In this gripping episode of Witch Hunt, host Josh Hutchinson unravels the shocking tale of George Burroughs, a Harvard-educated minister who became an unlikely victim of the Salem Witch Trials.

Imagine a respected minister accused of being the ringleader of witches and a servant of Satan. How did George Burroughs, once a village minister, find himself at the center of one of history's most infamous witch hunts?

Josh takes listeners on a haunting journey through Burroughs' life, from his early days as a frontier preacher to his final moments on the gallows. You'll hear spine-chilling accounts of supposed supernatural feats, whispers of murdered wives, and tales of secret witch meetings led by this "little black beard man."

But was Burroughs truly guilty, or was he caught in a perfect storm of fear and injustice? The episode explores the web of accusations, the dramatic trial, and the heart-wrenching execution.

With twists and turns worthy of a thriller, this true story challenges our understanding of justice and the power of fear. From courtroom drama to family tragedy, the tale of George Burroughs will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the Salem Witch Trials.

This is one witch hunt story you won't want to miss!

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

Hear the first court proceedings of the Salem Witch Trials: the questioning of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburn, and Tituba on March 1 and 2, 1692.

⁠Listen to the full episode, "Salem Witch Hunt Saga: The First Arrests"⁠ Witch-Hunting in European and World History - Ronald Hutton

Donate: End Witch Hunts UK Advocacy Trip Fund

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

Learn more about SARA

Thank you for joining us for this narrative history of the Salem Witch Trials. This third part of our Salem Witch-Hunt 101 series focuses on the first arrests and interrogations of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburn, and Tituba in late February and early March 1692.

On Witch Hunt, the people and key events are real. The examinations are taken directly from the historical record. The depositions of afflicted persons Elizabeth Hubbard and Ann Putnam Jr. are paraphrased for natural conversation, while the deposition of the adult men Samuel Parris, Thomas Putnam, and Ezekiel Cheever is presented verbatim.

Join us as we spend time in the early moments of the infamous Salem Witch Trials, based on actual words from the historical documents. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious listener, this episode promises to be both informative and enjoyable.

Links:

Witch-Hunting in European and World History - Ronald Hutton

Donate: End Witch Hunts UK Advocacy Trip Fund

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

Learn more about SARA

In this 15-minute episode, Jordan Alexander, chair of the UK’s National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (SARA), joins Witch Hunt hosts Josh Hutchinson, Mary Bingham, and Sarah Jack. Jordan explores the complexities of spiritual and ritual abuse, providing concrete examples, discussing the UK’s systemic response, and highlighting the need for awareness and legislative changes.

Prism Training, Safeguarding Solutions for Professionals

Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Conference: Survivor Stories, Manchester UK, November 27, 2024

A Little Town Loses a Star

Learn more about SARA

Donate: End Witch Hunts UK Advocacy Trip Fund

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project

In this edition of Witch Hunt Victim Stories, Sarah Jack tells the story of Rebecca Nurse, a victim of the Salem Witch Trials, who was hanged on July 19, 1692.

The story of Rebecca Nurse is tragic. Born Rebecca Towne in 1621, Rebecca was seventy-one years old when she was arrested, and she had been in bed a week when she was hauled away from home. She languished in chains more than three months before she was brought out for her trial. At first she was acquitted, but then she was convicted. Next, she was reprieved, but then that was revoked and a death warrant was issued. All the while, Rebecca and her family and friends told anyone who would listen that she was innocent. Refusing to confess to something she did not do, Rebecca ultimately lost her life.

She is remembered today in multiple memorials, and her legacy lives on through her countless descendants.

For more listen to our episode, Rebecca Nurse of Salem with Dan Gagnon, which was released on December 29, 2022.

Please see also the following:

Witch Hunt: Rebecca Nurse of Salem with Dan Gagnon

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Daniel A. Gagnon, A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Marilynne K. Roach, Six Women of Salem: The Untold Story of the Accused and Their Accusers in the Salem Witch Trials

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

In this edition in our Witch Hunt Victim Stories series, Mary Bingham tells the story of Sarah Wildes, a victim of the Salem Witch Trials.

On July 2, 1692, Sarah Wildes was convicted of afflicting Mercy Lewis with malefic witchcraft. Learn about her life and trial in this poignant episode.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

In this episode of Witch Hunt Victim Stories, host Mary Bingham delves into the life of Susannah Martin, born in Olney, England in 1621. The episode explores her early life, migration to Massachusetts, and subsequent hardships. Susannah faced accusations of infanticide and witchcraft amid legal battles over her father's estate. Despite numerous appeals, she and her family often lost in court, culminating in her conviction and execution for witchcraft in 1692. Susannah's resilience is remembered, and she was posthumously exonerated in 2001. Now, a highway in Massachusetts bears her name, honoring her memory.

Please see also the following:

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Bernard Rosenthal, editor, Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Stacy Schiff, The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem

In this episode, guest host Mary Louise Bingham and special expert Jordan Alexander, chair of the UK’s National Working Group on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse (SARA), join Witch Hunt hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack. Jordan shares his journey from the police force and safeguarding roles to advocacy, exploring the complexities of spiritual and ritual abuse, providing concrete examples, discussing the UK’s systemic response, and highlighting the need for global awareness and legislative changes. We also address the rise of SARA cases, global challenges, media portrayals perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and efforts to combat abuse. Additionally, we highlight an upcoming survivor stories conference.

We explore the rise of SARA cases, global challenges, and the need for legislative changes. The conversation also touches on media portrayals of witchcraft, an upcoming survivor stories conference, and efforts by our nonprofit End Witch Hunts to gather data on SARA in the US. While we often focus on historical witch trials, today we examine how similar fears lead to harm to people today through violent exorcisms, accusations of witchcraft, human sacrifice, and other forms of SARA.

Prism Training, Safeguarding Solutions for Professionals

Spiritual and Ritual Abuse Conference: Survivor Stories, Manchester UK, November 27, 2024

A Little Town Loses a Star

Learn more about SARA

Donate: End Witch Hunts UK Advocacy Trip Fund

End Witch Hunts

Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project

Witch Hunt Website

Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project