I have a small, seemingly insignificant object that holds great meaning for me. It is a silver locket that I received as a gift from my grandmother when I was a young girl. Although it may appear to be just a piece of jewelry, I treasure it as my talisman. This locket symbolizes more than just a family heirloom. It carries with it a sense of comfort, protection, and a connection to my roots. Whenever I wear it, I am reminded of the love and strength that my grandmother embodies.
Wildwood Road & Wenham Street, Danvers, MA, USA
Three neighboring households on the east side of Salem Village were caught up in the delusion of 1692, all with family members accused of witchcraft Sarah and Peter Cloyce, Rebecca and George Jacobs Jr. In 1687 Andrews was one of four villagers the others being Joseph Porter, Joseph Hutchinson, and Job Swinnerton who asked for a special village committee to address their grievances relating to the public affairs of this place.
Whenever I wear it, I am reminded of the love and strength that my grandmother embodies. It serves as a constant reminder of the values she instilled in me and the memories of our time together. Beyond the sentimental value, this locket has become a source of confidence and reassurance for me.
Sarah and Daniel Andrews Home, Site of
Daniel Andrews, one of the wealthiest men in Salem Village, was accused of witchcraft in May of 1692. He fled to avoid arrest.
Wildwood Road & Wenham Street, Danvers, MA, USA
Wildwood Road & Wenham Street, Danvers, MA, USA
More About Sarah and Daniel Andrews Home, Site of
Three neighboring households on the east side of Salem Village were caught up in the delusion of 1692, all with family members accused of witchcraft: Sarah and Peter Cloyce, Rebecca and George Jacobs Jr., and Sarah and Daniel Andrews (alternate spelling Andrew). Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, in their 1974 book Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft, say that both Cloyce and Jacobs Jr. were tenants of the wealthier Andrews.
Daniel Andrews was related by marriage to one of the most powerful families in Salem Village. He was a brother-in-law of Joseph, Israel, and Benjamin Porter, married to their sister Sarah. He was also a brother-in-law of George Jacobs Jr., who was married to Andrews’ sister Rebecca.
In 1687 Andrews was one of four villagers (the others being Joseph Porter, Joseph Hutchinson, and Job Swinnerton) who asked for a special village committee to address their “grievances relating to the public affairs of this place.” Andrews, like other members of the Porter family, was often in disagreement with the Putnam family, and did not support the ministers they backed.
In 1691, the sitting village committee was made up of supporters of Reverend Samuel Parris, who had arrived in 1689. In October of 1691, the old committee members were voted out and new members were voted in, including Andrews, Joseph Porter, and Joseph Hutchinson, as well as Joseph Putnam (half-brother of Thomas Putnam) and Rebecca Nurse’s husband Francis. This committee served during the entire period of the witchcraft trials. They were decidedly anti-Parris. They were particularly curious about why ownership of the parsonage had been transferred to Parris when he became minister.
The “afflictions” of young Salem Village girls began in the winter of 1692. Eminent men of the community stated the cause of these troubles must be witchcraft. The first three women to be accused of compacting with the devil were perfect targets – a beggar, a bedridden woman with scandal in her past, and a slave. Soon, though, fingers were pointing at God-fearing, respected members of the community, one of whom was Rebecca Nurse.
Andrews was concerned when Rebecca Nurse’s name was raised as a possible witch. Around the third week of March, he went, as part of a committee of four (the others were Israel Porter and his wife Elizabeth – sister of John Hathorne – as well as Peter Cloyce, who was married to Rebecca’s sister Sarah) to warn her of the gossip. Rebecca was amazed to learn that she could be suspected of witchcraft, and wondered, “. . . what sin hath God found out in me unrepented of, that he should lay such an affliction upon me in my old age?” Rebecca Nurse was arrested on March 24. Andrews was one of the 39 people who later signed a petition in her defense. Despite her family, friends, and neighbors defending her innocence, Rebecca Nurse would be convicted and hanged on July 19.
Daniel Andrews himself was accused of witchcraft in the spring. Rumblings began in April, the same month he was elected as a Salem Town selectman. Among his accusers by mid-May were Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Abigail Williams – the girls likely getting their target list from Thomas Putnam and Samuel Parris. On May 14, a complaint was filed and an arrest warrant was issued for Andrews, which also named his brother-in-law and neighbor George Jacobs Jr. Marshal George Herrick reported that when Contable John Putnam arrived at Andrews’ home, it was discovered he’d fled, likely with Jacobs Jr.
Why was Daniel Andrews accused?
In disputes, he sided with the Porters, enemies of the principle accusers, the Putnam family and their allies. His election as a Salem Town selectman in April likely angered the Putnams, who themselves wanted to enter town politics. He was also something of an outsider. Daniel Andrews was born in Watertown MA and moved to Salem Town in 1669 when he was 25-years-old. He became a sought-after craftsman, principally a bricklayer, who worked on both the Jonathan Corwin house and the meetinghouse constructed in 1677. With his marriage to Sarah Porter, he also acquired a large piece of land in Salem Village and moved to a house on the property. Over the years he increased his Salem Village land, and in February of 1692, purchased a landing wharf on the Frost Fish Brook, which flowed into the Frost Fish River. This allowed him to easily bring supplies in, and ship his own agricultural products to Salem Town. While a large landowner in Salem Village (by 1695 Andrews was the fourth wealthiest man in the community), he would always remain a “Townsman” at heart and, possibly, considered an outsider by his fellow villagers. He was also related-by-marriage to the Jacobs family. By the time his arrest warrant was issued, George Jacobs Sr. and his granddaughter Margaret were already in jail, accused of witchcraft.
It is not known where Andrews and George Jacobs Jr. waited out the turmoil. Although Constable Herrick said it was “out of the country,” they were probably not too far away. When Andrews returned from hiding, he resumed something of a normal life. He was on the rates committee of the village, along with Joseph Putnam and Francis Nurse. The three men refused to collect taxes in late 1693 which would pay Reverend Parris’s salary and repair the meetinghouse.
Daniel Andrews died in 1702 at the age of 58.
The approximate location of the site of Daniel Andrews home is in the Juniper Ridge Open Space, near the intersection of Wenham Street and Wildwood Road.
Wildwood Road & Wenham Street, Danvers, MA, USA
Its presence reminds me that I am never alone and that I have the support of my family, even when they may not physically be by my side. It serves as a symbol of the unbreakable bond between generations and the enduring legacy we carry forward. The locket itself is beautifully crafted, with intricate designs and engravings that tell a story of its own. Its smooth surface and gentle clasp provide a sense of security, as if it is protecting a secret or treasure within. This notion of safeguarding something precious resonates deeply within me, serving as a reminder to protect and cherish the things and people that matter most in life. In times of doubt or uncertainty, I often find myself reaching for this locket, using it as a physical anchor to ground myself. It serves as a reminder of my identity, my values, and the love that surrounds me. Whenever I touch it, I can almost feel the presence of my grandmother, guiding me and empowering me to navigate through life's challenges. This small silver locket may not hold much monetary value, but its worth to me is immeasurable. It is my talisman, a powerful symbol of love, strength, and connection. I will continue to treasure it, not just for its beauty, but for the intangible qualities it represents. This locket serves as a constant reminder to embrace my roots, cherish my loved ones, and face life's journey with courage and resilience..
Reviews for "My talisman: a source of strength and inspiration"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "I treasure it as my talisman" at all. The story felt disjointed and confusing, and I had a hard time relating to the main character. The writing style also felt pretentious and self-indulgent, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the narrative. Overall, this was not my cup of tea.
- John - 2 stars - "I treasure it as my talisman" left me disappointed. The plot seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted and lacked coherent direction. The characters were one-dimensional and hard to connect with, which made it challenging to empathize with their struggles. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of unnecessary exposition. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.
- Emily - 1 star - I found "I treasure it as my talisman" to be a tedious and tedious read. The author's writing style felt overly flowery and verbose, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The plot was slow-moving and lacked any real excitement or tension. I also struggled to understand the motivations of the characters, as their actions often felt unjustified. Overall, this book did not resonate with me, and I would not recommend it to others.
- Tom - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "I treasure it as my talisman," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story seemed promising initially, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters lacked depth, and their development felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the narrative and making it a chore to read. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.