The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, 1647-1697 - Softcover

Taylor, John M.

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74 ratings by Goodreads

9781556132568: The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, 1647-1697

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556132565 ISBN 13: 9781556132568

Publisher: Heritage Books, Inc, 2019

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Grand Jury Presentment

May it please yr Honble Court, we the Grand inquest now setting for the County of Fairefeild, being made sensable, not only by Common fame (but by testamonies duly billed to us) that the widow Mary Staple, Mary Harvey ye wife of Josiah Harvey & Hannah Harvey the daughter of the saide Josiah, all of Fairefeild, remain under the susspition of useing witchecraft, which is abomanable both in ye sight of God & man and ought to be witnessed against. we doe therefore (in complyance to our duty, the discharge of our oathes and that trust reposed in us) presente the above mentioned pssons to the Honble Court of Assistants now setting in Fairefeild, that they may be taken in to Custody & proceeded against according to their demerits.

Fairefeild, Fby, 1692 in behalfe of the Grnd Jury JOSEPH BASTARD, foreman

"For one reason or another the facts regarding the witchcraft delusion in old Connecticut have never been fully disclosed. Up to the present time the story has remained hidden in the ancient records and in private manuscripts. From these authoritative sources Mr. Taylor has now compiled a fairly complete history of the episode, to which he has appended a bibliographical note giving a partial list of the authorities and records in witchcraft literature which may be consulted by the reader." -The American Review of Reviews

"A valuable piece of historical investigation. Public and family records have been searched to good purpose and every material fact bearing upon the strangely fascinating subject has been brought to light. It appears that 'Alse Young,' who was hanged at Windsor, May 26, 1647, was the first victim of the delusion in New England. There were other cases scattered from that time to 1768, though none of the nine executions took place after the close of the seventeenth century. Trial documents are reproduced and depositions made by witnesses against the poor women and men who were under accusation are summarized or quoted so fully as to show the character of the crimes alleged. There are several works...on the general subject, but none which gives so thoroughly the Connecticut phase." -The Christian Advocate

"Giving a history of witchcraft as practiced in Connecticut in the seventeenth century. The author states that he has written the story of witchcraft from authoritative sources, and that it should prove of interest and value as a present-day interpretation of that strange delusion which for a half century darkened the lives of the forefathers and foremothers of the colonial days." -The Bookman

"The secrets and mysteries of witchcraft in colonial days in Connecticut are brought to light for the first time in a concise and authoritative manner." -Pasadena Library and Civic Magazine

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About the Author:

John Taylor was an English religious leader who served as the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887.

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