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The 1683 Philadelphia Witchcraft Trial
John Test was the prosecutor and two of our ancestors – William Hewes and Edward Bezer – served on the jury of this trial. The name ‘Edward Bezac’ that appears in the trial record is unknown in the rest of the record of this era. It is clearly a misspelling of the name ‘Edward Bezer’.
Two women were charged with witchcraft: Margaret Mattson and Yeshro Hendrickson. However, all the testimony centers on Margaret Mattson and Henrickson drops out of the record until the verdict is presented.
The record of the trial (see below) is not a transcript but rather a summary of the proceeding in much the same style as the record of a Quaker meeting.
John Test was still the sheriff in Philadelphia and served as the prosecutor during this trial although, according to all accounts, William Penn himself handled most of the questioning. Equally interesting, John Test was familiar with the central defendant, viz., Margaret Mattson
Coming to American in 1675 on the Griffin, John Test (a non-Quaker) as part of a colony of Quakers under the leadership of John Fenwick had purchased land in the New Jersey colonizing effort from some of the leading participants of the venture while still in England. Soon after arrival he and a very prominent Quaker – Robert Wade – (who served on the jury in this trial) crossed the Delaware River and settled at Upland.
It appears that John Test's first commercial transaction was the purchase of 22 acres from Margaret Mattson's husband Niels Mattson.
There is some question whether John Test was still the sheriff of Philadelphia at the time of this trial.
The evidence that he was not the sheriff at the time of this trial is extremely weak.
The Witchcraft Trial
By Amelia Mott Gummere
From Chapter 4 of Witchcraft and Quakerism
GEORGE FOX AND THE WITCHES
After the etching by Robert Spence,
owner of the original manuscript journal of
George Fox
The only witchcraft trial in the province of Pennsylvania occurred before the Council, previous to the organization of the Provincial Court, on December 27, 1683.
Only one of two old women, both of them Swedes, seems to have been tried. Yeshro Hendrickson's name disappears. Margaret Mattson lived upon her husband's plantation on the Delaware, near Crum Creek, in Ridley township, now Delaware County. She remained for long in local legend, the "Witch of Ridley Creek."
At her trial she appeared before William Penn, his Attorney General, a Grand Jury of twenty-one persons, all apparently English, and a Petit Jury of twelve persons, one of whom was a Swede. One Councilman, Lasse Cock, was also a prominent Swede.
As I was going to a meeting, I saw some Women in a Field, and I discerned them to be Witches and I was moved to go out of my way into the Field to them and declare unto them their Conditions: telling them plainly, They were in the Spirit of Witchcraft.
George Fox his Journal.
The case was heard, all the formalities gone through with, and the verdict rendered the same afternoon, as follows: "Guilty of having the Comon Fame of a Witch, but not Guilty in manner and Forme as Shee stands Endicted."
There were various accusations of a vague sort against the poor woman, as that she had bewitched calves, geese, cattle and a few persons. Her own daughter testified that she was in league with the Devil, But the sober sanity of the Quaker Jury brought in an eminently safe verdict.
Tradition has it that William Penn said to her: "Art thou a witch? Hast thou ridden through the air on a broomstick?" When the poor, confused creature answered, "Yes," he said that she had a perfect right to ride upon a broomstick, that he knew no law whatever against it, and promptly ordered her discharge.
This was the only witchcraft trial ever before the Pennsylvania Courts.
Source:
Witchcraft and Quakerism:
A Study in Social History
By Amelia Mott Gummere http://www.strecorsoc.org/gummere/ch04.html
The trial took place on a Wednesday. By the Julian Calendar it was February 27, 1683. By our modern Gregorian Calendar the trial took place on March 8, 1684.
March 8, 2014 will mark the 330 anniversary of the trial.
The Official Record of the Trial from the Colonial Records of Pennsylvania
From The Pennsylvania Archives:
Att a Councill held at Philadelphia ye 7th 12th mo., 1683.
PRESENT:
Wm. PENN, Propor and Govr.
Lasse Cock,
Jno. Sumcock,
Tho. Holmes,
Wm. Clayton
Margaret Mattson and Yeshro Hendrickson, Examined and About
to be proved Witches; whereupon, this board Ordered that Neels
Matson should Enter into a recognizance of fifty pounds for his
Wife's appearance before this board the 27th Instant, Hendrick
Jacobson doth the same for his Wife.
Adjourned till the 20th, 12th Mo., 83.
--------------
Att a Councill held at Philadelphia ye 27th 12th mo., 1683.
PRESENT:
|
Wm. PENN, Propor and Govr.
James Harrison,
Wm. Haigue,
Wm. Clayton,
|
Wm. Biles,
Chris. Taylor,
Tho: Holmes,
Lasse Cock.
|
The Grand Jury being attested, The Govr gave them their Charge,
and the Atturney Genall attended them wth the presentmt; their
names are as followed:
Robt Euer, foreman.
Samll Carpenter,
Andrew Griscom,
Benj. Whitehead,
Jno. Barnes,
Samll Allen,
Jno. Parsons,
Rich. Orne,
Jno. Day,
Jno. ffisher,
Jno. Barnes (again),
Gunner Rambo,
Enock flower,
Henr: Drystreet.
Tho: Mosse,
Tho: Ducket,
Denis Lince,
Tho: Phillyps,
Tho: Millard,
Jno. Yattman,
Barnaby Wilcox.
POST MERIDIEM.
The Grand Jury made their return, and found the Bill.
Ordered that those that were absent of the Petty Jury should be
fined 40s each man.
Margarit Matson's Indictmnt was read, and she pleads not Guilty,
and will be tryed by the Countrey.
Lasse Cock attested Interpriter between the Propor and the
Prisoner at the Barr.
The Petty Jury Impanneld; their names are as followed:
Jno. Hasting, foreman.
Robt Wade,
Wm. Hewes,
Jno. Gibbons,
Albertus Hendrickson,
Nath. Evans,
Jer. Collet,
Walter Martin,
Robt Piles,
Edwd Darter,
Jno. Kinsman,
Edw Bezac.
Henry Drystreet attested, Saith he was tould 20 years agoe, that
the prisoner at the Barr was a Witch, & that severall Cows were
bewitcht by her; also, that James Saunderling's mother tould him
that she bewitcht her cow, but afterwards said it was a mistake, and
that her Cow should doe well againe, for it was not her Cow but an
Other Person's that should dye.
Charles Ashcom attested, saith that Anthony's Wife being asked
why she sould her Cattle; was because her mother had Bewitcht
them, having taken the Witchcraft of Hendrick's Cattle, and put it
on their Oxyn; She myght Keep but noe other Cattle, and also that
one night the Daughter of ye Prisoner called him up hastely, and
when he came she sayd there was a great Light but Just before,
and an Old woman with a Knife in her hand at ye Bedd's feet, and
therefore shee cryd out and desired Jno. Symcock to take away
his Calves, or Else she would send them to Hell.
James Claypoole attested Interpritor betwixt the Propor and the
prisoner.
The affidavid of Jno. Vanculin read, Charles Ashcom being a
witness to it.
Annakey Coolin attested, saith her husband tooke the Heart of a
Calfe that Dyed, as they thought, by Witchcraft, and Boyled it,
whereupon the Prisoner at ye Barr came in and asked them what they
were doing; they said boyling of Flesh; she said they had better they
had Boyled the Bones, with severall other unseemly Expressions.
Margaret Mattson saith that she Vallues not Drystreet's Evidence;
but if Saunderlin's mother had come, she would have answered her;
also deneth Charles Ashcom's Attestation at her Soul, and Saith
where is my Daughter; let her come and say so.
Annakey Cooling's attestation concerning the Gees, she denyeth,
saying she was never out of her Canoo, and also that she never said
any such things Concerning the Calve's heart.
Jno. Cock attested, sayth he knows nothing of the matter.
Tho: Balding's attestation was read, and Tho: Bracy attested,
saith it is a True coppy.
The Prisoner denyeth all things, and saith that ye Witnesses speake
only byhear say.
After wch ye Govr gave the jury their Charge concerning ye Pris-
oner at ye Barr.
The jury went forth, and upon their Returne Brought her in
Guilty of haveing the Comon fame of a witch, but not guilty in manner and forme as Shee stands Indicted.
Neels Matson and Antho. Neelson Enters into a Recognizance of
fifty pounds apeice, for the good behavior of Margaret Matson for six
months.
Jacob Hendrickson Enters into the Recognizance of fifty pounds
for the good behavior of Getro Hendrickson for six months.
Adjourned till ye 20th day of ye first mo., 1684.
Source:
Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania: From the Organization to the Termination of the Proprietary Government Vol. 1 Containing the Proceedings of the Council from March 10th 1683, to November 27th, 1700 (Harrisburg: Printed by Theophilus Fenn, 1838).
Annonymous Elementary School Play based on the Trial
Pennsylvania’s First and Only Witch Trial:
The Trial of Margaret Mattson
Clerk: Henry Drystreet, Charles Ashcomb, and others claim that Margaret Mattson is a witch and therefore a danger to the community. She is Swedish and does not always understand what is being said to her. Lasse Cock has agreed to act as an interpreter for her if he is needed. Margaret Mattson, come forward and respond to these charges. (Mattson comes forward)
Margaret Mattson, do you affirm that you will speak the truth?
Margaret Mattson: I swear.
William Penn: Your neighbors say you are practicing witchcraft. How do you answer these charges?
Margaret Mattson: I am not guilty. My neighbors speak lies.
William Penn: Call Margaret Mattson’s neighbors and have them describe their complaints.
Clerk: Henry Drystreet, come forward. Do you affirm that you will speak the truth?
Henry Drystreet: I do swear.
Clerk: What is your complaint?
Henry Drystreet: Twenty years ago, Margaret Mattson put a spell on several of my cows.
William Penn: How did you know that your cows were under a spell?
Henry Drystreet: The cows stopped producing milk. Therefore, Margaret Mattson must have put a spell on them.
William Penn: You may step down. Call the next witness.
Clerk: Charles Ashcomb, come forward. Do you affirm that you will speak the truth?
Charles Ashcomb: I heard that Margaret Mattson’s daughter sold her cattle. She sold them because her mother put a spell on them. When Margaret Mattson found out that the cattle were sold, she put a curse on her daughter. The curse was that her daughter would not own cattle again. Later, after the sale, the daughter bought more cattle from John Symcock, a neighbor. One night, the daughter awoke to find her mother at the foot of her bed with a knife in her hand. She told her daughter to give the cattle back or something terrible would happen.
Margaret Mattson: Such lies! My daughter would not say such a thing. Bring her to the court so that she can speak for herself.
William Penn: Wait until it is your turn to speak. Friend Ashcomb, who told you this story?
Charles Ashcomb: It was a neighbor.
William Penn: You may step down. Call the next witness.
Clerk: I have a document written and signed by John Vanculin. He is not here but his wife is. Anna Vanculin, come forward. Do you affirm that you will speak the truth?
Anna Vanculin: I swear. Margaret Mattson put a spell on one of our cows. The cow died. In addition to using other parts of the animal, we took the heart and boiled it. As we were cooking the heart, Margaret Mattson came by and asked us what we were doing. When my husband and I said that we were boiling the heart, she said that we might boil the bones as well. Then she put several curses on us. Using magic, she made a flock of geese appear. These geese were very nasty. Then she produced a broom made of bone and hair. She flew off on the broom with the geese flapping behind her.
William Penn: Are there any more witnesses?
Clerk: No, Governor, there are not.
William Penn: Anna Vanculin, you may step down. Margaret Mattson, stand before me.
Margaret Mattson: Listen to me. I am a peaceful woman and tend to my own business. None of my neighbors speak the truth.
William Penn: Are you a witch? Do you ride through the air on a broomstick?
Margaret Mattson: [confused – or defiant] Yes
William Penn: There is no law in the province that makes it a crime to ride a broomstick. There is no crime to answer.
Attorney General : Sir, it is against English law and the law of the Commonwealth to be a witch.
William Penn: Very well. The jury must decide whether Margaret Mattson is guilty or innocent of the charges of witchcraft against her. Members of the jury, choose a foreman among you and make your decision.
[Jury consult.]
Foreman: We find her guilty of having the common fame of a witch but not guilty in manner and form as she stands indicted.
William Penn: Hmm! You are discharged - but you will have to pay a fine of £100 and you must promise to be of good behavior for a period of six months. Is there anyone who will pay this fine?
Neil Mattson: I will pay £50 on my wife’s behalf.
Anthony Mattson: I will also pay £50.
William Penn: You may go – but remember.… No riding that broomstick!
Margaret Mattson: Thank you.
