A friend and I recently visited Salem, Massachusetts. I have taken an interest in the Salem witch trials, and after having read countless articles and numerous books on the topic, I wanted to go find my way through their journey. Sue arrived at our Airbnb wearing a T-shirt that read, “We are the granddaughters of the witches you couldn’t burn.” Aside from the fact that no one was burned (they were hung, fourteen women during one summer 330 years ago), they also weren’t witches, never were, never will be. They were healers and midwives and neighbors and thinkers and women who sometimes spoke their mind. They were you and me.
See Ruth Franklin's biography of Shirley Jackson for an account of what SJ wrote about Salem Witch Trials.... Where everyone goes to party is at what was called Salem Town in 1692. Salem Village was where the principal folks lived. It "went to hell" as it were, following the trials, and lost its existence as a village. Closest thing to Salem Village now is called Danvers.
I love hailing this article as a remembrance of our trip
See Ruth Franklin's biography of Shirley Jackson for an account of what SJ wrote about Salem Witch Trials.... Where everyone goes to party is at what was called Salem Town in 1692. Salem Village was where the principal folks lived. It "went to hell" as it were, following the trials, and lost its existence as a village. Closest thing to Salem Village now is called Danvers.