Memorial of certain ministers in Essex Co. recommending that some measures be taken to clear the reputations of persons who had been accused of witchcraft upon insufficient evidence

To his Excellency the Governour, Council and Representatives of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, in General Court Assembled June 1703 The Address of severall ministers of the County of Essex. Whereas in the year 1692 some of our neighbors of a good conversation, were apprehended and imprisoned upon suspicion of Witchcraft, upon the complaint of some young persons under Diabolicall molestations; and upon their Tryall at the court at Salem were condemned; great weight being layd upon the evidence of the Afflicted persons, their Accusers. Sentence of Death was Executed on severall of them, but [crossed out] the rest [crossed out] {others} were Reprieved. But {since} it is apparent and hath been Acknowledged, that there were Errors and mistakes in the aforesaid Tryalls; and notwithstanding the care and consciencious endeavor of the Honorable Judges to do the thing that is right: yet there is great reason to fear that Innocent persons then suffered, and that God may have a controversy with the Land upon that account. We would therefore humbly propose to the consideration of this Honored Court, whether something may not, and ought not, to be [crossed out] done [crossed out] publickly done to clear the good name and reputation of some who have sufferred as aforesaid, against whom there was not as is {supposed} Sufficient evidence to prove the guilt of such a Crime, and for whom there are good grounds of Charity. Some of the condemned persons aforesaid, and others in behalf of their Relations who have suffered, have lately Petitioned this Honoured Court upon this Account. We pray that their case may be duely considered. Thomas Barnard Joseph Green William Hubbard Benjamin Rolfe Samuel Cheever Zech Symmes Joseph Gerrish John Rogers Jabez ffitch Jn Wise Joseph Capen Thomas Symmes July. 9th 1703 In Council Read and sent down./ July 16th 1703. in the House of Representatives Read. [side panel] Petition of sundry Ministers referring to persons condemnd for Witchcraft. read. July 8th 1703.