Thursday, October 27, 2011

John Proctor: First Male Accused Witch


John Proctor was a successful farmer and the first male to be named a witch during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

When the hysteria first began in Salem village, Proctor believed the young girls accusing many of the villagers of witchcraft were frauds and liars. He spoke openly against the accusations and scoffed at the idea of witchcraft. When his own young servant, Mary Warren, began having fits and behaving strangely, Proctor beat the girl in an attempt to get her to behave...Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/john-proctor-first-male-accused-witch/

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sarah Good: Accused Witch


Sarah Good was one of the first women to be accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. A homeless, and pregnant, beggar who would often wander door to door asking for handouts while her husband worked as a day laborer, Good was a prime target for the accusation of witchcraft in the small Puritan-run town where nonconformity was frowned upon...Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/sarah-good-accused-witch/

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Curse of Giles Corey


Giles Corey was a successful farmer from Salem village when he was suddenly accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The 80-year-old farmer was never convicted because he died a slow, agonizing death while being tortured by Sheriff Corwin. During the torture, Giles shouted ”Damn you! I curse you and Salem” at the sheriff before dying...Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-curse-of-giles-corey/

Monday, October 10, 2011

Bridget Bishop: Witch or Easy Target?


Bridget Bishop, one of the first victims of the Salem Witch Trials, had been accused of witchcraft by more people than any other victim. Since Bishop had a bad reputation around town, wore a flashy red bodice instead of modest puritan clothing, ran a tavern and quarreled often with her previous husband and neighbors, it came as no surprise to the townspeople of Salem when she was accused of being a witch...Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/bridget-bishop-witch-or-easy-target/

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Historic Lyceum Restaurant, Former Site of Bridget Bishop's Apple Orchard, Recently Renovated


The historic Lyceum restaurant, built on top of the former site of Bridget Bishop's apple orchard, has recently been renovated and renamed 43 Church (after it's location at 43 Church street). The building is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Bridget Bishop, the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials, and the restaurant has been featured on many paranormal shows such as Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters...Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/historic-lyceum-restaurant-former-site-of-bridget-bishops-apple-orchard-recently-renovated/

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Participants of the Boston Tea Party


Although considered heroic and brave by many, the names of participants in the Boston Tea Party remained a secret for years in order to protect them from persecution by the British government. Destroying the tea was an act of treason punishable by death. Some of the men were also from distinguished families who did not want to be associated with such illegal activity. Theses rebellious colonists were mostly members of the Sons of Liberty, but some were random citizens who had joined the group en route to the harbor. To protect their identities, tea party participants disguised themselves as Native Americans complete with ragged clothes, makeup and mohawks and refrained from acknowledging each other during the act....Click here to read more: http://historyofmassachusetts.org/participants-of-the-boston-tea-party/