Hi all! On 5/3/99, Abby <[email protected]> wrote: >The trial of Rebecca Nurse is particularly well documented. Actually, the whereabouts of the actual *trial* records from that infamous summer are unknown. The documents we do have are mostly pre-trial depositions, examinations, warrants, petitions, and the like, collected fairly far in advance of the trials. The Massachusetts charter had been revoked with the political turmoil in England, and therefore until the new charter arrived with the new governor, William Phips, in June, there could be no actual trials -- even though some of the acused had been jailed since March. When Phips arrived, the jails were overflowing, and he set up these courts of "Oyer and Examiner" to hear and decide the cases expeditiously -- then he left to fight Indians in Maine. Many of these cases were finished up on a single day and the guilty hanged together within a few more -- leaving time to excommunicate them if they were full members of the church, as Rebecca Nurse was. It wasn't until Phips returned in October and discovered what had transpired in his absence that these trials -- and the executions -- ended, and the remaining cases were heard under different criteria (no one could be convicted solely on the basis of spectral evidence). --Margo Margo Burns, Webweaver [email protected] http://www.ogram.org Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously." -- Chomsky

I would also be interested. Dianna At 11:06 PM 5/2/99 -0700, Jeen M Ruff wrote: >I had read that their were death warrants signed from those who were accused >of being witches. If this is so, is a person able to get a copy of that >document. I am interested in one for Rebecca Nurse. >Thanks for your time. Jeen > > > Jim & Dianna Nagle Genealogy Page searching for Naugle/Nagle/Morgan/Thompson/Carlson/Yates http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/n/a/g/Edwin-J-Nagle/

In a message dated 5/3/99 1:03:26 PM, [email protected] wrote: <<had read that their were death warrants signed from those who were accused >of being witches. If this is so, is a person able to get a copy of that >document. >> The original documents are at the Essex Institute. There are a number of them in surprisingly good condition. The trial of Rebecca Nurse is particularly well documented. Quite a few of them are on web pages, both the originals and transcriptions. For starters check out http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTM and http://www.mayflowerfamilies.com/enquirer/witch.htm It is a pretty interesting subject in general. Abby with ancestors Mary Eastie, Mary Bradbury, Robert Pike, and a few more that I am not quite so proud of.

I had read that their were death warrants signed from those who were accused of being witches. If this is so, is a person able to get a copy of that document. I am interested in one for Rebecca Nurse. Thanks for your time. Jeen

I was able to see the actual warrant for arrest and the death warrant for my ancestress, Susannah North Martin (Hanged Aug. 19, 1692) at the Essex Institute. I was also able to have photocopies made. I should imagine that they would have the actual death warrants and related documents for all the Salem victums. The challenge may be to be able to get there when the Institute is open to the public. Janet Yates

In a message dated 05/02/99 9:02:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << I had read that their were death warrants signed from those who were accused of being witches. If this is so, is a person able to get a copy of that document. I am interested in one for Rebecca Nurse. Thanks for your time. Jeen >> Jeen, My understanding is that the original records of the Salem witchcraft trials are housed at: Peabody Essex Museum East India Square Salem, MA 01970 http://www.pem.org If you cannot easily visit this museum, the LDS Family History Center (FHC) does have a microfilm of some of the original records. I suggest that you visit your local FHC and order the following roll of microfilm: # 0877465. I have copied the information contained on this roll from the Family History Library Catalogue that can be found at http://www.familysearch.org/. To get to the Family History Library Catalogue, click on "Browse Categories" from the menu on the left of the screen. Scroll down until you get to the link for the Family History Library Catalogue. Film or fiche number: 877465 Film/fiche search results: Item 1, Court Records 1648-1681, Massachusetts. County Court (Norfolk County): Microfilm of original records in the Essex County Courthouse, Salem, Massachusetts. Court records, v. 1-2, 1648-1681, have special title: Records of the County Court of the County of Norfolk, Salisbury and Hampton Court. Old Norfolk County (1643-1680) contained the towns of Haverhill, Salisbury, Hampton, Exeter, Dover and Portsmouth. Haverhill and Salisbury became part of Essex County in 1680. The other towns became part of New Hampshire. Item 2, Witchcraft papers 1655-1750, Massachusetts. Court of Assistants: Microfilm of original records in the Essex County courthouse, Salem, Massachusetts. Contains cases of persons accused of witchcraft. Contains also records of the Court of Assistants, 1673-1692, and the Superior Court of Judicature, 1692-1695. Item 3, Court records 1638-1692, Massachusetts. County Court (Essex County): Microfilm of original records in the Essex County courthouse, Salem, Massachusetts. Additional indexes are found at the beginning of some volumes. Item 4, Massachusetts. County Court (Essex County): Records of births, marriages, and deaths, 1636-1795. Microfilm of original records in the Essex County Courthouse, Salem, Massachusetts. Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded by the County Court until 1692, and by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace thereafter. Indexes are included at the beginning of some volumes Items 5-6, Court records 1686-1726, Massachusetts. Inferior Court of Common Pleas (Essex County): Microfilm of original records in the Essex County Courthouse, Salem, Massachusetts I did peruse this film some time ago, and I am pretty sure that I saw some documents pertaining to Rebecca Nurse. You may have to be patient if you try to access the Family History Library Catalogue. This site is still a work in progress. After obtaining the information above, I was unable to access the catalogue because it was "under construction." Good luck with your search. :~) Kathy Smith Ventura, CA Descended from Susanna Martin, Mary Bradbury, and John Proctor

Hello, I'm new to the list, as well to the history of the trials, etc. I've discovered the name Toothaker in my line from Andover. I descend from the Abbotts of Andover, and in tracing that line, I find Toothaker married into them. Can anyone enlighten me on this family? All I know is that Dr. Roger Toothaker was accused and died in prison. Any other descendants out there? Roni McFadden

Just thought I would "sign on" by introducing myself to the list, having just subscribed. I am a great (x8) niece of Sarah (Averill) WILDES, through her brother, William Averill. I see that there has been some discussion of her, according to the archives, and am looking forward to more interesting info. I have just begun to work on this line, but will share as I learn more. Laura Thomas Enfield, CT

I'm new to the list, and I've been lurking for a while. I'm looking for information about one of my ancestors, Sarah Averill Wildes. Can any of you send me in the right direction? Thanks so much! Susan Smith

I got all kinds of commentary on my medicinal healing remarks. Clarification is obviously called for. I said: "...Just about everybody used herbs medicinally back then... I have read nothing that suggests this was regarded with suspicion. The victims in this case were charged with using their "spectral shapes" to torment adolescent girls and, in a few cases, women and men." A number of people called me on this and quite rightly so. I misspoke. I did not mean to imply that herbalists and witches (Wise women) were not persecuted for their activities. European history is rife with this sort of thing. A prohibitive religion that distrusted women together with the rise of a (male) medical establishment drove the herbal healers (mostly women) underground, when they did not openly burn them at the stake. These are historical facts and I do not dispute them. In my commentary, however, I was not referring to the town "witch" who mixes and dispenses potions to the rest of the citizenry. These characters, who have practically become stereotypes of "witches" in our day, were certainly regarded with suspicion at the very least. I was talking about a specific situation-- Salem Village. The "herbal medicine" I was discussing was the ordinary sort of medicine that must have been practiced by every family in a rural setting where doctors were hard to come by. My point was that I found no evidence that suspicion was cast on this very ubiquitous form of medicine. It is not even mentioned in the examination records. What are mentioned are pinching, biting, suckling familiars, etc.-- "evidence" culled from the imaginations of some highly disturbed people. Sincerely, Jean Ely

Just a minor point here, but, to an extent, what you've described is what most mountain folk refer to as "Granny Women." Reguardless of their religion, the were not appreciated by either the Doctors of the day, but if they made any enemies, they were accused of Witchcraft. Women weren't supposed to do those kinds of things! It might interesting for you to know also, that most Medical Programs now require their students to take classes on praying, laying on of hands, acupuncture, herbal medicine, etc. Interesting how things we've known about for years, are just now being introduced into the modern medical field of study. Rhiannon >X-From_: [email protected] Tue Apr 27 17:59:10 1999 >Return-Path: <[email protected]> >Resent-Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 14:53:15 -0700 (PDT) >From: [email protected] >Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 17:50:24 EDT >Old-To: [email protected] >Reply-To: [email protected] >Subject: [SALEM-WITCH-L] (no subject) >Resent-Message-ID: <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Resent-From: [email protected] >X-Mailing-List: <[email protected]> archive/latest/480 >X-Loop: [email protected] >Resent-Sender: [email protected] > > This has proven to be a most interesting and informative newsletter. >I got a few responses to my posting in Digest # 26 and figured I ought to >discuss it. > > In my post I remarked that some Wiccans seem to feel that the accused >of Salem Village were, in fact, practicing Wicca and that there was no >evidence to support such an assumption. I stand by my opinion in spite of an >email I received telling me that "no one knows which ones were or were not >(practicing witches)." All evidence points to the conclusion that the >victims, born and raised as Puritans, were, in most cases, practicing >Puritans-- and many were Puritans in good standing, respected by their >neighbors. I do, of course, understand the difference between Wicca and >Satanism. But the victims of Salem village were accused of trafficking with >Satan, not worshipping the Mother Goddess. It is erroneous to assume, based >on the accusations of the "afflicted girls," that people like Rebecca Nurse >and John Proctor must have been involved in some kind of forbidden religion. >My corespondent pointed out to me that Rebecca Nurse used herbs medicinally, >which is no doubt true; just about everybody used herbs medicinally back >then, since they couldn't go to Rite Aid and fill a prescription. I have >read nothing that suggests this was regarded with suspicion. The victims in >this case were charged with using their "spectral shapes" to torment >adolescent girls and, in a few cases, women and men. > > It is also erroneous to assume activities that were frowned upon by >the church (such as fortune telling) were terribly uncommon. They were not. >The "afflicted girls" dabbled in such practices, which Marion Starkey and >other authors claim were encouraged, if not initiated, by the Parris' slave >Tituba. I'm not sure that's true, however. The described methods of fortune >telling (e.g., the egg white in the glass) were British in origin and had >nothing of the Islands about them. We also have the story of Mary Sibley, >who with the help of the Parris slaves made a "witch cake" and fed it to the >dog. Mary Sibley was publicly castigated for this, but she was not accused >of and hanged for witchcraft. People who dabbled in the "occult" were not >Satan worshippers or Goddess worshippers. They were Puritans who >occasionally gave vent to their superstitions by trying forbidden things. > > Sincerely, > Jean Ely > >

Hi I'm the author of "Salem Witchcraft and Collectibles and I'm looking for people to fill me in on two things. Information on what happened to the Rev Burroughs children and the existance of any items I didn't use in my book. Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks, Pamela

I sent queries to Northeast Roots and Essex Roots regarding my recent Mary PARKER questions. A couple of the responses were quite informative, so I thought I would share them with the members of this list. Susie > In a message dated 4/27/99 10:17:39 AM, [email protected] writes: > > <<I'm hoping someone out there can help us with our Mary PARKER > dilemma: > > One of the people hanged in Salem in 1692, was Mary PARKER, a > widow from Andover. > > Her sons, John & Joseph, signed petitions in 1692, 1702, and 1709, > asking, in the first, for help to keep the sheriff at bay, and in > the later ones, that her name be cleared. > > My understanding is that there have, traditionally, been two > candidates: > > Mary (?Stevens) Parker, widow of Joseph (1614-1678); and > Mary (Ayer) Parker, widow of Nathan (????-1685) > > The first is eliminated by the Andover VRs -- her sons, John and > Joseph died before the hangings, in 1677 and 1684, respectively. > That leaves Mary (Ayer) Parker, widow of Nathan. Her son John > lived until 1738, but I can find no vital record in either Andover > or Newbury for the birth of a son named Joseph to this couple. > > Do any other listmembers have either, a birth VR for Joseph, or > the text of Nathan's will (d. 25 June 1685)? > > Or any evidence that clearly identifies the Mary PARKER hanged in > Salem? > >> > [email protected] wrote: > Hi: > The answer is, Yup, sure do. > > Mary Parker, wife of Joseph, left an estate and it was a subject for the > court. Actually, it was a lack of an estate, it consisted of debts. But, by > the court action, her death is identified as 2 October 1695. > > The identification of Mary Parker, witch, wife to Nathan Parker, is with the > property which the sheriff tried to confiscate. Nathan Parker left his estate > to his wife, Mary, and to his oldest son John, as administrators of the > estate. It was this property which became the issue. As stated above, the > estate of the Widow of Joseph consisted of debts. > > There are other factors, please contact me for details. I am also very > interested in your connection to this line, again, please contact me. > > Willis Don Merrill, [email protected] wrote: "Entertaining Satan," by John Putnam Demos, (p66) in "Age of witches (Salem group: special sample)" lists Mary Parker residence, Andover; age 1692, ca. 62; Yr first accused, 1684; age first accused, ca. 54.

This has proven to be a most interesting and informative newsletter. I got a few responses to my posting in Digest # 26 and figured I ought to discuss it. In my post I remarked that some Wiccans seem to feel that the accused of Salem Village were, in fact, practicing Wicca and that there was no evidence to support such an assumption. I stand by my opinion in spite of an email I received telling me that "no one knows which ones were or were not (practicing witches)." All evidence points to the conclusion that the victims, born and raised as Puritans, were, in most cases, practicing Puritans-- and many were Puritans in good standing, respected by their neighbors. I do, of course, understand the difference between Wicca and Satanism. But the victims of Salem village were accused of trafficking with Satan, not worshipping the Mother Goddess. It is erroneous to assume, based on the accusations of the "afflicted girls," that people like Rebecca Nurse and John Proctor must have been involved in some kind of forbidden religion. My corespondent pointed out to me that Rebecca Nurse used herbs medicinally, which is no doubt true; just about everybody used herbs medicinally back then, since they couldn't go to Rite Aid and fill a prescription. I have read nothing that suggests this was regarded with suspicion. The victims in this case were charged with using their "spectral shapes" to torment adolescent girls and, in a few cases, women and men. It is also erroneous to assume activities that were frowned upon by the church (such as fortune telling) were terribly uncommon. They were not. The "afflicted girls" dabbled in such practices, which Marion Starkey and other authors claim were encouraged, if not initiated, by the Parris' slave Tituba. I'm not sure that's true, however. The described methods of fortune telling (e.g., the egg white in the glass) were British in origin and had nothing of the Islands about them. We also have the story of Mary Sibley, who with the help of the Parris slaves made a "witch cake" and fed it to the dog. Mary Sibley was publicly castigated for this, but she was not accused of and hanged for witchcraft. People who dabbled in the "occult" were not Satan worshippers or Goddess worshippers. They were Puritans who occasionally gave vent to their superstitions by trying forbidden things. Sincerely, Jean Ely

I'm new to this group and was wondering if anyone has any information regarding the names of any off spring from the marriage of Briget BISHOP (first to be hung in Salen on 10 June 1692) and her third husband, Edward BISHOP? I've read that she had one child, Christian from a previous marriage but no mention of any other children. If someone could verify for me that there were no other children, I'd appreciate that as well. Thanks all, Maria e-mail: [email protected]

Does anyone have any information on the descendents of Giles Corey? There have to be others but I hear very little about this line. I'd love to establish contact with others of this lineage! Judi Marks, Atlanta

Wendy, I read your recent posting regarding Ann Foster with great interest. I am descended from Ann through her daughter Mary Lacey. There do not seem to be many of her descendants on the list, in fact I've had a general difficulty finding any at all. What information do you have on her husband Andrew? Are you aware of the speculation that her name may have been Ann Alcock? I would be delighted to share what information I have. Gordon Kirkemo

I am directly related to Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy and Ann Foster who were all tried at the Salem witch trials. Mary and Ann were mother and daughter. Ann, I believe, died in jail. It took Rebecca many years to clear her name. I don't have too much information on them, as I have just found out about these ladies. Does anyone on the list have any information or send me off in the direction where I could find additional info. I notice most of the information written is on Proctor, Nurse and Towne lines. Thanks, Donna

Thanks to all who responded to my question re: the petition of the sons of Mary PARKER. Another question now arises: I was under the impression that Mary PARKER, was Mary (AYER) PARKER, widow of Nathan PARKER of Andover. However, the Andover VRs list nine children for this couple, none of whom were named Joseph. Does anyone have a VR citation for a son named Joseph? The other possibility, as Bailey asserted, was that she was, instead, Mary (STEVENS) PARKER, widow of Joseph PARKER. But their son, Joseph, died prior to the hangings, 06 Apr 1684 [Torrey 558, VR-Andover 2:519], and so could not have been party to the petition, 7 Nov 1692. Thanks for your time, Susie Susan Maybin Stevens Descendant of Mary Parker, Rebecca Nurse, and John Proctor

Kathy and all the other descendants of Salem Victims, I also appreciate the information on how to obtain" The Burning Times" videos. One of my ancestors EDWARD WIGHTMAN, was burned at the stake (twice - just singed the first time and "repented" of his "heretical" beliefs. One month later he was caught preaching unacceptable ideas. This time, no repentance was allowed at the stake. His grandson, Valentine Whitman is the founder of the WHITMAN/WIGHTMAN/WEIGTMAN family in America. He settled in Rhode Island which was sort of the California of the era for being accepting of ideas perceived as heretical, etc. by the Puritans. Janet Yates Descendant of Susannah North Martin