In this final episode of the Distaff Podcast Season 1, we say goodbye. Goodbye to the wild and crazy Puritans, the witches and reverends, and the Agawam people who rode the wave of the Puritan experiment for as long as they could. When we're done, much like 350 years ago, Springfield will be razed to the ground, the Puritan experiment nearly destroyed and the landscape of western Massachusetts left with only the memories of a people that had cared and tended to it for thousands of years.

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Mary Bliss Parsons (not to be confused with the first witch trial of Mary Lewis Parsons) was shrouded in mystery. She wandered the swamps at night, had a knack for finding hidden keys and knew how to throw the most spectacular fits. Any other Puritan woman would have been called "Witch" and thrown in jail. But not this Mary. We talk about Puritan fears, politics and the righteous balance of religion and reputation.

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Chapters

00:00 The Context of Witch Trials in Springfield

02:59 The Role of Community in Witchcraft Accusations

05:59 The Impact of Fear on Native Communities

09:05 The Dynamics of Gender and Accusations

11:49 Mary Bliss Parsons: A Case Study

15:08 The Interplay of Wealth and Witchcraft Accusations

18:02 The Influence of Childbirth on Witchcraft Beliefs

20:53 The Vulnerability of Women in Childbirth

23:37 The Role of Religion in Witchcraft Accusations

26:45 The Intersection of Fear and Motherhood

34:28 The Bridge Between Sex and Birth

36:46 Cultural Perspectives on Childbirth

39:07 Spiritual Practices and Birth Experiences

40:34 The Role of Women in Childbirth

42:39 The Impact of Superstitions on Women

44:02 Witch Trials and Community Dynamics

46:36 Testimonies and Accusations

51:31 The Influence of Gossip on Witchcraft Accusations

01:04:28 The Impact of Childbirth and Death on Community Dynamics

01:06:59 Testimonies and Accusations: The Witchcraft Narrative

01:08:56 The Role of Gossip and Community Relationships

01:11:46 The Intersection of Abuse and Witchcraft Accusations

01:14:27 Defamation and Legal Proceedings in Witch Trials

01:17:13 The Aftermath of Witch Trials and Community Changes

01:20:58 The Legacy of Witchcraft Accusations in Family Histories

01:26:03 Connecting Historical Events to Modern Perspectives

Were there actual Puritan Witches in Colonial America? Did years of witch hunts, witch trials and shrieking teenagers actually conjure up the village witch? Or is there a better explanation for these opinionated, independent and often underestimated men and women who ended up swinging from the Colonial gallows?

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Throw a little pudding in your fireplace and see who comes knocking. It could be a witch, it could be Hugh Parsons. In this episode we talk about the Hugh and Mary Parsons witch trial, as well as a little family history venting about a different kind of witch hunt closer to home. Enjoy!

Find all of our sources on our website, distaffpodcast.com

Contact us at distaffpodcast@gmail.com

Episode Chapters

00:00 The Impact of Online Genealogy

00:34 Connecting with Ancestry

03:35 The Excitement of Discovery

06:32 The Role of Community in Genealogy

09:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

14:26 Researching Ancestry with an Open Mind

17:27 Collaboration in Genealogy Research

19:30 The Halloween Eve Connection

20:16 Understanding the Parsons Trial

31:49 The Devil's Influence in Witchcraft

36:25 Witness Testimonies and Accusations

50:52 The Impact of Grief and Accusations

52:30 The Struggles of Mary Parsons

56:17 The Envy and the Cow's Tongue

01:00:32 The Accusations of Witchcraft

01:03:42 Mary's Confessions and the Blame Game

01:08:46 The Community's Response to Witchcraft

01:13:32 The Aftermath of the Trials

What starts out as a work meeting between our hosts Kim and Sarah turns into one of our favorite episodes. With the lurking shadow of the Witch Trials yet to come, we talk about strange phenomenon, naughty Puritans, and colonial gossip. We finish off with a lesson on how to summon a witch right to your door, or maybe just how to summon one of your really weird neighbors. You decide. Enjoy!

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Contact us! Email distaffpodcast@gmail.com, or visit our website: distaffpodcast.com

00:00 The Historical Context of Witchcraft Accusations

02:32 Mary Lewis: A Journey to Faith

05:18 The Tensions Between Towns and Their Impact

07:53 The Arrival of Mary Lewis in Springfield

10:55 The Struggles of Early Settlers

13:52 The Influence of Preachers on Community Beliefs

17:01 The Challenges of Life in Colonial America

20:44 The Perils of 1800s Boat Travel

22:36 Life in 1643: Fasting and Famine

23:05 The Birth of Mary Morgan

25:02 The Role of Women in Early Springfield

28:13 The Impact of the English Civil War

29:13 Population Growth and New Arrivals

30:56 Building the Community: Pynchon’s Vision

32:20 Supernatural Events and Their Interpretations

35:40 The Narragansett-Mohawk War Begins

37:07 The Town's Development and Challenges

39:38 Legislation and Social Order

40:21 Signs and Omens in 1646

44:13 The Struggles of New Mothers

46:40 The Devil's Influence in Daily Life

50:16 The Birthing Chamber: A Space of Grief

51:36 Mary Lewis Parsons: A Complex Character

52:31 The Jealous Brickmaker

54:17 Mary's Struggles and Contributions

57:26 The Floods and Community Challenges

01:00:14 Hugh's Financial Troubles and Reputation

01:03:13 The Witch Accusations Begin

01:07:15 The Pudding Incident and Its Consequences

This conversation delves into the historical practices of childbirth in colonial America, focusing on the role of midwives and the transition to male-dominated medical practices. It explores the impact of superstition, witch trials, and social status on midwifery, as well as the importance of community support during childbirth. The discussion reflects on the modern implications of these historical practices and emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in the childbirth experience. This conversation delves into the historical and spiritual aspects of childbirth, focusing on the role of women and midwives throughout history. It explores the intimate connections formed during the birthing process, the community support surrounding childbirth, and the transition from home births to hospital settings. The discussion also touches on the impact of fear and stigma on women's health, the intersection of magic and medicine, and the legacy of midwifery leading up to the witch trials.

Chapters:

Introduction

00:40

Exploring Springfield's Midwifery History

03:34

The Transition from Midwives to Male Doctors

06:50

The Role of Superstition in Childbirth

11:16

The Power Dynamics in Childbirth Practices

17:51

The Impact of Witch Trials on Midwifery

22:52

The Breakdown of Women's Healing Networks

34:01

The Historical Context of Midwifery

36:59

The Evolution of Childbirth Practices

41:42

The Spiritual and Emotional Aspects of Birth

54:18

The Role of Community in Childbirth

01:03:50

The Modern Perspective on Midwifery and Childbirth

01:11:21

Embracing the Body: A Midwife's Perspective

01:12:43

The Role of Community in Childbirth

01:14:40

Traditional Practices and Modern Understanding

01:16:45

Postpartum Care and Celebrations

01:18:21

The Influence of Midwives in Early America

01:21:01

The Intersection of Witchcraft and Midwifery

01:24:12

Fear and Control in Childbirth

01:27:44

The Stigmatization of Women's Knowledge

01:31:29

The Impact of Religion on Childbirth Practices

01:34:26

The Historical Context of Childbirth and Witch Trials

01:37:59

The Evolution of Midwifery and Women's Roles

01:42:37

The Path to the Witch Trials

For Sources, please visit distaffpodcast.com

It is 1636 in New England. The mist rises over the low land, the day is just beginning. Two women meet on a path. One woman is of the Agawam Nation, the other is a Puritan. What do they see in the other? Both women are mothers, wives, members of a community. Both are making a life in the land they stand on. One is a leader in her nation, the other, not so much. We try to unravel and re-weave their story. In this episode we focus on the Indigenous woman. What did her world look like? What role did she play within the nation she came from? We discuss the spiritual, political and day to day life of the 1600's Indigenous people.

Sources & Resources:
Cajune, Julie. Our Way: —A Parallel History: An Anthology of Native History, Reflection, and Story. Fulcrum Publishing, 2023.

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions, 2013.

Hämäläinen, Pekka. Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest For North America. First published as a Liverlight paperback, Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W.W. Norton & Company, 2023.

Patterson, Alex. A Field Guide to Rock Art Symbols of the Greater Southwest. Johnson Books, 1992.

Contact: distaffpodcast@gmail.com

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Dear Prudence…”"Surely these were Amazonian times when women had strength."

This conversation delves into the historical narrative of Prudence and Miles Morgan, exploring their journey, family connections, and the significance of the Bay Path. The speakers discuss the challenges of historical research, the role of women in early settlements, and the romanticized view of history. Through their exploration, they highlight the importance of communication and connection in the past, ultimately painting a vivid picture of young love and adventure in a historical context.

Subscribe/email questions or topic ideas for shows

distaffpodcast@gmail.com

Upcoming Episodes
Join us for Episode Five where we explore the Agawam peoples who have inhabited the Connecticut Valley since 12,000 BC.

Sources & Resources:
Hall, David D. . Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth Century New England: A Documentary History, 1638-1693. Second Edition, Duke University Press, 1991.
Gaskill, Malcolm. The Ruin of All Witches: Life and Death in the New World. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022.
Hawke, David Freeman. Everday Life in Early America. Harper-Collins Publishers, 1988.
Lockridge, Kenneth A. “Stephen Innes. Labor in a New Land: Economy and Society in Seventeenth-Century Springfield . Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1983. Pp. Xxi, 463. Cloth $35.00, Paper $7.95.” The American Historical Review, vol. 89, no. 3, Jun. 1984, pp. 840–41. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/89.3.840.
Morgan Genealogy
by Nathaniel H. Morgan [This has Titus’ writing about Miles Morgan and Prudence]https://openlibrary.org/books/OL24189989M/Morgan_genealogy
William Pynchon Papers, Mss 236. Courtesy of Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Rowley, MA. https://pem.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/203 Accessed October 24, 2025.
The Miles Morgan family of Springfield, Massachusetts, in the line of Joseph Morgan of Harford, Connecticut, 1780-1847. Frank Farnsworth. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89061980793&seq=20