The witch is dead. These words may evoke imagery of a dark and mysterious figure, draped in a black cloak, brewing potions and casting spells. Throughout history, witches have been portrayed as malevolent and powerful beings, capable of bringing harm and chaos. But what does it mean when we say "the witch is dead"? In popular culture, the death of a witch is often seen as a triumph of good over evil. It represents the end of a dark era and the restoration of peace and harmony. But beyond the realm of fiction, the idea of a witch dying can have different connotations.

Boston had witch trials, too. A group wants justice for those accused across Mass.

In 1648, Margaret Jones, a midwife, became the first person in Massachusetts — the second in New England — to be executed for witchcraft, decades before the infamous Salem witch trials.

Nearly four centuries later, the state and region are still working to come to grips with the scope of its witch trial legacy.

The latest effort comes from a group dedicated to clearing the names of all those accused, arrested or indicted for Massachusetts is working to fully atone for its witch trial legacy nearly 400 years after the first person was executed there for witchcraft. The latest push comes from a group dedicated to clearing the names of all those accused, arrested or indicted for witchcraft in the state.

The Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project, made up of history buffs and descendants, is hoping to persuade the state to take a fuller reckoning of its early history, according to Josh Hutchinson, the group's leader.

Hundreds of individuals were accused of witchcraft in what would become the Commonwealth of Massachusetts between 1638 and 1693. Most escaped execution.

While much attention has focused on clearing the names of those put to death in Salem, most of those caught up in witch trials throughout the 1600s have largely been ignored, including five women hanged for witchcraft in Boston between 1648 and 1688.

“It’s important that we correct the injustices of the past,” said Hutchinson, who noted he counts both accusers and victims among his ancestors. "We’d like an apology for all of the accused or indicted or arrested.”

For now, the group has been collecting signatures for a petition but hopes to take their case to the State House.

Among those accused of witchcraft in Boston was Ann Hibbins, sister-in-law to Massachusetts Gov. Richard Bellingham, who was executed in 1656. A character based on Hibbins would later appear in Nathaniel Hawthorne's “The Scarlet Letter,” published in 1850.

Another accused Boston witch, known as Goodwife Ann Glover or Goody Glover, was hanged in the city in 1688. A plaque dedicated to her is located on the front of a Catholic church in the city's North End neighborhood, describing her as “the first Catholic martyr in Massachusetts." It's one of the few physical reminders of the city's witch trial history.

A plaque memorializing Goodwife Ann Glover or Goody Glover, hanged as a witch in Boston in 1688, is located on the front of a Catholic church in the city's North End neighborhood. (Steve LeBlanc/AP)

The witch justice group helped successfully spearhead a similar effort in Connecticut, home of the first person executed for witchcraft in the American colonies in 1647 — Alse Young. The last witchcraft trial in Connecticut happened in 1697 and ended with the charges being dismissed.

Connecticut state senators in May voted by 34-1 to absolve 12 women and men convicted of witchcraft — 11 of whom were executed — more than 370 years ago and apologize for the “miscarriage of justice” that occurred over a dark 15-year-period of the state’s colonial history.

The resolution, which lists the nine women and two men who were executed and the one woman who was convicted and given a reprieve, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 121-30. Because it’s a resolution, it doesn't require the governor’s signature.

For many, the distant events in Boston, Salem and beyond are both fascinating and personal. That includes David Allen Lambert, chief genealogist for the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Lambert counts his 10th great grandmother — Mary Perkins Bradbury — among the accused who was supposed to be hanged in 1692 in Salem but escaped execution.

“We can’t change history but maybe we can send the accused an apology,” he said. “It kind of closes the chapter in a way.”

Massachusetts has already made efforts to come to terms with its history of witch trials — proceedings that allowed “spectral evidence" in which victims could testify that the accused harmed them in a dream or vision.

That effort began almost immediately when Samuel Sewall, a judge in the 1692-1693 Salem witch trials, issued a public confession in a Boston church five years later, taking “the blame and shame of" the trials and asking for forgiveness.

The Boston grave site of Samuel Sewall, a judge in the 1692-1693 Salem witch trials. (Steve LeBlanc/AP)

In 1711, colonial leaders passed a bill clearing the names of some convicted in Salem.

In 1957, the state Legislature issued a kind of apology for Ann Pudeator and others who "were indicted, tried, found guilty, sentenced to death and executed” in 1692 for witchcraft. The resolution declared the Salem trials “shocking, and the result of a wave of popular hysterical fear of the Devil in the community.”

In 2001, acting Gov. Jane Swift signed a bill exonerating five women executed during the witch trials in Salem.

In 2017, Salem unveiled a memorial for the victims. The ceremony came 325 years to the day when Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wildes were hanged at a site in Salem known as Proctor’s Ledge. Nineteen were hanged during the Salem witch trials while a 20th victim was pressed to death.

In 2022, lawmakers exonerated Elizabeth Johnson Jr., clearing her name 329 years after she was convicted of witchcraft in 1693 and sentenced to death at the height of the Salem witch trials. Johnson is believed to be the last accused Salem witch to have her conviction set aside.

Other states have worked to confront similar histories.

In Pownal, Vermont, a town that borders Massachusetts and New York, a dedication ceremony was held last month for a historical marker recognizing the survivor of Vermont’s only recorded witch trial. Widow Krieger was said to have escaped drowning in the Hoosic River when tried as a witch in 1785, according to the Legends and Lore marker.

Accusers believed witches floated but Krieger sank and was saved, the marker states.

The Sept. 16 dedication ceremony included a witches’ walk, in which people dressed as witches walked across a bridge to the marker site along the Hoosic River.

“I am sure Widow Krieger would have been quite happy to join our witches’ walk today in defiance of those who feel they have the right to accuse someone they feel looks different, acts different or has a personality that they might find odd, of being a witch,” said Joyce Held, a member of the Pownal Historical Society, which worked with the Bennington Museum to get the marker.

Associated Press reporter Lisa Rathke in Marshfield, Vermont, contributed.

But beyond the realm of fiction, the idea of a witch dying can have different connotations. Witchcraft, or the practice of magic, has been a part of human history for centuries. In some cultures, witches were seen as healers and wise women, possessing deep knowledge of herbal remedies and spiritual wisdom.

Related:

• Exhibit looks at how to restore justice to those accused during the Salem Witch Trials
• 8th-Graders Lead Effort To Pardon Wrongly Convicted 'Witch'

Newcastle witch trials

The Newcastle Witches is a Candle & Bell Podcast about the Newcastle witch trials. The podcast is available now on Spotify, Anchor and other podcast platforms.

The Newcastle Witch Trials took place from 1649 to 1650,
ending when 15 women and 1 man were executed on Newcastle’s town moor for Witchcraft on the 21st of August in 1650.

The most important thing about the podcast are the innocent people who were killed. We try to discover who they were, why they would be accused of witchcraft, and why this horrible crime happened in Newcastle. Beyond the historical facts, we also draw parallels to modern day witch trials and witch hunts, which is a little frightening, but I think really important to raise these issues. Witch trials aren’t a thing of the past, they still happen today in 2022.

The podcasts features several expert guests, such as Prof. Diane Purkiss, Prof. Marion Gibson, Prof. Alec Ryrie, Dr. Jo Bath, Dr. Tabitha Stanmore, David Silk from Newcastle Castle and Katie Liddane.

“ I think listeners are going to be surprised by some of the information we share on the podcast. It isn’t a typical story about witchcraft - over the course of the podcast we unpick a lot of the civil, socio-political and religious factors that created the witches in Newcastle and condemned them to death. ”

However, in other societies, the fear of witchcraft led to the persecution and execution of those accused of being witches. In these cases, the death of a witch may symbolize the end of persecution and the triumph of justice. As society has evolved, our perception of witches has also changed. In modern times, the image of witches has been redefined in popular culture, often portraying them as misunderstood and empowered individuals. Witches are now seen as symbols of female empowerment, freedom, and rebellion against oppressive societal norms. The concept of the witch dying can also be interpreted metaphorically. It could represent the death of superstition and ignorance, the end of fear and prejudice. It may signify the triumph of rational thinking and the rise of scientific knowledge. Ultimately, the meaning behind the statement "the witch is dead" is subjective and open to interpretation. It can represent different things to different people, depending on their beliefs, cultural background, and personal experiences. Whether seen as a symbol of good conquering evil, justice prevailing over persecution, or the death of outdated beliefs, the idea of the witch dying carries a powerful message of transformation and change..

Reviews for "Retracing the Witch's Steps: Following the Path to Her Demise"

1. John Smith - 2/5

I was really disappointed with "The Witch is Dead". The storyline was all over the place and hard to follow. It felt like the director was trying to be artsy and mysterious, but it just came across as confusing. The acting was also subpar, with some of the actors delivering their lines in a stilted and unnatural manner. Overall, I found the film to be dull and unengaging.

2. Sarah Johnson - 3/5

While "The Witch is Dead" had an interesting premise, I felt that it fell short in execution. The pacing of the movie was extremely slow, and I found myself losing interest before the halfway mark. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level. The film did have some visually stunning moments, but they were not enough to save it from feeling lackluster. Overall, I found "The Witch is Dead" to be a forgettable film that failed to live up to its potential.

3. Michael Thompson - 2/5

"The Witch is Dead" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was thin and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The dialogue was cliché and lacked depth, making it difficult to become invested in the characters. The film also suffered from poor pacing, dragging on in certain parts and rushing through others. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed by the end. I would not recommend "The Witch is Dead" to anyone looking for a thought-provoking or entertaining film.

The Witch's Last Stand: Investigating the Battle that Led to Her Death