New Bio of Local Witch/Book Signing at Rogan's Bakery in Exeter

The Witch of Hampton is Back, This Time With Her Own Book

Hampton author Cheryl Lassiter has released her new book, "The Mark of Goody Cole: a tragic and true tale of witchcraft persecution from the history of early America," the first full length biography of the 17th century woman known famously as the "Witch of Hampton." 

A year-by-year chronicle of her life, the story begins in England in the 1630s, encompasses her arrival and settlement in America, where she suffered a quarter century of persecution for witchcraft, including whippings, two trials for witchcraft in Boston, and years of imprisonment, ending in 1680 with a third and final accusation of witchcraft, followed shortly by her death.

 A special section is devoted to Goody Cole's "exoneration" by the town of Hampton at its 300th anniversary in 1938 and an examination of her growing cult status as a witch and renowned victim of a cruel belief system.

 Of particular interest to Exeter history fans, before settling in Hampton Goody Cole and her husband William came with Reverend John Wheelwright to settle Exeter in 1638, with William witnessing Wheelwright's original deed to the land.

Video Book Trailer on YouTube