The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-12-07
Juliana Cox, the Witch.

A friend in Glastonbury sends the fol
lowing account which had been cut out of
the Times away back in 1923, and pasted in
an old scrap-book. Julana Cox, we rejoice
to believe, was the only witch that was
hanged in Connecticut-and it is a matter
of regret that even one such case of supersti-
tion and shame can be brought up against
the good Old State The place of the execu-
ton on "Gallows Hill'' in this city, is now
known as the commanding trap-rock ridge
by the 'stone pits" Here Is the account:
In the beautiful town of Glastonbury, in
Connecticut, the following remarkable event
occurred in 1853: In March of that year,
one Julius Perry went out with his dogs to
hunt, In the depths of the forest he discov-
cred las he alleged) an old grey fox and his
dogs gave chase. After chasing this fox up
ward of two miles the animal was holed
When Mr.. Perry came up he heard a strange
noise over the other side of the hole, and 90
ing to the spot, he found Julana Cox lying
and painting for breath. Her left shoulder
was bleeding and had on it the marks of the
dogs teeth. This was just the spot on the
gray fox's shoulder where the dogs had
seized hold. Upon this testimony Miss
Cox, maiden lady of forty-four, was brought
to trial on the capital offence of being
witch. On her arraignment she pleaded not
guilty, and it was then determined
that committee of the Selectmen should
examine her person for witch marks in
order to introduce confrmatory proofs
against her She was therefore remanded to
prison. The following persons were appoint
ed on the committee: Eben Brewer, Alex
is Jones and Samuel Cutworth These men
ping Miss Cox, they began their examina.
ton with tears and sobs Finally, when
they had pricked many places on her body
without success, she confessed to two marks
-one little below the right hip aud one
on the left arm. The committee now became
satisfied that these were true MARKS, as the
flesh was thereon discolored in a slight de-
gree. They thereupon made their report to
the Court appointed to hear the trial. The
evidence confirming that of Mr. Perry, was
thought to be conclusive, and on the Sd Of
April the trial took place. 1t was though
necessary then to resort to further tests
and Miss Cox was found guilty of witch
J craft and sentenced to be hanged. Strang,
noises and demons haunted the Jail at Hart
: ford up to the time of her execution which
took place on the7th of April, at five o'clocl
in the morning. There was large con
course of men and women attending her ex
) ecution, and, although she declared that sh
? was uDjustly accused and that she confessed
to the witchmarks to stop the pain of bein,
pricked so cruelty by the committeeman, We
e every person present believed her to be
5 true witch and in a league with the devil
t She further declared that Jules Perry ac
t cused her wrongfully. She said she was il
the forest gathering herbs and that julie
4 Perry came along and would have his viii
t of her; that, she constantly refusing. he Sc
his dog upon her, and the animal bit he
: shoulder, and that he, fearing to be detecte,
$ in this bad act, had laid the charge o
5 witchcraft against her. This she said unde
d the gallows. Whereupon a shout was mad
= among the people to "burn the WITCH" al
: hanging was too easy death for so foul
y trumpet of the devil. While the peopl
went to fetch wood to burn her the sherii
, hung her up so that she died on the gallow
r before the wood could be brought
t This account of Juliana Cox's wi.chcrat
= and death is abridged from the statement O
= Diana Jones. before Committee of Dele
= gates to revise the Laws Of Connecticut