Beyond Salem: The Badass Grandmother and the Stamford Witch Trials
When most people think of colonial witch hunts, their minds go straight to Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. However, Connecticut was actually the first of the American colonies to execute a person for witchcraft, beginning with Alice Young in 1647—decades before the Salem hysteria. By the time 1692 rolled around, Connecticut had already endured years of witch hysteria (from 1647 to 1663) and had begun to learn a vital lesson: the legal system must resist the pull of a mob.
This shift in legal thinking is perfectly illustrated by the case of Elizabeth Clawson, the “Stamford Witch.”
The Accusation: A Badass Under Fire
Elizabeth Clawson was not the stereotypical “witch” of folklore. According to historians and her own 10-times great-granddaughter, Deborah Bruno, Elizabeth was a 62-year-old grandmother who was a “badass”. She was known for being outspoken, smart, and even “cranky” at times—once even throwing rocks at a woman who gave her a hard time.
The trouble started when Katherine Branch, a 17-year-old servant girl, began having fits. In these visions, she claimed to see Elizabeth Clawson. Today, historians believe Katherine may have actually been suffering from epileptic fits, but in 1692, such “spectral evidence” (visions and dreams) was enough to land someone in chains.
The Ordeal at Holly Pond
Elizabeth was subjected to the “water ordeal” at Holly Pond in Stamford. During this test, the accused was thrown into the water; if they sank, they were considered innocent (though they often drowned), and if they floated, they were deemed a witch. Elizabeth Clawson floated “like a cork,” which by the standards of the day, proved her guilt.
A Community Stands Up
This is where the Stamford case deviates from the tragedy of Salem where neighbors panicked and pointed fingers at each other. While the CT mob may have wanted a conviction, 76 of Elizabeth’s neighbors came forward to sign petitions stating she was simply a “grumpy old woman,” not a servant of the devil. And this was said during a time when New Englanders actually believed that Satan was real and on the hunt to recruit others.
The local judge took meticulous notes but refused to make a final decision, eventually referring the case to the Hartford General Court. In a landmark move, the Hartford court ruled that spectral evidence… the fits and visions… was not enough to prove guilt. Unlike the courts in Salem, which accepted dreams as legal proof, Connecticut demanded more tangible evidence.
Victory for Common Sense
After spending five months in jail, Elizabeth Clawson was acquitted. She returned to her life and lived to the ripe old age of 82, a testament to the triumph of common sense over the “groupthink” of the era. Her case even served as a legal precedent that eventually helped end the trials in Salem after 20 people had already been put to death by their legal system there… And didn’t stop until the Governor’s wife accused, and he said, “Enough of this craziness!”
The Leadership Lesson: Independent Thinking
The story of the Stamford witch is more than just a historical curiosity; it is a lesson in leadership and independent thinking. It is incredibly difficult to question what a crowd believes, especially when “groupthink” is at its peak.
To be a great leader, one must have the strength to:
- Question the status quo instead of following the crowd.
- Resist hysteria with logic and meticulous evidence.
- Stand up for others, even when it is unpopular, just as Elizabeth’s 76 neighbors did.
If you find yourself near Stamford, Connecticut, take a walk by the cozy waters of Holly Pond. It stands as a reminder of a time when a community and a court system finally chose independent thinking over the deadly pull of the mob.
Uncovering History. Inspiring Leadership. The Travel in Time Show is where travel, history, and leadership intermingle with history teacher, author, and speaker Dan Blanchard
*Check out Dan’s book, “Travel in Time in Connecticut: https://www.amazon.com/Travel-Time-Co...
*Watch Dan’s YouTube video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-dCBcPBYxk&t=1s
*Listen to Dan’s Podcast on this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jf0jcTTZ47A1YwU4ShAgJ?si=o_FqVh1sS6eVqgmmO7J46A
*See Dan’s Interview with Elizabeth Clawson: (Coming Soon)
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