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Signed Twice by Court Clerk of the Salem Witch Trials.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:112.00 USD Estimated At:225.00 - 300.00 USD
Signed Twice by Court Clerk of the Salem Witch Trials.
Unusually fresh colonial D.S. of John Giles, Justice of Peace Steph(en) Sewall (signed both sides), Henry Sewall, and Daniel Gilbertt, Salem, Massachusetts Bay, Feb. 29, 1719/20, 7 1/4 x 11 1/2. Small wafer seal. Receipt of cordwainer Giles for "12 pounds Curr(en)t money of New England...," selling land in Salem to John and William Osburn. Stephen Sewall was clerk of court at the Salem Witchcraft Trials - presided over by his brother, Judge Samuel. A correspondent of Cotton Mather on the Trials, Stephen opened his home to one of the "afflicted" children, whose symptoms soon subsided. Sewall did not dispute the fact of witchcraft, only "the method of detecting and trying witches"--The Memorial History of Boston..., Winsor, Vol. II, p. 161, 1880 (modern copy accompanies). Very light old waterstain at one fold junction, lightening parts of several words, else very fine and pleasing. Very scarce thus.