The Witch Hunt Spreads

Validity of Spectral Evidence Doubted

Nov 8, 2006 Mary Trotter Kion

More people are hung for witchcraft. The hunt spreads to other communities. Mather doubts the "validity of spectral evidence."

Condemned to Die for Witchcraft

Two days prior to Giles Cory being pressed to death, nine more persons were sentenced to death for witchcraft. They were Margaret Scott, Wilmot Redd, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Abigail Falkner, Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, and Abigail Hobbs.

Abigail Falkner was spared because she was pregnant. Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy, and Ann Foster confessed to being witches and were also spared.

Hanged for Witchcraft

On September 22, the following persons were hanged for witchcraft: Martha Cory, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Margaret Scott, Wilmot Redd, and Samuel Wardwell. There were no more hangings for witchcraft after these.

Witch Hunt Spreads to Other Communities

In October, various other communities began requesting the bewitched girls to visit in order to name those who are witches. As a result, in Andover more than fifty people are accused. Many of them confessed. In Gloucester four women were imprisoned for witchcraft. But in spite of these further accusations, people were beginning to speak out against the witch-hunt. This is especially true when the afflicted girls began naming as witches several very prominent people. Among these noted persons was none other than Lady Phipps, the wife of the governor.

Mather Places Doubt on Spectral Evidence

On October 3, Increase Mather gave a sermon which put serious doubt on the "validity of spectral evidence," that is the using of the bewitched girl's visions as evidence.

No More Witches Imprisoned

Finally, on October 12, the governor forbid further imprisonment for witchcraft. Later that month he dissolved the court set up for trying accused witches.

On January 3, 1693, a new Superior Court was formed to try accused witches. Three of those tried were found guilty but the governor reprieved them as well as five previously convicted persons. This court sat in Boston on April 25, but none were found guilty of witchcraft.

The Salem Inquisition Begins: continues with: Ann Putnam, Jr. Confesses Guilt: Fourteen Years Later.

Previous: The Conviction of Giles Cory: Torture to the Extreme in Salem.

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