This document reverses the convictions of those listed below for the crime of witchcraft. Of course, for some the reversal came too late -- they had been hanged, died while in the Salem goal, or perished in the years following their release. For others victimized by the Salem crisis it was a sort of redemption and exoneration, and a reparation as well because the bill authorized compensation. Consider what the document actually says. While authorities and inhabitants express regret and embarrassment about the events in Salem and its surrounding communities, do they question the devil's presence in Massachusetts in 1692, or more generally in their world? Who do authorities blame? And why did they take this step of reversal now? How did authorities use this document to insulate themselves from liability? How might we account for the differences in compensation among victims? Some accused and convicted "witches" are not mentioned or compensated. Bridget Bishop of Salem Village, Susanna Martin of Amesbury, Alice Parker of Salem Town, Ann Pudeator of Salem Town, Wilmott Reed of Marblehead, and Margaret Scott, for example, were all convicted and executed, yet they do not appear here. Can you speculate why?
Province of the Massachusetts Bay: Anno Regni Anna Reginae Decimo. An Act to reverse the attainders of George Burroughs and others for Witchcraft
Forasmuch as in the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundred ninety two several Towns within this Province were Infested with a horrible Witchcraft or possession of devils: And at a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer holden at Salem in the County of Essex in the same year 1692. George Burroughs of Wells, John Proctor, George Jacobs, John Willard, Giles Cory, and Martha his wife, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Good all of Salem aforesaid Elizabeth How of Ipswich, Mary Eastey, Sarah Wildes and Abigail Hobbs all of Topsfield, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Martha Carrier, Abigail Faulkner, Anne Foster, Rebecca Eames, Mary Post and Mary Lacey all of Andover, Mary Bradbury of Salisbury, and Dorcas Hoar of Beverly Were severally Indicted convicted and attainted of Witchcraft, and some of them put to death. others lying still under the like sentence of the said Court, and liable to have the same Executed upon them.
The Influence and Energy of the Evil Spirits so great at that time acting in and upon those who were the principal accusers and Witnesses proceeding so far as to cause a Prosecution to be had of persons of known and good reputation, which caused a great dissatisfaction and a stop to be put thereunto until their Majesties' pleasure should be known therein: And upon a Representation thereof accordingly made her late Majesty Queen Mary the second of blessed memory by Her Royal Letter given at her Court at Whitehall the fifteenth of April 1693. was Graciously pleased to approve the care and Circumspection therein; and to Will and require that in all proceedings against persons accused for Witchcraft, or being possessed by the devil, the greatest Moderation and all due Circumspection be used, so far as the same may be without Impediment to the Ordinary course of justice.
And some of the principal Accusers and Witnesses in those dark and severe prosecutions have since discovered themselves to be persons of profligate and vicious conversation.
Upon the humble Petition and suit of several of the said persons and of the children of others of them whose Parents were Executed. Be it Declared and Enacted by his Excellency the Governor Council and Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same That the several convictions judgments and Attainders against the said George Burroughs, John Proctor, George Jacobs, John Willard, Giles Cory and Martha Cory, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Elizabeth How, Mary Eastey, Sarah Wildes, Abigail Hobbs, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Martha Carrier, Abigail Faulkner, Anne Foster, Rebecca Eames, Mary Post, Mary Lacey, Mary Bradbury, and Dorcas Hoar, and every of them Be and hereby are reversed made and declared to be null and void to all Intents, Constructions and purposes whatsoever, as if no such convictions judgments, or Attainders had ever been had or given. And that no penalties or Forfeitures of Goods or Chattels be by the said Judgments and attainders or either of them had or Incurred. Any Law Usage or Custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And that no Sheriff, Constable jailer or other officer shall be Liable to any prosecution in the Law for anything they then Legally did in the Execution of their respective offices.
Made and passed by the Great and General Court or Assembly of Her Majesty's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England held at Boston the 17th day of October, 1711.
Order of Compensation.
By his Excellency the Governor
Whereas the General Assembly in their last session accepted the report of their committee appointed to consider of the Damages sustained by Sundry persons prosecuted for witchcraft in the year 1692 Viz
|
£ |
S. |
d. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
To Elizabeth How |
12 |
0 |
0 |
John Proctor and wife |
150 |
0 |
0 |
|
George Jacobs |
79 |
0 |
0 |
Sarah Wildes |
14 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mary Eastey |
20 |
0 |
0 |
Mary Bradbury |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mary Parker |
8 |
0 |
0 |
Abigail Faulkner |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
George Burroughs |
50 |
0 |
0 |
Abigail Hobbs |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Giles Cory & wife |
21 |
0 |
0 |
Anne Foster |
6 |
10 |
0 |
|
Rebecca Nurse |
25 |
0 |
0 |
Rebecca Eames |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Willard |
20 |
0 |
0 |
Dorcas Hoar |
21 |
17 |
0 |
|
Sarah Good |
30 |
0 |
0 |
Mary Post |
8 |
14 |
0 |
|
Martha Carrier |
7 |
6 |
0 |
Mary Lacey |
8 |
10 |
0 |
|
Samuel Wardwell & wife |
36 |
15 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
309 |
1 |
0 |
|
269 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
578 |
12 |
0 |
The whole amounting unto Five hundred seventy eight pounds and Twelve shillings.