333 years ago today
...Mary Easty and 7 others were hanged for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
Mary was my grandmother, 7 times removed.
This was the largest number of hangings during the witchcraft panic but, thankfully, it was also the last.
One contemporary recorded some chilling details of this particular day - including how the cart carrying the condemned to Proctor's ledge on Gallow's Hill became mired in the mud on the way to the ledge.
The accusers (i.e., the "afflicted") cried out that it was "the devil himself" who hindered its progress.
The writer also noted that, when Mary Easty stood upon the ladder of the gallows and faced the crowd prior her hanging, her words were "as serious, religious, distinct, and affectionate as could well be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present."
Happy autumnal equinox my friends.
2 comments:
On our trip to there a few years ago I learned some horrible things they did not just hanging. It was a horrible time in our history.
Cathy
Horrible. Just horrible. I'm sorry this ever was a thing and that they were hurt in such ways.
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