In this second episode in the series, Jennifer Jones is joined by Projectkin members Aryn Youngless and Bill Moore. Dismissed as ‘witches’ or as simply ‘the wife’ these women won't be forgotten.
Thank you. I have just caught up with this recording - Unfortunately, a bit early for me to watch live! Like you Jennifer, I have recently become aware of how I have tended, in the past, to write about women in the context of their husband's stories rather than focusing directly on them ... Something I am trying to change where I can.
Once again I was returning from an appointment and couldn't enjoy the conversation live. In the recording, I did enjoy Jennifer's reference to the hardships of the women in her family, raising a large number of children. Aryn's presentation was also enlightening. I had never heard of "The Hammer of the Witches" nor did I know 19 women were hanged--gasp!
Bill pointed out strong women in his heritage as well: A great-grand-mother who graduated from high school with a college degree--wow! Though women were marginalized in society at this time, she became an oil executive because her husband was killed in a car accident. You just can't keep a good woman down! Plaudits to Bill for using a spreadsheet to keep track of the data he collects.
If I may, I had one question I regretted not asking of you, Aryn, during your talk, and that related to the story of Tituba. You alluded to it briefly during the Substack Live program on Sunday (projectkin.substack.com/p/projectkin-live-speakers-corner-preview) about how pivotal she was to the experience in Salem. Did you have more to add here about that?
That would be an interesting story to delve into. What are reasons you would stay? I don’t know a lot about CT. I do know that the first execution in the colonies was there, but I’ve never explored deeper. Let me know what you find!! And if I learn anything I’ll pass it along too.
Yeah, its interesting. There's a whole community effort in Windsor called the connecticutwitchtrials.org, which centered on an exoneration effort. They got that, but honestly, it feels a bit like they're jealous of the attention (and tourism) the good town of Salem, MA is getting. There are a number of links (and rants about updated records on the FamilySearch entry for Lydia (Bliss) Gilbert as well. (That's the link I'd shared earlier: familysearch.org/en/tree/person/collaborate/G1DQ-359) I'd written about this in my private family substack for cousins, but I should probably put it in my queue to circle back to here as well.
Tituba was enslaved by the Parris family and she cared for their daughter, Elizabeth, who was one of the girls who initially claimed some citizens of Salem were witches. When Tituba cared for Elizabeth, and some of Elizabeth’s friends, Tituba would teach them witchcraft. These days, some say she taught them voodoo. I don’t know if she did or didn’t, what I do know is that she was accused early on and then, she also accused others (Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn) of being witches.
Even thought she named names, it didn’t lead to her immediate release from prison. She remained there for some time, I’m horrid comdistiln, until the Parris family sold her off, and then she vanished
What is rarely mentioned is that Tituba was married to another enslaved person who was owned by the Parris family. So she was also separated from her husband, which wasn’t rare but it still is horrible
Later, it came to light that Parris had beaten a confession out of Tituba. Then, in 1711 when compensation was offered to those wrongly accused of witchcraft, Tituba was left off the list.
Through what little we see of her treatment, it is safe to say that other enslaved persona were also accused, tried, executed and we know nothing about them because they were not white.
Which adds yet another layer to researching your enslaved heritage.
So sad, disturbing, and a horrible reminder of what humans are capable of. Thank you for your work and sharing it here. I look forward to future collaborations.
Oh... and your series has given me some great tips for doing further research into the Gilbert line of my family history and the story of Lydia (Bliss) Gilbert who was executed after accusations of witchcraft in Windsor, CT, in 1654 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/collaborate/G1DQ-359). Her husband, Thomas Gilbert, Jr., was my 9th great-grandfather (https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/LZZ8-ZR5), as best I can tell. Though he died just 8 years after she did, he and his third wife had five children in that period of time. How could they even remain in Windsor? 😟
The two speakers had fascinating information.
I'm pleased you enjoyed it Sindi
Thank you. I have just caught up with this recording - Unfortunately, a bit early for me to watch live! Like you Jennifer, I have recently become aware of how I have tended, in the past, to write about women in the context of their husband's stories rather than focusing directly on them ... Something I am trying to change where I can.
Same here Jane. I'm just slowly writing my female stories, when I have the time. I haven't published any yet, so also need to get that done.
Once again I was returning from an appointment and couldn't enjoy the conversation live. In the recording, I did enjoy Jennifer's reference to the hardships of the women in her family, raising a large number of children. Aryn's presentation was also enlightening. I had never heard of "The Hammer of the Witches" nor did I know 19 women were hanged--gasp!
Bill pointed out strong women in his heritage as well: A great-grand-mother who graduated from high school with a college degree--wow! Though women were marginalized in society at this time, she became an oil executive because her husband was killed in a car accident. You just can't keep a good woman down! Plaudits to Bill for using a spreadsheet to keep track of the data he collects.
Thank you for watching Marian. We had two great stories told today. We would love to have you join us next time.
Boy it’s easy to get depressed by all of this, but I love this positive takeaway… you just can’t keep a woman down.
Uh… except of course for the women who were hanged. So, there’s that. 🤷♀️
'Except for the women who were hanged' - Love it!
If I may, I had one question I regretted not asking of you, Aryn, during your talk, and that related to the story of Tituba. You alluded to it briefly during the Substack Live program on Sunday (projectkin.substack.com/p/projectkin-live-speakers-corner-preview) about how pivotal she was to the experience in Salem. Did you have more to add here about that?
That would be an interesting story to delve into. What are reasons you would stay? I don’t know a lot about CT. I do know that the first execution in the colonies was there, but I’ve never explored deeper. Let me know what you find!! And if I learn anything I’ll pass it along too.
Yeah, its interesting. There's a whole community effort in Windsor called the connecticutwitchtrials.org, which centered on an exoneration effort. They got that, but honestly, it feels a bit like they're jealous of the attention (and tourism) the good town of Salem, MA is getting. There are a number of links (and rants about updated records on the FamilySearch entry for Lydia (Bliss) Gilbert as well. (That's the link I'd shared earlier: familysearch.org/en/tree/person/collaborate/G1DQ-359) I'd written about this in my private family substack for cousins, but I should probably put it in my queue to circle back to here as well.
Tituba was enslaved by the Parris family and she cared for their daughter, Elizabeth, who was one of the girls who initially claimed some citizens of Salem were witches. When Tituba cared for Elizabeth, and some of Elizabeth’s friends, Tituba would teach them witchcraft. These days, some say she taught them voodoo. I don’t know if she did or didn’t, what I do know is that she was accused early on and then, she also accused others (Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn) of being witches.
Even thought she named names, it didn’t lead to her immediate release from prison. She remained there for some time, I’m horrid comdistiln, until the Parris family sold her off, and then she vanished
What is rarely mentioned is that Tituba was married to another enslaved person who was owned by the Parris family. So she was also separated from her husband, which wasn’t rare but it still is horrible
Later, it came to light that Parris had beaten a confession out of Tituba. Then, in 1711 when compensation was offered to those wrongly accused of witchcraft, Tituba was left off the list.
Through what little we see of her treatment, it is safe to say that other enslaved persona were also accused, tried, executed and we know nothing about them because they were not white.
Which adds yet another layer to researching your enslaved heritage.
So sad, disturbing, and a horrible reminder of what humans are capable of. Thank you for your work and sharing it here. I look forward to future collaborations.
Oh... and your series has given me some great tips for doing further research into the Gilbert line of my family history and the story of Lydia (Bliss) Gilbert who was executed after accusations of witchcraft in Windsor, CT, in 1654 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/collaborate/G1DQ-359). Her husband, Thomas Gilbert, Jr., was my 9th great-grandfather (https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/LZZ8-ZR5), as best I can tell. Though he died just 8 years after she did, he and his third wife had five children in that period of time. How could they even remain in Windsor? 😟
Thanks for replying to Barbara,s question Aryn. I’ll add this information to my post with the recording.
Thank you, Jennifer! For adding it and hosting and all your hard work. Also, thank you for including me.