My Steady is a Witch I never thought I would find myself in a relationship with a witch. It all started innocently enough - a chance encounter at a coffee shop. She had an aura of mystery about her, with long flowing hair and piercing green eyes. I was instantly captivated. As our relationship progressed, I began to notice odd occurrences happening around me. Objects would move without explanation, and strange noises would fill the air.
This did little to untangle the situation; within days, the bewitched girls named four more members of the community, including a fine upstanding woman, Rebecca Nurse, and a five-year-old girl named Dorcas Good. (Dorcas was eventually released after four months, but, accordingly to her father, was traumatized into imbecility for the rest of her life.) In March and April, the frenzy of accusation spread through the community like kerosene in a hayloft. Untold locals of Salem Village stepped forward to proclaim that they saw their neighbors flying through the air, or signing the book of Satan, or talking to animals, or wreaking subtle havoc on their property or livestock. Dozens more, including the Proctors, were brought in to be examined by local magistrates—almost always in the presence of the frenzied accusers—sometimes stripped and searched for “witchmarks,” and imprisoned. Amazingly, according to the custom of the time, the accused were billed for their “lodging” in jail.
This opened the door to his own original thinking about the story; he arrived at the subtext through his own life and marriage and he nestled his story in the middle of his own strong feelings about the witch hunt of his own time during the McCarthy era and the House Committee for Un-American Activities. In addition to the Salem Witch Museum great gift shop, by the way , there is the Salem Witch Village, the Salem Witch Wax Museum, and, in a truly breathtaking flight literally of fancy, Count Dracula s Castle.
Objects would move without explanation, and strange noises would fill the air. At first, I dismissed these as coincidences or figments of my imagination. Little did I know, my steady was the cause of these peculiar happenings.
Committed to a witch
Detail from the book, England's grievance discovered, in relation to the coal-trade. by Ralph Gardiner, 1655, "Many poor women imprisoned and hanged for witches" - New York Public Library Digital Collections, Rare Book Division
by Andy Piascik
It was one of the most shameful episodes in the long history of Connecticut. It was a period when superstition, patriarchy, and religion-fueled repression were bedrock features of colonial life. It lasted several decades and preceded the more famous cases in Salem, Massachusetts, by almost fifty years. This was witchcraft and witch-hunting in 17th-century Connecticut.
Witchcraft as a Crime in Connecticut
While witchcraft had been practiced around the world for centuries, there was no formal mention of it in the colony of Connecticut until it became a crime punishable by death in 1642. Historical interpretations and general theories as to why people targeted others as witches tend to focus on the difficulty of life in the New World. Settlers from England had, by 1642, experienced a great deal of hardship that fed feelings of hostility toward the natural world, as well as to anyone within the community who did not strictly conform to harsh social and personal mores. Disease epidemics, starvation, and winters colder and longer than those experienced in England were just some of the problems settlers faced. Perhaps more important, though, were the relations with local indigenous peoples which sometimes fueled violent encounters and promoted fear and anxiety within colonial settlements.
For its part, patriarchal views of women as second-class citizens sometimes manifested itself in accusations of witchcraft. The majority of those executed as witches, both in Connecticut and elsewhere, were poor women, sometimes single mothers, living on the margins of society. Although men committed the overwhelming percentage of crimes (moral and otherwise), legislation pertaining to moral crimes largely directed itself at policing the behavior of women. Legislators and religious figures were, by definition, all men, and it was women who bore the brunt of social and religious intolerance. Female sexuality was especially contested terrain and it was around the expression of any degree of independence and sexual freedom by women that many of the charges of witchcraft arose.
There is some evidence that accusations of witchcraft against women were also, at least in part, founded on greed. In many cases, for example, the women accused were married but did not have male offspring, which meant they were in line to inherit their husband’s estates should they outlive them. In the event a woman died before her husband and without producing a male heir, the man’s property, upon his death, went to the community. Some of these elements factored into the case of Alse Young, purported to be the first person in colonial America executed as a witch.
Detail from Matthew Grant’s diary indicating the date Alse Young was hanged, May 26, 1647 – Connecticut State Library, State Archives, RG 000 Classified Archives, 974.62 W76gra
The Cases of Alse Young and Mary Johnson
Very little is known about Alse Young (she is sometimes referred to as Achsah Young or Alice Young). She was born around 1600 and was a resident of Windsor, Connecticut, married a man named John Young, and gave birth to a daughter Alice. She was accused of witchcraft in 1647 and hanged in Hartford in May of that year, with her husband surviving her. Thirty years later, her daughter, Alice, stood accused of being a witch in Springfield, Massachusetts. Although Alice did not hang, the historical records are sketchy as to what punishment she actually received.
In 1646, a Connecticut servant named Mary Johnson was accused of being a witch. Her period of travail dragged on for years, during which time authorities tortured her by whipping and a local minister tormented her until she finally confessed. Under these circumstances, Johnson admitted to being a witch and, perhaps more importantly, of “uncleanness with men.” Authorities hanged her after a delay during which she gave birth to a child by a man to whom she was not married.
Detail from Cotton Mather’s book Magnalia Christi Americana, Vol. 2, describing the conviction of Mary Johnson.
Though the vast majority of those accused of witchcraft were women, two men in Connecticut also hanged as witches: John Carrington and Nathaniel Greensmith, both of whom died along with their wives. The execution of the Greensmiths came amid the Hartford Witch Panic in which authorities killed three people as witches in a span of a month in the early 1660s. Those three killings brought an end to the disgraceful episode in Connecticut history, as shortly thereafter Governor John Winthrop Jr. established more stringent evidentiary requirements for establishing guilt. After that the executions ceased. The Connecticut residents who died as witches, however, set both a legal and moral precedent that led, in part, to the more famous Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93.
Bridgeport native Andy Piascik is an award-winning author who has written for many publications and websites over the last four decades. He is also the author of two books.
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Websites
Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries. “Witches and Witchcraft: The First Person Executed in the Colonies,” 2016. Link.
The Court, to Hanna: Who taught you witchcraft?
One night, she finally revealed her true nature to me. We were sitting by the fireplace, sipping tea when she casually mentioned that she was a witch. At first, I was taken aback. Was this a joke? But the twinkle in her eyes told me she was serious. She went on to explain that she was born with magical abilities and had spent years mastering her craft. From casting spells to brewing potions, she could do it all. And she assured me that her powers were used for good, to heal and protect. As I got to know her better, I discovered the true extent of her abilities. She could manipulate the elements, control the weather, and even communicate with animals. It was like living in a real-life fairy tale. But being in a relationship with a witch wasn't always easy. There were times when her powers would malfunction, causing chaos and confusion. I had to learn to be patient and understanding, knowing that it was all part of her journey as a witch. Over time, I learned to embrace her magical side. We would spend hours exploring mystical realms and practicing spells together. It was a thrilling adventure that I never could have imagined. Being with a witch has opened my eyes to a world of magic and wonder. I've come to appreciate the beauty in the supernatural and the power it holds. My steady is not just a witch, she is my partner in the extraordinary. So, if you ever find yourself falling in love with a witch, embrace the enchantment. You never know what wonders await you on the other side..
Reviews for "Expect the Unexpected: Adventures with My Witch Steddy"
1. Emma - 2/5
I was really excited to read "My Steady is a Witch" based on the intriguing synopsis, but I was ultimately disappointed. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, with the plot taking forever to unfold. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, further hindering my enjoyment of the book. Overall, "My Steady is a Witch" had an interesting concept but failed to deliver a captivating and well-executed story.
2. David - 1/5
I found "My Steady is a Witch" to be a complete letdown. The writing was incredibly amateurish, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the novel. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or development. The overall execution of the book felt rushed and poorly edited. I wouldn't recommend "My Steady is a Witch" to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "My Steady is a Witch" after reading some positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed and lacking in detail. The romance aspect of the book felt forced and lacked chemistry between the characters. Additionally, the world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. While "My Steady is a Witch" had its moments, it ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying and captivating reading experience.
4. Michael - 2.5/5
After reading "My Steady is a Witch," I can't say that I was blown away. While the premise was intriguing, the writing and character development fell short. The plot was predictable, and there were several clichés throughout the story. The protagonist lacked depth and came across as whiny and annoying at times. While there were some redeeming qualities within the book, such as occasional humor, it didn't make up for the overall lackluster execution. Overall, "My Steady is a Witch" left much to be desired and failed to leave a lasting impression.