It may explain why a minister such as himself would have been accused of the crime of witchcraft in the first place, according to Baker: George Burroughs was a Harvard-trained minister and a spiritual and community leader, so on the surface he appears to be an unlikely person to be accused. Will Gill sworne 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. On December 17, 1711, the Burroughs family was awarded 50 in restitution. Burroughs denied these accusations, but they were common accusations against him. Updated: November 4, 2011 . What happened to Burroughss body after that day is unknown. 165: List of Eleven Accused Persons and Their Accusers, May 1692, SWP No. and an Indian that comes with her for the flore is all covered with blod.then the said mary and abigaill looked out of dores & said they saw a greet company of them one a hill & there was three of them lay dead the black woman & the indian & one more that they knew not George was born on October 23, 1932, in . *Samuell Webber August 5'th The persons above Named where all every of them sumoned to appeare as above This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 21:13. the Mallossoes. The Baxter Manuscripts, Volume 5 ed by James Phinney Baxter. 2, Charles William Sever, 1881.Hoyt, David Webster. His beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce (nee Magnan), was at his side, as were his adored children and grandchildren: Heather (Rich) Davies son James (Rachael); Jennifer (Peter Balka) and sons . lock & rested it upon his breast #(Robert Morrell ) The idea that the Devil may have infiltrated the church terrified the people of Salem and made Burroughss trial one of the most significant trials in the witch hysteria. George Burroughs proceeded to quote the Lords Prayer perfectly which was believed to be impossible for a witch to do. Jurat in Curia, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft, vol. Essex County Court Records, Vol. 137: John Willard Executed August 19, 1692, SWP No. that we haveing ben conversant with severall of the afflected persons as maryWolcott mercy lewes Eliz: Hubburt and we have seen them most dreadfully tomented and we have seen dreadfull marks in their fleesh which they said Mr. Burroughs did make by hurting them: but on 9th may 1692 : the day of the Examination of Mr. George Burroughs the aforesaid parsons were most dreadfully tormented during the time of his Examination as if they would have been torn all to peaces or all their bones putt out of joynt and with such tortors as no tounge can express also severall times sence we have seen the afforesaid afflected parsons most dreadfully tormented and greviously complaining of Mr. Burroughs for hurting them and we beleve that Mr. George Burroughs the prisoner at the bar has severall times afflected and tormented the afforesaid persons by acts of witchcraft.. #[Robert Morrell] ThoughtCo. ), Elizer Keysar aged aboute fourty five yeares Sayth that on Thursday last past being the fift day of this Instant moneth of May I was at the house of Thomas [Beadles] in salem, and Capt Daniell King being there also, at the same tyme, and in the Same Roome. 2, no. (2021, July 31). Oxford University Press, 2014.Goss, K. David. Ann Putnam In 2019, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia ranked as the 7th leading cause of death. 9, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA. George Burroughs and the Salem Witch Trials." 4. From the beginning, Burroughs was met with conflict. He is remembered especially for reciting the Lord's Prayer during his execution, something it was believed a witch could never do. Rev. putnam aged 40: years and Edward putnam agged 38 years who testifieth and saith. He denyed that his family was affrighted by a He was hanged on 19 August 1692 at Gallows Hill, Salem, Essex . Wheldon, Capt Wormwood testifyed about the Gun & Burroughs remained in Salem Village for two years but when the parishioners stopped paying his salary all together, he decided to leave, according to Emerson W. Baker in his book A Storm of Witchcraft: Burroughss tenure was shorter and more turbulent than Bayleys. Flint, Genesee County, Michigan 48507 . putnam aged 40: years and Edward putnam agged 38 years who testifieth and saith. [12], Execution of Reverend George Burroughs, 1901 drawing, Genealogy of the Burroughs Family, 1894. Capt Putman testifyed that he made his wife Tho Som of us Can Remember of Considerable in the House, besides his Liberary which she Sold and Recd the money for; then Lett it out att Intrest and was afterward Recd by another Husband; and not one farthing bestowed upon any Child but her Own: This being matter of fact we Humbly Leave it with your Honours to Consider wheather of what The Honourable Generall Court allowd &c she have not allredy Recd To much And the Children To Little. He then moved toWells, Maine, believing it would be safer fromIndianattacks. Elis: Hubbard {& they all fell into fits George Robert Burrows, Circa 1867 - 1947 2, No. Rebecca Beatrice Brooks is the author and publisher of the History of Massachusetts Blog. 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. After the examination, Burroughs was indicted on four charges of witchcraft and was brought back to the dungeon at the Salem jail. name it. Nothing therefore was done at the village, but the steps to arrest him originated at Boston. *Joseph Neale We know that George Burroughs had been residing in Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama 35901. Susan Sheldon {affirmed each of them that 2, no. Although they still believed in witches and believed witches may have invaded Salem, they had doubts that so many people could have been guilty of the crime. Upon realizing this, the people of Salem stopped paying his wages to get him to resign. 2, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA. In 1674, Burroughs moved to Falmouth, Maine where he served as the pastor at the Falmouth Congregational Church. Sus: [one line too faint] As Baker suggests, although the issue was quickly settled, the arrest may have left a bad impression on the Salem villagers and may have set Burroughs up for further trouble in the community. He had to borrow money for his wife's funeral. attest *Step. He denyed that about the Mallossoes Elizabeth Hubbard He along with George Jacobs, John Proctor, John Willard, and Martha Carrier were brought to the execution site. Society ), Wm & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland france & Ireland King & queen defend'rs of the faith &ca --, Wee Comand you to Warn & give Notice unto John Pierce and John lane. 172: Petitions to the General Court, with Responses (1696-1725), SWP No. Her fathers name was George Wunder Burroughs and he was a senior official in his Masonic Lodge in Long Beach, Calif. Hi Rebecca! 32 ), The Deposition of Ann putnam: who testifieth and saith that on 20'th of April 1692 :at evening she saw the Apperishtion of a Minister at which she was greviously affrighted and cried out oh dreadfull: dreadfull here is a minister com:what are Ministers wicthes to: whence com you and What is your name for I will complaine of:you tho you be A minister: if you be a wizzard; and Immediatly I was tortored by him being Racked and all most choaked by him: and he tempted me to write in his book which I Refused with loud out cries and said I would not writ in his book tho he tore me al to peaces but tould him that it was a dreadfull thing: that he which was a Minister that should teach children to feare God should com to perswad poor creatures to give their souls to the divill: oh. Stoughton Not surprisingly, he remarried soon. *Stephen Sewall , Cler. Abig: Hobbs in prison affirmed that Geo: Burroughs The Lewis family then moved to Salem, and when Falmouth seemed safe, moved back. On April 8, 1712, Burroughss children filed another petition stating that they had only received four pounds each which we think but a poor recompense, and asked that whatever additional amount that the court would award them be delivered to their brother George Burroughs. Executed for Witchcraft, Salem 1692. August 1974 . Salem August 2'd 1692 Ed. Mercy Lewis was one of the afflicted girls of the Salem Witch Trials and a servant in Thomas Putnam's home.. Lewis, the daughter of Phillip Lewis, was born in Falmouth, Maine in 1675. Wee Comand you all Excuses set apart to be and personaly appear at the present Court of Oyer & Terminer held at Salem there to Testify the truth to the best of your knowledge on certain Indictm'ts Exhibited against mr George Burrough : hereof fail not dated in El. From June through September of 1692, nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill, a barren slope near Salem Village, for hanging. On August 5, George Burroughs was indicted by a grand jury; then a trial jury found him and five others guilty of witchcraft. Susan: Sheldon {& 2 Children did accuse him, The Bewitched were so tortured that Authority Sam Morgan sworne Capt Wm Wormall Sworne to the above & that he Saw him Raise it from the ground, himselfe 7a, Mass. He denyed that his house at Casko was haunted. Updated: November 13, 2011 . This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. An arrest warrant was issued for Burroughs that day in Portsmouth, NH and was ordered to be carried out by Major Elisha Hutchinson and Field Marshal Jonathan Partridge. 2, no. On December 12, Washington was out on horseback supervising farm activities and it began to snow. Burroughs was carried in a cart with the others, through the streets of Salem to execution. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the funeral home. John Proctor, George Burroughs, George Jacobs Sr., John Willard, and Samuel Wardwell were all hanged after being convicted of witchcraft, while Giles Corey was pressed to death with stones for refusing to "put himself on the . More Wonders of the Invisible World. When it was Burroughs turn, he climbed the ladder and made an eloquent speech declaring his innocence and then recited the Lords prayer flawlessly, despite the common belief that witches couldnt recite the prayer without making a mistake. ), the deposistion of Mircy Lewes who testifieth and saith that one the 7'th of may 1692 att evening I saw the apperishtion of Mr. George Burroughs whom i very well knew which did greviously tortor me and urged me to writ in his Book and then he brought to me a new fashon book which he did not use to bring and tould me I might writ in that book: for that was a book that was in his studdy when I lived with them: but I tould him I did not beleve him for I had been often in his studdy but I never saw that book their: but he tould me that he had severall books in his studdy which I never saw in his studdy and he could raise the divell: and now had bewicthed Mr. Sheppards daughter and I asked him how he could goe to be wicth hir now he was keept at Salem: and he tould me that the divell was his sarvant and he sent him in his shapp to doe it then he againe tortored me most dreadfully and threatened to kill me for he said I should not witnes against him also he tould me that he had made Abigaill Hoobs: a wicth and severall more then againe he did most dreadfully tortor me as if he would have racked me all to peaces and urged me to writ in his book or elce he would kill me but I tould him I hoped my life was not in the power of his hand and that I would not writ tho he did kill me: the next night he tould me I should not see his Two wifes if he could help it because I should not witnes agast him this 9'th may mr Burroughs caried me up to an exceeding high mountain and shewed me all the kingdoms of the earth and tould me that he would give them all to me if I would writ in his book and if I would not he would thro me down and brake my neck: but I tould him they ware non of his to give and I would not writ if he throde me down on 100 pichforks: also on the 9'th may being the time of his examination mr. George Burroughs did most dreadfully torment me: and also several times sence. Burroughs moved to Falmouth (now Portland, Maine), in which he lived until it was destroyed by the Wabanaki Confederacy in 1690. 092: Susannah Martin Executed July 19, 1692, SWP No. Although historians have blamed her accusation on causes ranging from a conspiracy against Andover's proprietary families to reaction against threats to patriarchal . Walt Disney. 255, 278, 280, v. 2 pp. Salem Witchcraft. 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. https://www.thoughtco.com/george-burroughs-3529133 (accessed March 4, 2023). Hist. The manner of death was deemed to be homicide. "Rev. Some in town thought he might be the "dark man" spoken of in many of the accusations. Mary Lacy, senr. I told him itt did not belong to mee, and I was not willing to medle or make with itt, then s'd King sayd are you not a Christian if you are a Christian goe [&] see him and discourse with him, but I told him I did beleive it did not belong to such as I was to discourse him he being a Learned man. Profile of Elizabeth How, Persecuted Salem Witch, Tituba and The Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Biography of Elizabeth Parris, Accuser in the Salem Witch Trials, Sarah Cloyce: Accused in the Salem Witch Trials, John Alden Jr. and the Salem Witch Trials, History of Witches Signing the Devil's Book, M.Div., Meadville/Lombard Theological School. Burroughs .) He came from the Boston area and was a descendant of Rev. William & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland France & Ireland King & Queen defend'rs of the faith &ca John Dunton, 1692.Baker, Emerson W. A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience. *John Partridge feild Mercy Lewis later moved to Salem Village from Maine, joining many other refugees, and became a servant with the Putnams of Salem Village. His secretive nature didnt help either and made it seem like he was hiding something. 8, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston, MA. & others unknowne came to this depon't & Mr Burroughs had a trumpett & sounded it, & they would have had this depon't to have gone up with them to a feast at Mr parris- ses & Goody Nurse & Goody procter told her this depon't they were Deacons & would have had her eat some of their sweet bread & wine & she asking them what wine that was one of them said it was blood & better then our wine but this depon't refused to eat or drink with them & they then dreadfully afflicted her at that tyme. His first wife was Hannah Fisher; they had nine children. 29. Lewis, Jone Johnson. II, p. 42. George Burroughs, signed by Peter's brothers John and Nathaniel, were sent to the Governor and Council to improve the conditions of Wells, Maine. was there & they had the Sac't[= sacrament] & after they had done he tooke leave & bid them Stand to their faith, & not own any thing, Martha Tyler saith the same w'th Sarah Wilson & Severall others (on side) These Since the Execucion of Mr. Burro, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. Below is the original account as first compiled and published in 1700 by Robert Calef in More Wonders of The Invisible World, and later reprinted or relied upon by others including Charles Wentworth Upham and George Lincoln Burr: Mr. Burroughs was carried in a cart with others, through the streets of Salem, to execution. After most humble and hearty thanks presented to your Honors for the great care and pains you have already taken for us, for which we are never able to make you recompense (and we believe you do not expect it of us; therefore a full reward will be given you of the Lord God of Israel, whose cause and interest you have espoused, and we trust this shall add to your crown of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus); and we, beholding continually the tremendous works of divine providence -- not only every day but every hour -- thought it our duty to inform your Honors of what we conceive you have not heard, which are high and dreadful: of a wheel within a wheel, at which our ears do tingle. 25 ), Elizabeth hubord aged about 17 yers saith that the last second day at night: There apeared a little black beard man to me in blackish aparill I asked him his name. Gadsden, Etowah County, Alabama 35901 . 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. He looked back & knockt down all (or more) *Elisha Hutchinson Maj'r, By Virtue of this warrant I Apprehended s'd George Burroughs and have Brought him to Salem and Delievered him to the Authority there this fourth day of May 1692 that at the time of the taking of this deposicon Goody Nurse appeared in the roome & afflicted the Depon't Mary & Deliverance Hobbs as they attested & alsoe almost Choaked abigaile Hobbs as alsoe testified, & Mr English then run a pin into Maryes hand as she attested, ( Witchcraft Papers, no. Each of these accused was given a moment to say their last words. *Simon Willard Jurat in Curia George Burroughs was the only minister executed as part of the Salem Witch Trials onAugust 19, 1692. Summary George Burroughs was born on June 18, 1923, and died at age 31 years old in July 1954. Thomas Putnam, The abovs'd Complaint was Exhibited before us this 30'th aprill 1692, (Essex Institute Collection, no. Mathers son, Reverend Cotton Mather, later wrote an account of Burroughss case for his book, The Wonders of the Invisible World. and that he had made Abigail Hobbs a wicth and: severall wicthes more: and he has continewed ever sence; by times tempting me to write in his book and greviously tortoring me by beating pinching and almost choaking me severall times a day and he also tould me that he was above wicth for he was a cunjurer [1] Another source gives his birth date and place as Virginia, 1652. mr Jno Ruck mrs Eliz: Ruck mr Thomas Ruck & Samuel Ruck Essex ss The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That George Burroughs late of falmouth in the province of the Massachusets Bay in New England -- Clarke -- The ninth Day of May in the forth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and It appears from court records that Burroughss children soon began fighting over the money. Tom West sworne He was bid to look upon sus: sheldon. lookt upon her & she fell into a she should not write to her Father Ruck without Elizabeth Hubbard 164: Preparation for the Court of Oyer and Terminer (May - August 1692), SWP No. of the afflicted, wo stood behind him. at that time Before us *John Hathorne Although the jury had found no witches' marks on his body, he was nonetheless convicted of witchcraft and a conspiracy with the devil . I am also a descendent of George Burroughs. Stoughton didnt usually sit in on the examinations but did so in the case due to the fact that Burroughs was a minister, which added more gravity to the situation. He answered that it was an amazing & humbling Death of his wife & Lawson's Childe, ( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. [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. Thirty-five citizens of Salem Village signed a petition to the court, but it did not move the court. 097: Alice Parker Executed, September 22, 1692, SWP No. In 1711, his family would be given 50 pounds and his name would be cleared of all charges. George Floyd's heart disease and use of fentanyl were contributing factors to his death, but they were not the direct cause, the medical examiner who performed his autopsy testified on Friday in . At some point during this time period, Burroughss second wife, Sarah, died and Burroughs remarried again. Mercy Lewis One eye witness to the execution, Robert Calef, described the event in his book More Wonders of the Invisible World: Mr. The doctor, who is in his early 30s, earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2016 and had received his physician and surgeon license just 18 days before May 25,. Due to the significance of Burroughss trial, a large crowd gathered at the courthouse to witness the event. If anyone is interested in any of these historical groups you can contact me. 094: Rebecca Nurse Executed July 19, 1692, SWP No. Wm. Marcy Lewis Abigail Williams Ann putnam and Eliz Hubert and Susanah Sheldon (Viz) Upon Som: or all of them, of Salem Village or farm[es] whereby great hurt and dammage benne donn[e] to the Bodys of s'd persons above named therefore Craved Justice, Signed by Both above'd Complainers Jonathan Walcott With those words, under the tearful gaze of an ambivalent crowd the George Burroughs was hanged. on The Witchcraft Trial of Reverend George Burroughs, The Witchcraft Trial of Reverend George Burroughs, View all posts by Rebecca Beatrice Brooks. May 10- Sarah Osborne dies in prison in Boston. On April 30, 1692, Capt Jonathan Walcott and Thomas Putnam of Salem Village filed a complaint of witchcraft against George Burroughs, as well as five other people, on behalf of the afflicted girls Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, Jr, Susannah Sheldon, and Elizabeth Hubbard. Letter from Rev. The accusers said the black man [Devil] stood and dictated to him. On May 11, 1692, another accused witch, Margaret Jacobs, confessed to being a witch and said her grandfather, George Jacobs, Sr, and George Burroughs were witches as well. Sam: Sewall Esqrs 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. 28. Jurat in Curia, ( Essex Institute Collection, no. yo'r humble Servant, (Reverse) To Jno Hauthorn Sarah Vibber Jurat 2 no. Salem Witch Trials MemorialAddress: Liberty Street, Salem Mass, Proctors Ledge MemorialAddress: 7 Pope St, Salem, Mass, Site of the Salem Witch Trials ExecutionsAddress: Proctors Ledge, wooded area between Proctor Street and Pope Street, Salem, Mass. *Stephen Sewall Cler 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/george-burroughs-3529133. and know nothing of it myself otherwise except by common report of others also concerning such things.. Robert Calef later said that he had been buried so poorly that his chin and hand protruded from the ground. There was no parsonage yet, so George and Hannah Burroughs moved into the home of John Putnam and his wife Rebecca. 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. Mercy Lewis 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. According to Mathers account of the trial, in September, two witnesses came forward and offered testimony against Burroughs. The claim: The cause of George Floyd's death was a drug overdose. According to the book The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege, a terrible thunder storm struck while the lawmen and Burroughs were on the road to Salem and the thunder, wind and falling trees frightened both the horses and the men. Mary Walcott {testimony going to be read In 1690, Burroughs moved to Wells, Maine where he continued to preach. The police caused George Floyd's death, but drugs and heart disease played a role, the medical examiner says. We will remember him forever. Savage says his father probably died in Virginia, and he can feel no doubt that he was the son of that Mrs. We Subscribe Our Selves your Honours Humble Sertts.. This memorial website was created in memory of George Burroughs, 38, born on January 17, 1915 and passed away on April 0, 1953. Genealgical Publishing Co, 1985.Calef, Robert. Though there was a widely held belief that a true witch could not recite the Lord's Prayer, Burroughs did so, astounding the crowd. Putnam stated that Burroughss spirit had to come to her on April 20 and confessed to her that he had bewitched his first and second wife to death, as well as the wife and child of Reverend Deodat Lawson and several soldiers at Eastward. her, that he had made her set her hand to 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.