Description:

William Symonds Accused as a Witch 1679 Deed "Ipswich in America" Rare Phrase

MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY. Manuscript Document Signed, "William Symonds" and "Mary Symonds", 1p, 12" x 15", Ipswich, May 6, 1679. Intact red wax seals beside signatures. Folds with minor paper loss and separation, browning, scattered foxing and toning, else Very Good.

This document was signed by William Symonds just weeks before his death. A deed from William and Mary Symonds to Nicolas Wallis, also of Ipswich, it reads, in part, with original spelling unchanged, “Know all men by these presents, that I William Symonds of Ipswich in America…and Mary my wife in consideration of the full & Just sums of one hundred & seventy pounds of good and Currant pay to mee in hand payd by bill & other wise; before the sealling & delivery heereof by Nicolas Wallis of Ipswich above sayd planter…doo hereby fully acquitt & discharge the sayd Wallis of the same forever…”

Ipswich began as a small community, and in time, became one of the largest communities in the new Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Symonds family was particularly important; they had a total of four members in the upper levels of Ipswich society. Even more important were the intermarriages within the leading families, and again the Symonds family was an important factor. Members of the Symonds family married into the Wade, Epps, and Winthrop families. This group was significant as far as colonial political and economic affairs were concerned.

Samuel Symonds (1595-1678) was the father of William Symonds. He settled in Ipswich in 1637, and soon after became Deputy to the General Court. The following month, he was appointed a magistrate of the Ipswich Court, in which he served for four years. He was Town Clerk from 1639 to 1645 and served the town as Selectman. In 1643, he joined the Court of Assistants, composed of the Governor, Deputy Governor and seven magistrates, which was the Supreme Court of that day. He became deputy governor in 1673.

Jonathan Wade (1612-1683) was the father of Mary Symonds. He settled first in Charlestown, then in Ipswich. Wade rose in ranks of the militia from Lieutenant to Colonel and served in King Philip’s War.

William Symonds (1632-1679) was a local representative and land speculator in Fells, Maine. He married Mary Wade (1633-1713) of Ipswich in 1665 and they had five children together. In a Salem court on June 28, 1659, William Symonds and his son, Samuel, were defendants in an action brought by the plaintiff, John Godfrey. Godfrey claimed witchery, and the jury awarded him costs and damages after hearing testimonies rendering the Symonds defendants suspicious.

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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