Student Symposium
See and hear what high school students can make of history by examining original sources as well as scholars' works. Students at The Governor's Academy present their papers on historical subjects of local interest, researched and written for their Advanced Placement U.S. History class.
Sarah Moore, Senior at The Governor's Academy
“Tituba and the Salem Witch Trials of 1692: Race, Religion, and Social Status in Puritan Society”
by Sarah Moore
One of the first three women accused of witchcraft in late 17th-century Salem and the central figure in the trials of more than 200 persons and the executions of 20, the slave named Tituba somehow avoided execution. How? The answer lies in her “outsider” status as a slave, an Indian, and a non-Christian in a society governed by fearful religious zealots.
Sarah Moore, a Georgetown native and a senior at The Governor's Academy, enjoys studio art and the humanities as well as soccer, basketball, and the sport that she intends to play in college: lacrosse. Her interest in local history drew her to research the Salem Witch Trials.
Will Friend, Senior at The Governor's Academy
“Clearing the Air: John Sullivan’s 1779 Campaign against the Six Nations”
by Will Friend
An historical controversy was ignited by American revolutionary General John Sullivan’s devastating campaign (July-August 1779) against the British-allied Iroquois in the Wyoming Valley of central PA and western NY. At least one historian has accused Sullivan of genocide. Is there truth to such charges? Anti-Indian prejudice did indeed play into the conflict’s outcome, this writer finds, but Sullivan respected his foe. The fault lay with British commanders who condescended to their Iroquois allies.
Will Friend, a senior at Governor’s and a native of Hamilton, enjoys physics, history, and ice hockey, which he plans to play in college. His interest in this subject was sparked by a statement in his AP US History textbook: “[O]therwise humane patriot leaders ignored the traditional rules of warfare when it came to Indians” (Eric Foner).
Friend will be joined by Douglas MacLennan, a local authority on Sullivan and resident owner of the historic Sullivan homestead in Durham, NH, whom Friend met in the course of his research.
Reception 6:30pm Program 7:00pm
At the Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street
Space is limited--contact 978-462-2681 or info@newburyhistory.org to reserve your seat