For our Fall program and Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 28, we return to the Oliver Ellsworth Homestead in Windsor. In the morning, we’ll gather for our Social Hour, Memorial Service, and program. Our speaker will be Richard G. Tomlinson, author of
Witchcraft Prosecution: Chasing the Devil in Connecticut.
Most people think about witchcraft in Colonial New England in terms of the Salem Witch Panic of 1693. What happened in Connecticut over the course of the 17th century is both more complex and more interesting. To understand our Connecticut ancestors, we need to understand their ideas about witches and witchcraft prosecution and how these evolved dynamically. To see the accusers and accused as three dimensional figures, we need to get past the usual clichés. These were people who were superstitious, but they were not stupid. Their concepts of legal process deserve more respect. Many Windsor founders, including Dr. Bryan (Bray) Rossiter, Roger Ludlow and others played significant roles in this story.
Richard G. Tomlinson has enjoyed a varied career as a research scientist, management consultant, telecommunications expert, corporate director and author. He is a founder and director of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. www.csginc.org. He created the CSG Literary Awards and the CSG magazine, Connecticut Genealogy News, and has published many articles on family history and genealogy. He is a trustee of the Connecticut Historical Society. He is a descendant of Henry Tomlinson who settled in Milford, CT in 1650 and of Windsor founder, Deacon William Gaylord. He is a contributing author to several scientific and technical books and the author of three histories. Including Tele-Revolution, Competition at the Speed of Light, Witchcraft Trials of Connecticut, and Witchcraft Prosecution, Chasing the Devil in Connecticut.
