  a woman of strong character, good common sense, and capable of comprehending both the dangers besetting any one then accused of witchcraft, and also the purport and bearings of such questions as the court was accustomed to ask, is presented in the following account. “The examination of Mary Easty, at a court held at Salem Village, April 22, 1692, by the Wop. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. “At the bringing in of the accused, several fell into “‘What do you say; are you guilty?’ Ans. ‘I can say before Jesus Christ I am free.’ Response. ‘You see these accuse you.’ Ans. ‘There is a God.’ “‘Hath she brought the book to you (the accusing girls)?’ Their months were stopt. “‘What have you done to these children?’ Ans. ‘I know nothing.’ “‘How can you say you know nothing, when you see these tormented and accuse you?’ Ans. ‘Would you have me accuse myself?’ ‘Yes, if you be guilty. How far have you complied with Satan whereby he takes this advantage of you?’ “‘Sir, I never complied: but prayed against him all my days. I have no compliance with Satan in this. What would you have me do?’ “‘Confess, if you be guilty.’ “‘I will say it, if it was my last time: I am clear of this sin.’ “‘Of what sin?’ “‘Of witchcraft.’ “(To the children.) ‘Are you certain this is the woman?’ “Never a one could speak for fits. “By and by, Ann Putnam said that was the woman: it was like her; ‘and she told me her name.’ “(The court.) ‘It is marvelous to me that you should sometimes think they are bewitched and “‘Well, sir, would you have me confess what I never knew?’ “Her hands were clenched together, and then the hands of Mercy Lewis were clenched. “‘Look: now your hands are open, her hands are open. Is this the woman?’ “They made signs, but could not speak. But Ann Putnam, (and) afterwards Betty Hubbard, cried out, ‘Oh, Goody Easty, Goody Easty, you are the woman!’ “‘Put up her head; for while her head is bound, the necks of these are broken.’ “‘What do you say to this?’ “‘Why, God will know.’ “‘Nay, God knows now.’ “‘I know he does.’ “‘What did you think of the actions of others before your sisters came out? Did you think it was witchcraft?’ “‘I cannot tell.’ “‘Why, do you not think it is witchcraft?’ “‘It is an evil spirit; but whether it be witchcraft I do not know.’ “Several said she brought them the book, and then they fell into fits. “Salem Village, March 24, 169½. “Mr. Samuel Parris, being desired to take in writing the examination of Mary Estie, hath delivered it as aforesaid. “‘Upon hearing the aforesaid, and seeing what we did then see, together with the charge of the persons “John Hathorne, Among the records of examinations and trials for witchcraft in 1692 we have met with none other more commendable in its apparent spirit on both sides, and in its continuous decorum, than the above; none other, also, which reveals more clearly extreme depth of public conviction that the prevalent witchcraft creed was sound to the core, and belief that spectral evidence alone might legally prove the crime charged. From aught that appears, there was something pertaining to Mrs. Easty, probably her whole general character and her intellect, which held back both court and spectators from rudeness in treatment of her, and even frequently tied up the tongues of the accusing girls. The spectacle presented by that examination was most rare and wonderful. We feel, when reading the records, that magistrates, populace, and the accusers, all—all longed for her acquittal; that none desired to, because none did accuse her of anything but having been seen as an apparition, and of being the cause of the fits which the girls were enduring. The girls named her as the cause of their fits, but seemingly with less alacrity than they did most others in like circumstances. But sympathy and respect must yield before belief; her fit-producing emanations at that day proved her to have covenanted to serve the devil. Having done that, she was witch, and therefore must die. Her clear head perceived that the sufferings of the girls must owe their existence to some occult power This noble woman was wife of Isaac Easty of Topsfield, fifty-eight years old, and mother of seven children. After her conviction and sentence, and when hope of escaping the dire penalty had fled, she addressed an admirable letter to those then in power. The same inborn susceptibilities which made her a victim may also have permitted a free influx of uplifting power which raised her above narrow, selfish, and domestic views, and prompted her, in moods generous and lofty, to appeal, in behalf of the whole people of the land, for a stop in the course which the civil authorities were pursuing. We judge the letter to be her own production, and deem it indicative of good mental powers and of elevated philanthropy. “The humble petition of Mary Easty unto His Excellency Sir William Phips, and to the honored Judge and Bench now sitting in judicature in Salem, and the reverend Ministers, humbly showeth, That, whereas your poor and humble petitioner, being condemned to die, do humbly beg of you to take it into your judicious and pious consideration, that your poor and humble Calef says, that, “when she took her last farewell of her husband, children, and friends,” she “was, as is reported by them present, as serious, religious, distinct, and affectionate as could well be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present.” We can readily credit that account to its fullest possible import; for her deportment and language, throughout all the scenes in which she is presented, bespeak a strong, clear, discriminating intellect, a true and brave heart, elevated and generous sentiments, firm faith in God, and broad charity toward man. A most welcome child found entrance to some bright home above when her tried spirit gained release from its mortal form. |
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