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

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Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 7: Families, Geography, and the Machinery of Accusation, February 9-15, 2026

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