The Witchcraft Delusion: The Story of the Witchcraft Persecutions in Seventeenth-Century New England, Including Original Trial Transcripts

by John Metcalf Taylor

Witchcraft is as old as human history, states John M. Taylor. "It has written its name in the oldest of human records. In all ages and among all peoples it has taken firm hold on the fears, convictions, and consciences of men." In colonial New England, laws against witchcraft were passed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Haven in the mid-seventeenth century. The most notorious episode of persecution occurred in 1692 in Salem, where 20 persons were executed as witches. From the 1660s to the 1690s, there were ongoing witch-hunts and trials in the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven. Several chapters of The Witchcraft Delusion are devoted exclusively to these accounts, most of which have been selected from colonial records and from original depositions. Each of the cases is presented using actual trial testimony. In addition to trial transcripts, there are such documents as the guide to discovering, accusing, and examining a witch prepared by William Jones, a deputy governor of C

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Religion, Witches

164 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1908

About the author

John Metcalf Taylor (1845-1918)

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters are more of an overview of witch trials and how witchcraft was viewed in Europe and the colonies during the early modern period, but the majority of the book focuses on the details of some of the more notorious witch trials of Connecticut. The author is very condemning of the trials as acts of delusion (hence the title) and ignorance, but at the same time suggests that Elizabeth Seager deserved what she got because she was also convicted of adultery. As if adultery is a crime worthy of execution. Seager wasn't executed but could have been - after her conviction, she was only released on a legal technicality. Of course, the reader does need to keep in mind that this book was written in 1908.

It is rather dry, but if you have an interest in the subject, it's well worth the read. I am descended from a couple of people who were involved in the trials as witness/juror so I wanted to find as many details about those cases as possible, and this certainly provided that. The majority of the info in my blog post about it here came from this book.

Historical Readings & Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the earliest studies of the incidence of witch trials in 17th century Connecticut colony. Well documented.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be read in conjunction with Witches The History of Persecution (see other post for it). This one provides more insight on New England witches.Both provide details and commentary the other needs.

But while slightly better writing than the other this book drags on as the author is clearly so revolted by the actual facts of torture and living situation of the people he is writing about he stuffed the book with dozens of actual text of the trials IN OLD ENGLISH where not everyone is clear on the spelling of several common words and yet is spelled continuously as yt.

A summary of the text would have sufficed.

[Bennjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first four or five chapters give an overview and history of witchcraft accusations and trials in the colonies. Much of the latter 3/4 of the book is the individual recounts thru primary and secondary sources of witchcraft in the colony of Connecticut. It does an okay job at describing the fear of the unexplainable and use of witchcraft as a means of maintaining social order in a suspicious and jealous geographic enclave of New England.

[Jerilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historic Proof

John M. Taylor really dug deep to bring some truthful facts to life. How peaceful life had been before Christianity. The murders of non Christian belivers and believers in Christianity due to accusations. Testimonies were incredible to read, along with the courts ruling and why. How grateful I am to live in a time of Freely choose my faith, thoughts, beliefs and personal choices in life. I highly recommend this book to both Christians and non Christians.

[Michelle Schulten · Rating 4 out of 5]

The facts are great, but I wouldn't get this on Audible.

[Jeremy Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was kinda dry. I was expecting this to be exclusively about Connecticut but it was more of a survey of witch trial in New England in general. Several specific cases were mentioned but there was too much mundane detail and not enough emphasis on key points to really grab my attention.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be exclusively about Connecticut but it was more of a survey of witch trial in New England in general.