Elizabeth Jackson Howe was born in 1637 near Rowley, Yorkshire. She is the daughter of William and Joanne Jackson. Elizabeth married James Howe in April 1658. They had six children by the names of James Howe, Elizabeth Howe Jr, Mary Howe, Deborah Howe, John Howe, and Abigail Howe. They lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
The Perley, the family of Ipswich, Massachusetts, was among the chief accusers of Elizabeth. They had a ten-year-old daughter who claimed she was being afflicted by Elizabeth. The child complained of being pricked by pins and would fall into fits. In the testimony against Elizabeth, on June 1st, 1692, they quoted their daughter with the phrase, "I could never afflict a dog as good Howe afflicts me.". At first, the parents didn't believe their daughters accusations. They took her to doctors and they all told the parents their daughter was "under an evil hand". Her condition continued for 2-3 years, until "she pined away to skin and bones and ended her sorrowful life.". Elizabeth was accused of afflicting many other girls within the Salem village. The girls she was accused of afflicting were Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam Jr, Abigal Williams, and Mary Warren. Mary Warren participated in the other girls accusations, before guilt overtook her and she eventually admitted that her and the other girls were lying. However, the other girls turned on Mary and Mary was later accused and hung for being a witch.
May 28th, 1692 a warrant was released for the arrest of Elizabeth Howe. The warrant was released by John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Elizabeth Howe was to be apprehended and taken to Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersolls home. She was charged with "Sundry Acts of Witch-Craft done or (committed) on the (bodies) of Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and other people in the village of Salem". She was apprehended by Ephraim Wildes, constable of Tops-field, on the 29th of May, 1692.
This transcript was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers
"To the constable of Topsfield
Your are in they're Majestyes Names hereby Required to Apprehend & bring before us Elizabeth Howe the wife of James Howe if Topsfeild Husbandman on Tuesday next being the thirty first day of may about Ten of the Clock forenoone att the house: of Leut Nathaniell Ingersollsof Salem Village, Whoe stande Charged w'th Sundry Acts of Witch-craft done or Committed on the bodyes of Mary Walcott, Abigaill Williams & others of Salem Village, to theyr great hurt, in order to hir examination, Relating to the above s'd premises. & hereof you are nott to fayle.
Dat'd. Salem. May. 28th. 1692/
In obedience to this warrant I have appreend [r] ed Elizabeth Howe the wife of Jems how on the 29th of may 1692 and have brought har unto the house of leftenant nathaniell engleson according too to the warrant as attested by me Ephraim Wildes constabell
For the town of Topsfelld.
Dated May 31st 1692"
The accused witches, including Elizabeth Howe, were to be bound with cords and irons for months, subjected to insults, unending examinations and excommunication from the church. They were subjected to prison officials, and the juries who were ordered to search the accused of witch marks. Elizabeth Howe was imprisoned with these conditions, but she was able to rely on support from her family. Her daughters, and sometimes her blind husband, would take turns taking regular trips to Boston. It is said that they would bring her country butter, clear linen, and comfort.
Court conditions were more than ridiculous during the witch trials. There were many hysterics and dramatic, faked performances during the trials. For example. "afflicted" girls would randomly throw themselves onto the floor in hysterical fits, and when an examination was done on their body they would cry out in pain. During the trial, Elizabeth Howe was accused by Mary Walcott of pinching and choking her in the month of May. Ann Putman Jr added to the accusations by saying she had been hurt three times by Elizabeth. When asked how she pleaded to the accusations, Elizabeth bodly responded "If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent of any thing of this nature.".
There were many forms of evidence used against Elizabeth Howe during her trial. One piece of evidence being "Anger Followed by Mischief". The Perely family, who accused Elizabeth of afflicting their daughter, also accused the illness of their cow on Elizabeth. Samuel Pereley also claimed that a few days later the cow suddenly went mad and ran into a pond, drowning herself. There is no evidence proving that this actually happened. The Pereley family also said that their daughter told them, that whenever she went near fire or water, the witch (Elizabeth) tried to pull her in. Another accusation of anger before mischief was presented against Elizabeth by her own brother-in-law, John Howe. According to him, Elizabeth asked John Howe to accompany her to the "Salem Farmes" John responded if she had been accused of anything else he would have accompanied her, but because she was accused of witchcraft, he refused. He claims that he said, "If you are a witch, tell me how long you have been a witch and what mischief you have done and then I will go with you." His report claimed that she was angry with him because of that. John said that he had a pig with six small piglets and that around sunset the pig leaped up, let out a squeal, and then dropped dead. He also claimed that he cut off the ear of the dead pig and the hand he used proceeded to hurt for many days after. He blamed all of this on his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Howe.
It may seem as though, everyone is against Elizabeth Howe. But, you'll be happy to know that this was not the case. Elizabeth had witnesses of her own. Reverand Phillips of Rowley was able to testify in Elizabeth's defense, because he witnessed a conversation between her and Samuel Perley. On June 3rd, 1692, this testimony was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers.
"The testimony of Samuel Phillips aged about 67, minister of the word of God in Rowley, who sayth, that mr payson (minister of gods word alsoe in Rowley) and my self went, being desired, to Samuel pearly of ipswich to see their young daughter who was visited with strange fits & in her fits (as her father & mother affirmed) did mention good wife Howe the wife of James Howe Junior of Ipswich, as if she was in the house & did afflict her: when we were in the house the child had one of her fits but made no mention of goodwife howe; & when the fit was over & she came to herself, goodwife Howe, went to the child and took her by the hand & askt her whether she had ever done her any hurt And she answered "no never" and if I did complain of you in my fits I know not that I did soe: I further can affirm upon oath that young Samuel Pearly, Brother to the afflicted girl looking out of a chamber window (I and the afflicted child being without dores together) and say to his sister say goodwife Howe is a witch, say she is a witch & the child spoke not a word that way, but I lookt up to the window where the youth stood & rebuked him for his boldness to stirr up his sister to accuse the said goodw: Howe where as she had cleared her from doing any hurt to his sister in both our hearing, & I added no wonder that the child in her fits did mention Goodwife Howe, when her nearest relations were so frequent in expressing their suspicions in the childs hearing when she was out of her fits, that the sayd Goodwif Howe, was an Instrument of mischief to the child."
A colleague of Phillips, Payson of Rowley, was also present at this encounter between Elizabeth Howe and Perley's daughter. He added his testimony by stating, "their afflicted daughter, upon something that her mother spoke to her with tartness, presently fell into one of her usual strange fits, during which, she made no mention(as I observed)of the above s'd Howe her name, or any thing relating to her some time after, the s'd howe came in." Elizabeth's father-in-law testified to her good nature. He said that she, "[set] a side humain infurmitys as [become] a Christian with Respect to [himself] as a father very dutifully & a wife to [his] son very carful loving obedient and kind Considering his want of eye sight.". He concluded his testimony by saying, "now desiring god may guide your honours to see a difference between predigous and Consentes I rest yours to Sarve.".
Public execution was considered the most severe punishment of the time in Puritan Massachusetts. The convincted witches would be hung on Gallows Hill. Elizabeth Howe was hung on July 19th, 1692, along with Rebecca Nurse, her sister-in-law, Sarah Good, Sarah WIldes, and Susannah Martin. Elizabeth Howe rode to the execution spot with a minister, the minister then went go into detail about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and repentance. The minster also preached a sermen to the crowd who gathered to watch the execution. In an "ideal" situation, the condemmed would confess to their crimes, relieving worry of the community that they were sending an unprepared soul to the next life. It is unknown if Elizabeth confessed or not, but I hope she stood her ground and didn't.
The Perley, the family of Ipswich, Massachusetts, was among the chief accusers of Elizabeth. They had a ten-year-old daughter who claimed she was being afflicted by Elizabeth. The child complained of being pricked by pins and would fall into fits. In the testimony against Elizabeth, on June 1st, 1692, they quoted their daughter with the phrase, "I could never afflict a dog as good Howe afflicts me.". At first, the parents didn't believe their daughters accusations. They took her to doctors and they all told the parents their daughter was "under an evil hand". Her condition continued for 2-3 years, until "she pined away to skin and bones and ended her sorrowful life.". Elizabeth was accused of afflicting many other girls within the Salem village. The girls she was accused of afflicting were Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam Jr, Abigal Williams, and Mary Warren. Mary Warren participated in the other girls accusations, before guilt overtook her and she eventually admitted that her and the other girls were lying. However, the other girls turned on Mary and Mary was later accused and hung for being a witch.
May 28th, 1692 a warrant was released for the arrest of Elizabeth Howe. The warrant was released by John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Elizabeth Howe was to be apprehended and taken to Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersolls home. She was charged with "Sundry Acts of Witch-Craft done or (committed) on the (bodies) of Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and other people in the village of Salem". She was apprehended by Ephraim Wildes, constable of Tops-field, on the 29th of May, 1692.
This transcript was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers
"To the constable of Topsfield
Your are in they're Majestyes Names hereby Required to Apprehend & bring before us Elizabeth Howe the wife of James Howe if Topsfeild Husbandman on Tuesday next being the thirty first day of may about Ten of the Clock forenoone att the house: of Leut Nathaniell Ingersollsof Salem Village, Whoe stande Charged w'th Sundry Acts of Witch-craft done or Committed on the bodyes of Mary Walcott, Abigaill Williams & others of Salem Village, to theyr great hurt, in order to hir examination, Relating to the above s'd premises. & hereof you are nott to fayle.
Dat'd. Salem. May. 28th. 1692/
In obedience to this warrant I have appreend [r] ed Elizabeth Howe the wife of Jems how on the 29th of may 1692 and have brought har unto the house of leftenant nathaniell engleson according too to the warrant as attested by me Ephraim Wildes constabell
For the town of Topsfelld.
Dated May 31st 1692"
The accused witches, including Elizabeth Howe, were to be bound with cords and irons for months, subjected to insults, unending examinations and excommunication from the church. They were subjected to prison officials, and the juries who were ordered to search the accused of witch marks. Elizabeth Howe was imprisoned with these conditions, but she was able to rely on support from her family. Her daughters, and sometimes her blind husband, would take turns taking regular trips to Boston. It is said that they would bring her country butter, clear linen, and comfort.
Court conditions were more than ridiculous during the witch trials. There were many hysterics and dramatic, faked performances during the trials. For example. "afflicted" girls would randomly throw themselves onto the floor in hysterical fits, and when an examination was done on their body they would cry out in pain. During the trial, Elizabeth Howe was accused by Mary Walcott of pinching and choking her in the month of May. Ann Putman Jr added to the accusations by saying she had been hurt three times by Elizabeth. When asked how she pleaded to the accusations, Elizabeth bodly responded "If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent of any thing of this nature.".
There were many forms of evidence used against Elizabeth Howe during her trial. One piece of evidence being "Anger Followed by Mischief". The Perely family, who accused Elizabeth of afflicting their daughter, also accused the illness of their cow on Elizabeth. Samuel Pereley also claimed that a few days later the cow suddenly went mad and ran into a pond, drowning herself. There is no evidence proving that this actually happened. The Pereley family also said that their daughter told them, that whenever she went near fire or water, the witch (Elizabeth) tried to pull her in. Another accusation of anger before mischief was presented against Elizabeth by her own brother-in-law, John Howe. According to him, Elizabeth asked John Howe to accompany her to the "Salem Farmes" John responded if she had been accused of anything else he would have accompanied her, but because she was accused of witchcraft, he refused. He claims that he said, "If you are a witch, tell me how long you have been a witch and what mischief you have done and then I will go with you." His report claimed that she was angry with him because of that. John said that he had a pig with six small piglets and that around sunset the pig leaped up, let out a squeal, and then dropped dead. He also claimed that he cut off the ear of the dead pig and the hand he used proceeded to hurt for many days after. He blamed all of this on his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Howe.
It may seem as though, everyone is against Elizabeth Howe. But, you'll be happy to know that this was not the case. Elizabeth had witnesses of her own. Reverand Phillips of Rowley was able to testify in Elizabeth's defense, because he witnessed a conversation between her and Samuel Perley. On June 3rd, 1692, this testimony was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers.
"The testimony of Samuel Phillips aged about 67, minister of the word of God in Rowley, who sayth, that mr payson (minister of gods word alsoe in Rowley) and my self went, being desired, to Samuel pearly of ipswich to see their young daughter who was visited with strange fits & in her fits (as her father & mother affirmed) did mention good wife Howe the wife of James Howe Junior of Ipswich, as if she was in the house & did afflict her: when we were in the house the child had one of her fits but made no mention of goodwife howe; & when the fit was over & she came to herself, goodwife Howe, went to the child and took her by the hand & askt her whether she had ever done her any hurt And she answered "no never" and if I did complain of you in my fits I know not that I did soe: I further can affirm upon oath that young Samuel Pearly, Brother to the afflicted girl looking out of a chamber window (I and the afflicted child being without dores together) and say to his sister say goodwife Howe is a witch, say she is a witch & the child spoke not a word that way, but I lookt up to the window where the youth stood & rebuked him for his boldness to stirr up his sister to accuse the said goodw: Howe where as she had cleared her from doing any hurt to his sister in both our hearing, & I added no wonder that the child in her fits did mention Goodwife Howe, when her nearest relations were so frequent in expressing their suspicions in the childs hearing when she was out of her fits, that the sayd Goodwif Howe, was an Instrument of mischief to the child."
A colleague of Phillips, Payson of Rowley, was also present at this encounter between Elizabeth Howe and Perley's daughter. He added his testimony by stating, "their afflicted daughter, upon something that her mother spoke to her with tartness, presently fell into one of her usual strange fits, during which, she made no mention(as I observed)of the above s'd Howe her name, or any thing relating to her some time after, the s'd howe came in." Elizabeth's father-in-law testified to her good nature. He said that she, "[set] a side humain infurmitys as [become] a Christian with Respect to [himself] as a father very dutifully & a wife to [his] son very carful loving obedient and kind Considering his want of eye sight.". He concluded his testimony by saying, "now desiring god may guide your honours to see a difference between predigous and Consentes I rest yours to Sarve.".
Public execution was considered the most severe punishment of the time in Puritan Massachusetts. The convincted witches would be hung on Gallows Hill. Elizabeth Howe was hung on July 19th, 1692, along with Rebecca Nurse, her sister-in-law, Sarah Good, Sarah WIldes, and Susannah Martin. Elizabeth Howe rode to the execution spot with a minister, the minister then went go into detail about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and repentance. The minster also preached a sermen to the crowd who gathered to watch the execution. In an "ideal" situation, the condemmed would confess to their crimes, relieving worry of the community that they were sending an unprepared soul to the next life. It is unknown if Elizabeth confessed or not, but I hope she stood her ground and didn't.
Elizabeth Jackson Howe was born in 1637 near Rowley, Yorkshire. She is the daughter of William and Joanne Jackson. Elizabeth married James Howe in April 1658. They had six children by the names of James Howe, Elizabeth Howe Jr, Mary Howe, Deborah Howe, John Howe, and Abigail Howe. They lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts.
The Perley, the family of Ipswich, Massachusetts, was among the chief accusers of Elizabeth. They had a ten-year-old daughter who claimed she was being afflicted by Elizabeth. The child complained of being pricked by pins and would fall into fits. In the testimony against Elizabeth, on June 1st, 1692, they quoted their daughter with the phrase, "I could never afflict a dog as good Howe afflicts me.". At first, the parents didn't believe their daughters accusations. They took her to doctors and they all told the parents their daughter was "under an evil hand". Her condition continued for 2-3 years, until "she pined away to skin and bones and ended her sorrowful life.". Elizabeth was accused of afflicting many other girls within the Salem village. The girls she was accused of afflicting were Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam Jr, Abigal Williams, and Mary Warren. Mary Warren participated in the other girls accusations, before guilt overtook her and she eventually admitted that her and the other girls were lying. However, the other girls turned on Mary and Mary was later accused and hung for being a witch.
May 28th, 1692 a warrant was released for the arrest of Elizabeth Howe. The warrant was released by John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Elizabeth Howe was to be apprehended and taken to Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersolls home. She was charged with "Sundry Acts of Witch-Craft done or (committed) on the (bodies) of Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and other people in the village of Salem". She was apprehended by Ephraim Wildes, constable of Tops-field, on the 29th of May, 1692.
This transcript was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers
"To the constable of Topsfield
Your are in they're Majestyes Names hereby Required to Apprehend & bring before us Elizabeth Howe the wife of James Howe if Topsfeild Husbandman on Tuesday next being the thirty first day of may about Ten of the Clock forenoone att the house: of Leut Nathaniell Ingersollsof Salem Village, Whoe stande Charged w'th Sundry Acts of Witch-craft done or Committed on the bodyes of Mary Walcott, Abigaill Williams & others of Salem Village, to theyr great hurt, in order to hir examination, Relating to the above s'd premises. & hereof you are nott to fayle.
Dat'd. Salem. May. 28th. 1692/
In obedience to this warrant I have appreend [r] ed Elizabeth Howe the wife of Jems how on the 29th of may 1692 and have brought har unto the house of leftenant nathaniell engleson according too to the warrant as attested by me Ephraim Wildes constabell
For the town of Topsfelld.
Dated May 31st 1692"
The accused witches, including Elizabeth Howe, were to be bound with cords and irons for months, subjected to insults, unending examinations and excommunication from the church. They were subjected to prison officials, and the juries who were ordered to search the accused of witch marks. Elizabeth Howe was imprisoned with these conditions, but she was able to rely on support from her family. Her daughters, and sometimes her blind husband, would take turns taking regular trips to Boston. It is said that they would bring her country butter, clear linen, and comfort.
Court conditions were more than ridiculous during the witch trials. There were many hysterics and dramatic, faked performances during the trials. For example. "afflicted" girls would randomly throw themselves onto the floor in hysterical fits, and when an examination was done on their body they would cry out in pain. During the trial, Elizabeth Howe was accused by Mary Walcott of pinching and choking her in the month of May. Ann Putman Jr added to the accusations by saying she had been hurt three times by Elizabeth. When asked how she pleaded to the accusations, Elizabeth bodly responded "If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent of any thing of this nature.".
There were many forms of evidence used against Elizabeth Howe during her trial. One piece of evidence being "Anger Followed by Mischief". The Perely family, who accused Elizabeth of afflicting their daughter, also accused the illness of their cow on Elizabeth. Samuel Pereley also claimed that a few days later the cow suddenly went mad and ran into a pond, drowning herself. There is no evidence proving that this actually happened. The Pereley family also said that their daughter told them, that whenever she went near fire or water, the witch (Elizabeth) tried to pull her in. Another accusation of anger before mischief was presented against Elizabeth by her own brother-in-law, John Howe. According to him, Elizabeth asked John Howe to accompany her to the "Salem Farmes" John responded if she had been accused of anything else he would have accompanied her, but because she was accused of witchcraft, he refused. He claims that he said, "If you are a witch, tell me how long you have been a witch and what mischief you have done and then I will go with you." His report claimed that she was angry with him because of that. John said that he had a pig with six small piglets and that around sunset the pig leaped up, let out a squeal, and then dropped dead. He also claimed that he cut off the ear of the dead pig and the hand he used proceeded to hurt for many days after. He blamed all of this on his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Howe.
It may seem as though, everyone is against Elizabeth Howe. But, you'll be happy to know that this was not the case. Elizabeth had witnesses of her own. Reverand Phillips of Rowley was able to testify in Elizabeth's defense, because he witnessed a conversation between her and Samuel Perley. On June 3rd, 1692, this testimony was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers.
"The testimony of Samuel Phillips aged about 67, minister of the word of God in Rowley, who sayth, that mr payson (minister of gods word alsoe in Rowley) and my self went, being desired, to Samuel pearly of ipswich to see their young daughter who was visited with strange fits & in her fits (as her father & mother affirmed) did mention good wife Howe the wife of James Howe Junior of Ipswich, as if she was in the house & did afflict her: when we were in the house the child had one of her fits but made no mention of goodwife howe; & when the fit was over & she came to herself, goodwife Howe, went to the child and took her by the hand & askt her whether she had ever done her any hurt And she answered "no never" and if I did complain of you in my fits I know not that I did soe: I further can affirm upon oath that young Samuel Pearly, Brother to the afflicted girl looking out of a chamber window (I and the afflicted child being without dores together) and say to his sister say goodwife Howe is a witch, say she is a witch & the child spoke not a word that way, but I lookt up to the window where the youth stood & rebuked him for his boldness to stirr up his sister to accuse the said goodw: Howe where as she had cleared her from doing any hurt to his sister in both our hearing, & I added no wonder that the child in her fits did mention Goodwife Howe, when her nearest relations were so frequent in expressing their suspicions in the childs hearing when she was out of her fits, that the sayd Goodwif Howe, was an Instrument of mischief to the child."
A colleague of Phillips, Payson of Rowley, was also present at this encounter between Elizabeth Howe and Perley's daughter. He added his testimony by stating, "their afflicted daughter, upon something that her mother spoke to her with tartness, presently fell into one of her usual strange fits, during which, she made no mention(as I observed)of the above s'd Howe her name, or any thing relating to her some time after, the s'd howe came in." Elizabeth's father-in-law testified to her good nature. He said that she, "[set] a side humain infurmitys as [become] a Christian with Respect to [himself] as a father very dutifully & a wife to [his] son very carful loving obedient and kind Considering his want of eye sight.". He concluded his testimony by saying, "now desiring god may guide your honours to see a difference between predigous and Consentes I rest yours to Sarve.".
Public execution was considered the most severe punishment of the time in Puritan Massachusetts. The convincted witches would be hung on Gallows Hill. Elizabeth Howe was hung on July 19th, 1692, along with Rebecca Nurse, her sister-in-law, Sarah Good, Sarah WIldes, and Susannah Martin. Elizabeth Howe rode to the execution spot with a minister, the minister then went go into detail about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and repentance. The minster also preached a sermen to the crowd who gathered to watch the execution. In an "ideal" situation, the condemmed would confess to their crimes, relieving worry of the community that they were sending an unprepared soul to the next life. It is unknown if Elizabeth confessed or not, but I hope she stood her ground and didn't.
The Perley, the family of Ipswich, Massachusetts, was among the chief accusers of Elizabeth. They had a ten-year-old daughter who claimed she was being afflicted by Elizabeth. The child complained of being pricked by pins and would fall into fits. In the testimony against Elizabeth, on June 1st, 1692, they quoted their daughter with the phrase, "I could never afflict a dog as good Howe afflicts me.". At first, the parents didn't believe their daughters accusations. They took her to doctors and they all told the parents their daughter was "under an evil hand". Her condition continued for 2-3 years, until "she pined away to skin and bones and ended her sorrowful life.". Elizabeth was accused of afflicting many other girls within the Salem village. The girls she was accused of afflicting were Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam Jr, Abigal Williams, and Mary Warren. Mary Warren participated in the other girls accusations, before guilt overtook her and she eventually admitted that her and the other girls were lying. However, the other girls turned on Mary and Mary was later accused and hung for being a witch.
May 28th, 1692 a warrant was released for the arrest of Elizabeth Howe. The warrant was released by John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Elizabeth Howe was to be apprehended and taken to Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersolls home. She was charged with "Sundry Acts of Witch-Craft done or (committed) on the (bodies) of Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and other people in the village of Salem". She was apprehended by Ephraim Wildes, constable of Tops-field, on the 29th of May, 1692.
This transcript was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers
"To the constable of Topsfield
Your are in they're Majestyes Names hereby Required to Apprehend & bring before us Elizabeth Howe the wife of James Howe if Topsfeild Husbandman on Tuesday next being the thirty first day of may about Ten of the Clock forenoone att the house: of Leut Nathaniell Ingersollsof Salem Village, Whoe stande Charged w'th Sundry Acts of Witch-craft done or Committed on the bodyes of Mary Walcott, Abigaill Williams & others of Salem Village, to theyr great hurt, in order to hir examination, Relating to the above s'd premises. & hereof you are nott to fayle.
Dat'd. Salem. May. 28th. 1692/
In obedience to this warrant I have appreend [r] ed Elizabeth Howe the wife of Jems how on the 29th of may 1692 and have brought har unto the house of leftenant nathaniell engleson according too to the warrant as attested by me Ephraim Wildes constabell
For the town of Topsfelld.
Dated May 31st 1692"
The accused witches, including Elizabeth Howe, were to be bound with cords and irons for months, subjected to insults, unending examinations and excommunication from the church. They were subjected to prison officials, and the juries who were ordered to search the accused of witch marks. Elizabeth Howe was imprisoned with these conditions, but she was able to rely on support from her family. Her daughters, and sometimes her blind husband, would take turns taking regular trips to Boston. It is said that they would bring her country butter, clear linen, and comfort.
Court conditions were more than ridiculous during the witch trials. There were many hysterics and dramatic, faked performances during the trials. For example. "afflicted" girls would randomly throw themselves onto the floor in hysterical fits, and when an examination was done on their body they would cry out in pain. During the trial, Elizabeth Howe was accused by Mary Walcott of pinching and choking her in the month of May. Ann Putman Jr added to the accusations by saying she had been hurt three times by Elizabeth. When asked how she pleaded to the accusations, Elizabeth bodly responded "If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent of any thing of this nature.".
There were many forms of evidence used against Elizabeth Howe during her trial. One piece of evidence being "Anger Followed by Mischief". The Perely family, who accused Elizabeth of afflicting their daughter, also accused the illness of their cow on Elizabeth. Samuel Pereley also claimed that a few days later the cow suddenly went mad and ran into a pond, drowning herself. There is no evidence proving that this actually happened. The Pereley family also said that their daughter told them, that whenever she went near fire or water, the witch (Elizabeth) tried to pull her in. Another accusation of anger before mischief was presented against Elizabeth by her own brother-in-law, John Howe. According to him, Elizabeth asked John Howe to accompany her to the "Salem Farmes" John responded if she had been accused of anything else he would have accompanied her, but because she was accused of witchcraft, he refused. He claims that he said, "If you are a witch, tell me how long you have been a witch and what mischief you have done and then I will go with you." His report claimed that she was angry with him because of that. John said that he had a pig with six small piglets and that around sunset the pig leaped up, let out a squeal, and then dropped dead. He also claimed that he cut off the ear of the dead pig and the hand he used proceeded to hurt for many days after. He blamed all of this on his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Howe.
It may seem as though, everyone is against Elizabeth Howe. But, you'll be happy to know that this was not the case. Elizabeth had witnesses of her own. Reverand Phillips of Rowley was able to testify in Elizabeth's defense, because he witnessed a conversation between her and Samuel Perley. On June 3rd, 1692, this testimony was taken from The Salem Witchcraft Papers.
"The testimony of Samuel Phillips aged about 67, minister of the word of God in Rowley, who sayth, that mr payson (minister of gods word alsoe in Rowley) and my self went, being desired, to Samuel pearly of ipswich to see their young daughter who was visited with strange fits & in her fits (as her father & mother affirmed) did mention good wife Howe the wife of James Howe Junior of Ipswich, as if she was in the house & did afflict her: when we were in the house the child had one of her fits but made no mention of goodwife howe; & when the fit was over & she came to herself, goodwife Howe, went to the child and took her by the hand & askt her whether she had ever done her any hurt And she answered "no never" and if I did complain of you in my fits I know not that I did soe: I further can affirm upon oath that young Samuel Pearly, Brother to the afflicted girl looking out of a chamber window (I and the afflicted child being without dores together) and say to his sister say goodwife Howe is a witch, say she is a witch & the child spoke not a word that way, but I lookt up to the window where the youth stood & rebuked him for his boldness to stirr up his sister to accuse the said goodw: Howe where as she had cleared her from doing any hurt to his sister in both our hearing, & I added no wonder that the child in her fits did mention Goodwife Howe, when her nearest relations were so frequent in expressing their suspicions in the childs hearing when she was out of her fits, that the sayd Goodwif Howe, was an Instrument of mischief to the child."
A colleague of Phillips, Payson of Rowley, was also present at this encounter between Elizabeth Howe and Perley's daughter. He added his testimony by stating, "their afflicted daughter, upon something that her mother spoke to her with tartness, presently fell into one of her usual strange fits, during which, she made no mention(as I observed)of the above s'd Howe her name, or any thing relating to her some time after, the s'd howe came in." Elizabeth's father-in-law testified to her good nature. He said that she, "[set] a side humain infurmitys as [become] a Christian with Respect to [himself] as a father very dutifully & a wife to [his] son very carful loving obedient and kind Considering his want of eye sight.". He concluded his testimony by saying, "now desiring god may guide your honours to see a difference between predigous and Consentes I rest yours to Sarve.".
Public execution was considered the most severe punishment of the time in Puritan Massachusetts. The convincted witches would be hung on Gallows Hill. Elizabeth Howe was hung on July 19th, 1692, along with Rebecca Nurse, her sister-in-law, Sarah Good, Sarah WIldes, and Susannah Martin. Elizabeth Howe rode to the execution spot with a minister, the minister then went go into detail about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and repentance. The minster also preached a sermen to the crowd who gathered to watch the execution. In an "ideal" situation, the condemmed would confess to their crimes, relieving worry of the community that they were sending an unprepared soul to the next life. It is unknown if Elizabeth confessed or not, but I hope she stood her ground and didn't.
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