Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

An Act Against Conjurations, Witchcraft and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits This law, enacted by the Massachusetts General Court in December of 1692, outlawed “conjurations, witchcraft, and dealing with evil and wicked spirits,” with severe and repeat offenses being punishable by death. This followed the dissolution of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and Phips’ order to prohibit the use of spectral evidence in the remaining proceedings. Next 

Deposition of Ann Putnam Jr. v. Rebecca Nurse This document includes the deposition of Ann Putnam Jr. against Rebecca Nurse, a member of the Porter family later executed on July 19. Putnam, one of the most prolific accusers, was among numerous people involved in the Trials who publicly apologized for their actions, doing so in front of the Salem Village congregation in 1706. Other participants who later apologized included Samuel Parris in 1696, and Samuel Sewall in 1697, who, along with twelve of the jurors, was compelled to do so after the Massachusetts General Court ordered a day of fasting in Salem on January 14, 1697 to repent for the Trials.  Prev | Next 

Order for Payment of Damages by Governor Joseph Dudley The year 1711 saw the beginning of Massachusetts Bay issuing reparations for the Salem Witch Trials, with the General Court beginning to pardon survivors, and Governor Dudley enacting the above document, which authorized the first wave of compensation. The twenty-two survivors pardoned by the General Court each received £578 12s, equivalent to over $110,000 in 2025.  Prev