The devil in the shape of a woman : witchcraft in colonial New England

Confessing to "familiarity with the devils," Mary Johnson, a servant, was executed by Connecticut officials in 1648. A wealthy Boston widow, Ann Hibbens was hanged in 1656 for casting spells on her neighbors. The case of Ann Cole, who was "taken with very strange Fits," fueled an outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Hartford a generation before the notorious events at Salem. More than three hundred years later, the question "Why?" still haunts us. Why were these and other women likely witches—vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft and possession? Carol F. Karlsen reveals the social construction of witchcraft in seventeenth-century New England and illuminates the larger contours of gender relations in that society. From The Publisher: Confessing To Familiarity With The Devils, Mary Johnson, A Servant, Was Executed By Connecticut Officials In 1648. A Wealthy Boston Widow, Ann Hibbens, Was Hanged In 1656 For Casting Spells On Her Neighbors. In 1662, Ann Cole Was Taken With Very Strange Fits And Fueled An Outbreak Of Witchcraft Accusations In Hartford A Generation Before The Notorious Events In Salem Took Place. More Than Three Hundred Years Later The Question Still Haunts Us: Why Were These And Other Women Likely Witches? Why Were They Vulnerable To Accusations Of Witchcraft? In This Work Carol Karlsen Reveals The Social Construction Of Witchcraft In Seventeenth-century New England And Illuminates The Larger Contours Of Gender Relations In That Society. Preface -- 1: New England's Witchcraft Beliefs -- 2: Demographic Basis Of Witchcraft -- 3: Economic Basis Of Witchcraft -- 4: Handmaidens Of The Devil -- 5: Handmaidens Of The Lord -- 6: New England's Well-ordered Society -- 7: Brands Plucked Out Of The Burning -- Epilogue -- Afterword To The Norton Paperback Edition -- Appendix: List Of Accused Witches -- Notes -- Index. Carol F. Karlsen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 273-352) And Index. Contents Tables 1 New England’s Witchcraft Beliefs 2 The Demographic Basis of Witchcraft 3 The Economic Basis of Witchcraft 4 Handmaidens of the Devil 5 Handmaidens of the Lord 6 New England’s Well-ordered Society 7 Brands Plucked Out of the Burning Epilogue Afterword to the Norton Paperback Edition Appendix: List of Accused Witches Notes Index HISTORY OFFERS FEW subjects as endlessly fascinating or as intellectually frustrating as witchcraft.