Wilmot Redd was one of the accused individuals during the infamous Salem witch trials. Taking place in 1692, the Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. This dark period in American history was marked by widespread panic and paranoia, with many innocent individuals being accused and convicted of witchcraft based on little to no evidence. Wilmot Redd was a resident of Salem Village at the time and was accused of practicing witchcraft. It is unclear what evidence, if any, was presented against Redd, but like many others, she faced a biased and flawed legal system that assumed guilt rather than innocence. The Salem witch trials were characterized by mass hysteria and the belief in supernatural forces.
"Hidden" Town Jewels
Located next to Redd's Pond and with access from Orne Street, Old Burial Hill was the site of Marblehead's first "meeting house" or place of worship, where the dead were buried in the church-yard. Buried in Old Burial Hill are six hundred Revolutionary War dead including General John Glover, Marblehead's greatest Revolutionary War hero, who died in 1797.
Rail Road Right of Way
The rail road right of way, long abandoned by the Boston & Maine Railroad and now used primarily as a utility corridor, begins near the center of Marblehead, off Pleasant Street. The approximately four miles of trails are also used for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The right of way splits with one trail going into Salem and another trail heading towards Swampscott.
Redd's Pond
Located off Pond Street, Redd's Pond covers 1.81 acres and offers skating in the winter and model boat races in the summer. It is named for Wilmont "Mammy" Redd, a Marblehead woman accused and convicted of witchcraft in the Salem witch trials of 1692. According to legend, the pond, once used as the town's reservoir, is so deep that the bottom has never been found. The pond depth actually ranges from three to eleven feet.
Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the center of Marblehead Neck, the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and maintained by Massachusetts Audubon. Its swamp, thickets and woodlands are a haven for migratory birds, especially warblers, during the spring and fall migrations. The sanctuary is a mecca for birders; the discovery of rarities is not uncommon. The trails are open every day from dawn to dusk.
Salem Witch Trials
"… if you would find mercy of God, you must confess.
If I should confess this, I must confess what is false.
… If you will confess the truth, we desire nothing else that you may not hide [your] guilt, if you are guilty, and therefore confess if so.
I speak before God that I am clear from this accusation."
-From the Examination of Nehemiah Abbott, Jr.
"S. Do you not believe that his Spectre is seen afflicting by the person afflicted?
B. Supposing it; yet it doth not hence follow that he is the Witch.
S. We must grant that it is the Devil in the Spectre; but it is by the Parties consent, and therefore it proves him Guilty.
B. I know you all plead so; and tell us that the Devil cannot represent an Innocent person doing mischief, but never proved it; nor can we believe you."
-From Some Miscellany Observations on Our Present Debates Respecting Witchcraft: In a Dialogue Between S. & B.
"Monday, Sept. 19, 1692. About noon, at Salem, Giles Corey was pressíd to death for standing Mute; much pains was used with him two days, one after another, by the Court and Capt. Gardner of Nantucket who had been of his acquaintance: but all in vain."
- From the Diary of Samuel Sewall
The Salem witch trials were characterized by mass hysteria and the belief in supernatural forces. It is believed that the accusations and subsequent trials were fueled by various social, economic, and political factors, including religious fervor, tensions between different factions within the community, and the desire for power and control. The trials were often carried out in an unfair and unscientific manner, with spectral evidence and dreams being used as valid grounds for conviction.
A "Witch" in the Family
Both the accused and the accusers involved with the trials have left many descendants over the centuries since the events occurred. Many descendants have multiple accused witches in their ancestry, due in part to the tendency of the accused witches’ families to intermarry.
There are a lot of resources available for those who are descended from anyone involved in the trials and wish to learn more. Some are listed below, many more can be found in the Resources @ the BPL and the Other Resources sections of this guide.
For more information on researching your family tree, check out the BPL's Genealogy research guide.
Image Credit:
The Legend of Salem – The Rev. George Burroughs
Illustration for "Some Legends of the New England Coast," Part III
by Harriet Prescott Spofford
Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, v. 31, (1871 Feb. 4), p. 345
From the Salem Witch Museum, packets of information for each of the executed victims are available for sale
A listing of related links compiled by Cyndi's List From the New England Historical SocietyA male hereditary society created to honor the men and women who were accused of witchcraft in colonial America
From genealogist Robin C. MasonWilmot Redd was ultimately found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death. She was executed on July 19, 1692, along with several other individuals who were also accused and convicted during the trials. The executions marked the peak of the hysteria surrounding the Salem witch trials, but the aftermath of the trials continued to have a lasting impact on the community and colonial Massachusetts as a whole. In the years following the Salem witch trials, there was a growing realization of the errors and injustices that had occurred. In 1711, the colonial government officially exonerated the accused individuals and offered financial restitution to their families. This acknowledgment of the wrongful convictions and subsequent efforts to make amends reflected a shift in societal beliefs and values. The Salem witch trials serve as a chilling reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process and fairness in the legal system. The trials left an indelible mark on American history, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked fear and the persecution of innocent individuals. Wilmot Redd and the other accused individuals will forever be remembered as victims of a dark and tragic chapter in colonial America..
Reviews for "Wilmot Redd's Legacy: Understanding the Aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials"
1. Alex - 2/5 stars - The "Wilmot redd salem witch trials" was a disappointment for me. I found the storyline to be confusing and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. Overall, I felt let down by this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 1/5 star - I couldn't even finish reading "Wilmot redd salem witch trials" because it was so poorly written. The grammar and spelling mistakes were abundant, making it difficult to understand what the author was trying to convey. The dialogue was unnatural and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like a cheap attempt at capitalizing on the popularity of witch trials without any substance. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Wilmot redd salem witch trials" had an interesting premise but failed to deliver. The writing style was dull and lacked creativity. The author relied too heavily on clichés and the plot seemed predictable. The historical accuracy was also questionable, with several inaccuracies noted throughout the book. I had high hopes for this story but ultimately found it to be underwhelming.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was disappointed by "Wilmot redd salem witch trials". The character development was severely lacking, leaving me uninvested in the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the conversations between characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with slow moments that dragged on without adding anything substantial to the plot. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Zach - 1/5 star - "Wilmot redd salem witch trials" was a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and confusing, and the author failed to tie up loose ends or provide satisfactory explanations for certain events. The writing style was tedious and lacked any sort of flow. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the overall story. I definitely do not recommend this book.