Salem casts more spells than witches on Halloween

During the summer of 1692, nearly 200 people were accused of being witches in Salem, Mass., a small Puritan settlement 16 miles northeast of Boston.

[brandi ames]

i love this cite!

[albion]

Cite?

[Shellikins]

I haven't been to Salem on Halloween in a long time.

All of the haunted houses and everything have really commercialised the place, unfortunately.

I feel like they've taken something horrific from history and turned it into an amusement park. As an ancestor of 2 victims, and 1 persecutor, I have mixed feelings about that.

When my sister went to Salem a few years ago, she placed roses on the gravestones of our ancestors. They aren't the actual graves. In truth, no one knows exactly where Rebecca Nurse was buried...

[NiftyWitch]

I'd like to go to Salem sometime, just to see the place. I'm sure it's very commercialized, but the history is still there.

[Shellikins]

NiftyWitch wrote:

I'd like to go to Salem sometime, just to see the place. I'm sure it's very commercialized, but the history is still there.

Oh, it is an interesting place. Lots of good knowledge there.

It'a also a great place to "people-watch"... especially on Halloween. It can be great fun, but part of me thinks about what my ancestors would think. I suppose that, since they were Puritan, they wouldn't like all the merriment and, especially, the reverance of witches.

Very mixed feelings for me, indeed. I'm happy that we, as a nation, aren't quite as "puritanical" as that anymore... but it was a time and place of great tragedy in the name of God, and these people were killed for, basically, nothing... since none were actually witches.

I guess I just see the place differently than most people. If I didn't have ancestors that were directly involved, I guess it wouldn't bug me as much.

But, it's definately worth the visit. I haven't been in about 4 years. I think I need to make a trip out there without my fiance.

[N_E_Camper]

I've lived in Salem all my life. I've always known the story of Rebecca Nurse this way: After she was hung on Gallows Hill, her body was cast to the sea amoungst the rocks near the hanging site. By the cover of darkness, Rebecca's family recovered her body and brought her home to what is now called Danvers to be buried in an unmarked grave in the family burial ground. The grave today has a marker. I have been there many times in my 52 years. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html...
Download and read this article.
Also, for anyone interested, the family name was Nourse....it was changed to Nurse after rebecca's death.

[HaHaHa]

NiftyWitch wrote:

I'd like to go to Salem sometime, just to see the place. I'm sure it's very commercialized, but the history is still there.

I've been interested in this sad part of our history and would also like to go sometime.
Can't imagine how scary a time that must have been-for all those innocent people.

[The Real Lori]

I bet it's fun to watch all the Goth kids dressed up on Halloween, pretending to "blend in". Here in SC, the look hasn't breathed its last...LOL

[N_E_Camper]

It's a freakin' zoo here all year. You don't need halloween to dress up in Salem!

[MADood]

Salem roolz

[Oh brother]

N_E_Camper wrote:

I've lived in Salem all my life. I've always known the story of Rebecca Nurse this way: After she was hung on Gallows Hill, her body was cast to the sea amoungst the rocks near the hanging site. By the cover of darkness, Rebecca's family recovered her body and brought her home to what is now called Danvers to be buried in an unmarked grave in the family burial ground. The grave today has a marker. I have been there many times in my 52 years. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html...
Download and read this article.
Also, for anyone interested, the family name was Nourse....it was changed to Nurse after rebecca's death.

Very interesting. May I ask, have you ever heard of an John Upton that died in Salem/Damnvers in 1699?

[N_E_Camper]

The name Upton sounds familiar, but I'm thinking Samuel or William. I'll have to do a little research.

[Oh brother]

N_E_Camper wrote:

The name Upton sounds familiar, but I'm thinking Samuel or William. I'll have to do a little research.

Oh thanks so much. Here is more, he was an indentured servant but bought himself off- then started buying up much land over the years. I think he built a house that still stands in Peabody ands he has connections with a school in Peabody. The man was a liberal and would not condone the things that were happening at the time, such as the witch hangings and burnings. He was completely opposed to the politics at the time,that people walk around him rather than to confront him and his wrath(stronge opionions) about murdering young innocent women.

[Unknown]

N_E_Camper wrote:

The name Upton sounds familiar, but I'm thinking Samuel or William. I'll have to do a little research.

Personally, how do you view the book the Crucible?

I know its not based on facts but its just interesting to know what locals from that city think about it. I've been interested in the trials and just bought a book but haven't' been able to pick it up.

[N_E_Camper]

Oh brother wrote:

<quoted text>Oh thanks so much. Here is more, he was an indentured servant but bought himself off- then started buying up much land over the years. I think he built a house that still stands in Peabody ands he has connections with a school in Peabody. The man was a liberal and would not condone the things that were happening at the time, such as the witch hangings and burnings. He was completely opposed to the politics at the time,that people walk around him rather than to confront him and his wrath(stronge opionions) about murdering young innocent women.

http://the-smollers.com/Sudi/PSHP/burktext.ht...

An article you might like to read.

[N_E_Camper]

oops!....that link puts you in the middle of the article.....scroll up when it opens.

[N_E_Camper]

Unknown wrote:

<quoted text>
Personally, how do you view the book the Crucible?
I know its not based on facts but its just interesting to know what locals from that city think about it. I've been interested in the trials and just bought a book but haven't' been able to pick it up.

I never read the book.....I saw the movie some time ago. I Liked the movie.

Locals here today either like the hype for the tourist dollars or hate the hype for the tourist traffic.

http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/

Check out this site for some real factual data.

[just a girl]

Shellikins wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh, it is an interesting place. Lots of good knowledge there.
It'a also a great place to "people-watch"... especially on Halloween. It can be great fun, but part of me thinks about what my ancestors would think. I suppose that, since they were Puritan, they wouldn't like all the merriment and, especially, the reverance of witches.
Very mixed feelings for me, indeed. I'm happy that we, as a nation, aren't quite as "puritanical" as that anymore... but it was a time and place of great tragedy in the name of God, and these people were killed for, basically, nothing... since none were actually witches.
I guess I just see the place differently than most people. If I didn't have ancestors that were directly involved, I guess it wouldn't bug me as much.
But, it's definately worth the visit. I haven't been in about 4 years. I think I need to make a trip out there without my fiance.

hi. i'm from virginia. but have always wanted to go to salem, just because i've always been interested in the trials.

do you know how i can find out if i had any relatives involved or executed???

[NiftyWitch]

just a girl wrote:

<quoted text>
hi. i'm from virginia. but have always wanted to go to salem, just because i've always been interested in the trials.
do you know how i can find out if i had any relatives involved or executed???

I would think you'd have to research your family tree, and see if it leads back to anyone involved. I've never done geneology, but there's a lot of info on the 'net about it.

[crime]

My ancestor was Sarah Wyles, she was hung at gallows hill in 1692 for the "Crime of being a Witch".....I am proud to be descendend from this outspoken woman...and may the people that falsely convicted her...answer to God for the lies.