—to create a catastrophe.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Josh and Sarah tell the TL;DR version of the story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93, where 156 people faced formal accusations and over 1,000 became entangled in a legal system that had lost its moral compass. They examine what transformed a small Massachusetts community into the epicenter of mass persecution, from the unprecedented scale of the proceedings to the types of people targeted. This wasn’t just colonial paranoia—it was a perfect storm of social tensions, legal failures, and human frailty that contemporaries recognized as extraordinary even by their own standards. The hosts discuss why Salem continues to captivate us centuries later, serving as both historical cautionary tale and enduring reminder of how quickly justice can derail when fear takes the wheel.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

Sarah Good's final words to the minister who demanded her confession—"God will give you blood to drink"—would echo through Salem long after her death. In a community where everyday foods like butter, bread, and pudding became evidence of witchcraft, the line between nourishment and damnation blurred beyond recognition. Explore how Salem's fears transformed the most basic human need into suspicions of a pact with the devil, from spoiled butter that doomed a sea voyage to cheese found in an accused witch's pocket.Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription ProjectMassachusetts Court of Oyer and Terminer Documents, ⁠The Salem Witch Trials Collection, Peabody Essex MuseumRecords of the Salem Witch-HuntThe Thing About Salem YouTube⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website