Was there any other recorded witch trials or documented searches for witches in american that weren't related to the Salem Trials?

by jonpaulmusic

I'm just curious if there is any other recorded American searches or trials for witches. We all know about the salem ones but I would love some info on any from the NY & NJ Region or anywhere for that matter. Thank you, also happy Halloween in advance!

Patriot_Historian

Absolutely!

Though not in the region you requested, Grace Sherwood was accused of witch craft in Virginia in 1706, and thought to be the last person accused of witch craft in the court. Today Colonial Williamsburg does a reenactment of the trial.

She was accused of killing a bull and causing a woman to miscarry. In her dunking trial, she floated, leading people to believe guilt. Because of this she spent around 8 years in prison, though, she did not hang for her crime.

You can learn a bit more about her here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Sherwood#Initial_claims_of_witchcraft

voron10

There was also a lesser known set of two witch trials that occurred in Stamford, Connecticut in the same year as the Salem witch trials. Richard Godbeer has written a good book on the subject

huyvanbin

This makes me wonder: why did witch trials stop? This was long before western science had any real impact. Was it a stronger rule of law? Economics?