That's what I would like to find out. Did it have anything to do with the Witchcraft hysteria? No one has been able to find any documented proof that Rebecca Chamberlain was accused of Witchcraft, but apparently there isn't any question that she died in prison in September 1692. So, why was she there? Mischief? She was living in Billerica with her husband William Chamberlain. He didn't die until years later. She was the mother of a number of children, and I believe they were respected members of the community. Curious. Thanks to everyone for their input. This is interesting. As has been suggested, maybe we'll find that charging people with Mischief was a regular event and really has nothing to do with Witchcraft. The timing was just coincidental. George >>> Date forwarded: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 17:20:50 -0700 From: Jma8763@aol.com Date sent: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 19:20:48 EST Subject: [SALEM-WITCH-L] Re: Mischief To: SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com Forwarded by: SALEM-WITCH-L@rootsweb.com > Hi all, > > I find all this "Mischief" info fascinating, but I guess it also has > me > confused! I thought that being a witch was a crime in and of itself, > and that those accused were charged with various counts/accusations of > Witchcraft?? Were there also those charged with crimes of different > names, but that MEANT they were accused of witchcraft??? > > THANKS! > Joan > > In a message dated 11/4/2002 6:32:56 PM Eastern Standard Time, > sorcha432@hotmail.com writes: > > > > That's quite useful information, but I can see that mischief could > > be linked to witchcraft, and, iirc, sometimes was. After all, most > > of the complaints against witches seem to involve damage of persons > > or property. I can also see that elderly persons, especially women, > > might not keep up their property as well as their neighbors might > > like, and thus complaints might follow. > > > > > >