Sharon Massachusetts

October 22, 1897

The Esteys of Old Stoughton
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By S. Talbot
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No. 4

Not withstanding this tender and eloquent appeal, Mary Estey and Sarah Cloyse were tried, convicted and sentenced to be hung as witches. They were now returned to prison. Feeling strong in the rectitude of her conduct toward God in this matter and with a conscience void of offence toward all, she, like the martyrs of old, made the final preparation for her departure. For herself, she was not anxious, but for those who were near and dear to her she was still bound by the ties of affection, and her heart yearned for those who were in prison, innocent, helpless and devoted, by the superstition of times, to the same untimely end and sacrifice. These thoughts made her anxious and troubled. She had appealed to the sympathies of the court and jury without avail, and now, as a last resort, she would state her case and those who were in similar condition with herself, to the new Governor of the Province, as follows:

"To his Excellency, Sir William Phipps, - I was confined a month upon the same account and then cleared by the afflicted persons, and in two days time was confined am now condemned to die. The Lord above knows my innocence then, and likewise now. I petition your Honor, not for my own life, for I know I must die, and my appointed time is set. But the Lord knows that, if it be possible, no more innocent blood may be shed, which cannot undoubtedly be avoided in the way you go on. I know and the Lord knows, as will appear, they belie me, and so I question not they do others. The Lord above who is the searcher of hearts knows, as I shall answer at the tribunal seat, that I know not the least thing of witchcraft, therefore I cannot - dare not, belie my own soul."

No reprieve was granted and the sentence of death was ordered to take place in Boston the 22d of September, 1692. To say Mary Estey was not prepared to die would be a mistake; her whole life had been her preparation. It was the thoughts of the ignominious death she was to suffer that wrung her heart. The parting interview of this admirable woman with her husband and children and friends, as she was proceeding to the place of execution, is said to have been a most solemn, affecting and truly sublime scene. Califf says, "Her farewell words were serious, religious, distinct, and affecting as could be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present. She was a woman of great strength of mind and sweetness of character." Mary Estey was hanged with seven others, September 22, 1692. Among many ministers of the gospel of Christ who were deluded and infatuated upon the subject of witchcraft was Rev. Mr. Noyes, who was not only zealous but unjust. Being bound by his conscience to see the penalty of the law carried out, on passing by the eight victims suspended in the air, he exclaimed to the bystanders, "There hang eight firebrands of hell." By some means not known, Sarah Cloyse evaded the penalty and escaped death. It is not necessary here to repeat the story of the fate of Rebecca Noyse, the other of the three sisters. When told that she was accused, she meekly said, "If it be so, the will of the Lord be done." Her trial, the verdict of "not guilty", its rejection by the court and the consequent conviction and execution, the removal of her body by her sons from Witch Hill to the farm where her remains are now honored by the erection of a monument, are too well known. Indeed, Mary Estey might have enjoyed life many years had she informed her tormentors that she had made a covenant with the Evil One and was doing his work in the world, for those who confessed were set free, while those who persisted in denying any guilt were put to death. But she would not entertain the idea for a moment; like her Lord and Master, her whole life was a rebuke of evil. This gross evil continued to expand until like a mighty vortex all would be drawn into it and all would perish together; no ties of affection were any safeguard from the accusation of witchcraft. But the darkness that obscured the minds of the people slowly and sullenly rolled back and to the great joy of the people of New England serenity and a cloudless sky succeeded.



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