Welcome back, Skeleton Army! I We don't often support ship captains being murdered, but when we do, it's slave driving Captain Joseph White. How will his large fortune be inherited? Per Capita or Per Stirpes?

My money is on the one that rhymes with herpes.

!n this episode, we travel back to the eerie streets of Salem, Massachusetts in 1830 to recount the chilling murder of Captain Joseph White, a notorious shipmaster and slave trader. With a mix of dark humor and historical insight, we paint a vivid picture of a town grappling with its infamous past, including the witch trials, while uncovering the brutal details of Captain White's murder. His head bashed in and his body repeatedly stabbed, the grim scene sets the stage for a tale of greed, betrayal, and murder.

Listen in as we unravel the complex web of inheritance laws in Massachusetts, shedding light on the implications for Captain White's estate and his relationships, particularly with his niece Mary and her husband, Joseph Knapp Jr. We explore the chaotic aftermath of the murder, highlighting the town's lack of a proper police force and the formation of the amateur Committee of Vigilance. The connections between Salem's prominent families—the Whites, Knapps, and Crowning Shields—are scrutinized, revealing how financial ruin and personal vendettas played pivotal roles in this scandal.

As we journey through the trials and conspiracies surrounding Captain White's murder, you'll hear about the dramatic courtroom performances, media influence, and the eventual execution of Frank and J. Jr. Knapp. We touch upon literary references to the case in works by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe, illustrating how this notorious event was woven into the cultural fabric of the time. Wrapping up with some delirious banter and fun facts, this episode promises a blend of historical intrigue and humor that will keep you entertained and informed.

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Topics:

Salem, Massachusetts, Murder, Captain Joseph White, Witch Trials, Historical, Inheritance Laws, Estate, Greed, Betrayal, Scandal, Courtroom Drama, Conspiracy, Vigilance, Frank Knapp, J. Jr. Knapp, Execution, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Literary References, Dark Humor, Chaos, Fun Facts, Banter, Rollercoaster, History, Horror, Macabre, Haunted, 19th Century, Salem's Past, New Horrors, Economic Struggles, Autopsy, Murder Suspects, Committee of Vigilance, Prominent Families, Disinheritance, Financial Ruin, Personal Vendettas, Crowning Shield Brothers, Greed, Betrayal, Murder, Chaos, Conspiracy, Botched Investigation, Social Dynamics, Public Sentiment, Media Influence, Cultural Fabric, Humorous, Absurdist, Playful Banter, Whimsical

Ever wondered what it takes to bring an overgrown and forgotten cemetery back to life? Rachel Meyer and Josh Gerloff from Epoch Preservation (@epochpreservation) join us to share their incredible journey of transforming neglected burial grounds into beautifully maintained historical sites. Starting with Rachel's groundbreaking research, they moved on to tackling an overgrown cemetery in Gloucester using everything from scythes to goats. Along the way, they discovered the rich history behind their business name "Epoch," which, despite its pronunciation challenges, holds deep historical significance.

We also dive into the meticulous art of gravestone conservation, discussing the challenges of maintaining these historic sites in the face of climate change and other environmental factors. Rachel and Josh talk about their favorite gravestone iconography and the intriguing details left by unidentified carvers. They also highlight alternative pathways into the field, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience and community connections over expensive formal education. Their personal anecdotes add a touch of humor and humanity to this specialized field.

What would you want your gravestone to look like? We get creative and a bit whimsical in a segment dedicated to envisioning our own unique gravestone designs—from holographic markers to animatronic weeping angels. The conversation then shifts to the eerie allure of death masks and safety coffins, wrapping up with the poignant story behind the face of CPR dummies. Rachel and Josh's passion for their work shines through, offering a fascinating blend of historical insights, personal stories, and a dash of humor. Don't miss out on this engaging episode that brings the past into the present with a light-hearted touch!

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is a KnaveryInk podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you seen our NEWER and GAYER website? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deathandfriends.gay/⁠⁠

Topics:

Epoch Preservation, Gravestone Conservation, Cemetery Restoration, Historic Burial Grounds, Climate Change, Death Masks, Safety Coffins, Cemetery Preservation, Networking, Volunteering, Apprenticeships, Hands-on Experience, Community Connections, Creative Grave Designs, Burial Preferences, Death and Remembrance, Historical Insights, Personal Anecdotes, Burying Hill, Newburyport, Graveyard Preservation, Accessibility, Community Engagement

Dr. Mary M. Alcaro, a visiting assistant professor of literature at Bryn Mawr College, takes us on a captivating journey through the intersections of plague, trauma, and Middle English texts. This episode kicks off our new interview series with Dr. Alcaro, who shares her path from undergraduate curiosity to a dissertation on the social and psychological effects of the Black Death. Through her fascinating insights, we uncover the profound influence of the plague on language and its lasting impact on literary theory and the history of medicine. Filled with humor and introspection, this conversation shines a new light on medieval literature and its contemporary relevance.

Our discussion takes a closer look at Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Book of the Duchess," highlighting how Chaucer subtly addresses the plague's impact without explicitly mentioning it. Dr. Alcaro explains the use of terms like "wound" to reflect the collective suffering of the audience, drawing intriguing parallels to modern-day euphemisms and the language of trauma. We also explore the concept of a "history of omission," where what is left unsaid can be as revealing as what is recorded, and how language evolves in response to shared traumatic experiences. This episode offers a thought-provoking examination of how literary works navigate the complexities of human grief and communal memory.

Rounding out the episode, we delve into the unexpected connections between medieval melancholia and modern-day humor, uncovering tales that resonate with contemporary comedic sensibilities. Dr. Alcaro reflects on the historical context of forced positivity during pandemics, drawing parallels to our recent experiences with COVID-19. We contemplate the long-term impacts of the pandemic on literature and society, pondering how themes of disease, isolation, and sensory perception might shape future works. Join us for an engaging and often humorous exploration of trauma, literature, and the enduring human experience across the ages.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Now with Beyond the Grave, a relaxed talk series with the crew!

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This is a KnaveryInk podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you seen our NEWER and GAYER website? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deathandfriends.gay/⁠⁠

Topics:

Trauma, Literature, Middle English, Plague, Black Death, Language, Literary Theory, History of Medicine, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Wound, Omission, Euphemisms, Traumatic Events, Melancholia, Plague Prophylaxis, Humor, Contemporary Relevance, Grief, Memory, Pandemic, COVID-19, Isolation, Sensory Perception, Post-Pandemic Society, Social Norms, Developmental Concerns, Autism, Quarantine, Social Class, Misinformation, Social Alienation, Disease, Endemic, Identity, Irony, Dr. Mary M. Alcaro