Witches and Ghosts in the family

[behindthefrogs]

Has anyone else found witches and ghosts in their family history?

1592 Mother Atkins of Pinner - A most wicked work of a wretched witch ( the like whereof none can record these many years in England) wrought on the person of one Richard Burt, servant to Master Edling of Woodhall in the parish of Pinner in the county of Middlesex, a mile beyound Harrow. Lately committed in March 1592

Master Edling was either an ancestor or his son.

I believe that Market Harborough Theatre which was originally constructed in 1935 as a bicycle store for the Corset factory, but disguised as an old town house, was built on the site of the Green Dragon Inn.  It is also said to be haunted by the ghost of Hannah Buswell who was murdered in the Inn.

Hannah was probably related to my Buswell ancestors in Market Harborough.

David

[kerryb]

Hi David

My OH is convinced I am descended from a witch, I have certain 'skills' that he reckons 500 years ago I would have been burnt alive for 

I haven't managed to find any sign of her yet though.

Kerry

[vic1]

my daughters (21 and17) and my neices (12 and 7) think my sister is a witch she's a bit of an old hippie type has long straggly hair a hairy chin and the bit the clinches it for my two  a cackling laugh and the warped sense of humour - also has tried to encourage them to attend  raves and festivals with her. maybe she is  better not cross her had i

[genjen]

Katherine Howe and Widow Howe were both tried and hanged as witches in Essex in the late 1500s. At the moment, I have no proof that I am linked to them but the area they came from suggests that it is quite likely.


That and the ability to steer a broomstick

[MrsLizzy]

Hi David

My OH is convinced I am descended from a witch, I have certain 'skills' that he reckons 500 years ago I would have been burnt alive for 

Kerry

Only if you'd lived in Scotland, Kerry.  In England they'd have hanged you, so that's OK then isn't it??  I'd probably have been hanged before you, a. because I'm interested in using natural remedies like lavender and b. because I talk more to animals than to humans!   

[Exiled Mancunian]

At least animals don't answer back, though some of ours are getting good at throwing withering looks!

Exiled Mancunian

[ozlady]

My kids used to think I was a bit "witchy" when they were younger because I used a lot of herbal remedies. I talked to the veggies (I still do!) and constantly talked to my animals. Just recently, my younger daughter got some funny looks when she told her colleagues "Mum's been making comfrey and marigold ointments for years. She drinks feverfew tea for headaches and fennel tea for stomach upsets."

[lornadoone]

Hi,
     I would imagine that a lot of Rootschatters are familiar with the Salem Witchtrials of 1692.Well, whilst researching my family history i discovered that a certain family member had been significantly involved in the trials, his name .... Giles Cory.

     It was his wife Martha who was tried for Witchcraft and was later hanged. Because of his refusal to enter a plea of guilt , Giles was tried and sentenced to death . He was tortured by being pressed by '' heavy stones'',  he was the only person in the state of Massachussetts to have met with this fate.

     Giles Cory was born in Harpole, Northants, England and was a cousin of my 6x Gt Grandmother Sarah Cory.


                                  Jenny

[MrsLizzy]

At least animals don't answer back, though some of ours are getting good at throwing withering looks!

Exiled Mancunian

I had a cat once who on at least one occasion gave me an unmistakable "you're nuts!" look.  I was waiting for a friend to arrive for a visit, and while I waited I noticed a photo of a friend I hadn't heard from in ages.  I said to the photo "You haven't called me in MONTHS!  Why haven't you called me, you sod!"  And carried on in this vein until I turned round and saw my tomcat standing in the doorway, looking at me with such a worried expression on his face.  You could just see what he was thinking as clearly as if he'd had one of those speech balloons above his head :  "Oh no, Mum's flipped.  They're going to take her away. What am I going to DO??"