My family tree is filled with so many brick walls you’d think I come from long lines of contractors.  But alas, I have yet to find an ancestor in construction…at least, as a profession.  So I often describe my approach to genealogical research as “Hope for the Best.  Prepare for the Worst.  Expect Nothing.”  It feels like I’m a hamster on a wheel, running, and running…and getting nowhere.

Some days I make exciting discoveries.  And some days I just have to enjoy the journey, even if it’s not my ancestors, and even if it’s just to learn historical context.  And every now and then I celebrate that what I find isn’t my ancestors! (Anyone else do this?). It would be impossible to say I had just one “favorite find.”

One of my genealogy quests is to find an “ancestor who was officially (by authority, government, or church) accused OR tried OR convicted/executed for the practice of witchcraft or wizardry in Colonial America prior to 31 December 1699,” to qualify for membership in the Associated Daughters of Early American Witches.

Unfortunately, looking through the list of proven ancestors did not reveal any likely leads. (Why would it be easy?)  So I set out to research my Twitchell line in Massachusetts…the colony best known for its persecution of witches.

In working back toward that era, I came across an interesting newspaper blurb concerning Patience and Benjamin Twitchell.

I knew that notices like these were common when marriages broke up, advising the community that they were no longer responsible for their spouse’s activities.  And since I have the names of Benjamin Twitchell and Patience Twitchell in my tree, I took notice and looked into it further to learn if it was my Benjamin and Patience Twitchell.

What I discovered next was far beyond anything I could have expected.  The punishment!  I knew that the Twitchells in Colonial America were Puritans:  industrious, hardworking, very religious people. who were required to attend church services and do God’s work.  What I learned is that when a Puritan acted contrary to God’s teachings, they would be labeled a sinner, and might be publicly humiliated and whipped.

Thankfully, this couple is not the Benjamin and Patience Twitchell in my tree.  But it inspired me to learn some of the historical context about the Puritans, their beliefs, and their lifestyle.  And that is why it is among my “favorite finds.”

But I’m still on a (literal) “witch hunt” for a qualifying ancestor.

#52 Ancestors – Favorite Find