Explore witchcraft laws and accusations in colonial times, including the trial and execution of Margaret Jones. Uncover false accusations and pettiness in the trials of Mary Parsons. Witness the brutal treatment of Mary Webster and her survival against all odds. Reflect on the injustice of witch trials and express gratitude towards all witches.
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Quick takeaways
Mary Webster was falsely accused of witchcraft and subjected to harassment and violence by her community.
Mary Webster's trial reflects the deep superstitions and religious beliefs of the time, where any unusual behavior was seen as proof of witchcraft.
Mary Webster's case demonstrates the power of fear, superstition, and community biases in shaping accusations and mistreatment of those seen as different or disliked.
Deep dives
Mary Webster faces accusations of witchcraft
Mary Webster, a woman living in Hadley, Massachusetts, is accused of being a witch and practicing witchcraft. Rumors and gossip circulate about her, claiming that she has familiarities with the devil and engages in witchcraft. The community targets her with harassment and violence. Mary's unpleasant demeanor and hardship have caused her to be ostracized and treated poorly. She is subjected to beatings, false accusations, and witch disturbances by her neighbors. Eventually, Mary is arrested and imprisoned while awaiting trial for witchcraft.
Mary Webster's trial begins
After a month in jail, Mary Webster's trial for witchcraft begins. The trial is presided over by Governor Simon Bradstreet and a panel of powerful men. The grand jury indicts Mary, accusing her of having a covenant and familiarity with the devil, transforming into a warneage (a wild black cat) and having imps sucking her teats. The charges are based on rumors, superstitions, and irrational beliefs. The stage is set for a trial that will determine Mary's fate.
Mary Webster's indictment
Mary Webster is indicted on charges of not fearing God, being instigated by the devil, and having a covenant with him. The indictment suggests that Mary entered into a covenant with the devil and had familiarity with him in the form of a warneage. Marks found on her are alleged to be evidence of imps sucking her teats. The indictment reflects the deeply superstitious and religious beliefs of the time, where any unusual occurrence or behavior was seen as proof of witchcraft and dealings with the devil.
Mary Webster's trial highlights the pervasive belief in witchcraft
Mary Webster's trial exposes the prevalent belief in witchcraft during the time. The trial is an example of how baseless accusations and rumors can lead to the persecution and suffering of innocent individuals. Mary's case exemplifies the power of fear, superstition, and community biases in shaping the accusations and mistreatment of those who were seen as different or disliked. Her trial becomes a symbol of the injustices and hysteria surrounding witchcraft during this period in history.
The Tragic Witch Trial of Mary Webster
Mary Webster, a resident of Hadley, Massachusetts in the late 1600s, was falsely accused of witchcraft. Despite being acquitted of the charges, some of her neighbors believed she was to blame for the illness and subsequent death of Philip Smith, a local judge and deacon. In an act of mob justice, a group of men dragged Mary from her home, hanged her from a tree, and left her for dead. Miraculously, she survived and lived another 11 years before dying of natural causes. This brutal incident is a stark reminder of the misogyny, fear, and power dynamics that fueled the colonial witch trials.
The Influence of Cotton Mather
Cotton Mather, a prominent figure during the colonial witch trials, played a significant role in perpetuating the belief in witches. He wrote accounts linking Mary Webster to the supernatural and promoted the idea that the colony was infested with witches. Mather's biased and fictionalized writings influenced the public's perception, leading to further witch hunts and the tragic events of the Salem Witch Trials. While public sentiment eventually turned against the witch trials, the lasting impact of Mather's influence and the mass hysteria of the time cannot be ignored.
In the depths of American history there are few examples of mass hysteria that loom larger than the Salem witch trials of 1692. As horrific as it was, it was far from the only example of witch-hunting in Massachusetts’ history. In fact, ten years before hysteria over black magic gripped the village of Salem, similar accusations of witchcraft were aimed at Mary Webster of Hadley, a small village in Western Massachusetts.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White for Research assistance.
References
Clancy, Hal. 1977. "In good old days, wicthes would hang for a May snow." The Boston Globe, May 14: 1.
Judd, Sylvester. 1905. History of Hadley. Springfield, MA: H.R. Hunting.
Manning, Alice. 1976. "Witches in the Connecticut Valley: a historical perspective." Daily Hampshire Gazette, December 15: 35.
Marshall, Bridget. 2003. "Mary (Reeve) Webster, the "Witch" of Hadley." University of Massachusetts Lowell. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://faculty.uml.edu//bmarshall/Mary%20Webster.htm.
Mather, Cotton. 1967. Magnalia Christi Americana. New York, NY: Russell and Russell.
Perera, Lisa. 1992. "Before Salem, Valley had witch trials of its own." Daily Hampshire Gazette, May 16: 22.
Smith, Anna. 2019. The Witch of Hadley: Mary Webster, the Weird, and the Wired. October 15. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.massreview.org/node/7575.
