As If a Bird Flew By Me: A Novel

Reversal, No Fortune

61 REVERSAL, NO FORTUNE Most of the Salem witchcraft convictions had been reversed in 1711 (19 hanged, 1 pressed to death)— Giles Corey, in his 80’s, pressed to death September 19, 1962: it took three days, and he would not confess. It is claimed he said, “More weight,” as the sheriff piled boulders on him. Was he trying to atone to his wife for testifying against her, which lead to her execution? And/or was he also aiming to prevent his property being confiscated by the sheriff, his children losing their inheritance? “Mr. Sewall S’r I thought good to returne you the Names of severall psons that were Condemned & Executed that not any person or relations appeared in the behalf of for the takeing of the Attainder or for other Expences.” All but six: Bridget Bishop, Wilmot Redd, Susannah Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, and Ann Pudeator . Convictions overlooked, families moved away, deaf to the petitions, with financial restitutions that ranged from $35 to $750 each. k Representative Walter Judd (R., MN), a direct descendant of Ann Pudeator, wished to clear her name of witchcraft, in the mid-20th century. 62 The bill was rejected three times: “One prominent legislator argued we were trying to rewrite history.” Others worried that the Greenslit relatives would try to reclaim Ann’s property, confiscated by the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer at her conviction. Some feared Massachusetts would lose tourist revenue in Salem if the rest of the witches’ names were cleared. One senator felt that if the bill was defeated, Greenslit would continue to fight, bringing the Commonwealth needed publicity. Another senator stated since the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not exist in 1692, it was “not accountable for the deeds of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.” After the third defeat, the New York Post headline read, “Salem Witches Kept On Broom to Bewitch Tourists.” k In the 1950’s, you could get a souvenir license plate that read “Salem, The Witch City.” k Rewritten, the bill passed in 1957. After 15 years of trying, Ann Pudeator, the only one named in the document, “and other persons” were pardoned after 265 years. ...