Salem is often associated with witch trials and the infamous witch hunt that took place in the late 17th century. However, it is important to understand that Salem is not the only location where witches live. The concept of witches or those who practice witchcraft is not limited to one geographical area or time period. Throughout history and across cultures, beliefs in witchcraft and the existence of witches have been prevalent. The idea of witches and their supernatural abilities have existed long before the events in Salem took place. In fact, different cultures have their own unique interpretations of witchcraft and witches.
In fact, different cultures have their own unique interpretations of witchcraft and witches. For example, in European folklore, witches are often depicted as old, ugly women who practice black magic and make pacts with the devil. These witches are believed to have the power to cast spells, fly on broomsticks, and brew potions.
Before Salem, Pennsylvania’s first and only witch trial involved a Delco woman
Nine years before the Salem witch trials, the first and only people to stand trial for witchcraft in Pennsylvania were two women from present-day Delaware County.
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- Kenny Cooper October 29, 2021
Ridley Creek meets the Delaware River. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
We wrote this story based on contributions from readers and listeners like you. In Montgomery and Delaware counties, what do you wonder about the places, the people, and the culture that you want WHYY to investigate? Let us know here.
For those keeping score of Delco’s quirks at home, they can add a witch trial to the county’s growing list.
The woman who recently shed new light on this little-known gem of Delaware County history is Carla Welsh.
Exhausted and burnt out from working in the medical field, the Springfield resident has developed a new passion digging into Delco history. Equipped with a library card and a knack for public land records research, Welsh recently investigated Pennsylvania’s only witch trial involving a Delco woman — which happened nine years before the infamous Salem witch trials in Massachusetts.
A passion for researching led Carla Welsh to discover that Pennsylvania’s only witch trial happened before the infamous Salem Witch Trials, and her Facebook post on the piece of Pa. history went viral. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Inspired by a Facebook group, Delaware County PA History, Welsh was determined to find a local tale from the past people would find interesting.
Welsh searched for the word “witch” on NewspaperArchive.com and found a Chester Times article titled “Witches and Their Art in This County” from April 15, 1902 that identified the “Witch of Ridley Creek” as a Swedish settler by the name of Margaret Mattson.
Mattson lived on a farm with her husband, Neels. In 1683, she was accused of bewitching farm animals and “saying strange incantations while boiling meat in a great caulderon,” according to the now-discontinued newspaper.
Mattson wasn’t the only person faced with witchcraft allegations. Another Swedish woman, Yeshro Hendrickson, was also accused.
“I found this pretty interesting because I’ve lived in Delco my whole life and I’ve never heard of this story. So I did a post about it, and my post kind of blew up,” Welsh said.
While the newspaper article laid out many of the facts of the story, Welsh went the extra mile by locating the old Pennsylvania Provincial Council minutes and bringing the case some much-needed context. A section from the Pennsylvania Provincial Council minutes. (Google Book Search)
She even used FamilySearch.org to find the land records from old Chester County deed books and confirmed that the Mattsons lived in a wooded area by Crum Creek at the edge of the Delaware River in present-day Eddystone Township. The area no longer sports green forests — it’s now an industrial park.
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Similarly, in African and Caribbean cultures, there are beliefs in witchcraft and individuals who possess supernatural powers. It is not only in distant or historical locations that witches are believed to exist. Modern witchcraft, also known as Wicca, has gained popularity in recent years. Wicca is a contemporary pagan religious movement that embraces witchcraft as a spiritual practice. Followers of Wicca, or witches, believe in the power of nature, magic, and the practice of rituals and spells. In summary, while Salem may be synonymous with witch trials and the witch hunt of the 17th century, it is crucial to understand that witches exist beyond this particular location. Throughout history and across cultures, beliefs in witchcraft and the existence of witches have been present. Whether it is in the form of folklore, traditional beliefs, or modern spiritual practices, witches can be found in various regions around the world..
Reviews for "Supernatural Sojourns: Seeking Witches in Unexpected Places"
1. John Doe - 1 Star - I was extremely disappointed with "Salem is not the only location where witches live". The title itself is misleading, as it tries to make you think that the book is about witches living in various locations. However, it barely mentions any other locations and focuses solely on Salem. The author could have explored the topic in a more in-depth and comprehensive manner. Overall, the book lacked substance and failed to deliver on its promise.
2. Jane Smith - 2 Stars - I found "Salem is not the only location where witches live" to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was dry and lacked creativity and engagement. Additionally, the book did not provide any new or interesting insights into the world of witches. It felt like a repetitive and superficial account of the trials and tribulations in Salem. I was hoping for a more informative and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2.5 Stars - Although "Salem is not the only location where witches live" had the potential to be an intriguing exploration of witchcraft in different places, it fell short in many aspects. The narrative felt disjointed, with little flow or structure. The author failed to provide a cohesive and well-researched account of witches in other locations. It was clear that the focus of the book was on Salem, and the brief mentions of other places seemed like an afterthought. This book could have been so much more if it had delved deeper into the world of witches outside of Salem.