Description:

John Hale Salem Witch Trial Minister Whose Wife was Accused, Religious DS Regarding Communion 1674, with Additional Signatures. He is portrayed in "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. Rare!

2pp of a bifolium, measuring 8" x 12.5", Boston, dated May 28, 1674. A document signed "John Hale", docketed on verso "Result of Council, on the standing of the sisters." Also signed by Samuel Whiting Sr., John Eliot, H. Hobart, Thomas Cobbot, John Sherman, William Hubbard, John Higginson, John Wilson, Jeremiah Hubbard, Samuel Phillips, Joseph Rowlandson (who was famously captured by Indians during King Phillip's War), and Seaborn Cotton. The document has flattened folds, with toning, soiling, and foxing throughout. Slightly uneven edges. Boldly signed. Reading in part:

"Upon a motion made by ye South church of Boston unto such Elders of other churches as were there assembled upon ye 28 of May 1674 for the resolution of the following Question - What is our duty towards those members of the Old church who were & still are secluded from Communion…& who also dosint to joyn in church fellowship with us. Those Elders having inquired into & labored after a right understanding of the true state of ye question as it derives from matter of fact & relates unto matter of sacrifice in & Great divinity of Church communion & communion of churches do humbly & [illegible] fear of God offer our sincere understanding of ye [illegible] stated in ye question…" The document also has a unique code of symbols written on verso. It is unknown how this code is related to the content of the document, if at all.

John Hale (1636-1700) was a Puritan minister of Massachusetts. He was one of the most prominent religious figures during the Salem witch trials, but his position on the sanctity of the trials changed over the course of the event. He initially supported the trials, believing that demons were impersonating the accused. However, he later reconsidered his position, likely due to the fact that his wife was accused of witchcraft by Mary Herrick on November 14, 1692. A fictional portrayal of Hale can be found in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible".

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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