Before Salem: Witch Hunting in the Connecticut River Valley, 1647-1663

by Richard S. Ross III

Overview

Decades before the Salem Witch trials, 11 people were hanged as witches in the Connecticut River Valley. The advent of witch hunting in New England was directly influenced by the English Civil War and the witch trials in England led by Matthew Hopkins, who pioneered "techniques" for examining witches.

This history examines the outbreak of witch hysteria in the Valley, focusing on accusations of demonic possession, apotropaic magic and the role of the clergy.

Although the hysteria was eventually quelled by a progressive magistrate unwilling to try witches, accounts of the trials later influenced contemporary writers during the Salem witch hunts. The source of the document "Grounds for Examination of a Witch" is identified.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476666488
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/22/2017
Pages:	344
Sales rank:	624,804
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Richard S. Ross III is a retired college librarian and professor emeritus from Trinity College. His scholarly interests include 19th- and 20th-century German history. He lives in Broad Brook (East Windsor), Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
 1. The English Civil War and the Revival of Witch Hunting in England
 2. The “old serpent” Disturbs the Peace of the New England Churches
 3. Settling Windsor in the New England Wilderness
 4. Conditions in Windsor Increase the Fear of Satan
 5. Old England and the Origins of Witchcraft in New England
 6. “The devil is amongst thee now”
 7. “Ah! Witch! Ah! Witch!”
 8. “The Devill will have you quick”
 9. A More Compassionate Magistracy
10. “A world of sin was doubtlessly committed”
11. “The Glory is departed, & Evill come upon the people of God”
12. Demonic Possession and the Witch Hysteria in Hartford
13. “They seeke my inocent blood”
Appendix: Grounds for Examination of a Witch
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Ross’s description of New England society is superb...a valuable addition to the vast historical literature relating to witchcraft. A well-researched and well-written account of a forgotten witch-hunt”—Fortean Times.

From the Publisher