Discussion topic is Margaret Tilford, Accused Witch of Salem. The Tilford's had followed Presbyterian minister Rev. Thomas Clark from Scotland to the Salem area where he had purchased 12,000 acres for his congregation. The accusation made against Margaret in 1777 was that she prevented her neighbor's cows from giving cream that could be churned into butter. She was brought to trial by the local Scotch Presbyterian church but the trial was interrupted by Burgoyne's march to Saratoga.
Margaret and her husband are buried in Salem Revolutionary Cemetery. Attendees can prepare by viewing a YouTube presentation titled Salem Voices from the Grave—Margaret Tilford and by reading about the history of witchcraft in America. A lengthy article also appears under her name on findagrave.com.
Future sessions of the club will feature books about the larger Adirondack area as well as works by local authors. Upcoming topics include; Charles Evans Hughes, NY governor; Phillip Embury's establishment of the second Methodist Church in America in White Creek; and slavery in Washington County. For additional information, email Connie Harris Farrington at connieandlee@roadrunner.com.
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Sarah Hall served as a volunteer researching the topic of Washington County patriots as part of the Washington County Historical Society's Revolutionary War Soldier Project. She became a Trustee of the organization and is now the Administrator at the Society's Wing-Northup House in Fort Edward.
This is the first in a series of planned lectures. The program promises to be interesting and informative. The talk is free and open to the public. Donations are gladly accepted.
