Description:

Salem Witch Trials
Salem, MA, July 26, 1692
Salem Witch Trials-Era Doc Signed By Josiah Wolcott, Relative Of Accuser Mary Walcott
ADS

A 1p autograph document signed by Josiah Wolcott (1658-1729), then in his role as Selectman of Salem, Massachusetts, as "Jos: Wolcott" at lower right. July 26, 1692. Salem, Massachusetts. Inscribed on laid watermarked paper. Expected wear including toning. Flattened folds and wrinkles, with minor chipped edges along the right margin. Tiny areas of ink erosion affecting the "J," "s," and ":" of Wolcott's signature. Else near fine. 7.75" x 6.25." Ex-Christopher Stickel Autographs.

This document is dated towards the beginning of the Salem Witch Trial panic, which raged between February 1692 - May 1693 in Salem and a few surrounding villages in northeastern Massachusetts. During the subsequent witchcraft hysteria, over 200 people were accused, 30 were convicted, 19 were hanged, and one pressed under weights.

This document granted permission to "Roger Darbey" (Roger Derby) to serve intoxicating liquors in Salem. This Roger Derby (1643-1698) was probably the same émigré from Devonshire, England who moved to Salem in 1681, where he earned his living as a shopkeeper and a soap-boiler, or tallow chandler. The community certainly needed a recreational outlet during this time; the first witchcraft execution had taken place on June 10th, and the executions continued throughout the summer. This document was dated just one week after Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Wildes were hanged on July 19, 1692.

The document reads in full:

"Salem July e 26th 1692: / -

The Selectmen of Salem doe approve & alow - mr. Roger Darbey of Saleme to Retaile Rum & oth.r Strong drinkes wth-out doordy in behalfe of the rest of the Selectmen.

Attests -

Jos: Wolcott."

Merchant Josiah Wolcott was a selectman in Salem, and he also served as a representative to the General Court and a judge of the Inferior Court. He was related to 17-year-old Mary Walcott (also spelled Wolcott) (1675-ca. 1752), one of the "afflicted girls" who so completely terrified the Salem community with their accusations of witchcraft. Selectman Josiah Wolcott came from the Henry Wolcott line while Mary Walcott came from the William Wolcott line of emigrating Wolcotts (Josiah Wolcott was from the Wethersfield, Connecticut branch of the Wolcotts and then moved to Salem as an adult.) Both Josiah Wolcott and Mary Wolcott were from the third generation of Wolcotts in New England, although Josiah Wolcott was nearly 20 years Mary's senior.

The Salem Witch Trial panic had started in the late Winter/early Spring 1692 when a group of teenaged girls including Mary Walcott began claiming that they were persecuted by the Devil's accessories. As one of the primary plaintiffs, Mary reported visions and suffered physical symptoms including fits and bites, all the while blaming her neighbors. In March and April 1692, Mary Walcott accused Elizabeth and John Proctor, Giles Corey, and a handful of others of witchcraft. Mary Walcott's father, commander of the Salem militia Captain Jonathan Walcott, also filed complaints on Mary's behalf.

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: 7.75" x 6.25"
  • Medium: ADS

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