BBC TravelOct 9
Connecticut's forgotten witch trial past
Decades before Salem, Connecticut was the centre of US witch trials. A new statewide haunted history trail connects the towns and sites tied to this overlooked chapter of history.
Acting Connecticut Governor who intervened in witch trial cases
25 things in this story
- James RichardsSightMagistrate involved in the 1665 trial of Elizabeth Seager
- John Winthrop Jr.SightActing Connecticut Governor who intervened in witch trial cases
- Goody KnappSightAccused witch hanged in 1653 in Bridgeport
- Fairfield Museum and History CenterMuseumTown's first stop on the Haunted History Trail
- Edward's PondSightUsed for ducking tests of accused witches
- Elizabeth ClawsonSight
- Mercy DisbrowSight
- Elsewhere
- Alice 'Alse' YoungSightWindsor, United StatesFirst documented person executed for witchcraft in colonies
- Connecticut's new Haunted History TrailTrailHartford, United StatesSelf-guided statewide route with over 130 locations
- Lydia GilbertSightWindsor, United StatesTried and executed in 1654 for witchcraft
- Hartford Witch PanicFestivalHartford, United StatesFlurry of trials in 1662-1663 with four hangings
- Old State HouseMuseumHartford, United StatesSite of executions during Hartford's witch trials
- Hartford's Ancient Burying GroundSightHartford, United StatesCity's only surviving 17th-century landmark, established 1640
- Reverend Samuel StonePublic artworkHartford, United StatesHartford's co-founder and minister involved in witchcraft trials
- Samuel WyllysSightHartford, United StatesMagistrate involved in investigating witchcraft accusations
- Ghosts of New Haven ToursPlaceNew Haven, United StatesGhosts of New Haven, CT listed on the Ghosts of New England website's interactive haunted map for all to enjoy a…
- Downtown Mystic Ghost TourPlaceMystic, United StatesHear tales of Revolutionary heroes, industrial revolution hot spots, and Union soldiers of the Civil War still seen in…
- Windsor Historical SocietyMuseumWindsor, United StatesDisplays diary page citing Alse Young's hanging
- The Webb Deane Stevens MuseumMuseumWethersfield, United StatesLocated in Wethersfield
- The Griswold InnRestaurantEssex, United StatesBuilt in 1776, widely reported to be haunted
- The 1754 HouseHotelWoodbury, United StatesBelieved to be home to several 17th- and 18th-century ghosts
- Goody BassettSightStratford, United StatesWoman from Stratford tried for witchcraft, hanged in 1651
- The Blackbird HouseMarketWethersfield, United StatesOffering Reiki, Hypnosis, Tarot, Astrology, classes & more…
- First Church in WindsorPlace of worshipWindsor, United StatesReleased an apology regarding witchcraft accusations
- Goody Bassett's Ice Cream ShopRestaurantStratford, United States