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Samuel Sewall Salem Witch Trial Judge Signed Samuel Sewall (1652-1730), Salem Witch Trial Judge, Aut

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Samuel Sewall Salem Witch Trial Judge Signed Samuel Sewall (1652-1730), Salem Witch Trial Judge, Aut
<B>Samuel Sewall (1652-1730), Salem Witch Trial Judge, Autograph Endorsement Signed </B></I>"<I>S. Sewall Cler</B></I>", one page, 7.5" x 5.5", Ipswich, April 13, 1697. A scarce legal document in which Sewall, in the role of clerk of the court, certifies the "<I>...testimony of Daniel King... that upon the Seventh Day of January Last 1696 Saw Joseph bond thee now Defendant load by my house three ox...</B></I>" Sewall was one of the magistrates called in to judge the accused witches of Salem. He was most remarkable, however, for being the only former Salem judge to issue a public apology for his actions in 1692. Sewall went so far as to call for a public day of prayer, fasting and reparations. He also opened his home to one of the initial "afflicted" children, Betty Paris, daughter of Salem Village Reverend Samuel Paris. Interestingly Betty Paris' "afflictions" rapidly subsided once in the Sewall household. Besides some very light soiling at margins, the document is quite bright and clean and in very fine condition. A wonderful document from a participant in the hysteria forever recalled as a tragic period in our earliest history. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.