Hosts Josh and Sarah welcome back author Beth Caruso to discuss Alice Young, New England's first documented witch trial victim, executed in Windsor, Connecticut in 1647. Beth shares her groundbreaking research that led to Alice's official exoneration by the Connecticut legislature in May 2023, after centuries of her story being nearly lost to history. The conversation explores how Beth pieced together Alice's life through limited historical records, neighborhood land documents, and epidemiological patterns from a 1647 flu outbreak that may have contributed to the accusations against her. They discuss Alice's lasting legacy through her descendants, connections to broader New England witch trial history, and what still needs to be done to honor her memory through exhibits and memorials.

Episode Highlights:

• Alice Young's Story - New England's first documented alleged witch hanging, executed in Connecticut in 1647 (June 5th by modern calendar)

• Historic Exoneration - Connecticut's bipartisan legislative vote in May 2023 officially cleared Alice Young's name after centuries

• Research Challenges - How limited historical records have been pieced together to share Alice's life

• The 1647 Flu Epidemic - How neighborhood deaths and epidemiological patterns may have led to Alice's accusation

• Historical Connections - Links between Alice Young's case and broader New England witch trial history, including connections to the Mather family

• Governor Winthrop Jr.'s Role - His alchemical views and connections to people in Alice Young's life

• Alice's Legacy - Her descendants and lasting impact on Connecticut heritage and colonial history

• Ongoing Memorial Efforts - What still needs to be done through exhibits, memorials, and continued awareness

• Beth's Work - Her Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, CT Witch Memorial Facebook page, and Connecticut Witch Trials Trilogy

• Podcast Promotion - Launch announcement for "The Thing About Salem" podcast and its first episode about TitubaBuy the book One of Windsor by Beth Caruso

Author Beth Caruso's Website

Article: Between God and Satan by Katherine A. Hermes; Beth M. Caruso

Buy the book: Prospero's America: John Winthrop, Jr., Alchemy, and the Creation of New England Culture, 1606-1676 by Walter W. Woodward

ConnecticutWitchTrials.org

CT W.I.T.C.H. Memorial https://www.facebook.com/ctwitchmemorial

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Welcome back to the Witch Hunt Podcast. This is the final episode in the four part series: The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief. If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out the previous series episodes first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.

This completes our Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft conversation with Professor Richard Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, expert on Devil lore.

In Part 1, we began examining the critical relationship that developed between demons and witchcraft specifically in the 15th century. In Part 2, we delved deeper into how this connection became the driving force behind the witch hunts that devastated communities across Europe. In parts 3 and 4 we reveal shocking and informing details on the Malleus Maleficarum and its authors Heinrich Kramer, aka Institoris, and Jacob Sprenger. Thank you for joining us as we conclude this chilling and fascinating exploration of how demonology fueled witch persecution.

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⁠Richard Raiswell⁠

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⁠Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay ⁠

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Today we conclude our series: The Evolution of Diabolical Witchcraft Belief with Professor Raiswell of the University of Prince Edward Island, an expert in medieval devil lore, with another double episode release. If you're just joining us, we recommend checking out the previous series episodes first, though this episode can certainly stand on its own.

In this episode, part 3 of the series, Dr. Raiswell takes us into the minds and lives of Heinrich Kramer, aka Institoris, and Jacob Sprenger, the authors of the 15th century witch-hunting book, the Hammer of Witches, formally known as the Malleus Maleficarum.

This Dr. Raiswell series is essential for understanding how theological concepts about Satan evolved into specific witchcraft accusations and largely gendered persecution mechanisms that still influence witch hunting today.

The full series, in four parts, is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠⁠NEW PODCAST: The Thing About Salem

⁠⁠Check out our new podcast, The Thing About Salem, on YouTube!⁠⁠

⁠Help Us Build Our New Patreon Community for The Thing About Salem Podcast⁠

Richard Raiswell

Shop our Nonprofit Bookshop for: The Routledge History of the Devil in the Western Tradition

Purchase the Malleus Maleficarum: The Hammer of Witches, translated by Christopher S. MacKay

Build Your Witch Trial History Library with a Purchase from our Bookshop!

End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit Organization

Sign up for our Newsletter

Donate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund