Witch Trial Stories Across the River from Salem in Historic Beverly with Roger Herson

Project 1692: Beverly’s Hidden Salem Witch Trials Story with Descendant Tour Guide Roger Herson Crowds flood Salem, Massachusetts each October, but across the river, Beverly holds key Salem Witch Trials history—home to Reverend John Hale’s later writing and to figures and events often mislabeled as “Salem” stories. We talk with lifelong North Shore guide and 12th-generation Massachusetts native Roger Herson, a descendant of the trials (including Thomas Oliver, husband of Bridget Bishop), who leads visitors through court records to replace folklore with documented truth. Roger shares how DNA research revealed multiple ancestral ties to the accused, why original documents matter, and what common misconceptions persist—about Bridget Bishop, Sarah Bishop, alleged stepchild accusers, and John Hale’s influence. He highlights Beverly’s overlooked roles, from William Griggs’s residence to Dorcas Hoar’s complex story, and previews Historic Beverly’s Thursday-night Project 1692 walking tours as a quieter, research-grounded alternative to Salem’s October crush. 00:00 Beverly Beyond Salem 02:06 Meet Roger Herson 02:42 DNA Discovery Story 05:26 Bridget Bishop Myths 09:23 Beverly Role in 1692 12:28 John Hale Reckoning 18:20 Dorcas Hoar Legend 19:35 Project 1692 Tour 24:42 How to Visit 25:22 Closing Thanks  Links Historic Beverly: https://historicbeverly.net Ancestry Tour Agents: https:// ancestrytouragents.com  Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com