I'm a Child of a Salem Witch

I don't remember if I've explained my user name on my blog before or if I've discussed my ancestry. However I had a question in my email that is actually pretty common. This person wanted to know the best places to visit in Salem, Mass. Because my name is SalemWitchChild people automatically assume I live or have at least visited Salem, Massachusetts. I haven't! Though one of my life goals one day is to visit, I have never had the pleasure of visiting. FYI, if and when I visit Salem, the first place I'm going is the museum there. *wink*

I use to go by the name White Feathers online. It's my tribal name however it was no longer really fitting my spirituality. I was slowly moving away from Native American shamanism and incorporating Wiccan beliefs into my life at the time. I went through a period in my life where I ignored my "white" ancestry and wanted to connect to my native heritage. I realized I was living an unbalanced life and it wasn't healthy to ignore a whole generation of ancestry and tradition.

At the same time I was feeling I needed to delve into another path, I started to research my ancestry. My grandmother had most of my work done for me. My great grandmothers family tree traced back to early 1500's England. In the family tree I recognized that an ancestor had lived close to and died in Salem, Mass during the Salem Witch Trials. I did more digging and sure enough, one of my ancestors was hung as a Salem witch. Therefore, I am a child of a Salem witch and my new Internet ID was born.

 Susannah North Martin lived in Amesbury Mass,. She was married to George Martin. At the time of her death she was a widow and was hanged July 19th, 1692. She is my 10th generation great grandmother. Over the years I would connect with her spirit and research more of her life and death. In a way she helped me embrace the part of me I at one time wanted no part of and ignored completely. 

So, back to my original intent of this post, while I'd love to visit or even live in the New England states for a time, I have never been there. Maybe one day though. ;)

A photo of a magical place outdoors.

For me a magical place that I want to visit some day is Salem, Massachusetts. I want to visit my ancestors memorial stone, and I want to visit the witch museum. I hear they have some items from Susannah Martins cabin there. Susannah is a 10th great grandmother to me. I feel a connection to her. I think if I could meet her today she would be a very strict woman. One I may not totally get along with. But I think she also had a kind side. Quick to temper and quick to forgive is how I see her. Perhaps I am completely wrong and I'll never know. But that's how I imagine her to be.

Susannah Martin was hung during the Salem Witch Trials on July 19th 1692. I wrote a poem for her several years ago.

Susannah Martin of Amesbury, Mass

They said you were a witch but you saw through their lies. 

Oh the afflicted did cry out, 

but you laughed in their face. 

Oh why dear grandmother did

you not smack them in the face. 

Well I suppose in the end we all must die, 

Your death shall be remembered throughout time and space. 

Blessed be dear grandmother. 

SalemWitchChild

If you've ever wondered why I took the name SalemWitchChild, this is it. I am a child of a Salem witch. Of course she wasn't a true witch. She was a devout Christian. One that took no shit. In her time she was outspoken, and that proved to be deadly. I admire her spunk. So there you have it, this place is very spiritual for me and I'm certain when I visit it will be a very magical experience.

To learn more about Susannah and her ordeal please visit this bloggers post. They've done a wonderful job telling Susannah's tale. 

The Witch hunts didn't just kill Women

Our view of The Burning Times are women, some young some old, being accused and hung or burned at the stake. However our view is a bit skewed. When we think Witch, most either think of a warted old hag with a pointy hat, or they think wise woman.
But history doesn't talk a lot about the men who died in the name of Witchcraft. Take the Salem Witch Trials for example. Because I have an ancestor who was one of the victims of the Salem hysteria I've done my bit of research on what happened. Most who think of the trials think of Tituba, who was the female slave who dabbled in divination with the girls. Some of the women who died were Rebecca Nurse, Bridget Bishop, or Susannah Martin, who is my ancestor. But the men equally gave their lives and should not be forgotten. Giles Corey who refused to enter a plea so therefore was pressed to death. Or John Proctor and George Burroughs. If you research history you will find many men who were accused and executed for witchcraft. Please don't forget them! When we forget history, we tend to repeat it.