The bloodlines of Salem witches are a subject of historical and mythological significance. The Salem witch trials, which occurred in Massachusetts in 1692, saw numerous women accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequently executed. The descendants of these accused women became known as the bloodlines of the Salem witches. The history of these bloodlines is shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some believe that the supernatural powers attributed to the accused women were passed down through their bloodlines, creating a legacy of witchcraft and magic. Others argue that the stigma attached to the accused women led to their descendants being labeled as witches, perpetuating a cycle of persecution.
So were they witches? No. The Towne sisters were devout Puritans. Then why were they accused? Theories range from the simplistic--boredom--to the bizarre--hallucinations brought on by eating moldy bread. The truth is likely more complex: a combination of family rivalries, fights over property and grabs for power.
Only when reading accounts of the trials during last year s tricentennial did it dawn on me that Sarah Cloyce, accused witch, was the same woman as Sarah Towne Bridges, esteemed ancestor. Witches of Massachusetts Bay Witches of Massachusetts Bay suggests roadtrips to discover buildings and artifacts related to 17th century witch trials, provides a calendar of related events, plus information on research collections, news, latest research, Q As with historians, book notices, museum collection highlights, and more.
Others argue that the stigma attached to the accused women led to their descendants being labeled as witches, perpetuating a cycle of persecution. The idea of bloodlines and inherited magical abilities is a common trope in folklore and literature. It is often portrayed that certain families carry a predisposition for magical powers, passed down from generation to generation.
Salem Witchcraft Trials
It was 1692 during which the notorious Salem witchcraft trials and sentences of death were held. Such an event over 324 years ago may not have any families ties or links to your family tree, but then again … who knows for sure. Not to say an ancestor was accursed of being a witch but an ancestor could have lived in Salem Village of Danvers during those times.
Note it was not the town of Salem for the trials but rather the nearby village of Salem now known as Danvers. So you may have been looking at the wrong location. Danvers is located seventeen miles north of Boston, and is bordered by the towns of Salem (present) and Beverly. The town of Danvers still has over a dozen houses dating from the 1680s to 1700.
Those involved were the ‘ accused witches’, ‘the accusers’ and those involved in the trials and carrying out the sentencing. Numbers of those executed for witchcraft was 20 people and all but one of these people were hanged, while the remaining one was pressed to death because he would not plead guilty or not guilty. Yes, ‘he’, so the accused were not just females; but a total of six males. Actually, only those who insisted they were not guilty were executed, with o ver 150 other people who were jailed and tortured, so quite a few possible family ties.
The male was Giles Cory who refused to plead guilty and was pressed to death because he did not want his home and land taken leaving his children with nothing. His wife, Martha, had already been hung a few days earlier. There is a case where the Cory children would have descendants.
Bloodlines of Salem is an online site whose purpose is to help identify ancestors from the Salem Trials. A listing of those executed, those jailed, those not guilty, those who escaped, along with the jurors’ names, and the ‘afflicted girls’ is very helpful in knowing who was involved in some manner. A timeline of the events running from January 1692 to May 1693 is also provided.
Yet, the Salem Trials and executions were not the first such witch hunts in the area. The first victim of witchcraft, in New England, was Margaret Jones of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Margaret was hanged, in 1648, for giving herbal cures. Margaret was a physician and some thought she had the “malignant touch” after some of her patients started vomiting or suffered violent seizures. Prison guards testified that they saw a small child run out of the witch’s cell into another room, and then vanished. This was enough to prove that she was under the influence of evil. Anne Hibbons, the sister of the Deputy Governor Bellingham of Massachusetts was hanged, in the words of John Norton for “having more wit that her neighbors”. She was “quarrelsome,” and had “supernatural” knowledge. She was accused in 1655, and was executed in 1656.
So began in January 1692 when the seeds of the hysteria afflicted the Salem Village , in the colony of Massachusetts, were sown when a group of young girls began to display bizarre behavior. It was decided it was due to local residents practicing witchcraft.
By 1693 the Village of Salem realized they had been all wrong about witchcraft in the village. In 1702, the colonial court declared the trials unlawful and in 1711, the colony passed a bill restoring the rights and good names of those accused and granted £600 restitution to their heirs.
Photos : Judge J onathan Corwin House in Salem – served as judge during the trials; Rebecca Nurse brought to trial; and female taken to trial.
Related FamilyTree.com genealogy blogs:
The Salem Witchcraft GIS A Visual Re-Creation of Salem in 1692. By Mike Furlough, Geospatial and Statistical Data Center, Primary Researcher: Benjamin Ray, University of Virginia.
This concept is evident in the Harry Potter series, where the protagonist, Harry Potter, possesses magical abilities inherited from his parents. In reality, the concept of bloodlines carrying magical powers is purely speculative and lacks scientific evidence. The Salem witch trials were a period of mass hysteria and paranoia, fueled by religious fervor and social tensions. The accusations made during this time were driven by ignorance and fear rather than any actual evidence of witchcraft. However, the myth of the bloodlines of Salem witches persists, capturing the imagination of those drawn to stories of magic and the supernatural. It serves as a reminder of the historical injustices endured by innocent women and the lingering effects of prejudice and discrimination. In conclusion, the bloodlines of Salem witches represent a fascinating aspect of history and folklore. Whether rooted in truth or mythology, they continue to captivate our imagination, shedding light on the dark chapters of human history and the enduring power of stories..
Reviews for "The Salem Witch Trials: Discovering the Ancestry of the Accused Witches"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Bloodlines of Salem Witches" as I am a big fan of supernatural stories. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot was weak and lacked depth, and the characters were one-dimensional, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite simplistic, and it felt like the author was rushing through the story without fully developing the scenes or the emotions of the characters. Overall, I found "Bloodlines of Salem Witches" to be a bland and uninspiring read, and I would not recommend it to others.
2. James - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Bloodlines of Salem Witches," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story seemed to drag on without any real purpose, and the characters were uninteresting and lacked depth. The writing was also riddled with grammatical errors, which made it difficult to follow at times. Additionally, the dialogue felt unnatural and forced, further detracting from the overall reading experience. In the end, I couldn't immerse myself in this book and found it to be a major letdown. I would advise others to skip "Bloodlines of Salem Witches" and explore other supernatural novels instead.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - I was intrigued by the premise of "Bloodlines of Salem Witches," but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot lacked excitement or surprises. The characters felt underdeveloped, and their actions often seemed inconsistent with their personalities. I also found the writing style to be dry and uninspiring, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. Despite my initial interest, I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to fans of the supernatural genre looking for a thrilling read.