Salem Witch Trials Aftermath 1711
This 2-page document (images and text included here) document the removal of attainders (the legal consequences of being found guilty of a crime, including a death sentence) and thus the full restoration of civil rights for many of those found guilty of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Text from page above:
The Influence and Energy of the Evil Spirits so great at that time acting in and upon those who were the Principal Accusers and Witnesses, proceeding so far as to cause a Prosecution to be had of Persons of known and good Reputation, which caused a great Dissatisfaction and a flop to be put thereunto, until Their Majesties Pleasure should be known therein.
And upon a Representation thereof accordingly made, Her late Majesty Queen MARY the Second, of blessed Memory, by Her Royal Letter given at Her Court at Whitehall the Fifteenth of April 1663. was Graciously. Pleas'd to approve the Care and Circumspection therein; and to Will and Require that in all proceedings against Persons Accused for Witchcraft, or being possessed by the Devil, the greatest Moderation, and all due Circumspection be Used, so far as the same may be without Impediment to the ordinary Course of Justice.
And some of the Principal Accusers and Witnesses in those dark and severe Prosecutions have since discovered themselves to be Persons of Profligate and Vicious Conversation.
Upon the humble Petition and Suit of several of said Persons, and of t be Children of others of them whose Parents were Executed.
Be it Declared and Enacted by His Excellency the Governour, Council and Representatives, in General Court Assembled and by the Authority of the same, That the several Convictions, Judgements and Attainders against the said George Burroughs, John Procter, George Jacob, John Willard, Giles Core, and..........Core, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Elizabeth How, Mary Eastey, Sarah Wild, Abigail Hobbs, Samuel Wardell, Mary Parker, Martha Carrier, Abigail Falkner, Anne Foster, Rebecca Eames, Mary Post, Mary Lacey, Mary Bradbury and Dorcas Hoar, and every of them, Be and hereby are Reversed, Made and Declared to be Null and Void to all Intents, Constructions and Purposes whatsoever, as if no such Convictions, Judgments or Attainders had ever been had or given. And that no Penalties or Forfeitures of Goods or Chattels be by the said Judgements and Attainders, or either of them had or incurr'd.
Any Law, Usage or Custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
And that no Sheriff, Constable, Goaler, or other Officer shall be liable to any Prosecution in the Law for anything they then Legally did in the Execution of their respective Offices.
BOSTON: Printed by B. Green, Printer to His Excellency the GOVERNOUR and COUNCIL. 1713.
