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"The Witch Letterbook" The Witch Letterbook is a fascinating and mysterious artifact that has captivated people for centuries. It is a collection of letters written by accused witches during the infamous witch trials that occurred throughout Europe and the American colonies in the 16th and 17th centuries. What makes the Witch Letterbook so intriguing is the insight it provides into the minds of those accused of practicing witchcraft. The letters offer a rare glimpse into the thoughts, fears, and beliefs of individuals facing the prospect of execution. Many of the letters express desperation, pleading for mercy and proclaiming innocence. Others contain confessions, possibly coerced, where the accused admit to practicing witchcraft and seek forgiveness.

Salem’s “Witch House” with actors dressed in Puritan clothing for colonial reenactments, 1949. (Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

In her book, Starkey recounts the trials from a modern psychological perspective, coming to the conclusion that boredom, drudgery, and fear of Hell among the teenage accusers were to blame for the nineteen executions that resulted from the trials. In her book, Starkey recounts the trials from a modern psychological perspective, coming to the conclusion that boredom, drudgery, and fear of Hell among the teenage accusers were to blame for the nineteen executions that resulted from the trials.

Others contain confessions, possibly coerced, where the accused admit to practicing witchcraft and seek forgiveness. The content of the letters varies, but many describe the accused's experience of being persecuted, detailing the accusations made against them, the tortures they endured, and the impact it had on their lives. Some letters even include messages to loved ones, expressing heartfelt sentiments and seeking solace in the face of impending doom.

Revisiting the Sites of the Salem Witch Trials

Salem’s “Witch House” with actors dressed in Puritan clothing for colonial reenactments, 1949.

(Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

Written By: Alexa Jade Frankelis

LIFE Photographer Nina Leen’s wide breadth of work ranged from fashion to documentary to animal portraiture. With an expansive portfolio, it comes as no surprise that she did not shy away from the macabre. For example, Leen had some of this work featured in a spread for an October 1957 issue of LIFE that covered America’s most famous ghost stories.

Years before her ghostly 1957 series—and over 250 years after the Salem Witch-trials of 1692—Leen visited Salem, Massachusetts to reexamine the horrific events in Salem. For the September 26, 1949 LIFE issue, Leen and the author Marion L. Starkey visited historic sites where the witch trials took place. They followed the narrative of Starkey’s new book at the time, The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Enquiry into the Salem Witch Trials.

Author, Marion L. Starkey, holding a cat, 1949.

(Photo by Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Tree at the top of Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts, 1949.

(Photo by Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

In her book, Starkey recounts the trials from a modern psychological perspective, coming to the conclusion that “boredom, drudgery, and fear of Hell” among the teenage accusers were to blame for the nineteen executions that resulted from the trials.

Leen and Starkey particularly followed the story of the seventy-one year old victim, Rebecca Nurse, who was hanged at Gallows Hill with four others on July 19, 1692. In the above image, Leen captures the ominous tree, protruding from the landscape on a gray New England day. In the 1940s, this is where historians believed the executions took place. More recent research has determined that the hangings actually took place at Proctor’s Ledge, which is located between modern-day Proctor Street and Pope Street in Salem, Massachusetts.

Salem’s “Witch House” with actors dressed in Puritan clothing for colonial reenactments, 1949.

(Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

Descendant of witchcraft accuser Ann Putnam, holding a flower, 1949. Putnam was Nurse’s original accuser. She later recounted her accusations against Nurse in 1706.

(Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

Sewing pins that were used as “evidence” in Nurse’s trial. During the witch-trials, it was reported that they were used by “witches” to torture their victims.

(Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

Another victim of the witch trials was Tituba, an enslaved woman that worked for the Reverend Samuel Parris’ household. The image below is a sign that marks the site of “…where the young girls congregated to hear weird stories told by Tituba The West Indian Servant”.

Plaque establishing the site of the Reverend Samuel Parris’ home.

(Photo by Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

Blurred exposure of a woman sitting by the window, 1949.

(Photo by Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation)

The grave site of John Hathorne, 1949. Hathorne was the magistrate of Salem in the 1600s and a leading judge in the witch-trails.

(Nina Leen/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock)

One of the most controversial aspects of the Witch Letterbook is the question of authenticity. Some scholars argue that the letters were forged or fabricated to fit a specific narrative, while others believe them to be genuine documents written by individuals caught up in the hysteria of the witch trials. The handwriting, language, and content of the letters have been extensively analyzed to determine their veracity, yet there is still no definitive answer. Regardless of their authenticity, the Witch Letterbook serves as a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history, when superstition, fear, and religious zealotry led to the persecution and execution of countless innocent people. The letters humanize the victims of the witch trials, allowing us to connect with their emotions and empathize with their struggles. Today, the Witch Letterbook can be found in various museums and archives, where it continues to draw attention and spark curiosity. It serves as a reminder of the power of words and the importance of preserving historical records, even those that might be controversial or unsettling. In conclusion, the Witch Letterbook is a unique and haunting artifact that sheds light on the experiences of accused witches during a turbulent time in history. Its letters offer a personal and emotional account of the trials and tribulations faced by those accused of witchcraft. The questions surrounding its authenticity only add to its allure, making the Witch Letterbook a fascinating and compelling subject of study for historians, scholars, and enthusiasts of the occult..

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