Massachusetts Group Looks to Clear Names of all Accused of Witchcraft in Mass History
When you think of witchcraft you probably think of Hocus Pocus, Halloween, eyes of newt, and Salem, Massachusetts. Salem has been synonymous with witchcraft since, well, the 1600’s and now a group of Massachusetts historians and descendants of the accused are looking to clear the names of those who have been accused, arrested, or indicted for witchcraft in Massachusetts, whether or not the accusations ended in hangings.
The group is called the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project. On their website they say, “at least 217 individuals were accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts. 209 of these were complained of, implicated in court, questioned, arrested, and/or imprisoned. The other 8 were defamed. To date, the names of 31 of the accused individuals have been cleared by legislation. The other 178 have not been acknowledged yet.”
The group believes that it is important to finally clear up injustices of the past. They are currently collecting signatures for a petition but hope to take their case to the Statehouse. Their belief is that the families of the accused deserve an apology, hundreds of years later. The group previously focused on helping clear the name of those accused of witchcraft in Connecticut, home of the first person executed due to witchcraft in the American colonies back in 1647. In Connecticut state senators voted in May to absolve 12 women and men convicted of witchcraft, 11 of those were ultimately executed due to their so-deemed dark ties.
The Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project believes that we cannot change the past, we cannot rewrite the history, but… we can send the accused an apology.
If you’d like to learn more about their mission – or even get involved – check out their website RIGHT HERE.
And now for something much more “merry and bright:”
All the New Hallmark Christmas Movies for this Year
Christmas Island
When a snowstorm diverts Kate’s first private flight en route to Switzerland to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller to secure her dream job as the family’s pilot. Starring Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker.
Navigating Christmas
Recently divorced Melanie (Chelsea Hobbs) and her son Jason visit a remote island for Christmas, only to find themselves running a real working lighthouse where she connects with the curt but cute owner (Stephen Huszar).
Holiday Hotline
After leaving London, Abby (Emily Tennant) connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline. The caller is single dad “John” (Niall Matter) who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life.
Catch Me If You Claus
Avery Quinn’s (Italia Ricci) shot at anchoring news clashes with a Santa-suited intruder, Chris (Luke MacFarlane), who insists he’s Santa’s son on a first Christmas mission. They unravel a career-making story together.
Letters To Santa
When young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to be granting wishes, they request a Christmas gift they want more than anything – for their separated parents to reunite. Starring Katie Leclerc and Rafael de la Fuente.
Holiday Road
When bad weather leaves each of them stranded at the airport for the holidays, a tech entrepreneur (Warren Christie), a travel writer (Sara Canning), a devoted mother (Enid-Raye Adams) and her son (Kiefer O’Reilly), a stubborn senior (Trevor Lerner), an enigmatic woman with a hint of mystery (Brittany Willacy), a couple traveling from Hong Kong (Sharon Crandall, Ryan Mah) and a social media influencer (Princess Davis) all agree to rent a shared van to embark on a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey brings them into uncharted territory, they navigate a series of misadventures together and form a deeper bond that just might change the trajectories of each of their lives. Inspired by true events.
Our Christmas Mural
Olivia (Alex Paxton-Beesley), a single mom, returns home for Christmas. Her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest; she wins but partners with teacher Will (Dan Jeannotte) to create a Christmas masterpiece.
A Biltmore Christmas
Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved holiday movie, His Merry Wife! First filmed in 1947 at beautiful, historic Biltmore House, it has long been considered a Christmas classic. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. After shaking off the initial shock of this turn of events, Lucy embraces this as her chance to uncover the truth about the movie’s original ending. While on set, she and Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), one of the film’s stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever.
My Norwegian Holiday
JJ (Rhiannon Fish), grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik (David Elsendoorn), a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding day the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family.
A Not So Royal Christmas
Tabloid journalist Charlotte (Brooke D’Orsay) attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper (Will Kemp) pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.
Christmas with a Kiss
A woman (Mishael Morgan) returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photo journalist (Ronnie Rowe Jr.) curates a surprise reunion. Also stars Jaime M. Callica.
Magic in Mistletoe
Harrington (Paul Campbell) is the author of a popular book but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival celebrating his books, he’s joined by April (Lyndie Greenwood), a publicist for the major publishing house he works with. April is there for damage control after Harrington’s recent comments on social media has ruffled some feathers. But as she gets to know him better, hope springs that April can unlock Harrington’s guarded heart and help him discover the spirit of the holiday.
Christmas on Cherry Lane
A young couple preparing to welcome their first child (John Brotherton, Erin Cahill); an empty-nester (Catherine Bell) and her fiance (James Denton) ready to start a new chapter; and a couple (Jonathan Bennett, Vincent Rodriguez III) who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning point in their lives.
Round and Round
Rachel’s (Vic Michaelis) stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party. Can Zach (Bryan Greenberg), the “nice boy” Grandma’s trying to set her up with, help her make it to tomorrow? Also starring Rick Hoffman.
The Secret Gift of Christmas
Bonnie (Meghan Ory) is a personal shopper who helps her widowed client Patrick (Christopher Russell) reconnect with his young daughter. Though their ideas of shopping couldn’t be more different, she’s determined to get them everything on their wish list.
Sealed with a List
Festive Carley (Katie Findlay) sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year. Aided by co-worker Wyatt (Evan Roderick), she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.
Friends & Family Christmas
Two women agree to pretend they’re dating to appease their respective parents during the holidays. However, as they spend more time together, they start to build a connection that’s deeper than either of them could have hoped for. Starring Humberly Gonzalez and Ali Liebert.
Now you’ve read an article on the internet about witchcraft and Hallmark movies. Bet you didn’t see that coming today. LOL
