223

Document signed by three key officials from the Salem witch trials.

Salem, MA, 21 December 1691
Manuscript Document Signed by John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin as assistants, and by George Herrick as marshal. 2 pages, 7 x 5¾ inches; tipped to window mat on top edge, minor ink burns. 

This summons was issued just two months before the first accusations started flying in the Salem witch trials. It is signed by three men who would soon become key figures in the trials.

John Hathorne (1641-1717), who signed twice, was a Salem magistrate and an assistant on the Governor's Council. He and Jonathan Corwin led the questioning of the first witchcraft defendants in April 1692. He is not known to have repented for his role in the trials. His great-great-grandson was author Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Jonathan Corwin (1640-1718) was like Hathorne a Salem magistrate and an assistant on the Governor's Council, who questioned the first witchcraft defendants in April 1692. He was later appointed to the Court of Oyer and Terminer which investigated the witchcraft allegations, and signed several warrants in that role. His house is the only remaining building in Salem with a connection to the trials, and is now a museum.

George Herrick (circa 1658–1695) was a marshal for the Salem court, and was soon appointed marshal of the special Court of Oyer and Terminer. He is listed as a plaintiff for some of the cases against the alleged witches, and requested overtime pay for the hard work he put into rounding up the victims. An old article by S.P. Fowler, "Salem Witchcraft," in The Historical Magazine (January 1858, page 11), asserts that "perhaps there was no person more actively engaged in the prosecution for witchcraft," and proposes that when the condemned Giles Corey was being pressed to death, and his tongue flew out of his mouth, Herrick "forced it in again with his cane." 

In this document, Hathorne and Corwin ask Herrick to round up defendants and witnesses for a more routine "breach of the peace" case. In full:


"To the marshall of Essex or his dep'y or to either of ye constables in Salem: 

You are in their Majes'ts names hereby required to apprehend and forthwith bring before [?] Paule Woodbridg and Eleazer Cook, both servants or aprentices to Mrs. Sarah Price, widdow in Salem forthwith or as soon as may be, to answer the complaint of John Roger, late marshall of the County of Essex on behalf of their Majes'ts for breach of the peace &c according to his complaint exhibited. Dated Wedensday the 2 of December 1691, contrary to ye peace of our Sovereign L'd & Lady W'm & Mary, King & Queen of England &c. Faile not. Dated Salem Decem'r the 21st 1691.

John Hathorne
Jonathan Corwin, assis'ts

You are likewise required to summonse & warne Geo. Herrick, Thomas Mould, and Joseph Glover, all & every one of them, to appear at ye same tyme[?] to greet [?] in w'h [?] thay know in ye aboves'd case. Faile not. Dated 21st 10bre 1691 John Hathorne Assis't.

[On verso]
I have served this warrant and brought them before the worshipfull John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin Esq's, Assistants for the County of Essex, the bodys of Paul Woodbridg and Eliez Cooke to answer as wished.  Geo. Herrick, Marshall of Essex." 

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