A careful examination of brand new depositions and you will witnesses shows a very clear pattern among Margaret Scott’s accusers
Chief Daniel Wicom seemed given that central figure one of several accusers. Because the a popular member of Rowley, one witchcraft affliction one to inside Wicom, exactly who occupied of numerous area management positions, could have resulted in suit up against Scott.a dozen Based on depositions shown up against Scott, new owners out of Rowley guessed the lady to be a witch to own possibly 20 years however, no step is removed until his de put through this lady.
Several activities have provided Frances Wicom so you’re able to attest so you can particularly a negative feel plus her family ecosystem as well as reference to Indian problems
Brand new Wicoms weren’t truly the only popular family of Rowley inside on the accusations facing ily in addition to starred an active character within the the fresh demonstration. Thomas and you will Phillip Nelson was indeed brothers; Sarah was Philip’s girlfriend. Its dad, Chief Philip Nelson, passed away from inside the 1691 leaving a home away from five hundred lbs recommending one one another Thomas and Philip had been well-off by themselves. Sadly, info don’t distinguish anywhere between Philip the father and you may Philip the latest kid. not, brand new stature of one’s title from Philip Nelson around facts signifies that the household is rich and you can powerful.thirteen
What is actually distinguished among the many looks regarding Nelsons and you may Wicoms throughout the Essex State ideas is basically just what failed to can be found
Since a couple family come in of many home conflicts, they never appear once the rivals. If you are one cannot assume that one another families have been relatives, it’s safe to state that these people were perhaps not foes. Philip Nelson provided testimony that served Daniel Wicom from inside the good 1679 demo and in 1680 both males sided together an additional court case. fourteen The partnership within Wicoms together with Nelsons due to the fact Margaret Scott’s chief accusers proceeded toward deposition out-of Philip and you may Sarah Nelson just who affirmed with the affliction off lifeless Robert Shillito, which lived in Daniel Wicom’s tithing section. Wicom might have obtained Shillito’s fees, experienced connection with him, and have become really regularly their supposed affliction. The past commitment took place the fresh new deposition off Thomas Nelson. At the end of his testimony, the record shown your as the a member of the fresh grand jury providing your the power to choose Margaret Scott’s destiny stretching the fresh Nelson-Wicom connection to a lot of regions of the fresh new trial. fifteen
The newest depositions provided against Margaret Scott stress this new rumors from the this lady character and also the preferred philosophy one released regarding the witches at the beginning of Brand new England. Of half dozen depositions showed until the Salem Judge for the Sep fifteenth, five explained new spectral picture of Margaret Scott tormenting others. Certain depositions given revealed that the majority of people suspected Scott was an excellent witch well before 1692. The brand new spectral evidence originated from the depositions of young women whom might have been influenced by the paranoia nearby Indian hostilities, societal pressures, and you may religion.
According to the evidence, Margaret Scott’s specter basic assaulted Frances Wicom at the beginning of the samples in the Salem within the 10th from ination towards August 5th. New seventeen year dated Frances provided the woman deposition to the legal within Salem into the September 15, 1692. Explaining conditions which were believed to be quite common Frances said you to age in my opinion and more than grievously torment me because of the choacking and you may nearly presing us to demise”.sixteen
She seriously might have read personal profile regarding soft issues having Indians. This new facts implies that a primary correlation can be found anywhere between anxiety more Indian Wars becoming battled in the Maine and witchcraft accusations. Such a demanding ecosystem in which The brand new England was suffering from Satan owing to witches and Indians, who had been recognized as servants of the devil, girls might have been prepared to accuse anybody who are remotely doubtful and also make Scott, exactly who currently had a shady reputation, a straightforward address.17