Description:

Stephen Sewall
Andover, Massachusetts Bay, February 1, 1708
Clerk of Salem Witchcraft Trials Endorses Land Deed
AES

STEPHEN SEWALL, Autograph Endorsement Signed, February 1, 1708, Andover, Massachusetts Bay, on John Abbott Sr., Deed to John Abbott Jr., Joseph Abbott, and Stephen Abbott, February 17, 1707/8, Andover, Massachusetts Bay. 2 pp., 8.25" x 12". Expected folds; wax seal still present with Abbott's signature; general toning.

Justice of the Peace Stephen Sewall certified John Abbott's acknowledgement of his deed, conveying land to his three sons in February 1708. Sewall had been the clerk of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 that tried alleged witches in nearby Salem, Massachusetts Bay. Puritan minister Cotton Mather (1663-1728) of Boston used Sewall's transcript of the trials to prepare his The Wonders of the Invisible World (1693), which Mather wrote to defend his role in the Salem witch trials.

Excerpts
"To all People to whome These Presents Shall Come Greeting &c: Know ye, that I John Abbott Senr of Andover in ye County of Essex within her Majesties Province, of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England husbandman, for and in Consideration of ye Sum of Thirty Pounds in Ready Money To mee in hand before ye insealing hereof, well and truly paid, By my Three Sons (viz) John Abbott, Joseph Abbott, and Stephen Abbott, ye Receipt whereof I doe hereby acknowledge, and my selfe therewith fully satisfied and Contented, Have therefore Given, Granted, Bargained, & Sold, Aliened Conveyed, and Confirmed and By These Presence, do truly, fully and absolutely Give, Grant, Bargain, Sell, Aliene, Convey, and Confirm, unto my said Sons above named, to them and their Heirs For Ever, a Certain Peece of upland & meadow Lyeing & Being in ye Township of Andover abovesaid...."

"Essex Andover ye first Day of February / Anno Dom: 1708
Then Mr John Abbot personaly appeared and acknowledged the within Instrument to be his Voluntary act & deed before me
Stephn Sewall Just peace"


Stephen Sewall (1657-1725) was born in Baddesley, Hampshire, England, and moved with his family to Newbury, Massachusetts. He was the younger brother of Salem witchcraft trial judge Samuel Sewall (1652-1730). He attended Harvard College but did not graduate. In 1682, he married Margaret Mitchell and settled in Salem, where they had seventeen children. He served in the military during the Bay Colony's wars with Native Americans and held several court offices, including register of probate, register of deeds, and clerk of courts. During the witchcraft hysteria of 1692, Sewall served as clerk of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which had been convened to address charges of witchcraft and for which his brother, Samuel Sewall, was one of the nine judges. Stephen Sewall and his wife harbored one of the afflicted girls, who ceased to report fits under their care. He later served as a member of a committee to recommend compensation for the victims' families and was appointed to distribute compensation, all of which he did without pay. He also participated in the capture of convicted pirate John Quelch and several of his crew in 1704.

John Abbott (1648-1721) was born in Andover, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was a farmer and lived with his father. In 1673, he married Sarah Barker (ca. 1647-1729), and they had at least nine children, including sons John Abbott Jr. (1674-1754), Joseph Abbott (1676-1757), and Stephen Abbott (1678-1766). John Abbott Sr. was often a selectman for the town and served as a deacon in the church, built on land he donated.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 12"
  • Medium: AES

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