1662-63 was a notable year in the history of witchcraft in Connecticut.  It marked the last execution for the crime within the commonwealth, and thirty years before the outbreak at Salem.

NATHANIEL GREENSMITH and REBECCA his WIFE.  Hartford, 1662.  Both executed.

Account in previous chapter. Records Particular Court (2:  182); Memorial History Hartford County (1:  274); Connecticut Magazine (November 1899, pp. 557-561).

MARY SANFORD.  Hartford, 1662.  Convicted June 13, 1662.  Executed.

Records Particular Court (2:  174-175); HOADLEY’S Record Witchcraft Trials.

ANDREW SANFORD.  Hartford, 1662.  No indictment.

Records Particular Court (2:  174-175); HOADLEY’S Record Witchcraft Trials.

JUDITH VARLETT (VARLETH).  Hartford, 1662.  Arrested; released.

It will be recalled that Rebecca Greensmith in her confession, among other things, said that Mrs. Judith Varlett told her that she (Varlett) “was much troubled wth ye Marshall Jonath:  Gilbert & cried, & she sayd if it lay in her power she would doe him a mischief, or what hurt shee could.”

Judith must have indulged in other indiscretions of association or of speech, since she soon fell under suspicion of witchcraft, and was put under arrest and imprisoned.  But she had a powerful friend at court (who, despite his many contentions and intrigues, commanded the attention of the Connecticut authorities), in the person of her brother-in-law Peter Stuyvesant, then bearing the title and office of “Captain General and Commander-in-Chief of Amsterdam In New Netherland, now called New York, and the Dutch West India Islands.”  It was doubtless due to his intercession in a letter of October 13, 1662, that she was released.

The letter: 

“To the Honorable Deputy Governour & Court of “Magistracy att Harafort.  (Oct. 1662)

“Honoured and Worthy Srs.—­

“By this occasion of me Brother in Lawe (beinge necessitated to make a Second Voyage for ayde his distressed sister Judith Varleth jmprisoned as we are jmformed, uppon pretend accusation of wicherye we Realy Beleeve and out her wel known education Life Conversation & profession of faith, wee dear assure that shee is jnnocent of Such a horrible Crimen, & wherefor j doubt not hee will now, as formerly finde jour dhonnours favour and ayde for the jnnocent). Ye Ld Stephesons Letter (C.B. 2:  doc. 1).

MARY BARNES.  Farmington, 1662.  Convicted January 6.  Probably executed. Records Particular Court (2:  184).

WILLIAM AYRES and GOODY AYRES his Wife.  Hartford, 1662.  Arrested.  Fled from the colony.

ELIZABETH SEAGER.  Hartford, 1662.  Convicted; discharged.