When you think about America’s witch-trial history, Salem is probably the first place that comes to mind. But Connecticut’s story began decades earlier, and now there’s a new way to explore it. The new Haunted History Trail connects historic sites, ancient cemeteries, witch-trial history, murders, ghost stories and some of Connecticut’s stranger local legends across the state.
Hartford
Hartford was at the center of Connecticut’s 1662–63 witch panic, decades before the Salem trials. The trail includes Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground and the Connecticut Old State House, where visitors can learn about the accusations, trials and executions that took place in the city.
I recently visited Hartford as part of the launch of the trail, including the Mark Twain House, which is also featured for its long history of reported paranormal activity.
Wethersfield
Wethersfield was another important center of Connecticut’s early witchcraft accusations, with nine documented accusations and three executions between 1648 and 1668. The trail takes visitors to places including the Buttolph-Williams House and Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, but one of the more chilling stops is the Wethersfield Ancient Burying Ground, where you’ll find centuries-old gravestones featuring skulls, staring eyes and other memento mori imagery.
And then there’s the Beadle family murders. In 1782, Lydia Beadle and her four children were murdered, becoming one of the darkest stories associated with Wethersfield’s history. The cemetery is also tied to the folklore surrounding Hungry Hill, the historic name for the rise where it sits.
Before Salem
Connecticut’s first recorded witchcraft execution took place in 1647, more than three decades before the Salem witch trials. The Haunted History Trail brings these stories together with the places where they happened, making it possible to explore a side of Connecticut history that is easy to miss when the conversation around American witch trials starts and ends with Salem. Check out the map.