Abigail Accused - A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt

Abigail Accused - A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt

Abigail Dane Faulkner was convicted of witchcraft and condemned to die in 1692. Based on actual 17th century documents, this is the dramatic account of one family whose lives became entangled in the Salem Witch Trials and the 40 year old mother of six who managed to escape the gallows. How did the people of Massachusetts Bay Colony, led by many of their ministers and magistrates, become victims of the fear and religious fanaticism that led to the imprisonment of nearly 200 citizens and the executions of twenty men and women? What happened to make ordinary people turn against neighbors and family and 'Cry Witch?' Why were more men, women and children from Abigail Faulkner's hometown of Andover carted off to prison? Why did so many Andover residents and children confess to witchcraft - more than from any other town in all of New England? Why did Abigail's sister, nieces and even her own daughters testify against her and confess to being witches themselves? Who were the 'afflicted' of Salem Village and Andover and what made them suffer fits? And what exactly was the dreaded Devil's Conspiracy?

Although countless books have been written about those tragic events of 1692, few so vividly describe the humiliation of being arrested or the torments of being incarcerated in chains. Few accounts reveal the power and danger of gossip within the colonial community or the popular belief in folk medicine and magical practices. How did Abigail Faulkner manage to save herself from the noose, when 19 other "Firebrands of Hell" were hanged? This historical novel also explains what became of those who survived the witch trials. How were they treated by the community after they were released and returned home?

Readers experience the daily lives of our ancestors at a time when preparing a meal, making soap, sowing seeds, stuffing sausage, or dipping candles required days and any complaint of a sore throat could signify the loss of a child. Life-changing events such as courtship and marriage, the sin of fornication, childbirth, and death, are described, along with devastating Wabanaki attacks upon a frontier community. Readers will learn how early New England towns dealt with the mentally ill, developmentally-disabled, and the indigent.

Above all, this is a moving love story demonstrating what passionate folks our ancestors really were since Puritans believed God smiled upon all possible physical pleasure for married couples. Abigail's enduring love offered her husband, Francis Faulkner, the strength he so desperately needed through bouts of mental illness. Native American raids upon their 'outside town' resulted in Faulkner's sporadic 'fitts,' the condition we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder.

This is also a tale of courage for it demonstrates how Abigail and her father, the Rev. Francis Dane, the town's senior minister, fought the bigotry of their time and helped end the deadly witch hunts. Petitions by this father and daughter represent landmark documents of free speech and serve to remind us all of the ongoing struggle for human rights.

Country	USA
Author	Juliet Mofford
Binding	Kindle Edition
Edition	1
Format	Kindle eBook
IsAdultProduct
Label	Juliet Haines Mofford
Manufacturer	Juliet Haines Mofford
NumberOfPages	249
PublicationDate	2013-05-29
Publisher	Juliet Haines Mofford
ReleaseDate	2013-05-29
Studio	Juliet Haines Mofford

Abigail Accused - A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt

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