Witches in Colonial America  

by Kory L. Meyerink, MLS, AG®, FUGA

This list attempts to identify, as fully as possible, those persons formally accused as witches in Colonial America, or those who suffered (usually as little children) with accused witches. Generally this means that there was some formal action taken, usually in court, or that early writers (leaders, memorial writers, historians) discussed the accusation. Court action is not limited to trials, for some cases never came to trial, being dismissed for insufficient evidence (usually after an arrest and/or evidentiary hearing), or the flight of the accused. It also includes cases of slander by an accused witch against the accuser(s), even if no other court record exists.

This list is alphabetical by the last name (using the most common or accepted spelling) of the accused witch, at the time of accusation, followed by the first name, when known. Most witches were married women, so maiden names are given, when known, after the first name, but in parenthesis. The object is to help family historians clearly identify each accused witch to determine if he or she fits on a family tree. Earlier married names follow any maiden name. If the maiden name is unknown, it is represented by (___) to indicate the surname given is a married name. Unmarried women are identified with (unmd.), (child), or (infant) after the given name. In the absence of a given name, the title Mr., Mrs., or Ms. (marital status unknown) is used to indicate gender. Where a woman’s given name is unknown, but her husband’s is, she is referred to as Mrs. [his name], such as Mrs. Nicholas Bailey.

To aid in identification, birth and death years follow the name, where known. Approximations are indicated with “c.” and a date (believed to be within five years), or a decade (e.g. 1610s). Where dates are not known, a relationship, such as [Mrs. John] (meaning her husband was John) may be given to aid in identification. Location indicates the town (or county in the South) where the accused was living when action was taken, even if the action was taken elsewhere (the Salem trials reached out to many nearby towns). The year indicates the year (or years, with repeated accusations) action was begun. Outcome provides, by abbreviations, the primary result(s) of the action. Entries for those who died, either by execution or in prison, are in italics.

Abbreviations for outcome:

  • A = accused (or complaint filed), but apparently not brought to court
  • C = cleared of charges, dismissed (usually at a later date, often by higher court or governor)
  • DP= died in prison
  • E = escaped from prison
  • F = fled to another jurisdiction (colony), or in hiding (presumes an accusation, but not an arrest)
  • H = hung (after imprisonment and trial)
  • I = imprisoned (sometimes indicted, which usually meant some imprisonment)
  • NG = found not guilty (acquitted), implies some time in prison, and usually a trial
  • R = released from prison (usually on bail), not necessarily cleared
  • SS = accused sued accuser for slander
  • V = convicted (but not executed, usually cleared)
  • X = executed, method not given
  • nfr = no further record

Early American Witches
Name Birth-Death Location
Year(s)
Outcome
Abbott, Nehemiah, Jr. c.1665- Topsfield, MA
1692
R at prelim.
Abbott, Arthur c.1639- Topsfield, MA
1692
I
Alden, John, Capt. c.1623- Boston, MA
1692
I, NG
Andrew, Daniel 1643-1702 Salem, MA
1692
A, F
Ayers, William unk. Hartford, CT
1662
A, F
Ayers, Mrs. William unk. Hartford, CT
1662
A, F
Bailey, Elizabeth [Mrs. Jonas] unk. York (ME)
1659
NG
Bailey, Mrs. Nicholas unk. New Haven, CT
1655
C, F
Bailey, Nicholas unk. New Haven, CT
1655
C, F
Baker, Mrs. George unk. VA
1641
A, NG
Barker, Mary (child) 1679-1752 Andover, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Barker, William, Jr. (child) 1678-1745 Andover, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Barker, Abigail (Wheeler) 1656-1743 Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Barker, William, Sr. c.1646-1718 Andover, MA
1692
I, E
Barnes, Mary d.1663 Farmington, CT
1663
X
Bassett, Mrs. d.1651 Stratford, CT
1651
X
Bassett, Sarah (Hood) 1657- Lynn, MA
1692
I, C
Batchelor, Ms. unk. Ispwich, MA
1655
A
Beamon, Alice unk. Springfield, MA
1677
SS
Benham, Winifred (King) c.1630- Wallingford, CT
1692, 97
NG, F
Benham, Winifred, Jr. 1684- Wallingford, CT
1697
NG, F
Bennett, Elizabeth unk. St. Mary’s, MD
1665
A, C
Bishop, Bridget (Playfer) W Oliver c.1640-92 Salem, MA
1680; 92
NG, H
Bishop, Edward, Jr. 1648- Salem, MA
1692
I, E
Bishop, Sarah (Wildes) c.1651- Salem, MA
1692
I, E
Black, Mary (Negro slave) unk. Salem, MA
1692
I, C
Blackleach, John unk. Wethersfield, CT
1662-3
A, SS
Blackleach, Elizabeth (___) unk. Wethersfield, CT
1662-3
A
Bowden, Ms. unk. New Haven, CT
1689
SS
Bradbury, Mary (Perkins) 1615-1700 Salisbury, MA
1692
V, E
Bradstreet, John 1652- Andover, MA
1692
A, F
Bradstreet, John unk. Rowley, MA
1652
NG
Bradstreet, Dudley 1648- Andover, MA
1692
A
Bridges, Mary, Jr. (child) 1679- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Bridges, Mary (Tyler) Post 1644- Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Bridges, Sarah (unmd.) 1675- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Brown, William unk. Gloucester, MA
1657
I
Browne, Christopher unk. Salem, MA
1674
A, C, R
Brumidge, Hannah (Varnum) Tyler c.1633- Haverhill, MA
1692
I, C
Buckley, Sarah (Smith) c.1636- Salem, MA
1692
I, C
Burr, Ms. unk. Wethersfield, CT
1678
SS
Burroughs, George, Rev. c.1651-92 Wells, ME, MA
1692
H
Burt, Ann (Holland) Bassett c.1610-73 Lynn, MA
1669/70
NG
Byrd, Anne (___) unk. Princess Anne, VA
1698
SS
Byrd, John unk. Princess Anne, VA
1698
SS
Cane, Nell unk. K&Q Co., VA
1693
nfr
Carrier, Andrew 1677- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Carrier, Richard 1674- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Carrier, Sarah (child) 1684- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Carrier, Thomas, Jr. (child) 1682- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Carrier, Martha (Allen) c.1654-92 Andover, MA
1692
H
Carrington, Joan(ne) (___) c.1610-51 Wethersfield, CT
1651
X
Carrington, John 1602-51 Wethersfield, CT
1651
X
Carroll, Hannah (___) unk. Salem, MA
1692
A
Carter, Bethiah (Pearson) 1645- Woburn, MA
1692
I, R
Carter, Bethiah, Jr. (unmd.) 1671- Woburn, MA
1692
A, F
Cartwrite, Alice (___) unk. Norfolk, VA
1678/79
A, C
Cary, Elizabeth (Walker) c.1650- Charlestown, MA
1692
I, E
Chamberlain, Rebecca (Shelley) c.1625-92 Billerica, MA
1692
DP
Churchill, Sarah (unmd.) 1672- Salem, MA
1692
I, R afflicted
Clarke, Mary (Johnson) Davis 1638- Haverhill, MA
1692
I
Clawson, Elizabeth (Periment?) 1631-1714 Stamford, CT
1692
I, NG
Clinton, Rachel (Haffield) 1629-95 Ipswich, MA
c.1687; 92
A, I, R
Cloyce, Sarah (Towne) Bridges 1641-1703 Gloucester, MA
1692
NG
Cole, Eunice [Mrs. William] c.1615- Hampton, NH
1656, 73, 80
I, NG
Cole, Sarah (Davis) 1650- Salem, MA
1692
I, R, C
Cole, Sarah (Aslett) 1662-1741 Lynn, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Collins, Jane (Greepe?) unk. Lynn, MA
1653
I
Collins, Mr. unk. Aquiday, RI
1640
A
Colson, Elizabeth(child) 1676- Reading, MA
1692
I, C
Colson, Mary (Dustin) 1650- Reading, MA
1692
I, C
Corey, Giles c.1611-92 Salem, MA
1692
X (pressed)
Cory, Martha (___) Rich c.1628-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Cowman, John unk. St. Mary’s, MD
1674
V, R
Cox, Mary unk. Malden, MA
1692
I
Crawford, Edith (___) Pride c.1600- Salem, MA
1667
SS, I, NG
Croasia (or Crotia), Hugh unk. Stratford, CT
1692
A
Dane, Deliverance (Haseltine) 1655- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
[Dane,] male slave of Nathaniel unk. Andover, MA
1692
I
Day, Phoebe (Wildes) 1653- Gloucester, MA
1692
I, nfr
de Rich, Mary (Bassett) 1657-+1712 Salem, MA
1692
I, nfr
Dibble, Sarah (___) unk. Stamford, CT
1669
A
Dicer, Elizabeth (Austin) unk Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Dike, Rebecca (Dolliver) c.1652- Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Dike, James (infant, with mother) 1692- Gloucester, MA
1692
nfr
Disborough, Mercy (___) d. aft.1707 Fairfield, CT
1692
I, V, C
Dolliver, Ann (Higginson) c.1653- Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Downing, Mehittable (Brabrook) c.1652- Ipswich, MA
1692
I, R
Draper, Joseph (or John) 1671- Andover, MA
1692
I, nfr
Dunkin, Elizabeth and John unk. Westmoreland VA
1694
A, SS
Durrant, John c.1645-92 Billerica, MA
1692
DP
Dustin, Sarah (unmd.?) 1653- Reading, MA
1692
I, NG, R
Dustin, Lydia (___) c.1626-93 Reading, MA
1692
I, NG, DP
Dutch, Grace (Pratte) 1607-94 Gloucester, MA
1653
SS
Dyer, Thomas unk. Ipswich, MA
1692
I, nfr
Eames, Daniel 1663- Boxford, MA
1692
I, nfr
Eames, Rebecca (Blake) 1641-1721 Boxford, MA
1692
I, R
Easty, Mary (Towne) 1634-92 Topsfield, MA
1692
H
Edmunds, Anna (__) [Mrs. William] unk. Ipswich, MA
1673
A
Edwards, Hannah (Mrs. Richard) unk. St. Mary’s, MD
1686
NG
Elwell, Esther (Dutch) 1639-1721 Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Emerson, Martha (Toothaker) 1668-1726 Haverhill, MA
1692
R
Emons, Joseph unk Gloucester, MA
1692
I
English, Mary (Hollingsworth) 1652-94 Salem, MA
1692
I, E, C
English, Phillip 1651-+1718 Salem, MA
1692
I, E, C
Evans, Susannah (___) Mrs. John unk. Albemarle, NC
1703
A, C, SS
Evans, Ms. unk. Portsmouth, NH
1656, 62
A, I
Evans, Agnes (___) [Mrs. William] unk. Gloucester, MA
1653
SS
Farrar, Thomas c.1617-94 Lynn, MA
1692
I, C
Farrington, Edward 1662- Andover, MA
1692
A, I, nfr
Faulkner, Abigail (Dane) 1652-1730 Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Faulkner, Abigail, Jr. (child) 1683- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Faulkner, Dorothy (child) 1680- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Flood or Floyd, John, Capt. c.1640- Malden, MA
1692
I
Fosdick, Elizabeth (___) Betts c.1660-1716 Malden, MA
1692
I, nfr
Foster, Ann (___) 1620-92 Andover, MA
1692
I, DP
Fowler, Rebecca (Mrs. John) d. 1685 St. Mary’s, MD
1685
H
Frost, Nicholas unk Piscataqua, NH
1692
A
Frye, Eunice (Potter) 1641- Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Fuller, James unk. Springfield, MA
1683
NG
Fuller, Rachel (Brabook) 1655- Hampton, NH
1680
NG
Garlick, Elizabeth (Blanchard?) c.1600- Easthampton, NY
1658
A, I, NG
Gifford, Margaret (___) [Mrs. John] unk. Lynn, MA
1680
A, nfr
Gilbert, Lydia (___) [Mrs. Thomas] 1610s-54 Windsor, CT
1654
V, H?
Gleason, Ms. unk. Cambridge, MA
1665
A
Glover, Anne (___) [widow] c.1630-88 Boston, MA
1688
H
Godfrey, John c.1620-75 Andover, MA
1659, 62, 65
NG, SS
Godman, Elizabeth (___) d.1660 New Haven, CT
1653, 55
C, SS
Good, Infant of Sarah c.1691-92 Salem, MA
1692
DP
Good, Sarah (Solart) Poole 1653-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Good, Dorcas (child) c.1678- Salem, MA
1692
I, R
Grady, Katherine d. 1654 at sea, VA
1654
H, at sea
Graves, William c.1615-79? Stamford, CT
1667
I
Green, Mary (Green) c.1658- Haverhill, MA
1692
I, R
Greensmith, Nathaniel d.1663 Hartford, CT
1662-3
H
Greensmith, Rebecca (___) Elson d.1663 Hartford, CT
1662-3
H
Griswold, Hannah unk. Saybrook, CT
1667
SS
Hale, Mary unk. Boston, MA
1681, 91
NG
Hales, Mr. unk. Aquiday, RI
1640
I
Hall, Ralph unk. Setauket, NY
1665
NG
Hall, Mary (___) unk. Setauket, NY
1664, 65
NG
Harding, William unk. Northumberland, VA
1656
V, banished
Hardy, Thomas unk. Piscatauqua, NH
1692
I
Harrison, Katherine (___) c.1620s- Wethersfield, CT
1668
I, V, C, F
Hart, Elizabeth (Hutchinson) c.1628-1710 Lynn, MA
1692
I, C
Harvey, Hannah (unmd.) 1675-by ‘98 Fairfield, CT
1692
I, C
Harvey, Mary (Staples) c.1646- Fairfield, CT
1692
I, C
Hawkes, Sarah (unmd.) 1671-1716 Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Hawkes, Margaret (___) [widow] unk. Salem, MA
1692
I, R nfr
[Hawkes,] Candy, slave of Margt. unk. Salem, MA
1692
I, NG
Hawkins, Jane (___) [Mrs. Richard] c.1600-59 Boston, MA
1638
I, banished
Hibbens, Ann (___) Mrs. William c.1610-56 Boston, MA
1656
H
Hoar, Dorcas (Galley) c.1635- Beverly, MA
1692
I, V, C
Hobbs, Abigail (unmd.) c.1670- Topsfield, MA
1692
I, R
Hobbs, Deliverance (___) c.1647- Topsfield, MA
1692
I, R
Hobbs, William c.1642- Topsfield, MA
1692
I, R
Holman, Mary (unmd.) c.1640- Cambridge, MA
1659, 60
NG
Holman, Winifred (___) c.1615- Cambridge, MA
1659
NG, SS
Holmes, Ms. unk. Scituate, MA
1660
SS
Howard, John c.1645- Rowley, MA
1692
A
Howe, Elizabeth (Jackson) c.1637-92 Topsfield, MA
1692
H
Hutchins(on), Francis (___) c.1615- Haverhill, MA
1692
I, R
Hutchinson, Anne (Marbury) 1595-1643 Aquiday, RI
1640
A
Ingham, Mary (___) [Mrs. Thomas] unk. Scituate, MA
1676/77
NG
Ireson, Mary (Leach) c.1655- Lynn, MA
1692
I, nfr
Jackson, John, Sr. c.1653-1718 Rowley, MA
1692
I, C
Jackson, John, Jr. 1670- Rowley, MA
1692
I, C
Jacobs, George, Jr. c.1642- Salem, MA
1692
I, R
Jacobs, George, Sr. c.1615-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Jacobs, Margaret (child) 1675- Salem, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Jacobs, Rebecca (Andrew) Frost 1646- Salem, MA
1692
I, NG
James, Jane (___) [Mrs. Erasmus] c.1620s- Marblehead, MA
1650, 67
A, SS
Jenkins, Jane or Joan (___) unk. Norfolk, VA
1675
A, not tried
Jennings, Nicholas c.1620- Saybrook, CT
1661
NG
Jennings, Margaret (___) c.1620- Saybrook, CT
1661
NG
Johnson, Mary c.1620-50 Wethersfield, CT
1648
X
Johnson, Abigail (child) 1682- Andover, MA
1692
R
Johnson, Rebecca (Aslet) 1652-1734 Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Johnson, Elizabeth, Jr. (unmd.) 1670- Andover, MA
1692
A
Johnson, Elizabeth (Dane) c.1641- Andover, MA
1692
NG
Johnson, Rebecca, Jr. (child) 1675- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Johnson, Stephen 1679- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Jones, Thomas unk. Charlestown, MA
1648
I
Jones, Margaret (___) d.1648 Charlestown, MA
1648
H
Jones, Hannah (Walford) c.1630s- Portsmouth, NH
1682
I
Kendall, Elizabeth d.1647? Cambridge, MA
1647?
X?
Knapp, Mrs. c.1610s-53 Fairfield, CT
1653?
H
Lacy, Mary Jr. (unmd.) 1674- Andover, MA
1692
I
Lacy, Mary (Foster) 1652- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Lake, Alice (___) [Mrs. Henry] d.1651 Dorchester, MA
1651
X
Lee, Mary d. 1654 at sea, MD
1654
H, at sea
Lilly, Jane (___) c.1657- Reading,MA
1692
I, R, C
Manship, Mrs. Richard unk. MD
1654
acquitted
Marshfield, Mercy (___) c.1605-54 Springfield, MA
1649
SS
Marston, Mary (Osgood) 1665- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Martin, Susannah (North) 1621-92 Amesbury, MA
1669; 92
NG, H
Mattson, Margaret c.1620s Philadelphia, PA
1684
NG
Meaker, William unk. New Haven, CT
1657
A, C, SS
Merrick, Sarah unk. Springfield, MA
1651
A
Messenger, Katherine [Mrs. Edw.] unk. Windsor, CT
1673
SS
Miller, Mrs. unk. Fairfield, CT
1692
A
Mitchell, Joan (Mrs. Thomas) unk. Charles Co, MD
1658-62
SS
Money, Phyllis unk. Westmoreland, VA
1694
A, SS
Morrell, Sarah [child of Peter] c.1678- Beverly, MA
1692
I, C
Morris, Eleanor unk. K&Q Co., VA
1695
SS
Morse, Elizabeth (___) 1615-c.90 Newbury, MA
1679
I, V, C
Neal, Mrs. Christopher (Capt.) c.1620s Northumber., VA
1671
SS
Nurse, Rebecca (Towne) 1622-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Oliver, Mary unk. Boston, MA
1649-50
V, nfr
Osborne, Sarah (Warren) Prince c.1643-92 Salem, MA
1692
DP
Osgood, Mary (Clement) c.1637- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Paine, Elizabeth (Carrington) c.1636-1711 Malden, MA
1692
I, nfr
Palmer, Katherine (___) c.1620 Wethersfield, CT
1660, 72
A, SS, F
Parker, Alice (___) d. 1692 Salem, MA
1692
H
Parker, Sarah (unmd.) 1670- Andover, MA
1692
I
Parker, Mary (Ayer) c.1637-92 Andover, MA
1692
H
Parsons, Mary (Lewis) c.1615-c.51 Springfield, MA
1651
NG
Parsons, Hugh c.1625 Springfield, MA
1651
V, NG
Parsons, Mary (Bliss) 1625/8-1712 Northampton, MA
1656, 74
SS, NG
Parsons, John 1650- Northampton, MA
1674
A
Passanauton, Samuel[Indian] unk. unknown, MA
1692
I, nfr
Pease, Sarah (___)[Mrs. Robert] unk. Salem, MA
1692
I, nfr
Penny, Joanna (___) Brabrook c.1620- Gloucester, MA
1692
I, R
Perkins, Elizabeth (Wooten?) c.1615-90? Gloucester, MA
1653
SS
Post, Hannah 1666- Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Post, Susannah 1661- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Post, Mary 1664- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Powell, Caleb c.1640s- Newbury, MA
1679
NG
Prince, Margaret (___) c.1630-1706 Gloucester, MA
1692
I, nfr
Proctor, William 1675- Salem, MA
1692
C
Proctor, John c.1632-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Proctor, Sarah (child) 1677- Salem, MA
1692
I, R
Proctor, Benjamin 1659- Salem, MA
1692
I
Proctor, Elizabeth (Bassett) c.1651- Salem, MA
1692
V, C
Prout, Katherine unk. Charles, MD
1702
A, C, SS
Pudeator, Ann (Poindexter )G. c.1620-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Randall, Mary unk. Northampton, MA
1691
I
Read, Margaret unk. Ipswich, MA
1680
C (dismissed)
Reed, Wilmot (___) c.1638-92 Marblehead, MA
1692
H
Rice, Sarah (___) Davis c.1631- Reading, MA
1692
I, nfr
Richardson, Elizabeth d. 1658 at sea, MD
1658
H, at sea
Richardson, Martha unk. Albemarle, NC
c.1703
A, C
Robinson, Mrs. unk. Norfolk, VA
1659
not tried, SS
Roots, Susanna (___) c.1620- Beverly, MA
1692
I, nfr
Rowe, Abigail (child) c.1677- Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Rowe, Mary (Prince) 1658-1723 Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Sadie, John, Jr. c.1679-1702 Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Salter, Henry c.1628- Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Sanford, Andrew unk. Hartford, CT
1662
NG
Sanford, Mary (___) d.1662 Hartford, CT
1662
X
Scargen, Elizabeth (___) c.1665- Beverly, MA
1692
I
Scargen, child d. 1692 Beverly, MA
1692
I, DP
Scott, Margaret (Stevenson) c.1621-92 Rowley, MA
1692
H
Seager, Elizabeth (Moody?) c.1600- Hartford, CT
1663, 65
I, V, C
Sears, Ann (___) Farrar c.1621- Woburn, MA
1692
I, R
Sewell, Bessie (___) [Mrs. Thomas] unk. Springfield, MA
1651
A
Sherwood, Grace (___) Mrs. James 1660-1740 Princess Anne, VA
1697-8, 05
A, SS, I, C, R
Somers, Henry unk Middlesex Co MA
1692
A
Somes, Abigail (___) 1655- Gloucester, MA
1692
I, C
Sparks, Martha (Barrett) c.1665- ChelMs.ford, MA
1692
I, R
Spencer, Sarah unk. Colchester, CT
1724
A, C, SS
Staples, Mary (___) c.1620-96 Fairfield, CT
1654, 92
C, SS
Stephens, Alice (___) unk. VA
1668
A, nfr
Stevens, Ephraim 1648- Andover, MA?
1692
A, F
Stratton, Alice (___) [Mrs. Samuel] 1600/10-52? Watertown, MA
1650, 52
A, SS
Taylor, Mary (Harrington) c.1652- Reading, MA
1692
I, R, NG
[Thatcher], slave of Mrs. unk. Boston, MA
1692
I, nfr
Tituba (slave) c.1665-. Salem, MA
1692
C, sold slave
Tookey, Job c.1665- Beverly, MA
1692
I, NG
Toothaker, Roger, Dr. c.1634-92 Billerica, MA
1692
DP
Toothaker, Mary or Jerson (Allen) c.1645-95 Billerica, MA
1692
I, NG
Toothaker, Margaret (child) 1683- Billerica, MA
1692
I, R
Towle, Isabella (___) [Mrs. Phillip] c.1632- Hampton, NH
1680
NG
Trevally, Hannah (Horton) Hildreth 1631-98 Southampton, NY
1683
SS
Tyler, Mary (Lovett) c.1652- Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Tyler, Hannah (child) 1678- Andover, MA
1692
I, NG
Tyler, Joanna (child) 1681- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Tyler, Martha (child) 1681- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Varleth, Judith (unmd.) c.1645-1711 Hartford, CT
1662
I, NG
Vinson, Sarah (___) [Mrs. William] c.1620-1661 Gloucester, MA
1653
SS
Vinson, Rachel (Varney) Cooke c.1631-1707 Gloucester, MA
1692
I
Violl, Virtue (unmd.) unk. Talbott, MD
1712
NG
Wakeley, James c.1610s-90s Hartford, CT
1662-3, 65
A, F
Walford, Jane (___) c.1610s- Portsmouth, (NH)
1656, 69
I, C, SS
Wardwell, Sarah (Hooper) Hawkes 1650- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, NG
Wardwell, Mercy (unmd.) 1673-1754 Andover, MA
1692
I, R
Wardwell, Samuel 1643-1692 Andover, MA
1692
H
Warren, Mary (unmd.) 1672- Salem, MA
1692
I, R afflicted
Watkins, Mary [slave] unk. Salem, MA
1692
I, sold as slave
Webster, Mary (Reeve) c.1630s-96 Hadley, MA
1683, 85
NG, SS
Wells, Thomas unk. Ipswich, MA
1668
A
Whittredge, Mary (Buckley) c.1664- Salem, MA
1692
I, C
Wildes, Sarah (Averill) c.1627-92 Topsfield, MA
1692
H
Wilford, Ruth (child) 1672-1708 Haverhill, MA
1692
I
Willard, John c.1662-92 Salem, MA
1692
H
Williams, Robert unk. Hadley, MA
1669
NG
Wilson, Sarah, Jr. (child) 1678- Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Wilson, Sarah (Lord) c.1648-1727 Andover, MA
1692
I, R, C
Wingborough, Barbara unk. VA
1657
C, nfr
Wooland, Edward unk. Essex, Co., MA
1692
I
Wright, Joan (___) [Mrs. Robert] c.1590- Surry, VA
1626
A, C
Young, Alice (___) [Mrs. Henry] d.1647 Windsor, CT
1647
H

Sources

Hundreds of books and articles have been written about witchcraft in early America, but a few have been particularly helpful in compiling this list, as they provide summary biographical information and/or reasonably thorough lists of the accused witches covered. Treatment of witches in the literature tends to divide into two parts:The Salem era (1692) is the most popular in literature and has the most accusations. Witchcraft prior to Salem is generally covered separately, and occurred throughout southern New England, with a couple of cases in what is now New York (but then in towns under Connecticut’s influence). Limited court action was taken in states further south.

Salem Era

Among the most useful are two primarily biographical books that help connect the various family members involved in what the author sees as a conspiracy against certain elements in the towns. Enders A. Robinson’s The Devil Discovered: Salem Witchcraft 1692 (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1991) treats what he considers the first, or Salem, phase of the conspiracy, covering about half the accused witches. The same author’s Salem Witchcraft and Hawthorne’s House of Seven Gables (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1992) covers the second, or Andover phase, when accusations moved out of Salem.

The social aspects of the Salem era are well treated by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum in Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1972). The actual papers of the trials were edited, introduced, and indexed by the same authors in The Salem Witchcraft Papers, 3 vols. (New York: Da Capo Press, 1977) Before Salem Despite its age, the best treatment of the Connecticut side of witchcraft still seems to be John M. Taylor’s the Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, 1647-1697 (1908 reprint, Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1989). A more comprehensive treatment of this era is the classic work by John Putnam Demos, Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England (New York: Oxford University Press, 1982). A slightly more recent volume is David D. Hall’s Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth-Century New England (Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1991).

Outside of New England and New York

About 30 cases of witchcraft were prosecuted, to some extent, in the colonies south of New York. One lady was hung in Maryland, while three perished on ships en route to Virginia or Maryland. Much less research has been done of these various cases, and the accused are generally less well identified. Journal articles seem to be the best source, including: Davis, Richard Beale “The Devil in Virginia in the Seventeenth Century” Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 65 (1957) 131-49. and Parke, Frances Neal “Witchcraft in Maryland” Maryland Historical Magazine 31:4 (Dec. 1936) p. 271-298. Additional documentation on the Maryland cases can be found in the various volumes of the published Maryland Archives.

Additional useful information is in Drake, Frederick C. “Witchcraft in the American Colonies” American Quarterly 20 (1968) 694-725, as well as “How North Carolina Juries Dealt with Charges of Witchcraft.” North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register 2 (April 1901): 56-59, 68-69 and Schaeffer, Paul N. “Pennsylvania’s Witchcraft Trial” Historical Review of Berks County 29 (Autumn 1964): 125-128.

There are a few web sites on the Internet with information on witches, but they are incomplete and/or often derived from these and older works. Many include persons who appear on older lists now understood to be erroneous. However, much information about some individuals on this list can be found on the web, with the help of the more complete identification given here. People who actually died as a result of their accusation typically have more biographical information, as they have been the subjects of more research.

Views: 1715

Replies to This Discussion

Misidentified, Unconfirmed, and “Phantom” Witches

The following people appear on various lists of Colonial American witches, but a closer review of current literature suggests that there is no proof that formal charges were ever filed against them. Some were involved in the Salem witchcraft delusion as afflicted girls, spouses, or even among the leadership, but their names have ended up on some lists as witches. Others are clearly mistaken versions of the names of persons who were accused and tried as witches. A few can simply not be confirmed in any documented list.

Name Location
Date
Status
Abbott, Mr. Billerica, MA
1692
unknown, probably Arthur Abbott of Topsfield
Abbott, Nehemiah Andover, MA
1692
was described by afflicted girls, confused with son Jr.
Andrews, Mr. Billerica, MA
1692
unknown, unless he is Daniel Andrew of Salem
Baker, Mrs. Ebenezer Andover, MA
1692
is Abigail (Wheeler) Barker, wife of Ebenezer Barker
Barry, William Andover, MA
1692
unknown on any confirmed list
Bassett, Mary Lynn, MA
1692
mistake for Sarah Bassett
Bibber, Sarah Wenham, MA
1692
an afflicted adult, never accused
Buckley, Sarah, Jr. Salem, MA
1692
probably confused with her mother, Sarah, or sister Mary
Buxton, John Salem, MA
1692
was part of the leadership, never accused
Carey, Nathaniel Charlestown, MA
1692
husband of Elizabeth, attended trial, never accused
Carter, Paul Accomack, VA
1679?
convicted of murder, not witchcraft
Cave, Sarah Andover, MA
1692
mistake for Sarah Carrier, or 1673 daughter of Thomas
Coffin, Sarah Salem, MA
1692
apparent typo for Mary Coffin (below)
Coffin, Mary Gloucester, MA
1692
unconfirmed, surname never connected to witches
Dane, Mrs. Nathan Andover, MA
1692
apparently same as Deliverance, wife of Nathan Dane
Davis, Sarah Wenham, MA
1692
constable fetched her to Salem, never accused
Derrick, Mary Lynn, MA
1692
same as Mary de Rich
Derrill, Mary Lynn, MA
1692
probably same as Mary de Rich
Desborough, Nicholas Hartford, CT,
1683
suspicion set by Cotton Mather, no formal action
Dyer, Mary MA
1669
her miscarriage ascribed to Devil, never accused
Eames, Robert Boxford, MA
1692
husband of Rebecca, never accused
Good, Dorothy Salem, MA
1692
mistake for Dorcas Good
Grade, Katherine Jamestown, VA
1658
same as Katherine Grady in 1654 (hung at sea)
Grant, Matthew Windsor, CT
1649
his diary records early Conn. trials, never accused
Harrington, Andover, MA
1692
unknown, not further identified,
Hatfield, Rachel Ipswich, MA
1692
same as Rachel (Haffield) Clinton, divorced wife
Hogg, Jane MA
1657
unconfirmed
How(e), James Topsfield, MA
1692
mentioned in depositions against his wife, never accused
Hubbard, Elizabeth Salem, MA
1692
afflicted girl, age 17, never accused
Jacobs, Martha Salem, MA
1692
mistake for Margaret, or Mary, wife of George
Laundry, John Andover, MA
1692
unknown, name not in any historical documents
Lee, John Andover, MA
1692
mentioned in Eliz. Fuller’s deposition, never accused
Lewis, Mercy Salem, MA
1692
afflicted girl, age 17, never accused
Morey, Sarah Beverly, MA
1692
mistaken name, really Sarah Morrell (also Merrill)
Osborne, Mary Andover, MA
1692
probably never existed, likely mistake for Mary Osgood
Pope, Anne MA
1657
unconfirmed
Post, Sarah Andover, MA
1692
probably never existed, likely mistake for Susannah Post
Prince, Mary or Martha Gloucester, MA
1692
same as Mary (Prince) Rowe
Riels, Mary de Salem, MA
1692
mistake for Mary de Rich
Riste, Sarah Beverly, MA
1692
same as Sarah Rice of Reading
Sawdy, John Andover, MA
1692
same as John Sadie, Jr.
Sheldon, Susannah Salem, MA
1692
afflicted girl, age 18
Toothaker, Jason Billerica, MA
1692
really Jerson, who was same as Mary Toothaker
Usher, Hezekiah unknown, MA
1692
apparently accused late, never arrested, maybe fled
Wardwell, Mary Andover, MA
1692
mistake for Mercy Wardwell
Warren, Sarah Andover, MA
1692
mistake for Sarah (Warren) Prince Osborne
White, Mrs. Salem, MA
1692
unknown unless mistake for Mrs. Sarah Wildes
Williams, Abigail Salem, MA
1692
afflicted girl, age 11
Wright, Mary LI, N Eng
1660
acquitted, convicted of being Quaker & banished

About 30 of these names trace back to an undocumented list in the 1959 Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology (Rossell Hope Robbins, New York: Bonanza Books, reprinted 1981), which clearly shows very poor scholarship and uncritical evaluation of names (and spellings). Many do not appear in any of the more recent, scholarly and well-sourced references, and the others appear under a more accepted spelling, as noted above.

At the end of the Salem/Andover delusion, some of the “afflicted girls” began naming large numbers of prominent persons, including the wife of one of the ministers leading the trials against the “witches.” Another was a close relative of the colonial governor. This left the girls with no credibility, and such persons, although named by the girls, were never formally accused and should never appear on a list of witches.

RSS

Birthdays

Important (read & understand)

How to Contact us:Preferred Contact point

Skype: Travelingraggyman

 

Email and Instant Messenger:

TravelerinBDFSM @ aol/aim;  hotmail; identi.ca; live & yahoo

OR

Travelingraggyman @ gmail and icq ***

***

Find us on Google+

Please vote for Our Site. You can vote once a day. Thank you for your support. just click on the badge below
Photobucket

OUR MOST RECENT  AWARD


1AWARD UPDATES & INFORMATION
10,000 votes - Platinum Award
5,000 votes - Gold Award
2,500 votes - Silver Award
1,000 votes - Bronze Award
300 votes - Pewter Award
100 votes - Copper Award


Member of the Associated  Posting System {APS}

This allows members on various sites to share information between sites and by providing a by line with the original source it credits the author with the creation.

Legal Disclaimer

***************We here at Traveling within the World are not responsible for anything posted by individual members. While the actions of one member do not reflect the intentions of the entire social network or the Network Creator, we do ask that you use good judgment when posting. If something is considered to be inappropriate it will be removed

 

This site is strictly an artist operational fan publication, no copyright infringement intended

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries had its humble beginnings as an idea of a few artisans and craftsmen who enjoy performing with live steel fighting. As well as a patchwork quilt tent canvas. Most had prior military experience hence the name.

 

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries.

 

Vendertainers that brought many things to a show and are know for helping out where ever they can.

As well as being a place where the older hand made items could be found made by them and enjoyed by all.

We expanded over the years to become well known at what we do. Now we represent over 100 artisans and craftsman that are well known in their venues and some just starting out. Some of their works have been premiered in TV, stage and movies on a regular basis.

Specializing in Medieval, Goth , Stage Film, BDFSM and Practitioner.

Patchwork Merchant Mercenaries a Dept of, Ask For IT was started by artists and former military veterans, and sword fighters, representing over 100 artisans, one who made his living traveling from fair to festival vending medieval wares. The majority of his customers are re-enactors, SCAdians and the like, looking to build their kit with period clothing, feast gear, adornments, etc.

Likewise, it is typical for these history-lovers to peruse the tent (aka mobile store front) and, upon finding something that pleases the eye, ask "Is this period?"

A deceitful query!! This is not a yes or no question. One must have a damn good understanding of European history (at least) from the fall of Rome to the mid-1600's to properly answer. Taking into account, also, the culture in which the querent is dressed is vitally important. You see, though it may be well within medieval period, it would be strange to see a Viking wearing a Caftan...or is it?

After a festival's time of answering weighty questions such as these, I'd sleep like a log! Only a mad man could possibly remember the place and time for each piece of kitchen ware, weaponry, cloth, and chain within a span of 1,000 years!! Surely there must be an easier way, a place where he could post all this knowledge...

Traveling Within The World is meant to be such a place. A place for all of these artists to keep in touch and directly interact with their fellow geeks and re-enactment hobbyists, their clientele.

© 2024   Created by Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service