I am the multi-great Grand-Daughter of Sarah Lord-Wilson and Sarah Jr. Wilson- Preston. I found out about my/our connection through Ancestry. com.
You've given me and my entire family a piece of our history we weren't aware of and is powerful to contemplate our ancestor's fortitude in the face of that horrific timeline.
A great article. Very interesting. I knew of my 8th and 9th great grandmothers (the Sarahs) involvement in the witch trials but your article made it all the more human.
Another fascinating post, Toni!. Well done. I was fascinated looking at homes Margaret lived in - and how they are still standing. Interesting history, too, on the Andover Preservation web site.
After 44 years of living in Andover, my wife just found out that; her fifth great grandmother's sister was accused of whitchcraft in Andover and imprisoned for 15 weeks. Also it appears that her husband was accused of witchcraft but never imprisoned (?) which needs to be verified. Imprisoned was Eunice (Potter) Frye
Wonderful post, Toni! I've long been fascinated with Arden, the Dove (later the Wood Estate and wondered about the history of the Gardner's Cottage. Fascinating to learn so much!
Great work bringing attention to the often-overlooked Andover side of the events! I’m afraid you omitted the other person convicted and executed on 22 Sep 1692, Mary Ayer Parker (my ancestor). For a great look at the Andover in the Essex witch hunts: “In the Shadow of Salem” by Richard Hite.
Jul 16, 2021Liked by Elaine Clements, Toni Armstrong
Martha (Allen) Carrier was in Andover in 1690. Her husband Thomas was reputed to have beheaded King Charles and had to flee after the Restoration.....Her brother in-law, James Holt died of small pox on December 30, 1690. He was married to Martha's sister Hannah. James Holt (2) and his wife also lost a infant son James who died December 13, 1690. Widow Hannah lived until September 30, 1698. Her son Timothy Holt (3) built the house now standing at the end of Prospect Street. It was built in 1714... Martha's other sister, Sarah, was married to Samuel Holt (2) and they lived on the east side of the "Stoney Plaine" on what was the "Way to John Fries Farme," now Holt Road..Just sayin'.
This is so interesting, thank you for sharing, Judson! Yes, Martha Carrier was descended from one of the earliest Andover settlers. I didn't know this about the Holts, what an interesting story!
Such a great question! I want to work on this more and to see what landmarks I can find in Andover. One I've found so far is Timothy Swan's grave at the North Parish Church Burying Ground - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23158750/timothy-swan. Swan was an Andover resident, and was involved as a supposed afflicted victim.
I am the multi-great Grand-Daughter of Sarah Lord-Wilson and Sarah Jr. Wilson- Preston. I found out about my/our connection through Ancestry. com.
You've given me and my entire family a piece of our history we weren't aware of and is powerful to contemplate our ancestor's fortitude in the face of that horrific timeline.
You've no idea what this means to us.
Thank You So Very Much!
Thank you for this information. Sarah Lord Wilson is my 8th g grandmother.
She says: “[I] earnestly beg forgiveness of God.” How does the author interpret this as her NOT seeking forgiveness from God?
A great article. Very interesting. I knew of my 8th and 9th great grandmothers (the Sarahs) involvement in the witch trials but your article made it all the more human.
Another fascinating post, Toni!. Well done. I was fascinated looking at homes Margaret lived in - and how they are still standing. Interesting history, too, on the Andover Preservation web site.
After 44 years of living in Andover, my wife just found out that; her fifth great grandmother's sister was accused of whitchcraft in Andover and imprisoned for 15 weeks. Also it appears that her husband was accused of witchcraft but never imprisoned (?) which needs to be verified. Imprisoned was Eunice (Potter) Frye
Wonderful post, Toni! I've long been fascinated with Arden, the Dove (later the Wood Estate and wondered about the history of the Gardner's Cottage. Fascinating to learn so much!
Well done, Toni!
Tom Adams
Sarah Lord Wilson is my 9th great grandmother, and Sarah Jr is my 8th great grandmother.
Laura, hello…..me too…Sarah Jr is my 8th great grandmother through her son William Preston.
Hello Cousins. Sarah Lord Wilson is my 8th g grandmother.
Lovely sccrapbook! Thanks for sharing it Toni. Have you seen the glass flowers exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History? You'd love it!
Very cool stuff here!
Another terrific column, Toni. well done indeed!
Tom Adams
Excellent article. Jealousy (and greed) fueled a lot of this hysteria.
Great work bringing attention to the often-overlooked Andover side of the events! I’m afraid you omitted the other person convicted and executed on 22 Sep 1692, Mary Ayer Parker (my ancestor). For a great look at the Andover in the Essex witch hunts: “In the Shadow of Salem” by Richard Hite.
This is an eye opening piece that spreads light on an otherwise little known part of our towns history, Great Job!!!
Martha (Allen) Carrier was in Andover in 1690. Her husband Thomas was reputed to have beheaded King Charles and had to flee after the Restoration.....Her brother in-law, James Holt died of small pox on December 30, 1690. He was married to Martha's sister Hannah. James Holt (2) and his wife also lost a infant son James who died December 13, 1690. Widow Hannah lived until September 30, 1698. Her son Timothy Holt (3) built the house now standing at the end of Prospect Street. It was built in 1714... Martha's other sister, Sarah, was married to Samuel Holt (2) and they lived on the east side of the "Stoney Plaine" on what was the "Way to John Fries Farme," now Holt Road..Just sayin'.
This is so interesting, thank you for sharing, Judson! Yes, Martha Carrier was descended from one of the earliest Andover settlers. I didn't know this about the Holts, what an interesting story!
Excellent piece!
Thank you so much, Len! So excited to explore this story with you all.
Are there landmarks in Andover related to?
Such a great question! I want to work on this more and to see what landmarks I can find in Andover. One I've found so far is Timothy Swan's grave at the North Parish Church Burying Ground - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23158750/timothy-swan. Swan was an Andover resident, and was involved as a supposed afflicted victim.