Salem Witch Trials

"To the honorable judge and bench now sitting in judicature in Salem and the reverend ministers, humbly sheweth that whereas your humble poor petitioner being condemned to die doth humbly beg of you to take it into your judicious and pious consideration that your poor and humble petitioner, knowing my own innocency (blessed by the Lord for it) and seeing plainly the wiles and subtlety of my accusers by myself, cannot but judge charitably of others that are going the same way with myself if the Lord step not mightily in. I was confined a whole month on the same account that I am now condemned for, and then cleared by the afflicted persons, as some of your honors know. And in two days time f was cried out upon by them, and have been confined and am now condemned to die. The Lord above knows my innocency then and likewise doth now, as at the Great Day will be known to men and angels. I petition to your honors not for my own life, for I know I must die, and my appointed time is set. But the Lord He knows it is, if it be possible, that no more innocent blood be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in the way and course you go in. I question not but your honors do to the utmost of your powers in the discovery and detecting of witchcraft, and witches, and would not be guilty of innocent blood for the world. But by my own innocency I know you are in the wrong way. The Lord in his infinite mercy direct you in this great work, if it be His blessed will, that innocent blood be not shed. 

Excerpt from the petition of Mary Towne Easty/Esty, hanged Sept. 22, 1692, Salem, Massachusetts

The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690's were dealt with by a few stark paragraphs in American History class during my sophomore year in high school. I later read more about the events but only a few years ago did I learn that one of husband Jim's maternal lines descends directly from Mary Town Easty/Esty [there are various spellings] through her son Isaac Easty Jr. 

Perhaps in part for reparation of the infamous trials, hasty convictions and death decrees, the state of Massachusetts, as well as various historical societies and scholars have made available on the internet court transcripts, petitions and biographies.

Those researching the history agree that the accusations of witchcraft arose from long-simmering jealousies, controversies over land boundaries, malicious gossip. Such was the mood that even to speak out in support of a minister of the church disliked by one's neighbor was to invite the rumor that both minister and defender were "in league with the devil."

Mere ignorance or lack of education [if such can be cited] don't begin to excuse the torment, the imprisonment and wrongful deaths that poisoned that area for several years.

Mary Easty's elderly sister, Rebecca Towne Nurse, was also accused at age 71 in spite of a lifelong reputation as a 'pious' and kindly neighbor. Dragged before the court Rebecca answered the accusations simply and honestly, protesting her innocence. The 'jury' acquitted her, only to have the teenage girls who were the main perpetrators of the charges throw themselves into fits and contortions, shrieking that 'Goody Nurse' was afflicting them! 

Exhausted, hard of hearing, Rebecca Nurse threw her hands in the air declaring, " I have got nobody to look to but God."

Rebecca Towne Nurse, age 71, was hanged as a witch July 19, 1692.

The precocious Puritan theologian, Cotton Mather, concurred in allowing 'spectral evidence'--in other words, if a child sickened, a cow died, a crop withered, a building burned, those affected had only to cry that they had seen the 'shape' or the specter of the accused witch hovering about.

Strangely, if an accused witch would 'confess and repent'--rather than honestly protest innocence--her/his life might be spared!

As I have read through online documents and histories I have been convinced, as have others, that while evil was running rampant, those 'possessed' were not the women and few men who were tried and hanged, but the young girls who were soon notorious as 'witch-finders', trotted out to screech and writhe in the presence of those they accused.

Of the several young women actively involved in the witch hunts, only one, Ann Putnam, Jr [so called as her mother was also Ann] ever confessed to wrong-doing. 

Ann Putnam's Confession (1706)

"I desire to be humbled before God for that sad and humbling providence that befell my father's family in the year about '92; that I, then being in my childhood, should, by such a providence of God, be made an instrument for the accusing of several persons of a grievous crime, whereby their lives were taken away from them, whom now I have just grounds and good reason to believe they were innocent persons; and that it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time, whereby I justly fear I have been instrumental, with others, though ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring upon myself and this land the guilt of innocent blood; though what was said or done by me against any person I can truly and uprightly say, before God and man, I did it not out of any anger, malice, or ill-will to any person, for I had no such thing against one of them; but what I did was ignorantly, being deluded by Satan. And particularly, as I was a chief instrument of accusing of Goodwife Nurse and her two sisters, I desire to lie in the dust, and to be humbled for it, in that I was a cause, with others, of so sad a calamity to them and their families; for which cause I desire to lie in the dust, and earnestly beg forgiveness of God, and from all those unto whom I have given just cause of sorrow and offence, whose relations were taken away or accused.

[Signed]

"This confession was read before the congregation, together with her relation, Aug. 25, 1706; and she acknowledged it."

"J. Green, Pastor." 

Kathleen Kent, author of the two books shown at the top of this post, is also a descendent of a woman hung in Salem as a witch,

Martha Carrier, age 42, was dragged from prison and hung, August 19, 1692.

Three of her children had been incarcerated with her and tortured until, as their mother advised them hoping for leniency for them, they confessed to being practitioners of witchcraft. 

Children thrown into prison with condemned parents might be pardoned, but unless they had family who could produce bail money they languished there. 

Martha Carrier has come down in history as an outspoken and sharp-tongued woman, hard-working, honest, but not one to suffer fools gladly.

During her examination by the magistrates, as the 'afflicted' girls carried on their fits, she was asked if she could not see what she had 'done' to them.

Her caustic reply, recorded in transcripts, went to the heart of the matter. " It is a shameful thing that you should mind these folks that are out of their wits! You lie--I am wronged."

The month of August found me in the grip of the Salem Witch Trial history. Late into the night I traveled back in time via Kathleen Kent's well researched and vividly portrayed family story. I reached for a pen to underline the names of Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty each time they figured  in the narrative.

We can read history books for the details of times and places, dates and names.

A well crafted historical narrative, describing the locale, the prevailing mode of thinking and doing, the conversations which must surely have discussed out-raged disbelief, fear, faith--bitter loss--these bring a reality, make 'history come alive.' 

 

 

Shopping in South Fork

I usually make a shopping run to the South Fork community every four to five weeks. 

There are sometimes good finds at the discount stores or at the produce market.

The narrow winding roads can be challenging, not least because one can meet an over-loaded log truck, or overtake a variety of horse-drawn conveyances, bicycles, iron-wheeled tractors. 

I made a quick visit to Misty Mountain Sales late in July to purchase quilt backing [or 'lining' as it is locally termed] didn't drive up during August, although my favorite area greenhouse/nursery reopened for fall on the 12th.

When I announced my intention to make the rounds today J. decided he had an errand at 

Liberty Lumber Supply in the area. 

Our first stop was at Misty Mountain Sales. Its a favorite venue where I enjoy browsing even without a specific purchase in mind. The display of locally crafted quilts and furniture is inspiring and changes from time to time. 

Other than cleaning supplies we didn't find much to buy at the two discount stores, so settled for soft-serve ice cream from Sunny Valley Country Store, then 

a quick stop at Homestead Gardens for violas to set out in planters near the front door. 

Below are photos from Misty Mountain.

It has become increasingly problematic to transfer photos from my Canon camera to my PC. I have procrastinated in learning to work with iphone photos but it seems the time has come. 

We've seen several buggies in the S. Fork neighborhood that are fancier than the usual.

Note the embossed metal where normally there would be wooden sides.

I thought the horse was handsome!

The young woman preparing to drive away when we came out of the store was pretty with blonde curly hair tucked into her bonnet and wearing a blue-flowered dress.

A wall display of kitchen gadgets.

No power tools on offer, but all manner of hand tools and bits and pieces for home/farm repairs. 

This is my go-to place when I can justify new bakeware.

Much of it is sized to accommodate the feeding of large families.

Ready-made garments for sale. I've sometimes seen a Mennonite woman tending the store and working at her [electric] sewing machine to produce bonnets, aprons and simple children's clothing.

If you need to replace your wood-burning cookstove or are just setting up housekeeping, there are several in stock or you can choose to order another model shipped to the store.

We purchased our wood-burning heater there when we built our house.

Rocking chairs are a staple of Amish craftsmanship.

We have two with bent-wood frames purchased from an Amish man formerly living in our neighborhood. 

This one differs in the 'post' frame construction and the decorative horse's head etched into the back rest.

I was trying to unobtrusively get close enough to the quilt display to take photos.

The owners are fine with that, but the store was busier than usual with 'English' customers [probably tourists] as well as Old Order Amish and Mennonite shoppers.

The Amish don't approve of being photographed so I  meant to be discreet. 

The hand applique and hand quilting is very fine. Most of those quilts can be purchased for under $500. 

There are a few older quilts displayed for sale, some in pristine condition, some showing wear.

Two hexagon quilts, a Sunbonnet Sue and a pieced basket quilt.

As well there are some simpler 'every day' quilts, even a few small 'tied' comforters.

Each appliqued block in this quilt was slightly different. 

These fine quilts are hung behind a protective sheet of clear vinyl. 

Another appliqued beauty.

There were several wall hangings in different colorways created from diamond Log Cabin blocks.

These were new to the display.

I ducked into the aisle of canning supplies to take this shot of the check-out area. 

The proprietor's given name is 'Fairman.' He is chatty, knowledgeable about the items stocked, apparently well able to deal with a computer for placing orders.

I don't ask prying questions, but I gather that modern devices can be used in a business setting though not allowed in Amish or Mennonite homes. 

End of August

Howard called me to the door to view the hummingbird on the lanky zinnia.

Photo from his phone, taken through a streaky window.

Nasturtiums and lemon verbena a few days before the heat wave.

Attempts to capture  a good photo of the hummers through the screen aren't impressive. 

We have a larger crew of them this year, eight to ten as best we can count as they mill about.

My notes from other years indicate they should stay with us until the week of the autumn equinox. The birds don't depart all at once. I leave a feeder up until early October as we often have a transient or two after the summer residents have drifted away to their winter quarters.

Three turkeys have made a daily visit during August. Most often they stroll down the grassed-in lane, peck about in the lower meadow. 

The above photo, taken through a window screen, caught them just before the Sunday morning downpour. They scuttled into the tree line and sheltered there until the rain diminished. 

Later the turkey trio trekked to the upper field, ambled down to the edge of the garden and then marched through the wet grass below the house. I crept out very quietly and was able to zoom in on them before they noticed me and changed course.  Our resident cats often spy the turkeys before I do. With their acute hearing I suspect they pick up on the gabbling and cackling of the turkeys and hurry to a window to track their progress. 

Sunset after the blessing of rain.

Summer in south-central Kentucky is a lengthy season. April, May, even June can serve up a short run of cool days, but by May we are putting away winter clothes, removing heavy blankets and quilts from the beds, spending hours outdoors planting, pruning, trying to keep pace with burgeoning weeds. 

July is hot, often too dry, although this year we had enough rain to bring on the vegetable garden.

The green bean harvest was smaller than i hoped for and Mexican bean beetle larvae [horrid yellow squishy things] took a heavier than usual toll on the plants. Repeat plantings of beets were a failure.

Jim raised successive crops of excellent sweet corn--and the raccoons only once breeched the electric fence to feast for an evening.

My perennial plantings are a hopeless mess! I've pottered about yanking at weeds, dead-heading, pruning, all in rather desultory fashion and without significant impact on invasive weeds that thrive regardless of drought. 

August did bring dry conditions and unrelenting heat. 
The few days when temperatures remained in the mid 80's F. with lower humidity were a relief.

August for me has been a month of slogging; Shakespear's description of 'the petty pace from day to day' has been a good fit. 

The creativity which inspired me to finish several quilts during June and July deserted me in August.

One hot or 'cooked' meal per day has sufficed, with sandwiches [on homemade bread] or leftovers rounded out with garden salads of tomato, cucumber and green pepper have been plenty.

I've spent hours reading--not unusual for me in any season. 

I'll share more about that in a later post.

For now, I'm welcoming September. 

After two evenings of muttering distant thunder which brought no rain, the sky opened this morning with a twenty minute deluge which then settled into gentle rain continuing into the afternoon.

Now, at a few minutes til midnight, the temperature stands at 72 F. with humidity of 89%. 

Stepping outside for a moment I note that the air is heavy and moist, but with a freshness that has been lacking during the several dry weeks. The sky is inky dark with no prickling of stars.

Morning light is noticeably later to appear and here on the dividing line between central and eastern time dusk is gently folding in by 8 p.m.

As always I marvel at the subtle changes of the seasons, the steady and inexorable 'march of days.'