I fled from the Salem witch trials In the year 1692, a series of witch trials took place in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts. This dark period in American history resulted in the execution of nineteen innocent people and the imprisonment of numerous others. I, too, was caught up in the frenzy of accusations and chose to flee from Salem to escape the madness that had consumed the town. It all began with a group of young girls who claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several individuals in the community of practicing witchcraft. The rumors spread like wildfire, and soon the entire town was enveloped in fear and suspicion. The Trials became a platform for personal grudges and vendettas, as anyone could be accused of witchcraft based on mere speculation and hearsay.
Mailing:
PO Box 2032, Framingham, MA 01703
Physical Address:
3 Oak Street, Framingham, MA 01701
Phone:
508-626-9091
Email Us!
The hangings in September 1692 were the last in the colony, and the remaining accused people were eventually released from jail, as long as they paid their jail costs. Danforth had been one of the questioners at the hearing in Salem in which Sarah was first accused as a witch, but later spoke out publicly against the trials.
The Trials became a platform for personal grudges and vendettas, as anyone could be accused of witchcraft based on mere speculation and hearsay. As a resident of Salem, I witnessed the hysteria and the mob mentality that gripped the town. People turned against one another, and friendships and families were torn apart.
Escape from Salem
In April 1692, three sisters from the north shore of Massachusetts found themselves locked in a cell in Salem Village, (Danvers) awaiting trial for witchcraft. By September, two of the sisters had been hanged for the crime, the third barely escaping with her life to Framingham. Seventy-one year old Rebecca Nurse and her sister Mary Esty were two of the twenty men and women (and two dogs!) put to death in Salem that year. Sarah Clayes was the sister who got away. It’s unclear just how she was able to escape the noose and find refuge here in Framingham. Some legends say that she and her family traveled here by night, hiding out in caves and hollowed out trees. Others believe that Deputy Governor of the colony Thomas Danforth, who owned the land now known as Framingham, helped her escape. Danforth had been one of the questioners at the hearing in Salem in which Sarah was first accused as a witch, but later spoke out publicly against the trials. Could his guilty conscience have helped spare Sarah’s life? More than 300 years later, people are still fascinated by the story, and many make Salem End a pilgrimage on their tour of “witchcraft sites.” Some say they can feel a supernatural presence near her house, which is possible, given that one of the sisters- Mary Esty – is said to have appeared as a ghost before her accusers, still proclaiming her innocence. Perhaps the trio of sisters gathers here in town to find solace in each other’s company.
The hangings in September 1692 were the last in the colony, and the remaining accused people were eventually released from jail, as long as they paid their jail costs. In 1711, the colony passed a bill, which restored the rights and good names of the accused, and granted restitution to the heirs of the victims. Sarah Clayes was the central character in a 1986 television movie called “Three Sovereigns for Sarah,” starring Vanessa Redgrave. In 1957, the state of Massachusetts issued a formal apology for the events in 1692.
Ironically, back in Danforth’s hometown of Framlingham, England, witches had been tried and executed in large numbers about 50 years earlier. The pond in front of Framlingham castle was often the scene of a “witch ducking,” considered a foolproof way of identifying witches. The accused was bound with rope and tossed into the pond. If they floated, they were a witch. If they sank, there was good news and bad news. The good news was they were not a witch. The bad news is…they sank.
There was another so-called witch who took up residence in Framingham for a short time. Back in the mid-1930’s, actress Margaret Hamilton lived on Gilbert Street with her husband before taking on her signature role as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz in 1939.
I myself was accused of witchcraft by a neighbor whom I barely knew, and my life was suddenly in grave danger. Realizing that the only way to survive was to flee, I made the difficult decision to leave behind everything I knew and loved. Under the cover of darkness, I packed a small bag and crept out of my home, making my way towards the outskirts of Salem. Fear and uncertainty plagued my thoughts as I walked through the dense forest, constantly looking over my shoulder. Days turned into weeks as I wandered from one town to another, trying to blend in with the local population and avoid drawing attention to myself. I found refuge in the homes of sympathetic strangers who offered me shelter and protection. These kind souls understood the injustice and madness that had engulfed Salem and were willing to offer solace to those who had been accused unjustly. It was not until years later, after the hysteria had subsided and the truth had come to light, that I felt safe enough to return to Salem. The scars of the witch trials still lingered, but the town had started to heal and rebuild. The atrocities committed during that period would forever be etched in the collective memory of Salem, serving as a haunting reminder of the dangers of unfounded accusations and mass hysteria. I, like so many others, had been a victim of the Salem witch trials. I had lost everything – my home, my reputation, and my sense of security. Fleeing from Salem was not an easy choice, but it was the only choice I had if I wanted to escape the clutches of a misguided and dangerous mob. Today, I am grateful to have survived and to bear witness to the lessons learned from that dark chapter in history..
Reviews for "Escaping the Shadows: Surviving the Salem Witch Trials"
- Sarah123 - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "I fled from the Salem Witch Trials" at all. The writing was dry and lacked any excitement or suspense. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and a letdown.
- BookLover99 - 1 star - "I fled from the Salem Witch Trials" was a major disappointment. The storyline had potential, but it fell completely flat. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times. The author didn't delve deep into the historical background, making it feel shallow and superficial. The ending was unsatisfying and left me with more questions than answers. I regret wasting my time on this book.
- FictionFanatic - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "I fled from the Salem Witch Trials," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the author relied too heavily on telling instead of showing, which made the reading experience monotonous. Overall, this book was a missed opportunity to explore the intriguing topic of the Salem Witch Trials.