Lot 246

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Stephen Sewall, N. Saltonstall, B. Gedney Salem Witchcraft Trial Officials Signed 1687,1693 During Trials

An early Massachusetts document signed by Stephen Sewall, along with numerous other prominent figures, during the lead-up to and during the Salem Witch Trials. The legal document is a single sheet measuring 12.25" x 14.75", Essex County, Massachusetts, originally dated April 12, 1687. It was then later endorsed and signed by Sewall as "Steph: Sewall Regter" on May 30, 1693. The document has also been signed and endorsed by a plenitude of Massachusetts elites, including Nathaniel Saltonstall as Assistant and Justice of the Peace, by Bartholomew Gedney as "one of the Council", John Appleton as Recorder, and John Whipple as a Witness. The document has flattened folds with several holes and separations. The lower right corner is missing. Uneven toning throughout with light foxing and soiling throughout. Uneven edges. There is darker toning around Sewall's signature on verso, but it remains bold. Very good overall, if fragile.

The legal document concerns Benjamin Rolfe of Newbury who, for payment of '106 and 5 shillings from John Wainwright of Ipswich and with the consent of his wife Apphia, surrendered her dowery consisting of certain buildings, uplands, and meadows lying in Newbury. The property contained a dwelling house, two barns with an orchard, as well as thirty acres of plow land, pasture, and meadow ground. In his endorsement, Sewall has docketed the following: "Mr Wainwright acquittance to Benja. Rolfe of ye within mortgage &c' Registered with ye records of Ipswich belonging to sd County in '16.5. folio (602) P[e]r Steph: Sewall Regter."

The last of the Salem witch trials was held in May of 1693, with a total of between 144 and 185 people having been accused of witchcraft. While the true cause of the affliction may never truly be known, popular theories include psychological hysteria in response to Indian attacks, convulsive ergotism caused by eating infected rye bread, and even petty motivations such as jealousy, spite, and a need for attention.

Stephen Sewall (1657-1725) served as the Clerk of Court at the Salem Witch Trials and was brother to Samuel Sewall, who was one of the presiding magistrates at the trials. In this role, he was a witness to the day-to-day proceedings of the trials. As well, when Betty Parris started having fits, claiming to be under the influence of the Devil, Sewall took her into his home to care for her.

Col. Nathaniel Saltonstall (c.?1639-1707) was a judge for the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the special court established in 1692 during the Salem Witch Trials. He and six others were appointed to the court on May 27, 1692, but Saltonstall resigned just two weeks later after the hanging of Bridget Bishop. He had been 'displeased with the handling of the Bishop cas', likely due to the use of spectral evidence and the severity with which some of the magistrates treated the accused. He continued to be 'very much dissatisfied with the proceedings' and remained a critic of the trials until their conclusion.

Bartholomew Gedney (1640-1698) was a merchant, physician, and magistrate during the Salem trials. He was present at several of the examinations and later served as a member of the Court of Oyer and Terminer. At one such trial, he oversaw the examination of his friend, John Alden. Hearing the afflicted girls describe how Alden tormented them, he rebuked his friend, stating that he had "always look'd upon him to be an honest Man, but now he did see cause to alter his judgment." The following year Alden, who had escaped from prison and fled Salem, was declared innocent by proclamation.

Captain John Appleton (1622-1699) was a resident of Ipswich and the older brother of Samuel Appleton (1625-1969), a military and government leader in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He and Samuel were among the leaders in the effort of the townspeople to refuse Royal taxation - known as the 1689 Boston revolt or 'Andros Rebellion', for which they were briefly jailed in Boston. He later served for many years as Deputy to the General Court, Treasurer of Essex County, and as one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of Pleas.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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October 18, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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