Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-07-20


generally been denied that any trials Of this
nature ever occurred in Connecticut. No
n ention is made of any such trials, in any
book that has fallen under our observation;
indeed, il is the prevailing opinion, that none
ever did take place. The late venerable and
accurate historian, Dr. Trumbul. who spent
much time and research upon this subject,
has the following remarks in. his preface 10
the last edition of bis history. : II may, ,pos.
sibly, be thought ag:eat neglect, or matter
of partially that no accounts given ofwitchA
craftin Connecticut. The only reason is,
that after the most arefufiesearches, no in
dictment of any person for that crime, nor
any process relative to that affair, can be
found. The minute in COTS journal, pub
| lished by Gov. Hutchinson. relative to the
execution OF Ann Coles, and an obscure ira
dition that one or two persons were executed
at Stratford, is all the information TO be found
respecting that unhappy affair."" .
During our late residence in Connecticut,
We were permitted 10 examine large col.
, lection of ancient papers, relating to the ear
" history, laws and institutions of that colo
ny, and many papers appertainng to the
conduct Of public characters, from 1880, TO
100. We also observed several documents
in relation to the early settlement OF Rhode
Island, and one or two original letters writ.
ten by the celebrated Roger Williams. A.
mong these papers, we discovered large
bundle carefully filed away, and labelled
(" Irycls for Witchcrnf." We had the Gu.
riosity 10 spend several days in examining
these curious and valuable records of anti
guilty; during which time we made copies of
several OF the most interesting papers, in re-
gard to the trials of the unfortunate persons
accused of familiarity with Satan;"-
in these Piping times of peace" when we
have little news, and no politics, it occurred
to US, that history Of one OF these trials
would not be uninteresting to the public
The copies were made with the greatest pos
sible exacfness, from the records of thu court.
AT special court Of Oyer and Terminer,
held at Fayre6eld, Septr. 10, l699-Pre.
sent---Robert Treat, Esq. Goyernour,
William Jones, Esq. Deputy GOVERNOR,
John Allyn, Secretary, Mr.. Andrew Leete,
Captain John Burr, Mr.. William Pitkn,
Capt. Moses Mansfield, Comprising the
court
The Grand Jurors impanneled. were,
Mr.. Joseph Bayard, Samuel Ward, Edward
Hayward, Peter Ferris, Jonas Waterbury,
John Bowers, Samuel Sherman, Samuel Gal.
pin, Ebenr. Booth, John Plat,, Christopher
Comstock, VIM. Reed; -who presented
bill of indictment against Mercy Disborough
IN the words following, to Wit -
(COPPYE.l
A bill exhibited against Mercy Disbo.
rough, wife of Thomas Disborough, of
Campo, in Fayre6eld. in the county of
Fayreheld, in the colony Of Connecticut.
Mercy Disboruogh, wife of Thomas
Dsborough. Of Compo. in Fayreield. thou
art here indicted by the name of Mercy Dis
borough, that not having the fear Of God be.
fore thine eyes, thou hast had familiarity
with Satan, the grand enemie of God and
man, and that by his instigation and help,
thou hast in preternatural way afflicted and
don harm to the boddyes and estates of sun.
dry Of their Majestie's subjects, or 10 some
OF them, contrary 10 the peace of our sove.
reign Lord and Ladie, the King and Queen.
their crown and dlgnitie, and that on the
25th of April, of their majestie's reigns, and
at sundry other times, for which by the laws
OF God and this Colony, thou deserrest TO
dye.
I" Fayre6eld, 18th Scptr 1892.
JOHN ALLYN, Secretly.
The indictment having been read, the
prisoner pleaded not guilty. and referred
herself to tryal by God and her coun,rie,
which countrie was the jury alter written"
Names 9th Petit Jury.-James Beers,
Isaac Wheeler, John Osborn, John Miles,
Ambrose Thompson, John Hubby, john
Bowton, Samuel Hayes, Eleazer sIawson,
John Bedding, John " akelnan, jo.epb Row
land.
(Iwo other persons, viz. Goody Miller
ana Goodwife alias Elizabeth Clamson were
also indicted at the same term OF the court. J
ne testimony introduced in support of
The rharpe cont aimed m The indictments