The Andover witch trials accusations are part of the larger narrative of the Salem witch trials that took place in Massachusetts in the late 17th century. The Andover witch trials are significant because they shed light on the widespread fear, paranoia, and hysteria that gripped the communities of the Massachusetts Bay Colony during this period. In the spring of 1692, the town of Andover experienced a surge in accusations of witchcraft, mirroring the events that were occurring in nearby Salem. These accusations originated from a group of young girls who began exhibiting unusual behavior, including fits, spasms, and claims of being possessed by witches. The allegations quickly spread throughout the community, resulting in numerous arrests and trials. Many individuals in Andover found themselves facing accusations of witchcraft, including both men and women.
Andover’s many waterways, including the Shawsheen River (alternate spelling Shawshin, meaning “Great Spring”) made the area ideal for the establishment of grist-mills, saw-mills, textile-mills, paper-mills and more, from the mid-1600s until the 1950s. Brothers John and Joseph Ballard (who would both play roles in the witchcraft trials) were operating a mill on the Shawsheen River by 1689. In the 1920s, the American Woolen Company operated its mills in Shawsheen Village, listed since 1979 in the National Register of Historic Places.
Andover s many waterways, including the Shawsheen River alternate spelling Shawshin, meaning Great Spring made the area ideal for the establishment of grist-mills, saw-mills, textile-mills, paper-mills and more, from the mid-1600s until the 1950s. , who escaped execution because she was pregnant at the time of her conviction and was later reprieved; widow Ann Foster , who died in jail while awaiting execution; Reverend Francis Dane s granddaughter, Elizabeth Johnson Jr.
Many individuals in Andover found themselves facing accusations of witchcraft, including both men and women. The accused were often those who were seen as outsiders or who had strained relationships within the community. One of the most significant aspects of the Andover witch trials was the role of the afflicted girls.
Welcome to Andover
In 1692, Andover consisted of present-day Andover, North Andover, and the part of Lawrence that is on the south side of the Merrimack River. More people were accused of witchcraft in Andover than in any other Essex County town during the 1692 witchcraft trials.
More About Welcome to Andover
Andover was established in 1642 by John Woodbridge and other English settlers from nearby Ipswich and Newbury. It was incorporated in 1646 and likely named after the English town of Andover, in the county of Hampshire, where some of the earliest settlers originated.
The center of the original town of Andover was on the northeast side, where the meeting house and burying ground were located (see North Andover for more information). By the early 1700s, families living to the south and west no longer wanted to travel the long distance to attend meeting, and so a South Parish Church and “burying-yard” were established in 1710, followed by a West Parish Church and burying ground in 1826. In 1854, the south and west parishes together assumed the name Andover, while the north parish became North Andover.
Some 350 Andover men headed for Lexington in April, 1775, at the start of the Revolutionary War. They missed that crucial battle but did take part in the Battle of Bunker Hill two months later. Among the Andover representatives to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779-80 was Samuel Phillips Jr., who founded Phillips Academy in 1778. This elite prep school, the oldest incorporated academy in the United States, counts among its alumni Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush; authors Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Ring Lardner Jr., and Stacy Schiff; magazine publishers John F. Kennedy Jr. and Jane Pratt; historian Michael Beschloss; actors Jack Lemmon and Olivia Wilde; US Congressman Seth Moulton; landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead; pediatrician Benjamin Spock; and FBI Director Christopher Wray. Actor Humphrey Bogart was expelled from Phillips Academy in 1918.
Andover was home to several abolitionists, and had at least two stops on the Underground Railroad before and during the Civil War. Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, lived in Andover for twelve years (1852-1864) while her husband, Reverend Calvin Stowe, was Professor of Sacred Literature at the Andover Theological Seminary. The house where they lived was relocated to 80 Bartlet Street in 1929. The couple, along with their son Henry, who drowned while a student at Dartmouth College, are buried in the Chapel Cemetery at Phillips Academy. Six hundred Andover men served during the Civil War. The Memorial Hall Library on North Main Street was built in 1873 in memory of the 53 men who died in that war.
Andover’s many waterways, including the Shawsheen River (alternate spelling Shawshin, meaning “Great Spring”) made the area ideal for the establishment of grist-mills, saw-mills, textile-mills, paper-mills and more, from the mid-1600s until the 1950s. Brothers John and Joseph Ballard (who would both play roles in the witchcraft trials) were operating a mill on the Shawsheen River by 1689. In the 1920s, the American Woolen Company operated its mills in Shawsheen Village, listed since 1979 in the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, Andover is a prosperous community, with a population of approximately 36,500 people. It is bordered by the Merrimack River and Lawrence to the north; by North Andover to the northeast; by North Reading and Wilmington to the south; and by Tewksbury to the southwest. Route 28 is the main road from north to south, Routes 495 and Route 93 intersect in the western part of town, and Route 133 is another main thoroughfare.
Three people from Andover were hanged for witchcraft in 1692. Two, Martha Carrier and Samuel Wardwell, lived in present-day Andover, while Mary Parker lived in present-day North Andover. Five more Andover residents were convicted of witchcraft: the daughter of Andover’s Reverend Francis Dane, Abigail Faulkner Sr., who escaped execution because she was pregnant at the time of her conviction and was later reprieved; widow Ann Foster, who died in jail while awaiting execution; Reverend Francis Dane’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Johnson Jr., who was reprieved; Mary Lacy Sr., the daughter of Ann Foster, who was reprieved; and Sarah Wardwell, the wife of the executed Samuel Wardwell, who was convicted in January of 1693, but was reprieved by Governor William Phips. Altogether, 45 people from Andover were accused of witchcraft in 1692, more than any other Essex County town.
The Plan of Andover in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Essex County, 1692, created by The Historical Societies of Andover and North Andover, was of enormous help in researching Andover sites.
They played a central role in identifying and accusing individuals of witchcraft, often providing dramatic testimony that influenced the outcome of the trials. The power and influence of these girls were fueled by the collective fear and belief in witchcraft that permeated society at the time. However, unlike the Salem witch trials, the Andover trials did not result in any executions. Instead, those found guilty of witchcraft in Andover were subjected to imprisonment or banishment from the town. This may be due to the fact that the Andover community was more reluctant to resort to extreme measures compared to Salem. The Andover witch trials serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the scapegoating of individuals during times of fear and uncertainty. They highlight the immense power of belief and the potential consequences when that belief becomes unshakeable. These trials were a dark chapter in American history, but they also serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining rationality and questioning the actions and beliefs of society..
Reviews for "The Andover Witch Trials: A Dark Period of Mass Hysteria"
- Lily - 1/5 stars - I found the book "Andover witch trials accusations" to be incredibly dull and uninspiring. The characters were shallow and lacked development, and the plot itself was predictable and uninteresting. The author failed to create a sense of suspense or mystery surrounding the accusations, making the whole story quite dull. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.
- John - 2/5 stars - "Andover witch trials accusations" had an interesting premise, but it fell flat in execution. The writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Moreover, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The book left me feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more complexity and nuance in the storytelling.
- Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Andover witch trials accusations", but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The plot was scattered and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow along. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further detracting from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I was quite disappointed with this read and wouldn't recommend it.