The Andover witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of individuals accused of witchcraft in Andover, Massachusetts in colonial America. The trials took place between February and May 1692, during the larger Salem witch trials. Andover was a small Puritan community with a population of around 350 people at the time. The trials were triggered by a wave of hysteria and fear that swept through the region, leading to accusations of witchcraft against various individuals, mostly women. The accusers in Andover were primarily young girls who claimed to be under the influence of supernatural forces. They accused their neighbors and acquaintances of bewitching them and causing them harm.
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.
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. 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.
They accused their neighbors and acquaintances of bewitching them and causing them harm. The accused were often women who were seen as social outcasts or had conflicts with their accusers. The hearings and trials in Andover were conducted by local magistrates and overseen by the Court of Oyer and Terminer, a special court set up to handle witchcraft cases.
Joseph Ballard Home, Site of
In 1692, Andover saw more people accused of witchcraft than any other town. The accusations escalated when Joseph Ballard brought two of the afflicted girls from Salem Village to determine the cause of his wife’s illness. Within several weeks, forty-five people were accused, many of whom confessed.
37 Porter Rd, Andover, MA 01810, USA
Private residence. Not open to the public.
37 Porter Rd, Andover, MA 01810, USA
More About Joseph Ballard Home, Site of
The witchcraft delusion in Andover began with the accusation and arrest of Martha Carrier in late May of 1692, but escalated in mid-July when Joseph Ballard invited two of the afflicted girls from Salem Village to visit his sick wife in Andover. Elizabeth (Phelps) Ballard had been inexplicably ill all summer. Was she bewitched? The girls (it is assumed they were Ann Putnam Jr. and Mary Walcott) confirmed Elizabeth Ballard was tormented by witchcraft and accused several Andover residents. Shortly thereafter Joseph Ballard entered a complaint against Mary Lacy Sr. and her daughter, Mary Lacy Jr.
Why did Joseph Ballard initially suspect witchcraft was behind his wife’s illness? There are a few possibilities. The fear that pervaded Essex County in 1692 may have been one reason. Joseph’s brother John Ballard was the constable for Andover’s south end and it was he who arrested Martha Carrier and escorted her to Salem in May. Perhaps John witnessed the hysteria that gripped Salem and brought home stories.
A family connection may have also been involved. John Ballard’s wife, Rebecca Hooper, was the sister of Sarah Hooper, wife of Samuel Wardwell. (Another brother, William Ballard, was married to a third Hooper sister, Hannah.) The Wardwells lived about a mile and a half to the northeast. Wardwell expressed worry to his brother-in-law that he [Wardwell] might be suspected of witchcraft, perhaps because he was a known fortune-teller. This was apparently an idea that had not occurred to John Ballard – but did he share this information with his brother Joseph? A family member might be accused? It was prescient of Samuel Wardwell to worry – he was accused of witchcraft and arrested on August 31, and hanged on September 22.
Identifying those who “tormented” Elizabeth Ballard did not help her. She died of her illness on July 27, 1692.
Charlotte Helen Abbott’s Notes and Records of the Ballard Family of Andover, available at Memorial Hall Library, list the parents of Joseph and John Ballard as William and Grace Ballard. They were known to have been in Andover by the 1660s.
Joseph Ballard married Elizabeth Phelps, from Newbury, MA, in 1665.
The Notes and Records of the Ballard Family of Andover say that when Joseph’s father William died in 1691, Joseph’s inheritance included “20 acres of Upland, ‘where his house is;’ 50 acres of the Great Division; 14 acres by the Shawshin…” and many additional parcels of land. Charlotte Abbott also states that “His homestead was site of Public Library,” today on North Main and Essex Streets, although that is identified as Abbot property on the Plan of Andover in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Essex County, 1692 which was created by the Andover and North Andover Historical Societies in 1992. According to the Plan of Andover, Joseph Ballard’s home was located on what is today Porter Road, near Sunset Rock and the Carriers.
Joseph Ballard died on Sept 29, 1722. He is buried in the South Parish Burial Grounds (established in 1711) on Central Street in Andover. His grave is not marked.
The Plan of Andover in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, Essex County, 1692, places Joseph Ballard’s home at 37 Porter Road. The house that stands there today was built by a Joseph Ballard in 1758, so likely a descendant (although NOT his son Joseph, who died in 1732). Private Residence. Not open to the public.
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.
The accused were interrogated and subjected to examinations to determine if they were witches. These examinations often involved physical searches for so-called "witch's teats" or "devil's marks." Many of the accused in Andover were convicted and sentenced to death. Some were executed by hanging, while others died in jail awaiting trial. The trials had a devastating impact on the community, tearing families apart and creating a climate of fear and suspicion. In the aftermath of the trials, the community of Andover started to question the validity of the accusations. Reverend Samuel Parris, who played a significant role in the trials, was removed from his position due to his role in the hysteria. Efforts were made to compensate the families of those who had been wrongly convicted, and apologies were issued for the injustices that had occurred. The Andover witch trials, like the larger Salem witch trials, serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked fear and prejudice. They remain a significant historical event and a reminder of the importance of due process and the protection of individual rights..
Reviews for "The Andover Witch Trials: Examining the Role of Religion"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to "Andover Witch Trials" as I am a fan of historical dramas, but I was sorely disappointed. The acting was mediocre at best, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing of the film was also off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the characters or become invested in the story. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me.
2. Mike - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish watching "Andover Witch Trials" because it was so poorly done. The story was confusing and hard to follow, with no clear direction or character development. The editing was choppy, and the special effects were laughable. It felt like a cheaply made film that didn't do justice to the historical events it aimed to depict. I would not recommend wasting your time on this one.
3. Emily - 2/5 - As a fan of period dramas, I had high hopes for "Andover Witch Trials." However, I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the film. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked depth and complexity. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The production quality was also subpar, with noticeable technical errors and inconsistencies. Overall, it was a disappointing watch for me, and I would recommend exploring other historical dramas instead.