Show Notes
We walk the landscapes of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials from the Beverly side of the bridge with longtime North Shore tour guide and 12th-generation local Roger Herson, a descendant of Bridget Bishop’s second husband, Thomas Oliver, as well as other accused families. Our conversation challenges popular witch hunt folklore—especially misconceptions about Bridget Bishop—and traces overlooked Beverly connections, from John Hale writing his reflective A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft to William Griggs living in Beverly and the case of cunning folk Dorcas Hoar. Roger shares what it means to guide visitors where his ancestors lived, how folklore can still reveal partial truths, and why Beverly’s history helps restore the accused as real neighbors rather than legends. We also spotlight Historic Beverly’s October “Project 1692” walking tours, museum access, and resources for deeper research.
Chapters
- 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
- 02:43 Roger Finds His Roots
- 05:50 Bridget Bishop Misconceptions
- 09:43 Beverly’s Hidden Role
- 12:37 Guiding Tours as Descendant
- 14:54 Inside John Hale’s World
- 18:52 Hale’s Modest Enquiry
- 22:33 Folklore Versus Records
- 24:53 Dorcas Hoar Real Deal
- 25:43 Aftermath in Rehoboth
- 26:09 Why Beverly in October
- 28:31 Project 1692 Tour Concept
- 29:27 Correcting Trial Myths
- 30:03 Tour Style and Small Groups
- 30:56 Tickets Donations and Perks
- 32:11 Relating to 1692 People
- 33:41 Family Ties to the Trials
- 35:14 Witch Hunts Then and Now
- 43:10 Beyond Salem North Shore Travel
- 44:34 Memorials at Hale Farm
- 45:19 Where to Learn More
- 46:05 Final Thanks and Sign Off
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