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The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3) cover

The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3)

By Robert Calef
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History - AmericanHistory - Modern (1750+)History - Religious

About This Book

An eyewitness and critical compilation of accounts surrounding the witchcraft panic in colonial New England, assembling depositions, examinations, and commentary that trace how local disputes and religious tensions intensified episodes of alleged demonic affliction. It details the onset of strange fits among household members, communal responses of fasting and prayer, investigations producing confessions and accusations against marginalized individuals, and courtroom examinations by magistrates where afflicted witnesses identified supposed tormentors. The work critiques investigative methods, records procedural irregularities, and highlights how fear, suggestion, and authority combined to produce prosecutions, imprisonments, and social ruptures.

About the Author

Calef, Robert portrait

Robert Calef

Robert Calef was an American merchant and author, best known for his critical examination of the Salem witch trials in his work "The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination." Published in three volumes, this comprehensive account challenges the prevailing beliefs of his time regarding witchcraft and superstition. Calef's writings reflect a rationalist perspective, advocating for skepticism towards the witch hunts that plagued New England in the late 17th century. His contributions to the discourse on witchcraft have made him a notable figure in the study of early American history and the cultural context of the witch trials.

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The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3) cover The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3) by Robert Calef The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3) cover The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3) by Robert Calef

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