Mercy Lewis was one of the afflicted girls of the Salem Witch Trials and a servant in Thomas Putnam's home.. Lewis, the daughter of Phillip Lewis, was born in Falmouth, Maine in 1675. 4, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA., Boston, MA..), Anno Regis et Reginae Willim et Mariae nunc: Angliae &c Quarto, Essex ss The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That George Burroughs late of falmouth in the province of the Massachusets Bay in New England -- Clarke -- The ninth Day of May in the forth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c and Divers other Dayes and times, as well before as after certaine Detestable Arts called Witchcrafts and Sorceries. Mary Walcott. Burroughs .) ), The depotion of Hannah Harres Aiged twenty seven yeares or thareabouts Testifieth and saith that she Lived at the hous of Georg Burros at falmouth & the above said hannah harres many times hath taken notic that when she hath had anny Discorse with the above said burross wife when the above said burros was from hom that apone has Returne he hath often scolded wife and told her that he knew what they said when he was abroad and further saith that upone a time when his wife had Laine In Not above one weak that he fell out with his wife and kept her by Discorce at the Dore till she fell sicke In the place and grew wors at night so that the above said hannah harres was afraid she would dye and thay called In thare Naibours and the a bove said burroses Daughter told One of the women that was thare the cause of her mothers Ellness and the a bove said burros chid his Daughter for telling and the a bove said burros Came to the a bove said hannah harres and told her If that his wif Did otherwise than well she should not tell of It & the abovsaid hannah harres told him that she would not be confined to anny such thing As one of the succession of three ministers who left the Village . lookt upon her & she fell into a During the examination, Burroughs was asked if it was true that his house in Casco Bay was haunted. When it was finally over and Burroughs still remained in their custody, the lawmen took it as a sign that the Devil had unsuccessfully tried to free Burroughs. 2, no. However they were enough to fix the character of a witch upon him according to the rules of reasoning, by the judicious Gaule, in that case directed.. Herrick Dep't Sheriff, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem, Witchcraft, vol. As soon as he was turned off [hanged], Mr. Cotton Mather, being mounted upon a horse, addressed himself to the people, partly to declare that he [Mr. Burroughs] was no ordained Minister, partly to possess the people of his guilt, saying that the devil often had been transformed into the Angel of Light. 30 ), The Complaint of Susannah Shelden against mr burroos which brought a book to mee and told mee if i would not set my hand too if hee would tear mee to peesses i told him i would not then hee told mee hee would starve me to death then the next morning he told mee hee could not starve mee. Burroughs and other survivors, including a young Mercy Lewis and her family, fled to an island in the Casco Bay where they foraged for food until they were rescued, according to a letter from Major Brian Pendleton to the Governor of Massachusetts: Honored Governor together with the Counsell,I am sorry my pen must be the messenger of so great a tragedy. Upon realizing this, the people of Salem stopped paying his wages to get him to resign. of the afflicted, wo stood behind him. ), Elizer Keysar aged aboute fourty five yeares Sayth that on Thursday last past being the fift day of this Instant moneth of May I was at the house of Thomas [Beadles] in salem, and Capt Daniell King being there also, at the same tyme, and in the Same Roome. George Burroughs George Burroughs (1917 . marshall of the Provence of newhansher and maine, (Reverse) Warrant agt Burroughs the Marchalls Returne, ( Witchcraft Papers, no. Perhaps Cotton's most self-damning act within the public eye was his publication of the volume The Wonders of the Invisible World, in October, 1692, after the final executions. 095: Sarah Osborne Died in Prison, May 10, 1692, SWP No. Despite this, he was executed on the same day like many others. In 2017, the Proctors Ledge Memorial was built in Salem, Mass and a marker was established for George Burroughs. at that time Before us *John Hathorne The police caused George Floyd's death, but drugs and heart disease played a role, the medical examiner says. & Burroughs, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft, vol. The Lewis family then moved to Salem, and when Falmouth seemed safe, moved back. Salem Sep'r 15'th 1692 Thomas Greinslitt appeared before their Maj'ties Justices of Oyer & Terminer in Open Court & Made Oath that the above mentioned perticulars & Every part of them were True he said) in full communion at Roxbury. From June through September of 1692, nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging. *Thomas putnam George Burroughs was one of the first ministers to step into the Salem Village Church. The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England. 28. w'ch seemed to mee to be something like Jelly that used to be in the water and quaver with a strainge Motion, and then quickly diappeared soone after which I did see a light up in the chimney aboute the bigness of my hand some thing above the bar w'ch quivered & shaked. How soon it will be our portion wee know not. Although they still believed in witches and believed witches may have invaded Salem, they had doubts that so many people could have been guilty of the crime. George Burroughs was hanged at Proctor's Ledge in present-day Salem on August 19, 1692. Jno. This branch of the family has been in VA for several hundred years. 038: Martha Corey Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. Summary George Burroughs was born on January 13, 1917. . In addition to details about the death, they can contain birth information, family origins, cause of death, and more. The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts. enter into a covenant. In 1689, George Burroughs and his family survived another raid, but Mercy Lewis' parents were killed and she began to work as a servant for George Burroughs's family. Greenwood Press, 2008.Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University. ), Wm & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland France & Ireland King defend'r of the faith &ca, To James Greenslit Greeting. and seemed to have a Motion upward upon Which I called the Mayd, and she looking up into the Chimney saw the same, and my wife looking up could not see any thing, soe I did and doe #[very Certainly] [Concider] it was some diabolicall apperition, Mr. Elizer. 24 ). The unhappy animosities arising from this source entirely demoralized the Society, and, besides making it otherwise very uncomfortable to a minister, led to a neglect and derangement of all financial affairs. 8, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA. This article was interesting to me since I am 7th generation from Martha Carrier. Ann Putnam his T marke. I am a member of Colonial Clergy, Flagon and Trencher, Associated Daughters of Early American Witches and the Descendants of Brian Boru though Georges ancestors. Cotton Mather witnessed the event as well. Contra Geo *Geo. George Burroughs. 168: A Bill Against Conjurations, Witchcraft, and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits (December 1692), SWP No. He along with George Jacobs, John Proctor, John Willard, and Martha Carrier were brought to the execution site. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the funeral home. ThoughtCo, Jul. ), Province of the Mattathusets Bay in New EnglandThe deposition of Thomas Greinslitt aged about forty years Testfieth. Last Known Residence . ), Wee whoes names are under written having r'ceived an order from the sreife for to search the bodyes of George Burroughs and George Jacobs . [2] He was raised by his mother in the town of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Not surprisingly, he remarried soon. ( Wm Wormall v. Geo. Like most widowers with young children, he remarried shortly after, to a woman named Sarah Ruck Hathorne. Great job on your website. Dr. Andrew Baker, who performed Mr. Floyd's autopsy, said police officers'. This stirred the crowd and it is suggested that some of the spectators may have tried to stop the execution. Elizabeth Hubbard 2, no. One eye witness to the execution, Robert Calef, described the event in his book More Wonders of the Invisible World: Mr. II, p. 42. Sus: [one line too faint] His treatment of his first two wives was one subject of the interrogation; another was his supposed unnatural strength. Susan Sheldon. I s'd deponant saw Mr Borroughs: put his hand on the gun: to show us: how he held it and where he held his hand:and saying there he held his hand when he held s'd gun out: but:I saw him not hold it out then: He was raised in the town of Roxbury (a century later would be the town William Dawes rode through to warn the colonists of the British) by his mother and would be educated at Harvard College where he graduated in 1670 with honors. Brown {strength & the Gun. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember George Burroughs. He looked back & knockt down all (or more) [4] He became the minister of Salem Village (now Danvers) in 1680 (where he would eventually be convicted of witchcraft and hanged). George Burroughs proceeded to quote the Lords Prayer perfectly which was believed to be impossible for a witch to do. Hubbard Memorial Site* Salem Witch Trials Memorial. According to historian Sidney Perley, an old family story from the Buffum family states that from his house on nearby Boston street, Joshua Buffam could see Burroughss exposed hand and foot sticking out of the crevice, so just after night fall he went to cover them so they were no longer visible. After the Trials I am also a descendent of George Burroughs. Elizer Keiser, Capt. #[Robert Morrell] Because the grave was so shallow, Burroughs chin and one of his feet were left uncovered. We will remember him forever. Your research is so interesting and I appreciate all your hard work. George Burroughs and the Salem Witch Trials." Sarah died in 1689, probably also in childbirth, and Burroughs moved with his family to Wells, Maine. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember George Burroughs. appeared in their winding sheets, & said that 136: Sarah Wilds Executed July 19, 1692, SWP No. 10 men 6 women and 16 children. Mary Walcott {testimony going to be read George Burroughs moved to Maine, to serve the church in Wells. What happened to Burroughss body after that day is unknown. George Burroughs was the only Puritan minister indicted and executed in Salem in 1692. Mercy Lewis deposition going to be read & he This category includes civil, church, cemetery, obituary, and other death-related collections. Burroughs was moved to Boston jail. 170: Superior Court of Judicature: Witchcraft Trials (January - May 1693), SWP No. ), Essex ss The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That George Burroughs late of Falmouth w'thin the province of the Mattathusets Bay in New England Clerke -- The Ninth Day of May -- in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of Eng- land Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c Diver other Days and times as well before as after, certaine Detestable Arts called wicthcraft & Sorceries -- wickedly and feloniously hath used Practiced & Exercised at and within the Township of Salem in the County of Essex & aforesaid, in Upon & ag't one Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem in the County of Essex Singlewoman -- by which said wicked Arts the said Elizabeth Hubbard the Ninth Day of May -- in the fourth Year aboves'd and Divers other Days and Times as well before as after.was.and is Tortured afflicted Pined Consumed wasted and Tormented.also for Sundrey other Acts of witchcrafts by Said George Burroughs .Committed and done ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen their Crowne and dignity and ag't the forme of the Statute in that case made & Provided: The judges also asked Burroughs when he last took communion, which he couldnt remember, and asked how many of his children were baptized, which he answered only the eldest was, and asked if it was true that he refused to let his second wife, Sarah Ruck Hathorne, write to her father without letting him see the letter first, which he denied. Yet, upon closer inspection, there were a multitude of factors that brought him under suspicion, and many of these surrounded his spirituality and commitment to Puritanism. George Burroughs, signed by Peter's brothers John and Nathaniel, were sent to the Governor and Council to improve the conditions of Wells, Maine. After Boston minister Cotton Mather reassured the crowd that his execution was the result of a court decision, Burroughs was hanged. Wheldon, Capt Wormwood testifyed about the Gun & Burroughs borrowed the money for Hannahs funeral from John Putnam. On May 9, George Burroughs was examined by magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne; Sarah Churchill was examined the same day. Abig: Hobbs in prison affirmed that Geo: Burroughs His trial was the largest due to him being a member of the clergy. The act of arresting Burroughs in the distant Wells, Maine required the acting lawmen to be discreet out of fear that Burroughs might be tipped off and escape, according to Upham: It was necessary to be at once cautious and rapid in their movements, to prevent the public from getting information which, by reaching the ears of Burroughs, might put him on his guard. Letter from Fancis Littlefield and others to Governor and Councils. [en] Vital records: George Burroughs at +Archives . When Burroughs was cut down from the gallows, his body was dragged to a rocky crevice bordering the execution site, his clothing was stripped off and he was dressed in a pair of trousers of one executed and was placed in the grave with Willard and Carrier. The accusers said the black man [Devil] stood and dictated to him. Death . When they finally arrived in Salem, Burroughs was brought to the jail in Salem town. George Burroughs was hangedthe same day as were John Proctor, George Jacobs, Sr., John Willard and Martha Carrier. Geo Burroughs He married Frances Sparrow (1583-1621) 1597 in Wickhambrook, Saint Edmunsbury, Suffolk, England. Trachea, bronchus and lung cancers deaths have risen from 1.2 million to 1.8 million and are now ranked 6th among leading causes of death. 34 ), Benjemin huchension s'd that one the 21'st aprell 92 abegeral wiluams s'd that there.was a lettell black menester that Lived at Casko bay he told me so and s'd that he had kild 3 wifes two for himself and one for mr Losen and that he had made nine Weches in this plase and s'd that he Could hold out the hevest gun that Is in Casko bay w'th one hand w'c no man Can Case hold out w't both. El. When it was Burroughs turn, he climbed the ladder and made an eloquent speech declaring his innocence and then recited the Lords prayer flawlessly, despite the common belief that witches couldnt recite the prayer without making a mistake. Rebecca Beatrice Brooks is the author and publisher of the History of Massachusetts Blog. (Reverse) Jury men Return about Jacobs After most humble and hearty thanks presented to your Honors for the great care and pains you have already taken for us, for which we are never able to make you recompense (and we believe you do not expect it of us; therefore a full reward will be given you of the Lord God of Israel, whose cause and interest you have espoused, and we trust this shall add to your crown of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus); and we, beholding continually the tremendous works of divine providence -- not only every day but every hour -- thought it our duty to inform your Honors of what we conceive you have not heard, which are high and dreadful: of a wheel within a wheel, at which our ears do tingle. On April 8, 1712, Burroughss children filed another petition stating that they had only received four pounds each which we think but a poor recompense, and asked that whatever additional amount that the court would award them be delivered to their brother George Burroughs. Salem August 2'd 1692. Ann Putman, ( Witchcraft Papers, no. John Bare Jurat. The cause of George Washington's death was a throat infection. 32 ), The Deposition of Ann putnam: who testifieth and saith that on 20'th of April 1692 :at evening she saw the Apperishtion of a Minister at which she was greviously affrighted and cried out oh dreadfull: dreadfull here is a minister com:what are Ministers wicthes to: whence com you and What is your name for I will complaine of:you tho you be A minister: if you be a wizzard; and Immediatly I was tortored by him being Racked and all most choaked by him: and he tempted me to write in his book which I Refused with loud out cries and said I would not writ in his book tho he tore me al to peaces but tould him that it was a dreadfull thing: that he which was a Minister that should teach children to feare God should com to perswad poor creatures to give their souls to the divill: oh. 2, No. Lewis testified that on several nights in May, Burroughs appeared to her and tortured her and on the second night tried to persuade her to join him as a witch: the next night he tould me I should not see his Two wifes if he could help it because I should not witnes agast him this 9th may mr Burroughs caried me up to an exceeding high mountain and shewed me all the kingdoms of the earth and tould me that he would give them all to me if I would writ in his book and if I would not he would thro me down and brake my neck: but I tould him they ware non of his to give and I would not writ if he throde me down on 100 pichforks.. He is remembered especially for reciting the Lord's Prayer during his execution, something it was believed a witch could never do. Learn how your comment data is processed. 114: Wilmott Reed Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. July 1954 . To the Sheriffe of Essex, (Reverse) July 26'th 1692 I have Sumoned the within named James Greinslett according to this Within Sub pena to Give in his Evidence att the time and place within mentioned by me ), The deposistion of Tho. [9] John Dunton, 1692.Baker, Emerson W. A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience. Wee Comand you all Excuses set apart to be and personaly appear at the present Court of Oyer & Terminer held at Salem there to Testify the truth to the best of your knowledge on certain Indictm'ts Exhibited against mr George Burrough : hereof fail not dated in
