Before Salem: Witch Hunting in the Connecticut River Valley, 1647-1663

by Richard S. Ross III

Decades before the Salem Witch trials, 11 people were hanged as witches in the Connecticut River Valley. The advent of witch hunting in New England was directly influenced by the English Civil War and the witch trials in England led by Matthew Hopkins, who pioneered "techniques" for examining witches.
This history examines the outbreak of witch hysteria in the Valley, focusing on accusations of demonic possession, apotropaic magic and the role of the clergy.

Although the hysteria was eventually quelled by a progressive magistrate unwilling to try witches, accounts of the trials later influenced contemporary writers during the Salem witch hunts. The source of the document "Grounds for Examination of a Witch" is identified.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 22, 2017

Reviews

[StevenF · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Krassneresque title is catchy. Richard S. Roth lll's expertise on the topic is shared in an accessibly clear and flowing writing style. He is like the best professors you had in college. Engaging, interesting, funny and a master of his material- at times beguiling even, so it was puzzling why he deemed it necessary to tell the reader several times throughout the telling that the 'hunters' (perps) were in the wrong. Like Europe before them and Salem after, the accounts and facts in the C.R.V. injustices are conclusive and never in doubt of who is guilty. The book was written before the tRump debacle began. Was Ross exhibiting prescience regarding the trumpish dumb-down? Did he foresee the skewing of reality ahead? Was he concernned with our weakening ablity to discern moral certitude in the midst of the 'bad trip'? Hmm... Prove you're not a witch, Dick Ross.

[Bill Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account of a little-documented, early outbreak of history in his majesty's colony of Connecticut. The best parts of this book are the attention to chronicling the weird details of the various accusations (a cursed pudding among them) and the insight into the effect of the distant, but contemporary English Civil War on colonial affairs. What comes across here, more than in Salem, is just how small the world was, how few players on the stage. The accusations, trials, and convictions were made among men and women who had lived together for years, presumably a magnification of the little grievances that grow in any community. I also appreciated the placement of the events in the historical context of the English Civil War and the contextual chapter on religious schisms in the new colonies, including the persecution and execution of Quakers, who were pretty much just another witch for the tree.

[Jennifer M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decently written and the research seems solid. The history is fascinating and learning more about how the witch fever spread was pretty neat. My ancestors came and settled Connecticut and I was curious to see if any of them would be mentioned. There's no mention of my family which is something of a relief but no guarantee that they weren't involved in the condemnation of innocent people. I can definitely see the parallels between our past and our present in this book.

[Judy Giguere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating - very few people realize Connecticut started the witch hunts.