Mercy Lewis later moved to Salem Village from Maine, joining many other refugees, and became a servant with the Putnams of Salem Village. El. George Burroughs was one of the first ministers to step into the Salem Village Church. Short of stature, muscular, dark-complexioned, he was highly attractive to women, as is shown by his winning the hand of a rich widow as his second wife when he was a mere village minister. When they ran into Burroughs again, he chided his wife for what she had said privately to her brother. Mary Warren, ( Essex Institute Collection, no. In September, 1681, Mr. Burroughs wife died, and he had to run in debt for her funeral expenses. At his entry into the Room, many (if not George Burroughs and the Salem Witch Trials." 095: Sarah Osborne Died in Prison, May 10, 1692, SWP No. 114: Wilmott Reed Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. He along with George Jacobs, John Proctor, John Willard, and Martha Carrier were brought to the execution site. Aprel.30'th 1692 However, the relationship with Salem would be tumultuous due to the town often not paying his wages. the Bewitched being present. 013: Bridget Bishop Executed, June 10, 1692, SWP No. Mary Walcott {testimony going to be read Death records are primary resources for details about the death, since they were typically created relatively near the time of the death. Mathers son, Reverend Cotton Mather, later wrote an account of Burroughss case for his book, The Wonders of the Invisible World. On May 3, 1683, Burroughs visited Salem Village to meet with the village committee in order to settle his accounts. Because the executions took place during a heat wave, the bodies had to be buried immediately in a shallow grave at the execution site to prevent them from rotting. The Witchcraft Trials in Salem: An Account - Famous Trials Thus in haste I commit you to Providence of our Lord God and desire Your prayers also for us. he said) in full communion at Roxbury. The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts. Humbly craving continually your prayers and help in this distressed case, so praying almighty God continually to prepare you, that you may be a terror to evil-doers and a praise to them that do well, we remain yours to serve in what we are able. Vol. ), The deposistion of Ann putnam who testifieth and saith that on the 5'th of may 1692 at evening I saw the apperishtion of Mr George Burroughs who greviously tortored me and urged me to writ in his book which I refused then he tould me that his Two first wives would appeare to me presently and tell me a grat many lyes but I should not beleve them:then immediatly appeared to me the forme of Two women in winding sheats and napkins about their heads: att which I was gratly affrighted: and they turned their faces towards Mr. Burroughs and looked very red and angury and tould him that he had been a cruell man to them.and that their blood did crie for vengance against him: and also tould him that they should be cloathed with white Robes in heaven, when he should be cast into hell: and immediatly he vanished away: and as soon as he was gon the Two women turned their faces towards me and looked as pail as a white wall: and tould me that they ware mr Burroughs Two first wives and that he had murthered them: and one tould me that she was his first wife and he stabed hir under the left Arme and put a peace of sealing wax on the wound and she pulled aside the winding sheat and shewed me the place and also tould me that she was in the house Mr parish now lives w'n it was don, and the other tould me that Mr Burrough and that wife which he hath now kiled hir in the vessell as she was coming to se hir friends because they would have one another: and they both charged me that I should tell these things to the Magestraits before Mr Burroughs face and if he did not own them they did not know but that they should appere their: thes morning also Mis Lawson and hir daughter Ann appeared to me whom I knew: and tould me that Mr Burroughs murthered them: this morning also appeared to me another woman in a winding sheat and tould me that she was goodman fullers first wife and Mr Burroughs kiled hir because there was sum differance between hir husband and him: also on the 9'th may dureing the time of his ex- amination he did most greviously torment and afflect Mary Walcott mercy lewes Eliz Hubburd and Abigail williams by pinching prick'g and choaking them George Burroughs Genealogy - Death Records | Ancestry Thomas Putnam, ( Charles W. Upham, Salem Witchcraft, Boston, 1867, II, 139-140. I did afterwards forbeare #[The same Evening after these words being alone in one Roome of my house and noe candle or light being in the s'd Roome] the same afternoone I haveing Occation to be at the s'd Beadles house and [being] in the Chamber where mr George Burroughs Keept I observed that s'd Burroughs did steadfastly fix [his] eys upon mee, the same Evening being in my own house, in a Roome without any Light I did see very strange things appeare in the Chimney. John Dunton, 1692.Baker, Emerson W. A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience. knew, Abig: Hobbs Thank you for the research. Over the course of the following decade, the residents of Salem had come to the realization that the witch trials had been a mistake and that innocent people may have been executed. His failure to baptize his children or to attend communion and the secrecy he seemed to keep did not look well on him. On the 11th of this instant we heard of many killed of our neighbors in falmouth or Casco-Bay: and on the 12th instant Mr. Joslin sent me a brief letter written from under the hands of Mr. Burras [sic] the minister. Although the jury had found no witches' marks on his body, he was nonetheless convicted of witchcraft and a conspiracy with the devil. Due to the significance of Burroughss trial, a large crowd gathered at the courthouse to witness the event. George Burroughs #[case] No (1) George Burroughs, ( Witchcraft Papers, no. 2, no. One eye witness to the execution, Robert Calef, described the event in his book More Wonders of the Invisible World: Mr. Jonath: Corwin. Burroughs, ( Witchcraft Papers 7b, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA. made Oath to the latter part.of this paper Your research is so interesting and I appreciate all your hard work. The death of George Floyd, which triggered widespread protests across the US, has been declared a homicide in an official post-mortem examination. George Burroughs and the Salem Witch Trials." After the Trials 2, no. Salem Village , this 21'st of April, 1692 Much honored: attest *Step. The Baxter Manuscripts, Volume 5 ed by James Phinney Baxter. Peabody Essex Museum, Phillips Library, Salem, MA.). *Thomas putnam Providence, but he understood nothing of it 137: John Willard Executed August 19, 1692, SWP No. When it was finally over and Burroughs still remained in their custody, the lawmen took it as a sign that the Devil had unsuccessfully tried to free Burroughs. and seemed to have a Motion upward upon Which I called the Mayd, and she looking up into the Chimney saw the same, and my wife looking up could not see any thing, soe I did and doe #[very Certainly] [Concider] it was some diabolicall apperition, Mr. Elizer. ), Mary Webber wid aged aboute 53 years Testifieth and sayth that she liveing at Casco Bay aboute six or seaven years agoe, when George Burroughs was Minester at s'd place, and liveing anner -- Neighbour to s'd Burroughs , was well acquainted with his wife w'ch was dauter to mr John Ruck of Salem she hath heard her tell much of her husband unkindness to her and that she dare not wright to her father to acquaint [him] how it was with her, and soe desired mee to wright to her father that he would be pleased to send for her and told mee she had beene much affrighted, and that something in the night made anoise in the chamber where she lay as if one Went aboute the Chamber, and she calling up the negro. I, Wiggin and Lunt, 1867.Roach, Marilynne K. The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege. George Floyd death homicide, official post-mortem declares He was the only minister to have experienced this fate in American history. On August 5, George Burroughs was indicted by a grand jury; then a trial jury found him and five others guilty of witchcraft. & he told me his name was borrous, Then he tooke a booke out of his pocket: & opened it.& bid me set my hand to it I tould him I would not: the lines in this book was read as blod; then he pinched me twise & went away: The next morn- ing.he apeared to me againe.and tould me he was above a wizard; for he was a conjurar and so went away but sins that he hath apeared to me every day & night very often and urged me very much to set my hand to his book: and to run a way telling me if I would do so I should be well & that I should need feare no body: & withall tor- mented me severall ways every time he Came exept that time he told me he was a conjuror: This night he asked me very much to set my hand to his book or else he sayed he would kill me; withall tortoring me very much by biting and pinching squesing my body and runing pins into me also on the: 9'th may 1692 being the time of his examination mr George Burroughs or his Apperance did most greviously afflect and torment the bodyes of Mary Walcott mercy lewes Ann putnam and Abigail williams for if he did but look upon them he would strick them down or almost choak them to death also severall times sence he has most dreadfully afflected and tormented me with variety of torments and I beleve in my heart that mr George Burroughs is a dreadfull wizzard and that he has often tormented me and also the above named parsons by his acts of wicthcraft Jurat in Curia, Eliz Hubbard.declared:the above written evedence:to be the truth: upon her oath:that she had taken.this she owned before the Jury of inquest: Aug'st 3 1692, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. Co-Founder of The Walt Disney Company. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Burroughs&oldid=1141394101. Despite not living in Salem for many years prior to the Salem Witch Trials, Burroughs was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to hang. In 1711,thelegislatureof the Province of Massachusetts Bayrestored all rights to those who had been accused in the 1692 witch trials. On August 19, Burroughs was taken to Gallows Hill to be executed. James Duncan Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA. ), Samuel Webber aged about 36 years Testifieth and sayth that aboute seaven or eight Yeares agoe I Lived at Casco Bay and George Burroughs was then Minester there, and haveing heard much of the great strength of him s'd Burroughs ; he Coming to our house wee ware in discourse about the same and he then told mee that he had put his fingers into the Bung of a Barrell of Malasses and lifted it up, and carryed it Round him and sett it downe againe. to death, but hee would choake me that my vittals should doe me but litl good then he told mee his name was borros which had preached at the vliage the last night hee Came to mee and asked mee whether i would goe to the village to morrow to witnes against him i asked him if hee was exsamened then hee told hee was then i told him i would goe then hee told mee hee would kil mee beefoar morning then hee apeared to mee at the hous of nathanniel ingolson and told mee hee had been the death of three children at the eastward and had kiled two of his wifes the first hee smouthered and the second he choaked and killed tow of his own children, (Reverse) Susannah Shelden against G. Burroughs, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. ThoughtCo. his approbation of her letter to her Father: [11] The gun said to have been used at his trial was for a time located at Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, Maine, having been taken there in 1808 for display in the Academy museum, but is believed to have since been destroyed in the Academy fire of 1850. [en] Vital records: George Burroughs at +Archives . 038: Martha Corey Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. I am a member of Colonial Clergy, Flagon and Trencher, Associated Daughters of Early American Witches and the Descendants of Brian Boru though Georges ancestors. This memorial website was created in memory of George Burroughs, 38, born on January 17, 1915 and passed away on April 0, 1953. to come to her the negro not Comeing sayd that she could not Come some thing stopt her, then her husband being called he came up. George Burrows. And her daughter Mary affirmed that Mr. George Burroughs was at the witch meetings and witch sacraments, and that she knows Mr. Burroughs to be of the company of witches. 129: Roger Toothaker Died in Prison, June 16, 1692, SWP No. Three years later, on June 22, 2008, George once again experienced heart failure and passed away at . 2, no. Tho Greenslitt: aged about forty years being deposed Testifieth yt about the first breaking out of the [letters crossed out] last Indian warre [word crossed out] being att the house of Captn Joshua Scotts at Black point. For a puritan minister, the fact that he couldnt remember the last time he took communion and that only some of his children were baptized did not reflect well on him. He was bid to look upon sus: sheldon. This caused many in the audience to second guess his guilt. Executed for Witchcraft, Salem 1692. Elis: Hubbard {& they all fell into fits Who was George Carlin and what was his cause of death? George H Burroughs of Flint, Genesee County, Michigan was born on February 28, 1914. Yet he owned there were Toads. Greenwood Press, 2008.Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University. Couple of interesting notes. ), Wee whoes names are under written having r'ceived an order from the sreife for to search the bodyes of George Burroughs and George Jacobs . Wickedly and felloniously, hath used -- Practised and Exercised at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd in, upon.and ag't one Mercy Lewis of Salem Villiage in the County of Essex in New England -- by which wicked Arts the said Mercy Lewis -- the Ninth Day of May -- in the fourth Year afores'd and Divers other Dayes and times as well before as after was and is Tortured afflicted Pine Consumed Wasted and Tormented: ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King.and Queen, and ag't the forme of the Statute in that case made and Provided/. ( Wm Wormall v. Geo. 10 men 6 women and 16 children. 29. The judges also asked Burroughs when he last took communion, which he couldnt remember, and asked how many of his children were baptized, which he answered only the eldest was, and asked if it was true that he refused to let his second wife, Sarah Ruck Hathorne, write to her father without letting him see the letter first, which he denied. white calf in his house. George Burroughs. all of the Bewitched) were greivously tortured. This article was interesting to me since I am 7th generation from Martha Carrier. One of these witnesses stated that he was persuaded by others not to testify against Burroughs during the time of his trial but he said he later regretted this and decided to come forward after the fact. On Monday afternoon, an independent autopsy ordered by George's family found . Updated: November 13, 2011 . I am also a descendent of George Burroughs. As had happened with his predecessor, the first minister to serve Salem Villages separately from Salem Town, the church would not ordain him and he left in a bitter salary fight, at one point being arrested for debt, though members of the congregation paid his bail. Although the jury had found no witches' marks on his body, he was nonetheless convicted of witchcraft and a conspiracy with the devil . We will remember him forever. He denyed that about the Mallossoes George Burroughs George Burroughs (1917 . Ed. Elizabeth Hubbard Susan Sheldon {affirmed each of them that The next day, Margaret Jacobs was examined, and she implicated George Burroughs. Burroughss trial was held on August 5, 1692. 30 ), The Complaint of Susannah Shelden against mr burroos which brought a book to mee and told mee if i would not set my hand too if hee would tear mee to peesses i told him i would not then hee told mee hee would starve me to death then the next morning he told mee hee could not starve mee. John Bare Jurat. 15. Elisha Hutchinson, a magistrate there, issued the proper order, addressed to John Partridge in Portsmouth, Field-marshal of the provinces of New Hampshire and Maine, dated April 30, 1692, to arrest George Burroughs, preacher at Wells; he being suspected of a confederacy with the devilWhen we consider the distance and the circumstances of travel at that time, it is evident that the officers charged with the service acted with the greatest promptitude, celerity, and energy. Several witnesses testified that they often heard Burroughs bragging about an incident where he lifted a heavy gun with one finger and other incidents where he claimed to have carried heavy barrels of cider by himself, although he always declined to recreate these events. ), Essex ss The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That George Burroughs late of Falmouth w'thin the province of the Mattathusets Bay in New England Clerke -- The Ninth Day of May -- in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of Eng- land Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c Diver other Days and times as well before as after, certaine Detestable Arts called wicthcraft & Sorceries -- wickedly and feloniously hath used Practiced & Exercised at and within the Township of Salem in the County of Essex & aforesaid, in Upon & ag't one Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem in the County of Essex Singlewoman -- by which said wicked Arts the said Elizabeth Hubbard the Ninth Day of May -- in the fourth Year aboves'd and Divers other Days and Times as well before as after.was.and is Tortured afflicted Pined Consumed wasted and Tormented.also for Sundrey other Acts of witchcrafts by Said George Burroughs .Committed and done ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen their Crowne and dignity and ag't the forme of the Statute in that case made & Provided: & Burroughs, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft, vol. 2. Death 19 Aug 1692 (aged 41-42) Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. The act of arresting Burroughs in the distant Wells, Maine required the acting lawmen to be discreet out of fear that Burroughs might be tipped off and escape, according to Upham: It was necessary to be at once cautious and rapid in their movements, to prevent the public from getting information which, by reaching the ears of Burroughs, might put him on his guard. Lawson because she was so unwilling to goe from the village and also killed Mr Lawsons child because he went to the eastward with Sir Edmon and preached soe; to the souldiers and that he had bewicthed a grate many souldiers to death at the eastword, when Sir Edmon was their. then we come into the house of left Ingersoll and I went into the great Roome and abigle come in and said ther he stands I said wher wher and presently draed my rapyer but he emmedetly was gon as she said then said she ther is a gray catt then i said wher abouts doth she stand ther s'd she ther than I struck # [with] with my rapyer then she fell in afitt and when it was over she said you kild hur and immedetly Sary good come and carrid hur away this was about 12 a clock Yours in all humility to serve inWinter Harbor at night } the Lord,the 13 of August, 1676.} BRIAN PENDLETON.. He is remembered especially for reciting the Lord's Prayer during his execution, something it was believed a witch could never do. Burroughs was carried in a cart with the others, through the streets of Salem to execution. According to a recent handwriting analysis by Professor Peter Grund, from the University of Kansas, the afflicted girls testimonies were all written by Thomas Putnam. The next day, Margaret Jacobs recanted her testimony against both Burroughs and her grandfather, George Jacobs, Sr. As with the others executed, he was cast into a common, unmarked grave. Its not clear why Greenlit or the other witness felt compelled to testify against Burroughs long after he had already been tried and executed but it suggests that the community may have begun to doubt Burroughss guilt, particularly after the events of his execution, and Greenlit may have been pressured to testify to provide further proof of this alleged guilt. His first wife was Hannah Fisher; they had nine children. She had not seen him personally before as she This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Vol. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/george-burroughs-3529133. Witnesses George Burroughs was hangedthe same day as were John Proctor, George Jacobs, Sr., John Willard and Martha Carrier. Included were George Burroughs, John Proctor, George Jacob, John Willard, Giles, andMartha Corey,Rebecca Nurse,Sarah Good, Elizabeth How,Mary Easty, Sarah Wilds, Abigail Hobbs, Samuel Wardell, Mary Parker, Martha Carrier, Abigail Faulkner,Anne (Ann) Foster, Rebecca Eames, Mary Post, Mary Lacey, Mary Bradbury, and Dorcas Hoar. 27. It was an odd trait indeed for a man in a profession that required many quiet hours dedicated to studying that Bible, preparing and giving sermons, and tending to the spiritual needs of his flock.. 037: Giles Corey Pressed to Death, September 16, 1692, SWP No. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. 113: Ann Pudeator Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. George Burroughs was hanged at Proctor's Ledge in present-day Salem on August 19, 1692. Rev. ), The depotion of Hannah Harres Aiged twenty seven yeares or thareabouts Testifieth and saith that she Lived at the hous of Georg Burros at falmouth & the above said hannah harres many times hath taken notic that when she hath had anny Discorse with the above said burross wife when the above said burros was from hom that apone has Returne he hath often scolded wife and told her that he knew what they said when he was abroad and further saith that upone a time when his wife had Laine In Not above one weak that he fell out with his wife and kept her by Discorce at the Dore till she fell sicke In the place and grew wors at night so that the above said hannah harres was afraid she would dye and thay called In thare Naibours and the a bove said burroses Daughter told One of the women that was thare the cause of her mothers Ellness and the a bove said burros chid his Daughter for telling and the a bove said burros Came to the a bove said hannah harres and told her If that his wif Did otherwise than well she should not tell of It & the abovsaid hannah harres told him that she would not be confined to anny such thing Burroughss secrecy and his other odd traits later became a theme during his trial and were discussed in great detail in the testimony of his accusers and former associates. Sewall , Cle Burroughs had moved to Wells, Maine, and had been married another two times before the time of the trials. George Burroughs - Salem Witch Trials - ThoughtCo of a Sab: when that sacrament happened to be Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002.Torrey, Clarence Almon. Because the grave was so shallow, Burroughs chin and one of his feet were left uncovered. He gives an acct of 32 killed and carried away by the Indians: himself escaped to an Island, but I hope Black point men have fetched him of by this time. According to the book Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University, it is not known exactly who Burroughs father was: He was thought by Farmer at one time to be the son of John Burroughs, of Salem; but at another, of Jeremiah Burroughs of Scituate. George Burroughs was the only Puritan minister indicted and executed in Salem in 1692. ), The Deposition of Mary Walcott agged about 17 years who testi- fieth and saith that on the later end of April 1692: mr. George Burroughs or his Apperance came to me whom I formerly well knew: and he did Immediatly most greviously torment me by biting pinching and almost choacking me urging me to writ in his book: which I refusing he did -- againe most greviously torment me and tould me if I would but touch his book I should be well but I tould him I would not for all the world and then he threated to kil me and said I should never witnes against him: but he continewed tortering and tempting me tell the 8 may: and then he tould me he would have kiled his first wife and child: when his wife was in travil but he had not the power: but he keept hir in the kithin tell he gave hir hir deaths wound.but he charged me in the name of his God I should not tell of it:but Immediatly there appeared to me mr.Burroughs two first wives in their winding sheets whom I formerly well knew and tould me that mr. Burroughs had murthered them and that their blood did crie for vengance againt him: also on the 9'th may being the day of his ex- amination he did most greviously torment me dureing the time of his examination for if he did but look on me he would strick me down or allmost Choake me: also dureing his examination I saw mr. George Burroughs or his Apperane most greviously torment mercy lewes Eliz Hubb [e] rt Abigail william and Ann putnam and I beleve in my heart that mr. George Burroughs is a dreadful wizzard and That he had often afflected and tormented me and the afore mentioned parsons by his acts of wicthcraft, Mary Walcot declared this writing to be a true evidence: to the Jury