I devoted a chapter in my book, The Descendants of Thomas & Mercy (Holbridge) Disbrow to Mercy and her witchcraft trial. The material was gleaned from a number of different sources including photocopies of some of the original documents. There are also two books that have sections on Mercy: "The Witchcraft Delusion In Colonial Connecticut 1647-1697" by John M. Taylor (1908) and "Witchcraft Trials of Connecticut" by R. G. Tomlinson (1978). It appears that Mercy Disbrow was living as late as 27 May 1713 when she received her part of the distribution of her late husband Thomas Disbrow's estate, but died sometime within the following five years as a document dated 4 June 1718 lists her as "dec'd" [deceased]. Mike Disbrow Elaine Lane <deerlane2@earthlink.net> wrote: I didn't know anything about Mercy, except that she had been tried as a witch. Thanks for the details. I find this so interesting - - - what was the water trial? Where do you find these "articles" ----- Original Message ----- From: MICHAEL DISBROW To: deerlane2@earthlink.net;disbrow@rootsweb.com Sent: 3/21/2008 5:53:08 PM Subject: Re: [DISBROW] Pardons for witches Interesting. You know Mercy Disbrow, along with Elizabeth Clawson were both given the water trial - the article only mentions that one woman was dropped into the water. Mercy was found guilty, sentenced to be executed, but was later reprieved, mainly due to a technicality that a juror had been substituted by another during the course of the trial. Please keep us informed on this matter if you run across any more about it. Mike Elaine Lane <deerlane2@earthlink.net> wrote: Thanks for the update - will be interested in the outcome. I don't know what finally happened to my relative (Mercy (Holbridge) Nichols - wife of Thomas Disbrow-Faifield, Connecticut) - convicted (1692) but not executed. > [Original Message] > From: Bertha May Hall > To: > Date: 3/20/2008 9:05:46 PM > Subject: [DISBROW] Pardons for witches > > Saw this tonight on WTNH, channel * in CT. www.wtnh.com > Bertha Hall > > Legislature considers bill denouncing Connecticut witch hunts > By ConnPolitics.tv Staff, on Mar 20, 2008 > > Hartford (AP) _ Centuries after the fact, state lawmakers are hoping to bring justice to those judged during Connecticut's colonial witch trials. > > The Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony on a resolution that denounces the trials as shocking and the result of community-wide hysteria and fear. > > The resolution also states that those convicted and their ancestors should be freed from the stigma of the witchcraft accusations. > > Connecticut's witch trials were held between 1647 and 1697. It's estimated that about 10 women were executed, mostly by hanging. Others were banished, fled the colony or indicted. One women was dropped into water to see if she possessed evil spirits, but was later given a reprieve by the General Assembly. > > Some men were also tried for witchcraft in Connecticut. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DISBROW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to DISBROW-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsub! scribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message