Chapter II: Part 2

_To the Honorable Judge and Bench now sitting in Judicature in_ Salem _and the Reverend Ministers, humbly sheweth, That whereas your humble poor Petitioner being Condemned to die, doth humbly beg of you, to take it into your Judicious and Pious Consideration, that your poor and humble Petitioner knowing my own Innocency (blessed be the Lord for it) and seeing plainly the Wiles and Subtilty of my Accusers, by myself, cannot but judge charitably of others, that are going the same way with myself, if the Lord step not mightily in. I was confined a whole Month on the same account that I am now condemned for, an then cleared by the Afflicted persons, as some of your Honour know, and in two days time I was cried out upon by them, and have been confined and now am condemned to die. The Lord above knows my Innocency then, and likewise doth now, as at the great day will be known to Men and Angels. I Petition to your Honours not for my own Life, for I know I must die, and my appointed time is set; but the Lord he knows it is, if it be possible, that no more Innocent Blood be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in the way and course you go in. I question not, but your Honours do the utmost of your powers, in the discovery and detection of Witchcraft and Witches, and would not be guilty of Innocent Blood for the World; but by my own Innocency I know you are in the wrong way, the Lord in his infinite Mercy direct you in this great work, if it be his blessed will, that Innocent Blood be not shed; I would humbly beg of you, that your Honours would be pleased to Examine some of those confessing Witches, I being confident there are several of them have belyed themselves and others, as will appear, if not in this World, I am sure in the World to come, whither I am going; and I question not, but yourselves will see an alteration in these things: They say, myself and others have made a league with the Devil, we cannot confess, I know and the Lord he knows (as will shortly appear) they belye me, and so I question not but they do others; the Lord alone, who is the searcher of all hearts, knows that as I shall answer it at the Tribunal Seat, that I know not the least thing of Witchcraft, therefore I cannot, I durst not belye my own Soul. I beg your Honours not to deny this my humble Petition, from a poor dying Innocent person, and I question not but the Lord will give a blessing to your Endeavours._

Mary Esty.

[108] After Execution Mr. _Noyes_ turning him to the Bodies, said, what a sad thing it is to see Eight Firebrands of Hell hanging there.[45]

In _October_ 1692, One of _Wenham_ complained of Mrs. _Hale_, whose Husband, the Minister of _Beverly_, had been very forward in these Prosecutions, but being fully satisfied of his Wifes sincere Christianity, caused him to alter his Judgment; for it was come to a stated Controversie, among the _New-England_ Divines, whether the Devil could Afflict in a good Mans shape; it seems nothing else could convince him: yet when it came so near to himself, he was soon convinc'd that the Devil might so Afflict. Which same reason did afterwards prevail with many others; and much influenced to the succeeding change at Tryals.[46]

_October_ 7. (_Edward Bishop_ and his Wife having made their Escape out of Prison) this day Mr. _Corwin_ the Sheriff, came and Seiz'd his Goods, and Cattle, and had it not been for his second Son (who borrowed Ten Pound and gave it him) they had been wholly lost, the Receipt follows; but it seems they must be content with such a Receipt as he would give them.

_Received this_ 7_th day of_ October 1692, _of_ Samuel Bishop _of the Town of_ Salem, _of the County of_ Essex, _in_ New-England, _Cordwainer, in full satisfaction, a valuable Sum of Money, for the Goods and Chattels of_ Edward Bishop, _Senior, of the Town and County aforesaid, Husbandman; which Goods and Chattels being seized, for that the said_ Edward Bishop, _and_ Sarah _his Wife, having been committed for Witchcraft and Felony, have made their Escape; and their Goods and Chattels were forfeited unto their Magesties, and now being in Possession of the said_ Samuel Bishop; _and in behalf of their Majesties, I do hereby discharge the said Goods and Chattles the day and year above written, as witness my hand,_

George Corwin, _Sheriff._

But before this the said _Bishops_ Eldest Son, having Married into that Family of the _Putmans_, who were chief Prosecutors in this business; he holding a Cow to be branded lest it should be seiz'd, and having a Push or Boyl upon his Thigh, with his straining it broke; this is that that was pretended to be burnt with the said Brand; and is one of the bones thrown to the Dogmatical to pick, in _Wonders of the Invisible World_, P. 143. the other, of a Corner of a Sheet, pretended to be taken from a Spectre, it is known that it was provided the day before, by that Afflicted person, and the third bone of a Spindle is almost as easily provided, as the piece of the Knife; so that _Apollo_ needs not herein be consulted, _&c._

Mr. _Philip English_,[47] and his Wife having made their Escape out of Prison, Mr. _Corwin_ the Sheriff seiz'd his Estate, to the value of about Fifteen Hundred Pound, which was wholly lost to him, except about Three Hundred Pound value, (which was afterward restored.)

[109] After Goodwife _Hoar_ was Condemned, her Estate was seiz'd, and was also bought again for Eight Pound.

_George Jacobs_, Son to old _Jacobs_ being accused, he fled, then the Officers came to his House, his Wife was a Woman Crazy in her Senses and had been so several Years. She it seems had been also accused, there were in the House with her only four small Children, and one of them suck'd her Eldest Daughter, being in Prison; the Officer perswaded her out of the House, to go along with him, telling her she should speedily return, the Children ran a great way after her crying.

When she came where the Afflicted were, being asked, they said they did not know her, at length one said, don't you know _Jacobs_ the old Witch, and then they cry'd out of her, and fell down in their Fits; she was sent to Prison, and lay there Ten Months, the Neighbours of pity took care of the Children to preserve them from perishing.

About this time a New Scene was begun, one _Joseph Ballard_[48] of _Andover_, whose Wife was ill (and after died of a Fever) sent to _Salem_ for some of those Accusers, to tell him who afflicted his Wife; others did the like: Horse and Man were sent from several places to fetch those Accusers who had the Spectral sight, that they might thereby tell who afflicted those that were any ways ill.

When these came into any place where such were, usually they fell into a Fit; after which being asked who it was that afflicted the person, they would, for the most part, name one whom they said sat on the head, and another that sat on the lower parts of the afflicted. Soon after _Ballard's_ sending (as above) more than Fifty of the People of _Andover_ were complained of, for afflicting their Neighbours. Here it was that many accused themselves, of Riding upon Poles through the Air; many Parents believing their Children to be Witches, and many Husbands their Wives, _&c._ When these Accusers came to the House of any upon such account, it was ordinary for other young People to be taken in Fits, and to have the same Spectral sight.[49]

Mr. _Dudley Bradstreet_,[50] a Justice of Peace in _Andover_, having granted out Warrants against, and Committed Thirty or Forty to Prisons, for the supposed Witchcrafts, at length saw cause to forbear granting out any more Warrants. Soon after which he and his Wife were cried out of, himself was (by them) said to have killed Nine persons by Witchcraft, and found it his safest course to make his Escape.

A Dog being afflicted at _Salem_-Village, those that had the Spectral sight being sent for, they accused Mr. _John Bradstreet_ (Brother to the Justice) that he afflicted the said Dog, and now rid upon him: He made his Escape into _Pescattequa_-Government, and the Dog was put to death, and was all of the Afflicted that suffered death.

[110] At _Andover_, the Afflicted complained of a Dog, as afflicting of them, and would fall into their Fits at the Dogs looking upon them; the Dog was put to death.

A worthy Gentleman of _Boston_,[51] being about this time accused by those at _Andover_, he sent by some particular Friends a Writ to Arrest those Accusers in a Thousand Pound Action for Defamation, with instructions to them, to inform themselves of the certainty of the proof, in doing which their business was perceived, and from thence forward the Accusations at _Andover_ generally ceased.

In _October_ some of these Accusers were sent for to _Gloucester_, and occasioned four Women to be sent to Prison, but _Salem_ Prison being so full it could receive no more; two were sent to _Ipswich_ Prison.[52] In _November_ they were sent for again by Lieutenant _Stephens_, who was told that a Sister of his was bewitched; in their way passing over _Ipswich_-bridge, they met with an old Woman, and instantly fell into their Fits: But by this time the validity of such Accusations being much questioned, they found not that Encouragement they had done elsewhere, and soon withdrew.

These Accusers swore that they saw three persons sitting upon Lieutenant _Stephens's_ Sister till she died; yet Bond was accepted for those Three.

And now Nineteen persons having been hang'd, and one prest to death, and Eight more condemned, in all Twenty and eight, of which above a third part were Members of some of the Churches in _N. England_, and more than half of them of a good Conversation in general, and not one clear'd. About Fifty having confest themselves to be Witches, of which not one Executed; above an Hundred and Fifty in Prison, and above Two Hundred more accused. The Special Commission of _Oyer_ and _Terminer_ comes to a period, which has no other foundation than the Governours Commission, and had proceeded in the manner of swearing Witnesses, _viz._ By holding up the hand, (and by receiving Evidences in writing) according to the Ancient Usuge of this Countrey; as also having their Indictments in _English_. In the Tryals, when any were Indicted for Afflicting, Pining, and wasting the Bodies of particular persons by Witchcraft; it was usual to hear Evidence of matter foreign, and of perhaps Twenty or Thirty years standing, about over-setting Carts, the death of Cattle, unkindness to Relations, or unexpected Accidents befalling after some quarrel.[53] Whether this was admitted by the Law of _England_, or by what other Law, wants to be determined; the Executions seemed mixt, in pressing to death for not pleading, which most agrees with the Laws of _England_, and Sentencing Women to be hanged for Witchcraft, according to the former practice of this Country, and not by burning, as is said to have been the Law of _England_. And though the confessing Witches were many; yet not one of them that confessed their own guilt, and abode by their Confession were put to Death.

[111] Here followeth what account some of those miserable Creatures give of their Confession under their own hands.

_We whose Names are under written, Inhabitants of_ Andover, _when as that horrible and tremendous Judgment beginning at_ Salem-_Village, in the Year_ 1692, _(by some) call'd Witchcraft, first breaking forth at Mr._ Parris's _House, several Young persons being seemingly afflicted, did accuse several persons for afflicting them, and many there believing it so to be; we being informed that if a person were sick, that the afflicted persons could tell, what or who was the cause of that sickness._ Joseph Ballard _of_ Andover _(his Wife being sick at the same time) he either from himself, or by the advice of others, fetch'd two of the persons call'd the afflicted persons, from_ Salem-_Village to_ Andover: _Which was the beginning of that dreadful Calamity that befel us in_ Andover. _And the Authority in_ Andover, _believing the said Accusations to be true, sent for the said persons to come together to the Meeting-house in_ Andover _(the afflicted persons being there.) After Mr._ Bernard[54] _had been at Prayer, we were blindfolded, and our hands were laid upon the afflicted persons, they being in their Fits, and falling into their Fits at our coming into their presence (as they said) and some led us and laid our hands upon them, and then they said they were well, and that we were guilty of afflicting of them; whereupon we were all seized as Prisoners, by a Warrant from the Justice of the Peace, and forthwith carried to_ Salem. _And by reason of that suddain surprizal, we knowing ourselves altogether Innocent of that Crime, we were all exceedingly astonished and amazed, and consternated and affrighted even out of our Reason; and our nearest and dearest Relations, seeing us in that dreadful condition, and knowing our great danger, apprehending that there was no other way to save our lives, as the case was then circumstantiated but by our confessing ourselves to be such and such persons, as the afflicted represented us to be, they out of tender love and pitty perswaded us to confess what we did confess. And indeed that Confession, that it is said we made, was no other than what was suggested to us by some Gentlemen; they telling us, that we were Witches, and they knew it, and we knew it, and they knew that we knew it, which made us think that it was so; and our understanding, our reason, and our faculties almost gone; we were not capable of judging our condition; as also the hard measures they used with us, rendred us uncapable of making our Defence; but said any thing and every thing which they desired, and most of what we said, was but in effect a consenting to what they said. Sometime after when we were better composed, they telling of us what we had confessed, we did profess that we were Innocent, and Ignorant of such things. And we hearing that_ Samuel Wardwell _had renounced his Confession, and quickly after Condemned and Executed, some of us were told that we were going after_ Wardwell.

Mary Osgood, Mary Tiler, Deliv. Dane, Abigail Barker, Sarah Wilson, Hannah Tiler.[55]

[112] It may here be further added concerning those that did Confess, that besides that powerful Argument, of Life (and freedom from hardships, and Irons not only promised, but also performed to all that owned their guilt.) There are numerous Instances, too many to be here inserted, of the tedious Examinations before private persons, many hours together; they all that time urging them to Confess (and taking turns to perswade them) till the accused were wearied out by being forced to stand so long, or for want of Sleep, _&c._ and so brought to give an Assent to what they said; they then asking them, Were you at such a Witch-meeting, or have you signed the Devils Book, _&c._ upon their replying, yes, the whole was drawn into form as their Confession.

But that which did mightily further such Confessions, was their nearest and dearest Relations urging them to it. These seeing no other way of escape for them, thought it the best advice that could be given; hence it was that the Husbands of some, by counsel often urging, and utmost earnestness, and Children upon their Knees intreating, have at length prevailed with them, to say they were guilty.

AS to the manner of Tryals, and the Evidence taken for Convictions at _Salem_, it is already set forth in Print, by the Reverend Mr. _Cotton Mather_ in his _Wonders of the Invisible World_, at the Command of his Excellency Sir _William Phips_;[56] with not only the Recommendation, but thanks of the Lieutenant Governour; and with the Approbation of the Reverend Mr. _J. M._ in his Postscript to his _Cases of Conscience_; which last Book was set forth by the consent of the Ministers in and near _Boston_.[57]

Two of the Judges have also given their Sentiments in these words, _p._ 147.

_The Reverend and worthy Author, having at the direction of his Excellency the Governour, so far obliged the Publick, as to give some account of the sufferings, brought upon the Countrey by Witchcrafts, and of the Tryals which have passed upon several executed for the same._

_Upon perusal thereof, We find the matters of Fact and Evidence truly reported, and a prospect given of the Methods of Conviction, used in the proceedings of the Court at_ Salem.

William Stoughton,
Samuel Sewall.

Boston, October 11, 1692.

And considering that this may fall into the hands of such as never saw those Wonders, it may be needful to transcribe the whole account he has given thereof, without any variation (but with one of the Indictments annext to the Tryal of each) which is thus prefaced, P. 81, 82, 83.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The following Entry is in the Hand-writing of Mr. Parris on his _Church Records_: "It is well known that when these Calamities first began, which was in my own Family, the Affliction was several Weeks before such hellish Operations as Witchcraft was suspected; Nay, it never broke forth to any considerable Light, until diabolical Means was used, by the making of a Cake by my Indian Man [John], who had his Directions from this our Sister Mary Sibly. Since which Apparitions have been plenty, and exceeding much Mischief hath followed. But by this Means (it seems) the Devil hath been raised amongst us, and his Rage is vehement and terrible; and when he shall be silenced, the Lord only knows."--_Hanson's Hist. Danvers_, 289. As will be seen, Mr. Parris was made Scribe at the Examination.

[2] It is remarkable that this Case should not be noticed in the _Wonders of the Invisible World_. It is told in Lawon's _Narrative_, _Page 3_. See also _Records of Salem Witchcraft_, 49, where by Parris's Deposition, his Age is stated at "Thirty and nine."

[3] None of the Accounts give the Names of the "Physicians." "One or two of the First that were Afflicted, Complaining of unusual Illness their Relations used Physic for their _Cure_, but it was altogether in vain."--_Lawson, Second Edition_, 97-8.

[4] She is said to have been a Slave, formerly in New Spain. When arrested and searched, the Marks on her Body produced by the Sting of the Spaniard's Whip, were said to be made by the Devil.--_Hanson_, _Hist. Danvers_, 273. Her first Examination was on the 1st of March, 1691-2. It occupies four full Pages of Foolscap, and is in the Editor's possession, and has never been published. There is no copy at Salem, probably, as it does not appear in Mr. Woodward's Publication.

[5] The two Magistrates were John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. William Allen, John Hughes, William Good and Samuel Braybrook were Witnesses against Sarah Good. Allen swore, that on the 1st of March, in the Night, he saw a strange and unusual Beast lying on the Ground, which, when he came up to it, it vanished away; and in the Place thereof, started up two or three Women, who fled, though not as other Women, and soon vanished out of Sight. It was about an Hour within Night, and he took the Women to be Sarah Good, Sarah Osborn, and Tittabe. John Hughes was with him and swore likewise. See _Records S. W._, i, 38, where much more of the same Tenor may be seen.

[6] Martha Cory was witnessed against by Edward Putnam and Henry Keney, at the Commencement; and the Mittimus sets forth that she is the Wife of Giles Cory, of Salem Farms. At the same Time were committed Rebecka Nurse, Wife of Francis Nurse, of Salem Village, Husbandman; Dorothy Good, Daughter of William Good; Sarah Cloyce, the Wife of Peter Cloyce, of Salem Village; John Proctor, of Salem Farms, and Elizabeth his Wife. They were charged with afflicting Ann Putnam, Daughter of Thomas Putnam, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Hubbard, and others.

[7] Nicholas Noyes was Son of Nicholas Noyes, of Newbury, a Graduate of H. C., 1667, and died in 1717. He was one of the severest Instigators of the Proceedings against the accused Persons. He was settled in Salem in 1683.

[8] Indifferently written in the Records _Bibber_ and _Vibber_. The true Name appears to be _Bibber_. Sarah Bibber, in her Testimony against Sarah Good, gives her Age as 36. She gave Evidence against nine Persons at different Times. Not much has been found about her beyond her own Testimony. She appears to have had a Husband, who had the Prefix Goodman. At one Time she and her Husband lived at the House of Joseph Fowler. Fowler gave her a bad Character; as given to Tattling and Mischiefmaking; would call her Husband bad Names, was "of a very turbulent, unruly Spirit." Also Thomas Jacobs and his Wife Mary, said that "Good Bibbor did for a Time surgine [sojourn] in their House;" that she "uery often spekeing against one and nother uery obsanely, and wichshing [wishing] uery bad wichchis, and uery often. She wichs that when hor chill [child] fell into the Reuer that she had neuer pull hor child out." That she made ill Wishes against everybody and herself too. "The nayborhud were she liueued amonkes aftor she bered hor fust housbon hes tolld us that this John Bibber Wife coud fall into fitts as she plesed."--_Records S. W._, ii, 204-5.

Neither Felt nor Savage appear to have met with either the Name of _Bibber_ or _Vibber_.

[9] "It was several Times observed, that when they were discoursed with about GOD or CHRIST, or the Things of _Salvation_, they were presently afflicted at a dreadful Rate, and hence were oftentimes _Outragious_, if they were permitted to be in the Congregation, in the Time of the Publick Worship."--_Lawson, Second Edit._, 98.

"On Lord's Day, the 20th of _March_ were sundry of the afflicted Persons at Meeting, as Mrs. _Pope_ [Wife of Mr. Joseph P.], Goodwife _Bibber_, _Abigail Williams_, _Mary Walcut_, _Mary Lewes_, and Docter _Grigg's_ Maid. There was also at Meeting Goodwife C. [Cory] (who was afterward Examined on Suspicion of being a _Witch_:) They had several sore Fits, in the Time of Publick Worship, which did something interrupt me in my first Prayer; being so unusual. After Psalm was Sung, _Abigail Williams_ said to me, _Now stand up_, and _Name your Text_! And after it was read, she said, _It is a long Text_. In the beginning of Sermon, Mrs. _Pope_, a Woman afflicted, said to me, _Now there is enough of that_. And in the Afternoon, _Abigail Williams_, upon my referring to my _Doctrine_, said to me, _I know no Doctrine you had, if you did name one, I have forgot it_. In Sermon Time when Goodwife C. was present _Ab. W._ called out, _Look where Goodwife C. sits on the Beam suck[l]ing her Yellow Bird betwixt her Fingers_! _Anne Putman_, another Girle afflicted, _said there was a Yellow Bird sat on my Hat as it hung on the Pin in the Pulpit_! But those that were by restrained her from speaking loud about it."--_Lawson, First Edition_, Pages 3 and 4.

This, as will have been noticed, is the Account of an Eye Witness.

[10] The Warrant for the Apprehension of Rebecca Nurse is dated 23 March, 169½. The Day following, the Marshal, George Herrick, made his Return, that he had brought her to the house of _Nath. Ingersal_, where she was in Custody. The Witnesses were Ann Puttnam, Jr., Abigail Williams, Mary Walcott, and Elizabeth Hubbard. Mary Walcott's Age was about 17; Elizabeth Hubbard's also about 17. Nothing could be too abominable for these Miscreants to make up and swear to. Mary Walcott said, among other things, that besides being "most greviously afflicted by" being bitten, pinched, and almost choked by the Prisoner, because she would not write in her Book, Goody N. said she would kill her if she did not; and on the 3rd of May, in the Evening the Apparition of the Prisoner told her "she had an Hand in the Deaths of Benjamin Holton, John Harrod, Rebekah Sheppard and seuerall others."

Abigail Williams's Testimony is much the same. She heard the Accused confess (by her Apparition) the committing of several Murders, together with her Sister Cloyse; as upon old Goodm: Hanvood, Benj. Porter and Rebek: Shepard.... Sarah Vibber, Mr. Sam: Parris, N. Ingersoll and T. Putnam also testified against the poor aged Woman. Putnam's Age was about 40; Parris's, as before mentioned, about 39. John Putnam, Sen. (another Wit.) aged about 63. Edwd. Putnam, another, aged about 30. Another, Sarah Holton, relict of Benj. Holton. Another, Ann Putnam, Wife of Thomas, swore to the choking by the Accused, and to her declaring she would kill her, and said she had killed Benj. Holton, John Fuller and Rebekah Shepard; also that she and her Sister Cloyse and Ed: Bishop had killed young John Putnam's Child.... "Immediately there did appear to me six Children in Winding-sheets, which called me Aunt.... Told me they were my Sister Baker's Children of Boston; and that Gooddy Nurs, and Mistris Cary of Charlestown, and an old deaf Woman at Boston had murthered them.... Also there appeared to me my own Sister Bayley and three of her Children in Winding-sheets, and told me Goody Nurs had murthered them." This was all taken as good and sufficient Testimony!

[11] This Reference is to the first Edition of Lawson's Work, _A Brief and True Narrative, &c._ His Account is given in Note 9.

[12] Lawson, _First Edition_, Page 4.

[13] Lawson, Page 8. The Words "_at a House in the Village_," are in the Original, which shows that the Witch-meeting was in that part of Salem since Danvers.

[14] This Affair of the 1st of April, is an Abridgement of Lawson, Page 8, but nothing important to the present Purpose is omitted.

[15] The following is the Relation by Lawson, given in his own Words, that the Reader may judge of his accuracy: "The 3d of _April_, the Lord's Day, being Sacrament Day, at the Village, _Good. C._, upon Mr. _Parris's_ naming his Text, _John_, 6, 70. _One of them is a Devil_, the said Good. _C._ went immediately out of the Meetinghouse, and flung the door after her violently, to the amazement of the Congregation: She was afterwards seen by some in their Fits, who said, _O Goodw. C. I did not think to see you here_! (and being at their _red bread and drink_) said to her, _Is this a Time to receive the Sacrament. You ran away on the Lord's Day, and scorned to receive it in the Meetinghouse, and Is this a Time to receive it? I wonder at you_! This is the Summ of what I either saw myself, or did receive Information from Persons of undoubted Reputation and Credit."--_Page_ 8.

[16] "On the 11th of April, 1692, a Council was convened at Salem; at which there were present DEP. GOV. THOMAS DANFORTH, JAMES RUSSELL, JOHN HATHORNE, ISAAC ADDINGTON, MAJ. SAMUEL APPLETON, CAPT. SAMUEL SEWALL and JONATHAN CORWIN. To them Complaint was exhibited by Capt. Jonathan Wallcott and Lieut. Nathaniell Ingersall, both of Salem Village, on the behalf of several Neighbors, as well as on their own; against Sarah Cloyce, wife of Peter Cloyce of Salem Village, and Elizabeth Proctor, wife of John Proctor of Salem Farms [on the Road towards Boston] for high suspition of sundry Acts of Witchcraft, committed on the Bodies of Abigail Williams and John Indian, both of Mr. Samuel Parris his Famyly, Mary Walcot, Ann Putnam and Mercy Lewis, &c." When the Accused were brought before the Council, Mr. Parris "was desired and appointed to wright ye Examination," which he accepted, and the Record is still extant in his Hand-writing. Accordingly Elizabeth Proctor, and her Husband, John Proctor, and Sarah Cloyce were all committed to Prison, "per advise of ye Councill."--_Witchcraft Records_, i. 101-2.

[17] The Testimony and Indictment against Philip English may be seen in the _Hist. and Antiq's Boston_, 497, printed from the Originals in the Author's Possession. With the same are the two Indictments (in the Hand-writing of Edward Rawson), charging him with bewitching Elizabeth Booth, of Salem, Single-woman, and Mary Wallcott. These Indictments are both dated May 31st, 1692. The Monsters who carried on the Charges, were much like a Pack of hungry Wolves. One would set up the Howl of Witch, and immediately others would follow. So in the Case of Philip English, a large number of Persons joined those Girls in their "Crying out on" him. This encouraged them to keep up their Deceptions. Mrs. English was accused before her Husband. One Mary Warren, Servant to Mr. Procter, outwent all others, except perhaps Elizabeth Booth, in the Invention of Stories. Rebutting Testimony was brought against her, but it had no Effect with the Court. Edward Bishop, aged 44; Sarah, 41, and Mary Estey, 56; all said that they heard Mary Warren say, when in Jail together in Salem, that the Magistrates might as well examine Keysar's Daughter that had been distracted many Years, and believe what she said, as well as what any of the Afflicted said. Mary English, aged 39, said, being at Salem about a Month before, she heard Mary Warren speak the same Words.

[18] Dr. Mather affirms that "the _Old Government_ was _Reassumed_, and the _Old Charter_ too was _Reassumed_, as far as it was possible to be done; Every thing in the World was done, but only declaring that the _Judgment_ passed in the King's Court of Chancery (however it might be thought a Grievance) did the _Charter_ no _Damage_; which if some were wiser then to say, who can help it? Well, did I oppose this _Reassumption_! They that were acquainted with me, I am sure, did not think so; and they that sent their _Tory Pamphlets_ about the Countrey against me, as an _Impudent Youth_ [then aged 26] for my assisting the _Reassumed Government_, I am sure did not think so. Let the things Published for the supporting of the Reassumed Government; and particularly the very first _Passage_ in the _First Sermon_, at the _Anniversary Election_, which the Deputies of the _General-Court_ called me to _Preach_ and _Print_, (which by the way, would they have done, if the _Young Man_ had been such an one as this Man would render him?) be my Everlasting Apology; and let _Calves_ never Bleat, nor _Bulls_ (of _Bashan_) Roar against me, on that Point any more."--_Remarks upon a Scandalous Book_, &c., Pages 46-7. The "Passage" he refers to in his Election Sermon is too long to be extracted here.

[19] Our Author is not the only one who thought Dr. I. Mather had some selfish Ends to answer in his Management of Affairs in England. See Quincy, _Hist. H. Col._, i, 60. But Quincy is entirely too one-sided, ardent and dogmatical to be implicitly relied upon.

[20] That is the Disputes respecting the Form of Government.

[21] It appears that some Irons had been prepared before the Arrival of Gov. Phips, though he may have ordered a further Supply, as Prisoners greatly increased about that Time. Mr. Felt, the Annalist of Salem, furnished Mr. J. W. Hanson with a Copy of an Account of the Prison-keeper (John Arnold), of Boston, for various Items used in the Prison. Said Account begins about the 7th of March, 1691-2. On "May 9th, To Chains for Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn, 14 _s._ May 23d, To Shackles for 10 Prisoners. May 29th, to 1 pr. Irons for Mary Cox," &c. See _Hist. Danvers_, 290. For other Items of this Sort, see _Records of S. W._, ii, 212, _et seq._

[22] This was _Tituba_, of whom Mention has been before made. See _Note_ 4. Her first Examination is a surprising Document, not only for its Length, but for its Matter; and the Editor cannot but candidly confess that the Questions were more ridiculous than the Answers of the simple Indian Woman, if possible. Her Husband was known as _John Indian_. The original Minutes are in the Editor's Possession.

[23] This application of Irons was of course after the Arrival of the Governor. The Name of the Jailor has already been given.

[24] It would seem from the _Records_, (as published by Mr. Woodward) that Cary's name was _Nathaniel_. In Savage, we find that _Jonathan_ Cary of Charlestown had Wife Hannah Winsor; that _Nathaniel_ was Brother to Jonathan, and that they were Sons to James Cary, who came to Charlestown in or before 1639. Complaint was made against Mrs. Cary by Mr. Thomas Putnam and Benjamin Hatchinson, both of Salem Village. The Complaint was that she had bewitched the miscreant Girls before-mentioned, Mary Walcott, Abigall Willyams and Mercy Lewis. Mrs. Cary's Husband is styled "Capt. Nathaniell Cary of Charls Towne, Marener."--_Records_, ii., 196.

[25] He was the Son of the Pilgrim John of the Mayflower. See an Account of him and his Persecution in _Hist. and Antiqs. Boston_, 499. Also _Records S. W._, ii., 196. His Accusers were the same Wretches--Mary Lewis, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Booth, Mary Walcott, Elizabeth Hubbard, Ann Putnam and Mary Warren. The Warrant for his Commitment was dated May 31st, 1692, as will be seen immediately onward.

[26] The same, probably, mentioned before. See Vol. ii, Page 75.

[27] The original Mittimus does not appear among the Records preserved at Salem. If preserved, it has not been discovered.

[28] Their Names may, probably, nearly all be collected from the Records. Interest should prompt some one to make the Attempt.

[29] Their Names have already appeared. Capt. Sewall was the well known Judge Sewall.

[30] See the long and tedious Testimonies against her in Vol. I, Pages 163-174, and of the same ridiculous Character as others; yet not so ridiculous there as in the original _Records_, which see. Ezekiel Cheever took down the Examination.

[31] Of this Abstract Dr. Mather says: "His first and main Design is to render me odious unto the Countrey, as being one chief _Abettor_ of that Opinion, That the Devils cannot afflict in the Shape of an Innocent Person; and as being an _Inciter_ of the Judges, to the Conviction of _Witchcrafts_ upon that Opinion. It is very certain that his Conscience must needs tell him, this is a most _Lying Accusation_. For in my Book of _Memorable Providences_, which I writ before the Troubles at _Salem_, and even _before I was so fully acquainted with the Wiles of Satan_, (for my saying of which, on a certain Occasion, he flouts at me) I have a whole Paragraph to caution against _accounting a bewitched Persons pretending to see an Apparition of such or such an one, an Argument of their being Naughty People_. And some of the Chief Ministers in this Land favoured that Book with their Attestation, however my Friend Calef now Derides it." This was the Work recommended by Mr. Baxter.

[32] The Trial of Susanna Martin is given in the _Wonders_ (Vol. i.) Pages 175-187; that of Elizabeth How, Pages 188-194; that of Rebecca Nurse in _Records of S. W._ i. 76-99; Vol. ii. 215; of Sarah Wilds of Topsfield, _Ibid_, ii, 180-182, 215; Sarah Good; _Ibid_, 11-24; ii, 214-15. The Partiality in the Wonders is elsewhere noticed.

[33] The Trial of Sarah Good was one of a singularly revolting Character. Her own Daughter, named Dorothy, was one of the Witnesses against her. Said her Mother "had three Birds, one black, one yellow, and that these Birds hurt the Children and afflicted Persons."--_Records S. W._ i, 23. Her own Husband gave her a very bad Character, but said he knew nothing of her being a Witch. The Story of the broken Knife, I do not remember seeing in the _Records_. It was probably suppressed. Samuel Abbey and Mary his Wife, aged about 45 and 38, respectively, testified that William Good and his Wife Sarah, being destitute of a House to dwell in, they took them in out of Charity; but about two years and a half before, were obliged to turn them out "for quietness sake, the said Sarah was of so turbulant a Sperritt, spitefull and mallitiously bent." Whereupon the said Abbey in about two years lost 17 head of Cattle, besides Sheep and "Hoggs."--_Records_, _ib._ 24-5. See also Mr. Upham's _Lectures on Witchcraft_.

[34] The Names of the Jurors are not recorded. John Ruck was the Foreman, Brother-in-law, I suppose of Mr. Burroughs.

[35] It is much to be regretted that the Author found it necessary to exclude such Documents. The Paper referred is of special regret.

[36] What has been preserved of the Trials of these Persons, will be found in Vol. i, and in the _Records_ before cited.

[37] "I was present when these things were testified against him, and observed that he could not make any Plea for himself (_in these Things_) that had any Weight: He had the Liberty of Challenging his _Jurors_, before empannelling, according to the _Statue_ in that Case, and used his Liberty in Challenging many; yet the Jury that were _Sworn_ brought him in Guilty."--Lawson, _Second Edition_, 115.

Mr. Burroughs' Trial is fully given in Vol. i, 152-63. It is not among the Records, for the Reason, probably, that it had been given to Mr. Mather to use, and was never returned. His Examination was before Stoughton, Hathorne, Sewall and Corwin. The following are the Names of the Men appointed to search him for Teats: Edward Welch, William Gill, Zeb. Hill, Thomas Flint, Thomas West, Samuel Morgan and John Bare, as Printed in the _Records_, ii, 112. They reported no "Tetts" upon Mr. Burroughs.

Ann Putnam's Testimony was ingenious, and as damning as any _Infernal Spirit_ could have desired. See _Records_, _ib._ 113-116. Mather does not give it, but says such things were evidenced; as that he had murdered sundry People. See Remarks of Mr. Upham, _Lectures_, 55.

[38] A misprint, probably, for _Nashaway_.

[39] Dr. Increase Mather, Mr. James Allen of the Old South, Mr. Joshua Moody, Mr. Samuel Willard of the Old South, and Mr. John Bailey of the First Church, Boston.

[40] My friend Savage calls this an "Infernal Business." I hope he will never get further out of the Way. It would seem that the Officials of that Day must have taken lessons of Roman Inquisitors.

[41] Daniel Andrew of Salem, as I conjecture.

[42] Nineteen Years after these Executions, the General Court of the Province passed an Act declaring null and void all the Attainders and Judgments against those who had suffered for Witchcraft. This Act was passed "upon the Humble Petition of the said Persons and of the Children of others of them whose Parents were Executed." The General Assembly also appointed a Committee "to consider of ye Damages sustained by sundry Persons prosecuted for Witchcraft in ye Year 1692." The Committee computed the Damage to those above named as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Cory £21; Mary Easty £20; Alice Parker got nothing, but Mary Parker got £8; Nothing appears for Ann Pudeater; Dorcas Hoar £21; Mary Bradberry £20; some that suffered had no Representative to receive the Award.

[43] Allowances were made to the most of those or their Children, as may be seen in the Records before cited.

[44] "The Hill" has ever since been pointed out as _Witch Hill_, or more generally _Gallows Hill_; whence is had a fine view of the City of Salem. Some Account of this noted Hill might reasonably be expected in a History of Salem. The _Institute_ should look to the Matter.

[45] Surely Cotton Mather never uttered anything more inhuman. Mr. Noyes has already been noticed.

[46] Mr. John Hale had testified against some of the Accused; but I do not find that when his own Wife was accused any Record was made of it.

[47] The Case of Mr. English has been before referred to. See Note 17.

[48] Ballard's Testimony against Samuel Wardwell may be seen in the _Records of S. W._, ii, 152. Ballard gave his Age as about 41 Years, and mentions his Brother John. See onward.

[49] This was not the First of the Troubles by supposed Witchcraft at Andover, as appears by the following Record, the Original of which is in the Editor's Collection: "The Deposition of Job Tylar, aged about 40 Yeares, Mary his Wife and Moses Tylʳ his Son aged betwixt 17 and 18 Years, and Mary Tyler aboue 15 Yeares olde.--These Deponents witnesse that they saw a thing like a Bird to come in at the Dore of there House with John Godfery in the Night about the bignes of a Black Bird or rather bigger, to wit, as big as a Pigion, and did fly about; John Godfery labouring to catch it, and the Bird vanished, as they conceived, through the Chinck of a joynted Bord; and being asked by the Man of the House wherefore it came, he answered, It came to suck your Wife. This was (as they remember) about 5 or 6 Yeares since.--Taken vpon Oath of the 4 above menconed Pties, this 27. 4. 59. Before mee

"SIMON BRADSTREETE.

Ouned in Court Mʳh, 65, by Job Tylar and Moses Tylar.

E. R. Sec

Owned in Court 13 March, 65, by Mary Tyler on hir former Oath.

E. R. Sec"

The Above is in the Autograph of Gov. Bradstreet and Edward Rawson.

[50] Son of Governor Simon Bradstreet. In 1698, when the Indians attacked Andover, Bradstreet and his Family were captured; but they were set at Liberty the same Day.

[51] I am unable to ascertain the Name of the "worthy Gentleman." He was doubtless one of those, like Mr. Calef, not afraid "to take the Bull by the Horns."

[52] Sarah, the Wife of Peter Cloyce and Mary Green were probably the two Persons. The Latter seems to have made her Escape by the Assistance of John Shepard of Rowley. See Felt, _History of Ipswich and Hamilton_, 207.

[53] See the Evidence against Susanna Martin, i, Pages 177, _et seq._ See, also, Woodward's _Rec. of Salem Witchcraft_, i, 193-206, ii, 215.

[54] Mr. John Barnard, who is duly commemorated by Dr. Allen in the _Amer. Biog. Dictionary_. He was Author of several Works.

[55] Slight Notices of the Families to which these Persons belonged may be seen in Abbot's _History of Andover_.

[56] It is a Wonder that Mr. Calef did not tell his Readers how shockingly Mr. Mather reported those Trials; and it is accounted for only by presuming that the Originals were not accessible to him, having been put into the Hands of Mr. Mather.

[57] Their Names were not printed according to the original MS. in the _Cases of Conscience_. They _are_ correctly printed from that MS., however, by the Editor, with some Remarks, in his Edition of Mather's _Relation_, xxii. The Order of Subscription is entirely changed.

[Mather's _Preface to the Tryals_.]

[113] BUT I shall no longer detain my Reader from his expected entertainment, in a brief account of the Tryals, which have passed upon some of the Malefactors, lately Executed at _Salem_, for the Witchcrafts whereof they stood convicted. For my own part I was not present at any of them; nor ever had I any personal prejudice at the persons thus brought upon the Stage; much less, at the surviving Relations of those persons, with and for whom, I would be as hearty a mourner, as any Man living in the World: _The Lord comfort them!_ But having received a command so to do, I can do no other than shortly relate the chief Matters of Fact, which occurr'd in the Tryals of some that were Executed; in an Abridgment collected out of the Court-Papers, on this occasion put into my hands. You are to take the truth, just as it was; and the truth will hurt no good Man. There might have been more of these, if my Book would not thereby have been swelled too big; and if some other Worthy hands did not perhaps intend something further in these Collections; for which cause I have only singled out four or five, which may serve to Illustrate the way of dealing, wherein Witchcrafts use to be concerned; and I report matters not as an Advocate, but as an Historian.

They were some of the Gracious words inserted in the Advice, which many of the Neighbouring Ministers did this Summer humbly lay before our Honourable Judges, We cannot but with all thankfulness, acknowledge the success, which the merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and Assiduous Endeavours of our Honorable Rulers, to detect the Abominable Witchcrafts, which have been committed in the Country; Humbly praying that the discovery of those Mysterious, and Mischievous wickednesses, may be perfected. If in the midst of the many Dissatisfactions among us, the publication of these Tryals, may promote such a Pious thankfulness unto God, for Justice being so far executed among us, I shall rejoice that God is glorified; and pray that no wrong steps of ours may ever sully any of his glorious works.

[George Burrough's _Tryal_.]

_The Indictment of_ George Burroughs.[58]

[Essex ss.] _Anno Regni Regis & Reginæ Williemi & Mariæ nunc Angliæ, &c. quarto._--

THE Jurors for our Sovereign Lord and Lady the King and Queen present, That _George Burroughs_, late of _Falmouth_, in the Province of the _Massachusetts-Bay_, in _New-England_, Clerk.

The 9th Day of _May_, in the fourth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady _William_ and _Mary_, by the Grace of God, of _England_, _Scotland_, _France_ and _Ireland_, King and Queen Defenders of the [114] Faith, _&c._ And divers other days and times, as well before as after, certain detestable Arts, called Witchcrafts, and Sorceries, Wickedly and Feloniously hath used, practised, and exercised, at and within the Township of _Salem_, in the County of _Essex_ aforesaid, in upon, and against one _Mary Wolcott_ of _Salem_-Village, in the County of _Essex_, Single-woman, by which said wicked Arts the said _Mary Wolcott_, the Ninth Day of _May_, in the fourth Year abovesaid, and divers other days and times, as well before as after, was and is Tortured, Afflicted, Pined, Consumed, Wasted and Tormented, against the Peace of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, the King and Queen, and against the Form of the Statute in that Case made and provided.

Witnesses, _Mary Wolcott, Sarah Vibber,[59] Mercy Lewis, Ann Putnam,
Eliz. Hubbard_.

Endorsed by the Grand Jury, _Billa Vera_.

There was also a second Indictment for afflicting _Elizabeth Hubbard_, the Witnesses to the said Indictment were _Elizabeth Hubbard_, _Mary Wolcott_, and _Ann Putnam_.

The third Indictment was for afflicting _Mercy Lewis_: the Witnesses, the said _Mercy Lewis_, _Mary Wolcott_, _Elizabeth Hubbard_, and _Ann Putnam_.

The fourth for acts of Witchcraft on _Ann Putnam_, the Witnesses, the said _Ann Putnam_, _Mary Wolcott_, _Elizabeth Hubbard_, and _Mary Warren_.[60]

_The Tryal of_ G. B. _as Printed in_ Wonders of the Invisible
World, _from_ P. 94 _to_ 104.

GLAD should I have been, if I had never known the name of this Man; or never had this occasion to mention so much as the first Letters of his name. But the Government requiring some Account of his trial, to be inserted in this Book, it becomes me with all obedience to submit unto the Order.

1. This _G. B._ was Indicted for Witchcrafts; and in the Prosecution of the Charge against him, he was Accused by five or six of the Bewitched, as the Author of their Miseries; he was accused by Eight of the confessing Witches, as being an head Actor at some of their Hellish Randezvouzes, and who had the promise of being a King in Satan's Kingdom, now going to be erected; he was accused by Nine persons, for extraordinary lifting, and such feats of strength as could not be done without a Diabolical Assistance. And for other such things he was accused, until about Thirty Testimonies[61] were brought in against him; nor were these judg'd the half of what might have been consider'd for his Conviction: however they were enough to fix the Character of a Witch upon him, according to the Rules of Reasoning, by the judicious _Gaule_, in that case directed.

[115] The Court being sensible, that the Testimonies of the Parties Bewitched, use to have a Room among the Suspicions, or Presumptions, brought in against one Indicted for Witchcraft, there were now heard the Testimonies of several Persons who were most notoriously bewitched, and every day tortured by Invisible hands, and these now all charged the Spectres of _G. B._ to have a share in their Torments. At the Examination of this _G. B._ the bewitched People were grievously harrassed with preternatural Mischiefs, which could not possibly be dissembled; and they still ascribed it unto the Endeavours of _G. B._ to kill them. And now upon his Trial, one of the bewitched persons testified, That in her _Agonies_ a little Black-haired Man came to her, saying his name was _B._ and bidding her set her hand unto a Book, which he shewed unto her; and bragging that he was a Conjuror above the ordinary Rank of Witches; that he often persecuted her, with the offer of that Book, saying, she should be well, and need fear nobody, if she would but sign it: but he inflicted cruel pains and hurts upon her, because of her denying so to do.[62] The Testimonies of the other Sufferers, concurred with these; and it was remarkable, that whereas Biting, was one of the ways, which the Witches used, for the vexing of the Sufferers, when they cry'd out of _G. B._ biting them, the print of his Teeth would be seen on the Flesh of the Complainers; and just such a set of Teeth as _G. B_'s. would then appear upon them, which could be distinguished from those of some other Mens.

Others of them testified, that in their Torments _G. B._ tempted them to go unto a Sacrament, unto which they perceived him with a sound of Trumpet summoning of other Witches; who quickly after the sound would come from all quarters unto the Randezvous. One of them falling into a kind of Trance, afterwards affirmed, that _G. B._ had carried her into a very high Mountain, where he shewed her mighty and glorious Kingdoms, and said he would give them all to her, if she would write in his Book; but she told him, They were none of his to give; and refused the Motions; enduring of much misery for that refusal.[63]

It cost the Court a wonderful deal of trouble to hear the Testimonies of the Sufferers; for when they were going to give in their Depositions, they would for a long while be taken with Fits, that made them uncapable of saying any thing. The chief Judge asked the Prisoner, who he thought hindered these Witnesses from giving their Testimonies? and he answered, He supposed it was the Devil. That Honourable person then replied, How comes the Devil so loth to have any Testimony borne against you? Which cast him into very great confusion.[64]