Salem Witch Trials Daily

Dorcas Hoar’s Reprieve Petition and Joan Penny’s Examination Fragment (Sept 21, 1692)On September 21, 1692, Ipswich Constable John Choate arrested Joan Penny and took her to Salem for her examination. A surviving fragment of this hearing indicates she made one mistake while attempting the Lord’s Prayer.Beverly minister John Hale, Salem minister Nicholas Noyes, and schoolteachers Daniel Epps Jr. and John Emerson Jr., petitioned authorities to delay Dorcas Hoar’s scheduled execution so she could prepare for eternity.Sarah Cole’s apparition reportedly troubled Mary Brown in Reading, and Mary Herrick’s claimed that Mary Esty’s specter appeared to her before her hanging and spoke of her own innocence .00:00 Daily Introduction00:07 Joan Penny Examined00:36 Dorcas Hoar Reprieve01:36 Sarah Cole Apparition01:59 Mary Esty WarningLinksSalem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.comHigh Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection): https://pem.quartexcollections.com/collections/salem-witch-trials-collectionBernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

On September 20, 1692, Cotton Mather wrote to Stephen Sewall, requesting copies of the records of six to twelve trials of “the principal witches that have been condemned.” He was working on a book (Wonders of the Invisible World) about the trials, which was approved by Gov. William Phips and other colonial leaders. In this book, Cotton would defend the witch trials and defame the accused.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Setup00:05 Warrant for Joan Penny00:16 Cotton Mather Seeks Records00:41 Wonders of the Invisible World LinksSalem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.comHigh Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection): https://pem.quartexcollections.com/collections/salem-witch-trials-collectionBernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

On September 19, 1692, Giles Cory was pressed to death. According to judge Samuel Sewall, Giles Cory’s old friend, Capt. Thomas Gardner, had spent two days pleading with Giles to change his mind and agree to a trial, to no avail.According to tradition, Giles was pressed in a pasture across the street from a jail. Officers compelled Giles to lie on the ground, placed boards over his body, and began to pile heavy stones atop the boards. The idea was to get Giles to agree to trial or simply to die. Even if he had changed his mind and agreed to a trial, at some point in the process, the damage would have been irreversible.Tradition also has it that Giles spoke just once, at the end of the process, when he got out the words “more weight” before dying from the damage wrought by the pressure of so many heavy stones crushing him.Years later, witch trial critic Robert Calef wrote that Giles’ tongue was pressed out of his mouth as he was dying and that Sheriff George Corwin pushed Giles’ tongue back in with his cane. This story was also passed down by observers who recalled it in their later years.Giles was the only person in the history of Massachusetts to face this form of punishment by his government. As we reported yesterday, Thomas Putnam wrote a letter to Samuel Sewall today. He claimed that Giles Cory had once pressed a man to death with his feet. In reality, Cory did contribute very much to the death of the man but by beating him relentlessly.

Chapters

00:00 Daily Introduction

00:05 Giles Cory Pressed

00:37 How Pressing Worked

01:00 More Weight Legend

01:16 Aftermath Accounts

01:44 Putnam Letter Claim

01:52 Closing Context

Links

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem

Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of

Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Giles Cory Excommunicated: Putnam’s Letter, Ann’s Torment, and the Ghost of Jacob Goodell

The Salem church excommunicated Giles Cory on Sunday, September 18, 1692. The day before, he had  refused to answer when he was asked if he would stand trial. His silence was treated as guilt.

In other news, Ann Putnam Jr reportedly encountered the specters of witches, who warned her she would die before Giles Cory would (he died on the 19th). We discuss why these witches threatened to press Ann to death, who Giles Cory himself nearly beat to death, and how Thomas thought Giles got away with murder.

• 00:00 Welcome and Setup

• 00:03 Giles Cory Excommunicated

• 00:15 Ann Putnam's Torment

• 00:41 Jacob Goodell Beating

• 01:12 Ghostly Accusations

• 01:38 Hanging and Pressing

• 01:53 Coroner's Inquest Findings

• 02:06 Court Avoids Prosecution

  
  

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt

Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Deodat Lawson, A Brief and True Narrative: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A49794.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Samuel Willard,Some Miscellany Observations: https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/willard/index.html

Thomas Brattle, Letter of Thomas Brattle: https://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=modern_english/uvaGenText/tei/BurNarr.xml;chunk.id=d18;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d18;brand=default

Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext

Cotton Mather, Wonders of the Invisible World: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28513/pg28513.txt

Thomas Maule, Truth Held Forth and Maintained: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00599.0001.001?view=toc

John Hale, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00872.0001.001/?view=toc

Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A32160.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Abigail Faulkner Convicted as Nine Are Condemned: Salem Witch Trials Daily (Sept. 17, 1692)

On September 17, 1692, the Court of Oyer and Terminer continued its work in Salem. Before the grand jury and then the trial jury, Abigail Faulkner Sr. faced charges of allegedly afflicting Sarah Phelps and Martha Sprague. William Procter was examined again, even though two indictments against him had already been returned ignoramus, meaning there was not enough evidence for the grand jury to indict him. Unfortunately for William, accusations continued, and the justices took a renewed interest in him.

Tragically, the court condemned nine more people to hang for witchcraft before adjourning with plans to meet again in November for more trials.

Chapters

• 00:00 Daily Overview

• 00:15 William Procter Reexamined

• 01:15 Touch Test Evidence

• 02:05 Abigail Faulkner Accusations

• 03:59 Indictment And Guilty Verdict

• 04:08 Nine Sentenced To Hang

• 04:45 Executions And Pregnancy Delays

• 05:27 Court Shutdown And Aftermath

• 06:09 September Wrap Up 

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt

Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Deodat Lawson, A Brief and True Narrative: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A49794.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Samuel Willard,Some Miscellany Observations: https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/willard/index.html

Thomas Brattle, Letter of Thomas Brattle: https://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=modern_english/uvaGenText/tei/BurNarr.xml;chunk.id=d18;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d18;brand=default

Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext

Cotton Mather, Wonders of the Invisible World: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28513/pg28513.txt

Thomas Maule, Truth Held Forth and Maintained: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00599.0001.001?view=toc

John Hale, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00872.0001.001/?view=toc

Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A32160.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

Sept. 16, 1692: Mary Parker and Margaret Scott Tried; Giles Cory Stands Mute

In Salem on September 16, 1692, Mary Parker and Margaret Scott were tried and 6 new Andover residents were examined. Significantly, Giles Cory was asked if he would stand trial. Instead of answering, he stood mute. For this transgression, the justices ordered him to be tortured through a process only used this once in Massachusetts.

00:00 September 16 Overview

00:22 Andover Suspects Examined

00:43 Johanna Tyler Confession

02:04 Barker and Cory Depositions

02:40 Mary Parker Trial

03:24 Margaret Scott Convicted

03:56 Giles Cory Stands Mute

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt

Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

September 15, 1692: Indictments, Confessions, and Petitions in the Salem Witch TrialsOn September 15, 1692, as grand jurors weighed cases against Sarah Buckley, Rebecca Eames, Margaret Scott, Job Tookey, and Mary Whittredge, Deputy Sheriff George Herrick arrested Sarah Cole on a warrant tied to alleged afflictions. Confessions were reaffirmed in court, and new statements and depositions were submitted. In particular, this so-called evidence was leveled against Margaret Scott and Rebecca Eames. We highlight the petitions of Mary Esty and Ann Pudeator, in which they criticized the methods employed by the Court of Oyer and Terminer, rejected false testimony, and pleaded hard for the bloodshed to stop.Chapters:00:00 Daily Intro00:04 Grand Jury Docket00:19 Sarah Cole Arrest01:09 Testimony Against Scott02:18 Wycomb Cornfield Tale04:19 Indictments And Outcomes05:51 Speed Of Justice06:24 Burroughs Aftermath08:56 Andover Examinations09:33 Buckley Whittredge Complaint10:23 Mary Esty Petition12:30 Ann Pudeator PetitionLinks:Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

September 14, 1692: Elizabeth Colson Captured, Grand Juries Convene, and Redd & Wardwell Condemned

Wednesday, September 14, 1692 was another busy day for the Court of Oyer and Terminer in Salem, as grand juries weighed cases against Sarah Buckley, Margaret Jacobs, Mary Lacey Sr., Wilmot Redd, and Samuel Wardwell. Authorities finally captured the elusive witchcraft suspect Elizabeth Colson and jailed her in Cambridge with 3 members of her family.

Mary Lacey Sr. was indicted for afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard and Mercy Lewis and was condemned on September 17th but not hanged. The governor granted her and others a reprieve in 1693.

Wilmot Redd was indicted for afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard. The trial jury convicted her.

In the case of Samuel Wardwell, who had recanted his confession, new testimony was presented. Samuel was convicted. 

In addition, Martha Cory received word of her excommunication, and in Connecticut, Governor Robert Treat served as chief justice of a different Court of Oyer and Terminer.

Chapters:

00:00 Day Overview

00:18 Elizabeth Colson Captured

00:42 Margaret Jacobs Indicted

01:27 Mary Lacey Sr Case

03:30 Wilmot Redd Trial

05:31 Samuel Wardwell Evidence

08:40 Sarah Buckley Proceedings

09:32 Excommunication and Connecticut 

Links:

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt

Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

September 13, 1692: Ann Foster Convicted as Wardwell Recants and John Alden EscapesOn Tuesday, September 13, 1693, Ann Foster, a confessor, was found guilty of witchcraft, and Samuel Wardwell retracted his own confession, perhaps because two confessors were convicted on September 10 and another today.Around this time in September 1692, Capt. John Alden escaped the Boston jail and began making his way to New York, where he found safety until the witch trials were over.Chapters00:00 Daily Introduction00:08 Joan Penny Accused00:20 Ann Foster Testimony01:00 Ann Foster Convicted01:13 Wardwell Recants01:46 Spectral Attacks Reported02:01 Wilmot Redd Summons02:09 Alden Jail Escape LinksSalem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

September 12, 1692: 50 Witches and a Jail Bill

On Monday, September 12, 1692, sisters-in-law Alice and Elizabeth Booth claimed they saw a witches’ sabbat in Salem featuring 50 spectral witches. The Booths said they knew 13 of the witches and that the group shared a sacrament of bread and wine. Giles Cory even supposedly offered the sacrament to the Booths and then afflicted them when they declined.

In Boston today, jailer John Arnold submitted a bill for keeping numerous witchcraft suspects and others. He billed the colonial government for shackles, locks, repairs, and food for the inmates.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:05 Booths Report Witch Sabbath

00:24 Refusing the Sacrament

00:43 Jail Costs and Repairs

01:21 How Much Is 40 Pounds

01:38 Upfront Costs Conclusion 

Links

Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt

Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts

The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com

Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com