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Tag: Newbury

A romantic tale from the Great Snow of Feb. 21-24, 1717

January 29, 2022January 29, 2022 Gordon HarrisLeave a comment

Snowstorms on the 20th and 24th of February 1717 covered the earth up to 20 ft. deep. In some places houses were completely buried, and paths were dug from house to house under the snow. A widow in Medford burned her furniture to keep the children warm.

Posted in Legends, Storms, winterTagged 1717, Newbury, snow, storm

The Witchcraft Trial of Elizabeth Morse of Newbury, 1680

June 6, 2021November 21, 2022 Gordon Harris26 Comments
Elizabeth Morse Witch of Newbury

Elizabeth Morse of Newbury was accused and found guilty of being a witch. She was initially sentenced to be hanged, but after spending a year in the Boston jail, she was sent home

Posted in LegendsTagged 1680, Newbury, witches, women

Lydia Wardwell on her presentment for coming naked into Newbury meeting house

March 13, 2021November 12, 2022 Gordon Harris4 Comments

In 1661, Lydia Perkins of Newbury had become a Quaker, and the church issued demands that she appear and give reasons for her withdrawal. Her angry response was to appear naked in the Meeting House. She was ordered to appear at the Salem court, and was then taken to Ipswich and severely whipped.

Posted in StoriesTagged 1633, Court, Newbury, Quakers, women

Gathering salt marsh hay

February 12, 2021January 19, 2023 Gordon Harris2 Comments

Salt marsh hay is still gathered on the North Shore today. The grass was stacked on staddles to raise it above the high tides, and was hauled away on sleds over the frozen marsh in mid-winter.

Posted in Nature, Places, VideoTagged hay, Newbury, Plum Island, salt hay, salt marsh

John Eales, Beehive Maker

October 12, 2018 Gordon Harris1 Comment
Medieval beehive

The inhabitants of Newbury perceived bee-keeping as a new and profitable industry, but needed someone with experience. John Eales, an elderly pauper who had been sent away to Ipswich, was returned by the Court to Newbury to assist them in their efforts. The Town was instructed how much to charge him for his upkeep.

Posted in StoriesTagged apiary, bee keeper, bees, honey, mead, Newbury

William Franklin of Newbury, hanged for the death of an indentured child in 1644

April 10, 2018November 12, 2022 Gordon HarrisLeave a comment
Hanging of a Puritan for abuse of a child

Nathaniel Sewell, a child taken from England, was with continual rigor and unmerciful correction, exposed in the winter season with diverse acts of hardship.

Posted in Stories, TragediesTagged 1644, child, hanging, indentured, Newbury

Old Roads and Bridges of Newbury and Newburyport

February 3, 2017December 26, 2022 Gordon Harris1 Comment
Willow Road cyanotype by Arthur Wesley Dow

Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury, on today’s Rt. 1A, 1898.

Posted in RoadsTagged Newbury
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