More than Salem and more than Hocus Pocus, The interesting truth about witches in American History will fascinate, and probably disturb you a little. (rightly so) The witch stories of early America are downright frightening, but not for the reasons you might believe.
Witches Before Europeans
Many Native American tribes had stories and lore about a woman with special powers. Tribes vary in their stories as to whether the woman is a wise woman or someone with nefarious intent. (like a proverbial witch)
For example, Squant of the Wampanoag was a tiny grandmother whose emotions were tied to the sea. Severe storms meant she was arguing with her husband. Witch?
Then there are the Seminole stories of Stikini who are indeed evil and transformed into owl beings. They would vomit up their souls at night and go feed on human hearts. Terrifying.
And the witch stories go on. They are as rich and varied as the 500 nations that existed here originally.
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Salem Witch Trials
The famous Salem Witch Trials…
By July 1692 the witch hunt surrounding the towns of Salem and Salem Village had already been raging for months. There was even a special court established to try suspected witches that had been well used. It seemed as there was a lull with no new arrests for almost six weeks. Residents could almost exhale believing the witch crisis would soon be over. Almost…
Almost…
The Andover Witch Hunt of 1692
In nearby Andover a middle aged woman lay gravely ill. Her husband naturally suspected witchcraft as the culprit to the origins of the illness. He invited the famed afflicted girls from Salem Village to town to determine if his suspicions were valid. No surprise when they confirmed it. The young ladies were really enjoying their unique rise to fame and the power that came with it.
NOTE: Think about it, these girls who would otherwise be ‘property’ at the time in a staunch puritan society rose to Kardashian fame and notoriety just because of their witch accusations. People loved and feared them. (Also kind of like the Kardashians) They were teenagers…with power. Power that was waning since Salem witch trials were near over but…
Here We Go Again…
Witch Accusations on Steroids
The first person the girls accused of being a witch not only confessed but stated there were more than three hundred witches in the region! This was FIVE TIMES the number of suspects already in jail! Thus a new wave of witch accusations, confessions, formal accusations, and deaths kicked off and Salem, Salem Village, Andover and all of Essex County went into American history infamy and the American witch stories have fascinated and terrified us since.
In the Shadow of Salem
In the Shadow of Salem is the most complete account of the largest ‘supernatural’ crisis in American History I have read to date. Richard Hite does an excellent job at setting the stage to the witch hysteria that plagued our early nation. Much detail is given to explaining things like how belief in witchcraft was the norm of the time. Understanding the psyche of the people, the position of gender, rivalries, and the political agendas of locals are key to unlocking the truth of what actually happened and why.
As fascinating as the witch stories themselves are, it is also worth mentioning the pattern leading to accusation, trial, conviction etc, is a pattern we see today in modern culture in many forms really. The accusations may be different (not of being a witch) but the parallels are there. Spooky and worth taking the time to learn and understand lest history repeat itself. I mean, how does that saying go? Those who don’t learn their history are doomed to repeat it? Almost like a witches curse…
The Witch Hysteria Solution
I found it so interesting that is was the townspeople themselves who finally put an end to the witch trials. It took them a while to be sure but once they decided enough was enough, they banded together, defended and stood by each other, and put an end to a devastating American trend. To grab a phrase from the book, ‘Andover provided the organized opposition that the region needed to put out the blaze that the town helped to ignite in the first place.’ The town paid a terrible price but no other New England community fell to such disaster again.
My Thoughts on American Witch Stories
I loved this book, In the Shadow of Salem. After I read it I watched this dramatization (link below) and it helped to further bring to life what Hite wrote so well. The two pieces together provide an excellent foundation in understanding witches in American History.
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Witch Stories in the rest of American History
Witches weren’t really a thing in the 1700’s and 1800’s. My sense of it is that people were still reeling from the stories and aftermath of Salem and the surrounding areas. It was very recent history for them and many of them had family directly involved in the witch hysteria so those stories still had profound and intimate lessons.
Other factors included the fact that early American people were dealing with wars (French and Indian War, American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War) and so attentions were simply diverted elsewhere. Like survival and um, survival. Witch accusations just weren’t important.
Witches in the Early 1900s
In the 1900’s however…Ladies’ Magazines were all the rage and with the new era came a new lens to look at witches, the American witch in particular. Witches suddenly were not depicted as terrifying maidens of hell but rather beautiful and even, dare we say it…alluring. This was marketed as part of the ambiance in throwing perfect Halloween parties or balls. (Which was a VERY big deal at the time)
Witches go Hollywood
In the 1960’s when everyone else was going through cultural revolutions, so did American witches. Being a witch became mysterious, and even fun.
Witch stories became part of the American vernacular. The Crucible play came out and Bewitched was super popular. This was a game changer and the town of Salem, who had held its head low in historical shame for years found a new sense of pride and commerce in celebrating witches in a sometimes campy and very commercial way.
Boil Boil Toil and Feminism
Witches in American History wouldn’t be complete without acknowledgment of groups formed in the 1970s and later like Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell, Women Interested in Toppling Consumer Holidays, and Women Inspired to Tell Their Collective History. These groups all have their own doctrines and agenda, many of them performing witchy publicity stunts. (Look at the acronyms…they all spell WITCH or WITCHES)
Collectives and groups have popped up all over the place practicing Wiccan traditions as well. Some of these are formal groups and gatherings and some are not. There is even an American Council of Witches that came up with agreed upon Principles of Wiccan Belief.
Witches in the Modern Era
Witches today run the gamut from political ideology to religious to fantastical. There is very little of the grave American and Europen history involved in a modern witchery.
Today you can buy a spell on Etsy or you can align yourself with witchcraft as a modern display of feminism. One only has to jump online to find local events, covens, and festivals. And usually, all are welcome, witch or not.
Salem, of course, embraces their legacy and has a thriving tourism market as well as many modern witches from all walks as described above.
And I haven’t even touched on the phenomenon of Harry Potter. We have books and movies and theme parks. It’s so big, author JK Rowling has recently brought America into the world she’s created and brought in some of our own rich witch history, stories, and legends.
The Annual Witches Brunch
One thing we do every year as a family is put on a Witches’ Brunch. We do this as a fun way to celebrate the season but also recognize witches in American History.
Like Pirate Day, it’s a fun event that is low key but often has some stimulating discussion. Plus we just like to dress up and go do something that is ridiculous fun therefore creating our own stories and you should too!
So far, I’ve been able to trace a couple of lines to Essex County, MA. One of my ancestors appears to be a founding father of Salem. I have not yet been able to connect the names with the famed witch trials but with so many accusers and accused, it is foolish to think This Family wasn’t involved in some way.
The real question will be what side of the noose did my family land on?
Across The Pond
Now that you know the stories of witches in America, I bet you have a whole lot more questions. Well, THIS LINK RIGHT HERE will take you to my sister blog across the pond and she will tell you all about the witch hysteria in England. Taken together it’s a great view of what the world looked like many many moons ago.
Want to play witch?
Another interesting way to learn a little witch history in a fun and unique way.
Grab Your Broom and Join This Family
This is what the blog is all about. Some history, some fun, some unexpected, occasionally ridiculous….all celebrating and learning about this country called America! Won’t you join us? I promise there is no creepy ceremony.
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Guess What?! We Got An Award!
Within hours of posting this article, we found out This Family Blog is number 19 in Top 100 Family Lifestyle Blogs on Feedspot!!!! The result of hard work, luck, or maybe a little witch magic… we’ll never know for sure but we sure are grateful!
Insert me cackling like a witch here. 😉
Congratulations on your award! History is interesting. Make you wonder about today and accusations.
This is absolutely fabulous!!! I know many modern day witches who are amazing and beautiful.
Love reading about history and I do have a small curiosity about the accounts that talk about witches, but I’ve never been a huge fan of the topic. This is a pretty interesting read, though. Thanks for sharing.
Brilliant article. It’s such an interesting time in world history, the concept of witches.My dad tells me that I actually have some great great aunt that was burned at the stake for being a witch in Salem maybe I have some witchy blood in me…?
I’ve always been fascinated by the Salem witch trials and real history behind it. Now I need to get this book!!!
Even though my career was teaching high school math, my undergrad degree was in history. Fascinating post!
What a fascinating post with lots of interesting facts! Its really horrible how out of control the witch trials got. Perfect post for this time of year!
Never knew some of this! Thanks for sharing! My sister wants to visit Salem so bad!
We live right next to Salem and we’ve done all the witch stuff. It’s very interesting and this month it’s really a magical town.
Witches are a fun idea and to dress up like one too. Interesting history on witches, Hollywood does well with witch characters
Awesome post. Our family visited Salem in May and was fascinated with its history. Our 90-minute walking tour turned into 3 hours because our guide had so much historical knowledge and enjoyed answering all of our endless questions. He even introduced us to one of the modern witches that we bumped into on the street. She was a direct descendent of one of those accused during the witch trials. Such a travesty in our history. Did you know Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne’s great-great-grandfather was a leading judge in the trials? The author added a W to his last name to distance him from that legacy. It’ll be cool to hear about your family’s heritage.
I’m a historian and this is awesome! 😀 Thanks!
Fascinating topic, perfect for this time of year.
Fascinating! It’s hard to believe that the witch scare in Salem and surrounding areas could happen. I’m glad that witches are meant for fun nowadays!
Great article. I live 40 mins south of Salem, MA and have been many times. I love learning all about witches. It is fascinating to me.
Very interesting to learn stories of witches in America. I love learning more about historical yet unique topics like this one!
SO many great American witch stories! And every year we do witches brunch, we create a new witch story! LOL I’m glad you are a fan of the blog! Happy to have you along for all our stories Pam 😉
Interesting read on American witches! Thanks for sharing these stories!
Yes witches history and the true stories of witches in America are truly fascinating and somewhat heart breaking really. None the less, an important piece of our history we should all take the time to learn so the stories are not repeated.
I have to say I never gave much thought to witches. This is really interesting. Thanks!
well I’m glad I gave you something to think about! That is what we aim to do here. Bite size bits of American history and interesting ways to explore and experience it. Witch stories are always interesting, especially when it’s the truth.
I think the history of witches is so interesting love this..
Glad you enjoyed a bit about witch stories in American history! I believe there is a great more fascinating stories to delve into when it comes to witches in America but taken in broad strokes, the history of witches in America in general is just amazing.
Such an interesting read! That time seems so unreal and yet it had so much historical impact. And you are right! Sometimes it seems we haven’t learned much at all about wrongly accusing others and creating hysteria! I’m grateful I didn’t live in those times. With my love of gardening and herbs, I fear I would have been labeled as a witch!
HAHAHA I have thought that very same thing myself! I have grown and also collected things in the wild to use as medicines and I am pretty sure I’d be another American with story too. It’s so crazy what a ‘mob mentality’ in isolation can convince itself of. I think each of these ‘witch stories’ would be interesting to delve into on a personal basis. What makes a witch has been redefined over the years depending on motivation and agenda but witch stories are always fascinating, regardless of the time in history.
Very fun, interesting and informative read. I never knew about so many stories.
I’m so glad you enjoyed! Yes History of witches is very interesting. It’s a creepy time in our American history for sure but important we learn the truth behind it and re discover the stories that have made us who we are are. Plus witches are just fun.
I had no idea there were so many witch stories!
It’s incredibly fascinating isn’t it? As to stories of witches in American History, I think I’ve scratched the surface but be sure to check out the link to the history of witches in Europe. Together they create a unique window into witch history in general.
Wow, that was not only really interesting, but it was really fun to read. Thanks.
Perfect! Success!! That is the aim of the blog…informative and entertaining and inspiration for fun and interesting ways to explore and experience American History! Witches History is very interesting… and weirdly applicable to just about any time in history.
This is so fascinating! I find this type of history so interesting and love to read about it!
I hope you will consider subscribing to our blog! It’s pretty much what we are all about….interesting American History and fun ways to explore it… witches and so much more!!
I didn’t realize there was so much history about witches. You are never educated about those when you are youngjud – only cartoons and movies.
I find that true about a great deal of our own American History, not just witches. It is a shame because we have some fascinating stories throughout our history in America. My aim is to tell some of them and interesting ways to learn and experience them. Witches is just the tip of the iceberg 🙂
Interesting stuff! I admittedly do hope to go Salem this summer, and I want to see the Hocus Pocus stuff. But the other facts are interesting, too. I teac the Crucible, and it’s interesting how much you can relate the events to different times in history, including present-day headlines. I enjoyed reading this!
Oh me too! We are big fans of Hocus Pocus! But I want to see it all, being the American History buffs we are. My cousin thinks when we visit I’ll never want to leave LOL I have to admit, dressing up like witches…interpreting American History in such an interesting time and place…yeah… I could do that for years
Fascinating! We’ve been trying to decide for week whether Mary Poppins would be considered a witch or not? LOL What do you think?
You know… we have had this very discussion several times! I say yes… she is indeed magical! Does that make her a witch? Not all witches have to look like they came from Oz! But she certainly has all the boxes checked off… If she was doing her Mary Poppins thing in 1642 Salem 1000% she would be accused… I think definition of witch changes through time but also in America or Europe. They stopped persecuting in Europe before here so depending on the time and place, she could be an American witch or just a special lady in England? She certainly has good stories!
As a witch myself, I got nervous reading the title of your post only because so many people get it wrong. For me it’s not about feminism or anything like that, it’s about finding peace in nature and that sort of thing. I do like that you put more of the history twist to it. Great article overall.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I have had more then one friend over the years who was a witch. It seems to me that like many labels it is a bit of a catch all and does not mean the same thing for everyone who claims it as their own. That is what I find fascinating…how things have changed in the 400 years of witches in American history and I expect it will change more as time goes on. I’m interested in sharing stories, not perpetuating any stereotype or incorrect info so it means a great deal to me you enjoyed. Thank you.
Great history on witches! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Thank you for reading! American witch stories are fascinating aren’t they? I think I could do a whole series just on the individual witch stories throughout American history.
Love your tradition of dressing up for brunch! Sounds like so much fun 🙂 Thank you too for all of the history!
We’re going this weekend if you want to join 😉
Witches Brunch is a super fun tradition and a great way to get bite size American History into conversations. Glad you enjoyed the history.
Wow, I never knew there was so much history on witches in America. Thank you for sharing.
American witch stories is quite the history indeed! And three are many more stories just touched on here in this article. I mean, who doesn’t love a good witch story come Halloween?
Best thing I’ve read all month, hands down. Love this!
Thank you Matt! That is a heck of a compliment and I appreciate it! There are a million great stories in American history…not just of witches 😉 I hope you’ll explore more on the site. It’s all American history and fun ways to learn and explore it.
I have some friends who live right by the cemetery in Salem. Pretty crazy witch stories there! But this article is definitely interesting. wow!
Oh yes… many witch stories in Salem for sure! I’d be interested to hear the stories from your friends..I be they have some! American history if brought with fascinating stories about witches and so much more!
I enjoyed reading this. So interesting!
Isn’t the history of witches fascinating? Not just American… there is a link to a fellow blogger who wrote a excellent complementary piece to history of witches in Europe. Together the articles give a pretty great peek at the time of witch hysteria in America and Europe.
I had no idea there was such a long history of witches. Thank you for sharing.
Glad to hear you enjoyed and learned something 🙂 Yes America is full of stories of witches and other outcasts throughout history. Be sure to check out the link to witch stores in Europe too. Together the blog stories work to provide a great history of witches throughout time. fascinating.
The history of witches is crazy to me. I loved reading about it!
Yeah the history of witches is kind of crazy. Especially the American stories!!! I barely touched on all the witch stories in Salem, so many more… The history of American witches and their stories could really be its own entire blog.
This is very interesting. The Witches Brunch sounds like so much fun too! Thanks for sharing all this history with us!
The witches brunch is a riot. It’s bite size American history, good witch stories, and just a ton of fun! Glad you enjoyed the history. I hope you can turn it into a fun experience for you and yours!
Extremely interesting. I am a history major and I love this read because we know history books are not always correct with every detail. Loved it.
It’s so true. I find many of the really interesting stories somehow got left out of the history books (like the truth behind the witches in America). The aim of this blog is to give fun and interesting ways to explore American history, like that of American witches, and encourage people to experience it for themselves and make their own conclusions. I’m really glad you enjoyed and hope you’ll like some other articles as well.
My daughter is into reading about Salem and witches, must be that time of year.
indeed it is…although good witch stories are always in season, aren’t they? And I really love the American ones.
What an amazing history – certainly going to read more about this (perfect for October reading!)
Check out the book mentioned above. It’s a wonderful read. And I’m giving one away….
Update…we have other articles up about witches and spooky American History. I hope you’ll enjoy those interesting reads too!
How fascinating to read especially the Salem Witch Trials and the history behind it. And what better way to celebrate it than having the Witches Brunch 🙂 What a cool idea!
Witch stories are always fun! Although the history behind them is also heart breaking, especially the American ones. Yeah, Witches Brunch is a hoot! and a great way to come up with witch stories of our own!!! A cackling good time!
As a huge history nerd, I found this post to be both interesting, and a little bit creepy! Haha! I loved it, and your website is great!
Why thank you Ellen! Glad you took some time to check us out! I’m a huge American History nerd and love to write about interesting ways to learn it and experience it. Witches are a real part of our American history and make for great stories and travel. I hope you’ll enjoy exploring some of the other American History articles and videos.
What a fun and educational post! I never really had read anything like this before! Thanks I enjoyed it!
Thank you Holly! I love writing about American History and interesting and fun ways to experience it. I think we all have a little fascination with witches, especially around Halloween. Witches are a very real part of our American History
I have always been fascinated with spooky history. Such a fun read! Thanks for sharing =)
I think a lot of people are interested in Witches. You can’t help but get sucked in to a good witch story like this… It makes it even more interesting and meaningful that its truth and real American History.