Nearly 100 years after Salem, a German immigrant widow in Vermont faced trial by water ordeal for witchcraft. In 1785, Margaret Krieger was dropped through ice into the freezing Hoosick River—and survived. Guests: Joyce Held, Pownal Vermont Historical Society - researcher who uncovered Margaret's full story Jamie Franklin, Bennington Museum Curator - connected the trial to post-Revolutionary War political tensions Key Points: Margaret Schumacher Krieger (1725-1790) married Johann Krieger in 1741, moved to frontier Vermont After Johann's death in 1785, neighbors accused her of witchcraft to seize the family's mill and land Recent research suggests the family were Loyalists, adding political motivation to the accusations Margaret was acquitted after surviving the water test and moved back to Massachusetts Modern Legacy: Historical marker installed 2023 at Strobridge Recreation Park, North Pownal, VT Annual Witches Walk commemorating "extraordinary women" - next event September 13, 2025 Connect: Facebook: Pownal Historical Society Website: www.pownal.org This case reveals how witchcraft accusations often masked land disputes, cultural tensions, and political conflicts in post-Revolutionary America. Links Americans 1943: Realists and Magic-Realists AP Article: Group seeks to clear names of all accused, convicted or executed for witchcraft in MA Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project Pownal Historical Society on Facebook Bennington Museum Special Exhibits Watch: New England Legends: Ghosts and Witches  Season 2024 Episode 2 The Thing About Salem YouTube ⁠The Thing About Salem Patreon ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube ⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts