The year is 1812. It was a time of fighting and deception but also a time that witches still cast fears into the hearts of even the most wise of scholars. Between 1610 and 1840, it is estimated that over 26,000 accused witches were burned at the stake. Starting in Europe, the execution of witches quickly spread to the Americas. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts were prominent places for witch hunts and executions. In a small village in the state of Ohio, still a young state, having only been named a state in 1803, a family moved onto a farm outside of town. They were quiet and kept to themselves. John Sewald and his wife Sarah schooled their four children at home, though the townsfolk had asked them repeatedly to join their communities school. The children, thought to be peculiar by most of the town, stayed to themselves, seldom venturing in to the towns streets. Speculation as to where the family came from grew to town gossip. Lady folk, taking preserves and goods to the family swore to have witnessed the children dancing in horrible and often erotic ways in the wooded area that surrounded the farm. Carcasses drug home by family dogs of chickens and squabs hastily added to the gossip.
"They came here from Salem," some would whisper. "Oh, they are witches alright! I have seen them make things fly through the air," others would say. It wasn't long before panic began to envelop the town. Men talked in private of burning and hangings. Women grabbed their children up when John or Sarah came to town, for fear the "witches" would eat their children. John and Sarah became increasingly uneasy and decided they would leave and find a new place to live.
"We can not, being of God fearing people, allow these creatures of Hades to go to another place and cause harm!" The screech's of Lucas Beard was heard through out the community. "We must go to them and end their legacy, lest it become a part of our own State."
"But what of the children?" asked Lauren Pisk, a stately woman left with riches beyond a mans dreams by her late husband. "They are but innocents in their parents teachings. Surely they are young enough that our church can exorcise the spirits from them. We must save the children, at least!"
"No woman! They are inheritances of their families disease. They will spread it like wildfire throughout the State. They must die with their family, so say I! Those in favor, say Aye." The echos of his words resound through out the town. Lauren Pisk was cast aside as the men made a plan to execute the "witches." "Should you come betwixt this casting out of these demon people, I shall have you hanged myself, woman!" Those were the last words that Lauren Pisk was to ever hear from the men of this tiny village in Ohio.
Lauren took her horse and carriage and in the still of the night, on March 21st, 1812,went out to the Sewald farm. She explained to the parents what was to happen that night. "I can not secure all of you. We would surely be found and all would die. I came to rescue the children that they might live. You must find ways to hold the men down until we are far from here. There is no time to settle and think. If you love your children, then you must do this for them."
There was no question as to John nor Sarah's answer. The children held hands and began to chant as one. A light in the forest shone through and the carriage and Lauren Pisk and the heirs to the Sewald estate disappeared into light. Shortly after midnight, 30 men rained down on the Sewald farm. Knives and torches and ropes filled their hands. John fought them off as best he could, taking to the grave four of the towns men. He was taken down and tied to a rotting tree outside the house as Sarah watched in horror, afraid to come out of the hollow she had hidden in. The tree was set afire and Johns screams could be heard into the village square. People of the village closed their windows to shield their own children's ears from the horrible sounds. The men searching for Sarah and the children, found Sarah hidden in the hole of a tree stump. She never left the stump, but burned to death where she had sought refuge. All through the night they searched for the children. In the mornings light, they saw the wagon marks that led from the farm and suddenly vanished. All of them knew who had taken the children.
"Shall we give chase and kill them all, Lucas!?"
Lucas stared at the tracks leading away from the farm. His face contorted in anger, he turned towards the men. "Nay, I say let the wretched woman and the demons find another village to destroy. She shall pay by god's own hand one day. We are finished here!"
In a town far from the village, one year later, four children and their savior sat near a bridge on the East side of their property. Each held a candle and a knife in their hand. They were surrounded by baby dolls just outside of their ring. A safe place for the dolls. Lauren Pisk began the chant and one by one the children chimed in until the sound echoed through the forest around them. Though there is no records of why it happened, in a small village, somewhere in Ohio doors began to lock themselves, trapping men and women alike inside their homes and their barns. The buildings were struck by freak lightening some say. The only fact known was that all the men and women of the village burned to death that day. Only the children were saved as the fires happened when all were out to play. Lucas Beard screamed out the names of John and Sarah Sewald with his last breath.
The Sewald children grew to be prominent members of their community. No one ever questioned where they came from as their "mother" told them of the tragic story of how their father was lost in a fire and she, their "mother" brought them here to raise. Their legacy to move evolved into the magic of time movement, though to disturb the Fabric would cause a "fire" that could send time into a tailspin.
Born to Lauren Pisk were children from her second husband. The ancestors of one Carrie Ann Pisk. Johnathon Sewald Jr. raised his family in the rights of his mother and father. When Carrie Ann Pisk met Derek Sewald, she knew from the moment she saw him, they were going to be married. And after centuries of silence, the Sewald legacy would be reborn again in full strength. And they named the rebirth Nina.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fabric...
Posted by Darrel at 9:41 AM
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2 comments:
Wow! You have a lot going on here. That was a nice introduction to the family, Darrel.
thank you again sooooo much for reading this and making me feel as if it is worth the read. It means the world to me. Always, Darrel
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