Why The Accused Matters: The Life, The Legacy, and The Lore.
When I first dreamed up Legacy Lore, I knew I wanted it to be more than a podcast. I wanted it to be a space where history and genealogy meet storytelling. Where the voices of the past are given a chance to speak again.
Season One, The Accused, is my attempt to do just that.
This season tells the story of Eleanor Neale, a woman accused of witchcraft in 1671 colonial Virginia. And while her name might not be as well known as those accused in Salem two decades later, her story, and the stories of so many women like her, deserve to be told.
The Why Behind The Accusation
When you dig into historical accusations of witchcraft, one theme appears over and over again: fear.
Fear of women with influence. Fear of change. Fear of losing control.
I’ve spent months reading through original court records, wills, and genealogical documents to better understand Eleanor’s world and what I’ve found is chilling. The patterns I’ve uncovered are the same patterns historians have connected to the Salem witch trials. And when you listen to this season, I think you’ll hear echoes that sound uncomfortably familiar in today’s world.
That’s what makes this season so important to me it’s not just about Eleanor’s story, it’s about the questions her story asks of us now.
What To Expect This Season
This season blends my love for storytelling with my background in historical and genealogical research. I’ve worked hard to create a show that is both informative and engaging. A podcast that makes you feel like you’re stepping into Eleanor’s world.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Prologue — Available now (listen below!)
Episodes 1 & 2 — Dropping October 14
New episodes every Tuesday morning (U.S. time) through the rest of the season
Bonus content — Deep dives, behind-the-scenes details, and additional context about witchcraft in colonial Virginia
Early Listening
I’m thrilled to say that I offered 10 listeners the chance to join an exclusive early-access group, they get every episode ad-free and at least 24–48 hours early.
At last check, there were only two spots left, and once those are gone, this group is full for Season One. If you’d like to be part of this group and get bonus content throughout the season, you can sign up while there’s still room.
Why It Matters
Telling Eleanor’s story matters because women like her were silenced. This season is about remembering them differently. Eleanor was a powerful woman who lived in a world determined to limit her power. I’m proud to be her 11th great-granddaughter, and I’m proud to share her story with you.
And if you go back far enough, you might just be related to her too.
Listen and Follow Legacy Lore
The prologue episode is available now, and the first two episodes will drop October 14.
Follow Legacy Lore wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode, and share it with a friend who loves history, mystery, and uncovering the stories of women history almost forgot.
