Old Mitch House, Salem, Mass.
Occupied by Roger Williams in 1635, who was so un- justly banished from Salem in 1636; afterwards occupied by Jonathan Curwin, Esq., one of the Judges during the witchcraft trials.
The WITCHCRAFT DELUSION of 1602 has attracted universal attention since the date of its occurrence, and will, in all coming ages, render the name of Salem notable throughout the world. Sad, indeed, was that delusion, and shocking the extent to which the bewildered imaginations and excited passions of the people hurried and drove them on to deeds for which they are now visit- ed with unmeasured reproach. Witches were regarded as persons who had transferred allegiance and worship from God to the Devil, and through their compact with him were supposed to have power to distress and afflict whomsoever they would. The following is a list of those who lost their lives as witches by the hand of the executioner, on Gallows Hill, Salem:
Rev. Geo. Burrows, of Wells: Wilmot Reed, of Marblehead; Margaret Scot, of Rowley; Susanna Martin, of Amesbury; Elizabeth How, of Ipswich: Sarah Wildes and Mary Easty, of Tops Bie.d: Samuel Wardwell, Martha Carrier, and Mary Parker, of Andover: John Proctor, George Jacobe, sen., John Willard, Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, and Martha Cory, of Salem Village. and Ann Pudenter, Bridget Bishop, and Alice i arker, of Salem; Giles torey, of salem Farms, was pressed to death. While in his death agony, his tongue was pressed out of his mouth, and was forced in again by the Sheriff with nis cane.
About 150 persons were accused of witchcraft, including 9 children, varying from 5 to 14 years of age.
Various were the accusations brought against them, such as having familiarity with the black man who was ever at their side whispering in their ear; holding days of hellish fasts and hanks- givings; eating red bead and drinking blood; transforming themselves and their victims into various forms; signing con- tracts with Satan, entering his employ, and yielding to his com- mands; afflicting others by pinching, pricking with pins, strik- ing, &c., when many miles distant; and divers other accusations that would be laughed to scorn at the present day. John Bradstreet was accused of bewitching a dog, but, making
his escape, the dog suffered the penalty, and was hung as a witch.
Many foolish and harsh measures were resorted to, to test
witches, one of which was to take the accused to a river or pond,
and throw them in. If they swam they were pronounced witches
and treated as such. It they could not swim they would sink
and be proclaimed innocent; in either case the result was death.
When the authorities were convinced of their error, (eyes be-
came open to a sense of their delusion,) the Governor ordered all
those accused and not tried, to be discharged. The Salem prison
was full of them. Such a "Jall Delivery" was never known
before or since in New England.
Reproduced from original in the Collection of Gary Kessel