In the winter of 1684 the town of colonial town Hadley Connecticut was stunned by the death of Phillip Smith, one of their most prominent and upstanding citizens. He was "killed by an hideous witchcraft!"   The "Witch" was Mary Webster, Wife of William Webster who lived near Hadley. Her maiden name was Reeve. She and William were married in 1670. William was 53, she is believed to have been somewhat younger. They were poor but when by members of the local church came to help them, Mary ordered them to leave. The church people believed that Mary's unacceptable behavior caused by the devil, who was at work bringing evil into their community. They began to look for other signs that she was a witch and had "entered into a covenant with the devil."   News of strange incidents begin to circulate through the small community. Once a team of horses stopped outside Mary Webster's home and refused to go any further. The driver threatened Mary with his whip and then the horses continued on their way. Another story tells of a wagon over-turning nearby. The driver went to punish her for the deed and returned to find his wagon turned upright again.

...that she, not having the fear of God before her eyes, and being instigated by the devil, hath entered into covenant and had familiarity with him in the shape of a warraneage, (fisher or wild black cat of the woods) and had his imps sucking her, and teats or marks found on her, as in and by several testimonies may appear, contrary to the peace of our sovereign lord, the king, his crown and dignity, the laws of God and of this jurisdiction

Mr. Smith dies: The Jury that view's his Corpse, found a Swelling on one Breast, his Privities wounded or Burn'd, his Back full of Bruises, and several Holes that seemed made with Awls. After the Opinion of all had pronounced him dead, his Countenance continued as Lively as if he had been Alive; his Eyes closed as in a Slumber, and his Nether Jaw not falling down. Thus he remained from Saturday Morning about Sunrise, till Sabbath-day in the Afternoon; when those who took him out of the Bed, found him still warm, though' the Season was as cold as had almost been known in any Age: And a New England Winter does not want for Cold.
 
On the Night following his Countenance was yet fresh as before; but on Monday morning, they found the Face extremely tumify'd and discoulour'd. It was black and blue, and fresh Blood seem'd running down his Cheek upon the Hairs. Divers Noises were also heard in the Room where the corpse lay, as the Clattering of Chairs and Stools, whereof no account could be given. This was the End of so good a Man.

This time the people of Hadley took the law into their own hands. As Smith lay dying they took Mary Webster out and hung her. When morning came she was still alive, so they took her down, rolled her in the snow. They buried her in the snow and left her. She survived the ordeal, and lived another eleven years during which time the famous Salem Witch trials took place. History calls her "Half Hanged Mary".   The Salem Witch trials had their roots in a political power struggle between James Bayley who was the first minister of Salem Village in 1679, and Samuel Parris, who was elected in 1689. Samuel Parris had a slave from the West Indies, named Tibuta. Parris's daughter and his niece who were fascinated by the stories Tibuta told them of voodoo, and island magic. The girls knew that even listening to these tales was a grievous sin, but their fascination continued and soon daughters of some of Parris's other supporters came to hear Tibuta's stories. Some of the girls begin to exhibit strange behavior. The doctor could find nothing wrong with them, so he declared that the "hand of the devil" was upon them. Supporters of James Bayley seized the opportunity, declaring that Parris was in league with the devil, and hysteria spread like wild fire.

The first arrests warrants were issued on February 29 1692. In next year over 150 people were accused and jailed on suspicion of witchcraft. These people were often tortured into signing an admission of guilt. Four adults and one infant died in prison, 18 people convicted by trial and were hanged. One man, 80 years old was killed by "pressing", a method of torture where they pile rocks on the victim until they confess, or in this case until the man's death two days later. Two dogs were also hanged.   In January 1692 Governor Phillips declared that "spectoral evidence" was no longer admissible. This meant that they could no longer convict someone of a crime done by an invisible manifestation or specter. After this all but 3 of the 52 people imprisoned were set free.

History of Hadley Judd,1905. S.H. R. Hunting, Springfield.
Witches & Historians Mappen, M. 1980. Robert E. Krieger Publishing Company, Huntingdon, N.Y.
The Magnalia Christi Americana (Book VI, Chapter VII - 1702) Mather, Cotten. Reprinted 1967 by Russell & Russell, New York.