Description:

Salem Witch Husband Helped Her Escape 1667 Rare DS

CARY, NATHANIEL. Manuscript Document Signed, “Nathaniell Cary”, beside a red wax seal, 1p, 7.25" x 11.75", Charlestown, May 20, 1667. Additionally signed by witnesses Solomon Higgins and Samuel Phipps, Town Clerk. Flattened folds, uniform toning, uneven edges, else Fine condition.

The document, which is written in a hybrid of Elizabethan English and Modern English, appears to be a power of attorney. As Captain Nathaniel Cary was often at sea, it makes sense that he would appoint someone to handle his estate while he was away. In part, with original spelling unchanged, “Know all men by these presents that I Nathaniel Cary of Charlestown in the Countie of Middlesex in New England…that I nominate constitute and appoint and in my place…put my honorable and dearly beloved father James Cary of Charlestown…”

Captain Nathaniel Cary (1645-1730) was the son of James Cary and Eleanor Hawkins. Elizabeth Walker Cary (1650-1722) was the daughter of Captain Augustine and Hannah Walker. Nathaniel and Elizabeth married on July 9, 1674, in Lancashire, Massachusetts. The couple settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and eventually had at least five children.

Despite that fact that her husband was a man of some influence, or perhaps because of it, Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft. A complaint was sworn out against her by Thomas Putnam and Benjamin Hutchinson of Salem Village, accusing Elizabeth of having afflicted Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and Mercy Lewis. She was examined the next day; John Indian was also a witness against her.

The "touch test", a controversial folk test used during the Salem Witch Trials, was utilized with several of the "afflicted girls" who were falling into fits during the proceedings. Nathaniel Cary’s narrative of this terrible scene, described by an eyewitness to the examination, “She was forced to stand with her arms stretched out. I requested that I might hold one of her hands, but it was denied me; then she desired me to wipe the tears from her eyes, and the sweat from her face, which I did; then she desired she might lean herself on me, saying she should faint. Justice Hathorne replied she had strength enough to torment these persons, and she should have strength enough to stand. I, speaking something against their cruel proceedings, they commanded me to be silent, or else I should be turned out of the room. The Indian before mentioned was also brought in, to be one of her accusers; being come in, he now fell down and tumbled about like a hog but said nothing. The justices asked the girls who afflicted the Indian, they answered she (meaning my wife).”

Elizabeth Cary was held for trial and remained imprisoned for two months in Boston. Nathaniel later obtained a writ to have Elizabeth moved to the Cambridge prison, which was closer to their home. Knowing that she would never get a fair trial in Salem, he also tried very hard to have the proceedings moved to his district but was unsuccessful.

With no more legal options, Nathaniel helped Elizabeth to escape from the Cambridge prison, going first to Rhode Island and then to New York. Some of the Nathaniel’s goods were seized by the sheriff and he was caught and arrested, but after just a half a day, he was dismissed. Nathaniel and Elizabeth returned to Charlestown after the witch frenzy had come to an end.

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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