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"Witch Hunt" explores Maryland's forgotten witch trial history through a revealing conversation with attorney Elizabeth Pugliese-Shaw, who's spearheading efforts to exonerate those accused of witchcraft in colonial Maryland. While the colony saw fewer witch trials than its Puritan neighbors, these cases still resulted in tragedy – including the 1685 execution of Rebecca Fowler and the death of Moll Dyer, who froze to death after townspeople drove her from her home.
Pugliese-Shaw discusses how Maryland's unique status as a Catholic colony with religious tolerance laws may have influenced its handling of witch accusations. She shares promising developments in her exoneration campaign, including a pre-filed legislative resolution to posthumously clear the names of Maryland's accused witches.
Through historical records and enduring local legends – including Moll Dyer's story, which later inspired "The Blair Witch Project" – this episode illuminates a lesser-known chapter of colonial American history while examining modern efforts to address historical injustices.
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter
By Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack4.4
2424 ratings
"Witch Hunt" explores Maryland's forgotten witch trial history through a revealing conversation with attorney Elizabeth Pugliese-Shaw, who's spearheading efforts to exonerate those accused of witchcraft in colonial Maryland. While the colony saw fewer witch trials than its Puritan neighbors, these cases still resulted in tragedy – including the 1685 execution of Rebecca Fowler and the death of Moll Dyer, who froze to death after townspeople drove her from her home.
Pugliese-Shaw discusses how Maryland's unique status as a Catholic colony with religious tolerance laws may have influenced its handling of witch accusations. She shares promising developments in her exoneration campaign, including a pre-filed legislative resolution to posthumously clear the names of Maryland's accused witches.
Through historical records and enduring local legends – including Moll Dyer's story, which later inspired "The Blair Witch Project" – this episode illuminates a lesser-known chapter of colonial American history while examining modern efforts to address historical injustices.
Maryland House Joint Resolution 2
MD Witch Exoneration Project Website
Sign the Maryland Petition
Sign the Massachusetts Petition
Witch Hunt podcast
Contribute to End Witch Hunts
Sign up for our Newsletter

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