Lore Lore 296: Revisiting "Half-Hanged"
Dec 29, 2025
Explore the chilling tale of Simeon Smith, who became a target of witchcraft accusations due to local superstitions. Delve into the case of Mary Webster, an outsider shaped by her bitter reputation and bizarre trials. Learn about the eerie events surrounding Philip Smith's mysterious illness and how fear dictated hasty justice in a snow-covered vigil. Discover Mary's incredible survival post-hanging and the impact of her story on literature. Plus, hear about the haunting legend of Debbie Griffin and her infamous communion cup theft.
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Superstition As Social Explanation
- Aaron Mahnke explains that superstition in early America mixed fact and fiction to explain the unexplainable.
- Communities often used witchcraft accusations as excuses to target disliked neighbors.
Small Events Become Witchcraft Trials
- Aaron Mahnke recounts multiple local New England tales where ordinary mishaps were blamed on witches.
- These narratives show how quickly suspicion escalated into punitive acts against the marginalized.
Mary Webster Returns From Trial
- Aaron Mahnke tells the story of Mary Webster, a poor, quarrelsome woman tried and acquitted for witchcraft in Boston.
- Her return to Hadley rekindled local hostility and set the stage for later violence.