Before Salem : witch hunting in the Connecticut River Valley, 1647-1663 / Richard S. Ross III.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ross, Richard S., III, 1948- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Witchcraft--Connecticut River Valley--History--17th century.

Witchcraft.

Trials (Witchcraft)--Connecticut River Valley--History--17th century.

Trials (Witchcraft).

Witch hunting--Connecticut River Valley--History--17th century.

Witch hunting.

History.

United States--Connecticut River Valley.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

vii, 333 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2017]

Summary:

"This history examines the outbreak of witch hysteria in the Valley, focusing on accusations of demonic possession, apotropaic magic and the role of the clergy. Although the hysteria was eventually quelled by a progressive magistrate unwilling to try witches, accounts of the trials later influenced contemporary writers during the Salem witch hunts"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 The English Civil War and the Revival of Witch Hunting in England 11

2 The "old serpent" Disturbs the Peace of the New England Churches 35

3 Settling Windsor in the New England Wilderness 46

4 Conditions in Windsor Increase the Fear of Satan 66

5 Old England and the Origins of Witchcraft in New England 80

6 "The devil is amongst thee now" 102

7 "Ah! Witch! Ah! Witch!" 128

8 "The Devill will have you quick" 149

9 A More Compassionate Magistracy 172

10 "A world of sin was doubtlessly committed" 194

11 "The Glory is departed, & Evill come upon the people of God" 210

12 Demonic Possession and the Witch Hysteria in Hartford 231

13 "They seeke my inocent blood" 265.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 313-324) and index.

ISBN:

9781476666488

1476666482

OCLC:

959535411