History of Maryland Witches
In Maryland, 12 people were accused of felony witchcraft. Four died. RE stories and liminal of the Free State, starting in the 1600s and coming into present day.
Historically, Maryland witnessed several witch trials between 1654 and 1712. Notable cases include:
- Mary Lee (1654): Accused of witchcraft during a voyage to St. Mary’s City, she was executed at sea by fellow passengers.
- Rebecca Fowler (1685): Convicted of practicing witchcraft against Francis Sandsbury, she was hanged on October 9, 1685, marking the only documented legal execution for witchcraft in Maryland. en.wikipedia.org
- Virtue Violl (1712): Tried for allegedly bewitching Elinor Moore, she was ultimately found not guilty.
These trials reflect the broader phenomenon of witch hunts in colonial America, influenced by religious and social tensions of the era.
