Who Were The Witch Trial Judges

Prior to the return of newly appointed Massachusetts governor, Sir William Phips and the accompanying new provincial charter, no trials could be held for capital crimes in the colony. For this reason, between February 29 and May 25, 1692, pre-trial examinations were conducted by two, Essex County civil magistrates, Hon. John Hathorne and Hon. Jonathan Corwin.

The purpose of these hearings was to sift through the various accusations being made by the afflicted children and determine if there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial. If a trial was needed, the accused witch would be held in jail until the arrival of the new governor and charter. For this reason there were no convictions or executions between February and May.

Upon the return of Governor Phips, and the formidable Boston cleric, Reverend Increase Mather,on May 14, 1692,

steps were immediately taken by the colonial government to create a special court to try the numerous (over 50) pending witchcraft cases.

On May 25 a Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to determine) was commissioned by Phips. The presiding Chief Justice of this court was Deputy Governor William Stoghton. The six Associate Justices of the Court of Oyer and Terminer were: Samuel Sewell, William Sargent, Waite Winthrop and John Richards, all of Boston. To these were added Bartholomew Gedney of Salem and Nathaniel Saltonstall of Haverhill. By June, 1692, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned his judicial appointment. His place was quickly filled by Hon. Jonathan Corwin, the same magistrate who had conducted the pretrial examinations prior to the governors arrival in the colony.

What is interesting about the composition of the bench of the witch trial court is the overwhelming presence on Bostonian justices, with only Bartholomew Gedney, and later, Jonathan Corwin representing Salem.

Origin: religion-events.blogspot.com