BBC TravelOct 9, 2026
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.
25 things in this story
- The Webb Deane Stevens MuseumMuseumLocated in Wethersfield
- The Blackbird HouseMarketOffering Reiki, Hypnosis, Tarot, Astrology, classes & more…
- 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 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
- James RichardsSightFairfield, United StatesMagistrate involved in the 1665 trial of Elizabeth Seager
- John Winthrop Jr.SightFairfield, United StatesActing Connecticut Governor who intervened in witch trial cases
- Goody KnappSightFairfield, United StatesAccused witch hanged in 1653 in Bridgeport
- Fairfield Museum and History CenterMuseumFairfield, United StatesTown's first stop on the Haunted History Trail
- Goody BassettSightStratford, United StatesWoman from Stratford tried for witchcraft, hanged in 1651
- Edward's PondSightFairfield, United StatesUsed for ducking tests of accused witches
- First Church in WindsorPlace of worshipWindsor, United StatesReleased an apology regarding witchcraft accusations
- Elizabeth ClawsonSightFairfield, United States
- Mercy DisbrowSightFairfield, United States
- Goody Bassett's Ice Cream ShopRestaurantStratford, United States