History Bites | “Elizabeth Clawson…Thou deseruest to dye”

In the spring of 1692 a wave of terror swept Massachusetts and engulfed the New England colonies in tragedy. It was rumored that many had entered into compacts with the Devil and that the practice of witchcraft had reached epidemic proportions. Elizabeth Clawson of Stamford, CT was accused of witchcraft and then held at the county jail in Fairfield. Join Ronald Marcus, Head Librarian at Stamford Historical Society, to learn the fate of Elizabeth Clawson and others.

Free with Museum Admission. Snacks and refreshments provided. Please feel free to bring your own lunch.

About the Speaker

Ronald Marcus has been the Head Librarian at Stamford History Center since 1970. His areas of research range from the American Revolution to World War II. Among his published works are a history of Elizabeth Clawson’s witchcraft trial, a collection of Stamford’s Revolutionary War damage claims, and an annotated bibliography of Stamford history that provides a comprehensive compilation of books, pamphlets, newspapers, motion pictures, other materials. Marcus was President of the Stamford Historical Society from 1971-75, and he is a founding member of the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.

Image: Witches apprehended…, 1613. Wellcome Collection. Source: Wellcome Collection.