Part 1 (1/2)
The Witchcraft Delusion In Colonial Connecticut (1647-1697).
by John M. Taylor.
FOREWORD
The true story of witchcraft in old Connecticut has never been told. It has been hidden in the ancient records and in ma.n.u.scripts in private collections, and those most conversant with the facts have not made them known, for one reason or another. It is herein written from authoritative sources, and should prove of interest and value as a present-day interpretation of that strange delusion, which for a half century darkened the lives of the forefathers and foremothers of the colonial days.
J.M.T.
Hartford, Connecticut.
TWO INDICTMENTS FOR WITCHCRAFT
”John Carrington thou art indited by the name of John Carrington of Wethersfield--carpenter--, that not hauing the feare of G.o.d before thine eyes thou hast interteined ffamilliarity with Sattan the great enemye of G.o.d and mankinde and by his helpe hast done workes aboue the course of nature for wch both according to the lawe of G.o.d and the established lawe of this Commonwealth thou deseruest to dye.”
Record Particular Court, 2: 17, 1650-51.
”Hugh Crotia, Thou Standest here presented by the name of Hugh Crotia of Stratford in the Colony of Connecticut in New England; for that not haueing the fear of G.o.d before thine Eyes, through the Instigation of the Devill, thou hast forsaken thy G.o.d & covenanted with the Devill, and by his help hast in a preternaturall way afflicted the bodys of Sundry of his Majesties good Subjects, for which according to the Law of G.o.d, and the Law of this Colony, thou deseruest to dye.”
Record Court of a.s.sistants, 2: 16, 1693.
A WARRANT FOR THE EXECUTION OF A WITCH[A] AND THE SHERIFF'S RETURN THEREON
To George Corwin Gentlm high Sheriff of the County of Ess.e.x Greeting
Whereas Bridgett Bishop als Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of Salem in the County of Ess.e.x Sawyer at a special Court of Oyer and Terminer ---- (held at?)[B] Salem this second Day of this instant month of June for the Countyes of Ess.e.x Middles.e.x and Suffolk before William Stoughton Esqe. and his a.s.sociates Justices of the said Court was Indicted and arraigned upon five several Indictments for useing practising & exercising on the ----[B] last past and divers others days ----[B] witchcraft in and upon the bodyes of Abigail Williams Ann puttnam Jr Mercy Lewis Mary Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem Village single women; whereby their bodyes were hurt afflicted pined consumed wasted & tormented contrary to the forme of the statute in that case made and provided To which Indictmts the said Bridgett Bishop pleaded not guilty and for Tryall thereof put herselfe upon G.o.d and her Country ----[B] she was found guilty of the ffelonyes and Witchcrafts whereof she stood Indicted and sentence of death accordingly pa.s.sed agt her as the Law directs execution whereof yet remaines to be done These are therefore in the name of their Majties William & Mary now King & Queen over England & to will and command you that upon Fryday next being the fourth day of this instant month of June between the hours of Eight and twelve in the aforenoon of the same day you safely conduct the sd Bridgett Bishop als Olliver from their Majties Goale in Salem aforesd to the place of execution and there cause her to be hanged by the neck until she be dead and of your doings herein make returne to the Clerk of the sd Court and precept And hereof you are not to faile at your peril And this shall be sufficient warrant Given under my hand & seal at Boston the Eighth of June in the ffourth year of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lords William & Mary now King & Queen over England Annoque Dm 1692 Wm. Stoughton
[Footnote A: Original in office of Clerk of the Courts at Salem, Ma.s.sachusetts. Said to be the only one extant in American archives.]
[Footnote B: Some of the words in the warrant are illegible.]
June 16 1692
According to the within written precept I have taken the Bodye of the within named Bridgett Bishop out of their Majties Goale in Salem & Safely Conueighd her to the place provided for her Execution & Caused ye sd Bridgett to be hanged by the neck till Shee was dead all which was according to the time within Required & So I make returne by me George Corwin Sheriff
CHAPTER I
”First, because Witchcraft is a rife and common sinne in these our daies, and very many are intangled with it, beeing either pract.i.tioners thereof in their owne persons, or at the least, yielding to seeke for helpe and counsell of such as practise it.” _A Discovrse of the d.a.m.ned Art of Witchcraft_, PERKINS, 1610.
”And just as G.o.d has his human servants, his church on earth, so also the Devil has his--men and women sworn to his service and true to his bidding. To win such followers he can appear to men in any form he pleases, can deceive them, enter into compact with them, initiate them into his wors.h.i.+p, make them his allies for the ruin of their fellows.
Now it is these human allies and servants of Satan, thus postulated into existence by the brain of a monkish logician, whom history knows as witches.” _The Literature of Witchcraft_, BURR.
Witchcraft in its generic sense is as old as human history. It has written its name in the oldest of human records. In all ages and among all peoples it has taken firm hold on the fears, convictions and consciences of men. Anch.o.r.ed in credulity and superst.i.tion, in the dread and love of mystery, in the hard and fast theologic doctrines and teachings of diabolism, and under the ban of the law from its beginning, it has borne a baleful fruitage in the lives of the learned and the unlearned, the wise and the simple.
King and prophet, prelate and priest, jurist and lawmaker, prince and peasant, scholars and men of affairs have felt and dreaded its subtle power, and sought relief in code and commandment, bull and anathema, decree and statute--entailing even the penalty of death--and all in vain until in the march of the races to a higher civilization, the centuries enthroned faith in the place of fear, wisdom in the place of ignorance, and sanity in the seat of delusion.