The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-12-26


was termed-that is, evidence founded
on apparitions, and other supernatural
appearances, protested to be seen by
the accusers---was the only basis of
train of capital convictions.-Children,
incapable of understanding the things a.
bout which they gave testimony, were
yet, at times, the only witnesses ;-and,
what was still worse, the very things
which they testified we're put into their
minds and mouths by the examiners, in
the questions which they asked. In one
case, a man named Samuel Wardwell,
was tried, condemned and executed, on
the testimony of his wife and daughter,
who appear to have accused him mere
ly for the sake of saving themselves.
Soon after the above examinations,
the number of the accusers, and, by nee
essary consequence, of the accused also,
multiplied to a most alarming degree.
To recite the story would be useless, as
well as painful. 10 substance, it would
be little else than what has been already
said. All those who were executed de-
MED the charge, and finally declared
their innocence; although several of
them, in the moment of terrour, had
made partial confessions of their guilt.
A considerable number, for the same
purpose, acknowledged themselves gull
ty, and thus escaped death, To such
degree did the frenzy prevail, that in
January following, the Grand Jury
ed almost fifty persons for witchcraft.
Nor was the evil confined TO this
neighbourhood. Ii soon spread into va
rious parts of Essex, Middlesex, and
Suffolk. Persons at Andover, Ipswich,
Gloucester, Boston, and several other
places, were accused by their neigh
bours and others. For some time, the
victims were selected from the lower
classes. 1t was not long, however, be-
fore the spirit of accusation began to
lay hold on persons of more conse-
quence. On the 9Th of August, 1899,
Mr.. George Burroughs, who had for
merly preached in Salem Village, and
after at Wells, in the Province of Maine,
was brought to trial for bewitching
Mary Wolcott, an inhabitant of the Vii
lage, and was condemned. Mr.. English,
respectable merchant in Salem, and
his wife MessrS Dudley and John
Bradstreet, sons of the late Governour
Bradstreet +: the wife of Mr.. Hale; the
lady of Sir William Phipps; and the
Secretary of Connecticut, were among
the accused. Mr.. English and his wife
fled to New-Yor Mr.. Dudley Brad
street had already committed be-
tween thirty and forty persons, for this
supposed crime but being weary and
discouraged, declined any further inter-
ference ia the business. Upon this, he
was charged with having killed nine
persons by witchcraft, and was obliged
to flee TO the Province of Maine. His
brother John, being accused of having
bewltched dog, and riding upon his
back. fled into New-Hampshire. At
Andoyer, dog was accused Of bewitch-
ing several human beings, and put to
DEATH
The evil now became too great to be
borne. A man, named Giles Corey, had
been pressed to death for refusing to
plead, and nineteen persons had been
executed. More than one third of these
were members of the Christian Church,
and more than one half had borne an
character. One hundred
and fifty were in prison Two hundred
others were accused. Suspense and ter
rour spread through the colony. Mel
Their age nor sex, neither ignorance nor
neither learning nor piety,
neither reputation nor office, furnished
the least security Multitudes appear
to have accused others merely TO save
themselves. Among the accused not
small number ontessedthemselve gull
ty for the same reason; ), for, by a strange
inversion of Judicial process, those who
confessed the crime escaped while
those who protested their. innocence, -di-
ed without proof and without mercy.
While the mischief was thus rolling
up to mountainous size, the principal
persons in the colony began seriously to
ask themselves where it would end. A
conviction began to spread that the pro-
ceedings were rash and indefensible.-
Mr.. Hale probably changed his opinion
because his wife was accused. The
same consideration undoubtedly influenc-
ed Sir William Phipps. A respectable
man in Boston having been accused by
some persons at Andover, arrested his
accusers4 for defamation. and laid, his