Exonerating Massachusetts Witch Trial Victims

Before Salem: Boston’s Forgotten Witchcraft Victims and the Push for Exoneration We open with a 1692 London story involving Increase and Samuel Mather and a warning that supposed ghosts could be devils deceiving the grieving. Then we share an update on Massachusetts bill H.1927 to exonerate people accused of witchcraft in Boston and elsewhere: it has been favorably reported out of the Judiciary Committee, is headed to the full House, and has technical language changes with a new bill number pending. We explain that Salem wasn’t the start of witch-hunting in Massachusetts, highlighting earlier Boston-area cases—including those executed and others convicted but not executed—that helped establish the fears, evidence, and methods later seen in 1692. We close with clear calls to action: sign the petition at change.org/witchtrials, contact your Massachusetts representative and senator to urge support, share the episode, and encourage people in Massachusetts to get involved as the bill moves forward. 00:00 Ghosts and Devils 01:01 Bill H 1927 Update 02:06 Boston Before Salem 02:48 Margaret Jones 1648 03:53 Kendall and Lake 04:37 Anne Hibbens 1656 05:05 Goody Glover 1688 05:44 Other Convictions 06:15 Eunice Cole Fight 07:14 Elizabeth Morse Case 07:55 Take Action Now Sign the petition to exonerate Find My Massachusetts Legislators The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel ⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 7: Families, Geography, and the Machinery of Accusation, February 9-15, 2026 ⁠The Thing About Salem The Thing About Witch Hunts