Susannah Shelden's Hands Tied by a Spectral Witch: June 26, 1692

Susannah Shelden's Hands Tied by a Spectral Witch: June 26, 1692

Welcome to Salem Witch Trials Daily for Sunday, June 26, 1692. I'm Josh Hutchinson.This is Sarah Jack. According to Susannah Sheldon's June 28th deposition, today, June 26, 1692, Sarah Good's specter, quote, "most violently pulled down Susannah's head behind a chest and tied her hands together with a wheel band and almost choked her to death." Susannah reports in the deposition that William Batten and Thomas Buffington Jr. had to cut the wheel band off of her hands because they could not untie it. A wheel band is a cord used with a spinning wheel that transfers energy from the foot treadle to twist the fibers into yarn and pull the finished yarn into the bobbin.

Baptist Minister Petitions the Court to Stop Accepting Spectral Evidence: June 25, 1692

Spectral Evidence Challenged: Milborne Arrested, Neighbors Defend Elizabeth HowWe spotlight a pivotal moment in the Salem Witch Trials as Baptist minister William Milborne petitions Governor Phips and the council to question the use of spectral evidence, warning it could condemn the innocent and unleash “a woeful chain of consequences.” Instead of weighing his concerns, the authorities label the petitions “seditious and scandalous,” arrest Milborne, and require him to post 200 pounds bail to face the Superior Court—while accusers post no bond. Our focus then shifts to Ipswich, where Mary and Simon Chapman and Sarah, Daniel, and John Warner offer powerful testimony for Elizabeth How, describing decades of Christian conduct, fairness, penitence, and compassion, including her prayers for those accusing her. Chapters: Petition Against Spectral Evidence (00:00), Phips’ Response and Milborne’s Bail (02:10), Ipswich Witnesses Defend Elizabeth How (04:10).00:00 Daily Introduction00:08 Milborne Petitions01:02 Arrest And Bail01:24 Chapmans Defend How02:11 Warners Support How

In Defense of Accused Witch Elizabeth How: June 24, 1692

June 24, 1692: A Neighbor Defends Elizabeth How as Procter’s Specter Targets Abigail HobbsWe return to Salem Witch Trials Daily for Friday, June 24, 1692, after a quiet June 23 with no recorded events. Our focus shifts to testimony from Deborah Hadley, a seventy-year-old Rowley resident, who says she lived near Elizabeth How for twenty-four years and found her to be a neighborly, conscientious, truthful, and Christian woman in life and behavior. In Salem, darker claims surface from the jail: the specter of accused witch John Procter allegedly harasses Abigail Hobbs, presses her to sign the devil’s book, and tells her she is better off afflicting than being afflicted—and that she will not be hanged. Abigail later testifies that Procter guided her hand to the book, urged her to afflict Ann Putnam Jr., and brought her a poppet and thorn used to harm Ann.00:00 Daily Intro00:06 June 24 Context00:22 Deborah Hadley Testimony00:38 Procter Specter Claims00:58 Devil's Book and Poppet

Stamford-Fairfield Witch Trials: June 22, 1692

Stamford-Fairfield Witch Trials (1692): Skepticism, Petitions, and Split VerdictsWe head from Salem to Connecticut’s Stamford-Fairfield Witch Trials, where the General Court formed a Court of Oyer and Terminer on June 22, 1692, after a panic began in Sergeant Daniel Westcott’s home when his servant Katherine Branch suffered violent fits and reported visions of cats. Instead of rushing to prosecute, neighbors observed her, tried practical tests, and waited about five weeks—until a night of 40 fits ended with her cry of “A witch!” She accused Elizabeth Clawson, Mercy Disborough, Goody Miller, and Mary, Hannah, and Mary Harvey. Clawson drew strong support, including an 80-person petition and a clean body search, while Disborough faced extensive grievances and an examination alleging an “unnatural teat.” Both endured the swimming test, yet the court acquitted Clawson and convicted Disborough, who later received a reprieve after minister Gershom Bulkeley challenged spectral evidence and emphasized the need for corroboration. Westcott ultimately left Stamford for New Jersey.00:00 Connecticut in 169200:28 Katherine Branch Fits00:59 Skepticism and Testing01:36 Accusations Named02:12 Clawson Supported02:38 Disborough Accused03:11 Swimming Test and Verdicts03:43 Reprieve and Aftermath04:31 Closing and Next Episode

Spectral Witch Allegedly Binds Susannah Shelden's Hands with Real String: June 21, 1692

June 21, 1692: Jemima Rea Accuses Sarah Cloyce, Rebecca Nurse, and Faith BlackSalem Witch Trials Daily recounts reports from Tuesday, June 21, 1692, that the shapes of Sarah Cloyce, her sister Rebecca Nurse, and Faith Black assaulted 11-year-old Jemima Rea. A June 29 deposition by Sarah Stevens and Marjorie Pasque describes Jemima’s repeated fits and cries against the three, including claims that Cloyce pricked and pinched her and that Cloyce’s specter said the devil would not suffer her to be a witch any longer and that she had signed the devil’s book after leaving the meetinghouse. Jemima reportedly feared being made to afflict others and asked to have her hands held. Separately, testimony dated June 28 states Susannah Shelden’s hands were tied by Sarah Good’s specter at William Shaw’s home, amid household items being moved to an apple tree. The script clarifies “Goody Black” refers to Faith Black, not Mary Black.00:00 Daily Introduction00:08 Jemima Rea Afflicted00:47 Spectral Confessions01:14 Fits and Restraint01:35 Susannah Shelden Bound02:08 Mysterious House Pranks02:23 Clearing Up Goody Black