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SAMUEL WARDWELL, CONVICTED WITCH, OF ANDOVER,MA.

Descendants of JOHN WARDWELL and MARGARET (---)

1. JOHN1 WARDWELL [ married  MARGARET (---). 

	Child of JOHN WARDWELL and MARGARET (---) were as follows:
+		  

                                       Generation 2

2. THOMAS2 WARDWELL  (JOHN1), christened 31 Jan 1603/04 in Alford, Well, Lincolnshire, England, died 10 Dec 1646 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA (Boston Births Marriages & Deaths {Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., reprint 1968}, p.23 hereinafter BBMD) He married  ELIZABETH WOODRUFF died 22 Feb 1697 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA, "an antiant wido" (ibid,238).  
 

	Thomas a shoemaker by trade, was a freeman in Boston 4 Mar 1634/35 (Charles H.Pope, The Pioneers of Massachusetts {Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969} 478).  He was admitted to the Boston Church 9 Nov. 1634 (Charles H. Bell, History of Exeter, New Hampshire. {The Quarter Millenial Year of 1888}.  In
January of 1637 Thomas was alloted 20 acres of land in Boston adding to the 20 he received in 1635 (ibid)
 	 
	Thomas WARDWELL was a Antinomian, a follower of Jonathan WHEELWRIGHT and Anne HUTCHINSON who believed faith alone was the only thing necessary for salvation (Bell,37).  In January of 1639 Thomas was dismissed from the Boston Church and became a member of the church at Exeter, N.H. (ibid).
 	 
	Thomas received 12 acres and 60 poles in the division of land in Exeter and signed the Exeter Combination (ibid).  In 1641 he was chosen a sergeant in a band of soldiers and in 1642 he was on a committee to collect and distribute surplus corn to the poor (ibid).  He was appointed magistrate in 1643 to end small causes (ibid).

	Children of THOMAS WARDWELL and ELIZABETH WOODRUFF were as follows:
                         (born Boston, MA -BBMD 3,5,8,15)

	3	i	ELIAKIM3 WARDWELL  born Nov 1634 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA; died  in New Jersey. He married  LYDIA PERKINS [died aft. 1699 in New Jersey.   Eliakim and Lydia WARDWELL were Quakers and as such were victims of religious persecution.  Lydia, of Hampton, NH was called before the church of which she had been a member but stopped attending.  Many Quaker woman had been stripped and beaten by their accusers for not attending chjurch and other reasons and Lydia, in compassion for her Quaker sisters, appeared on her day of reckoning, naked to the waist.  She was taken to Ipswich, MA, stripped to the waist, tied to a post and lashed with a whip, before the eyes of a crowd of people near the local tavern (Mass. Historical Society lst Series Vol. 18:390). Also see First Settlers of Ye Plantations of Piscataway & Woodbridge, New Jersey, PT. #6, by O.E. Monnette 1934).
	4	ii	MARTHA3 WARDWELL , born Sep 1637 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. 
	5	iii	BENJAMIN3 WARDWELL  born Dec 1639/40 in Boston, Suffolk Co., MA. 
+	6	iv	SAMUEL3 WARDWELL , born 16 Mar 1643 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., NH. He married SARAH HOOPER 

                                          Generation 3

6. SAMUEL3 WARDWELL (THOMAS2, JOHN1), born 16 Mar 1643 in Exeter, Rockingham Co., NH (recorded Boston); died 22 Sep 1692 in Salem, Essex Co., MA . He married on 9 Jan 1672 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, SARAH HOOPER  (VR), born 7 Dec 1650 in Reading, Middlesex Co., MA (VR); died bef. 9 Feb 1711/12, daughter of WILLIAM HOOPER  and ELIZABETH (---) .  

	Samuel WARDWELL was a carpenter living in the southern part of Andover, MA. He was thought of as an eccentric by his neighbors as he told fortunes with cards, predicted the future and probably dabbled in the world of magic.  These activities were harmless and probably a source of pleasure for Samuel but were
frowned on by the superstitious and religiously zealous townspeople.  In 1692, during the heart of the witchcraft delusion taking place at nearby Salem, Samuel's eccentricities soon became, in the minds of some of the townspeople, acts of sorcery and wizardry. He was accused by Martha SPRAGUE of Boxford, MA as having practiced on her certain detestable arts called witchcraft and sorcery.  He was also charged with (20 years before) making a covenant with the evil spirit in which he promised to honor, worship and believe the devil.  A terrified SAMUEL confessed to these charges stating that while he was engaged in a one-sided love affair with a Miss BARKER, "he had seen some catts meeting together behind Mr. BRADSTREET's
house." One of these "catts" turned into a black man and told him if he signed the book he would "live comfortably and be a captain like Dudley BRADSTREET." The accused than signed away his soul to the devil and was baptized in the Shawsheen River, renouncing his prior baptism.
 
	Joseph BALLARD, Ephraim FOSTER and Thomas CHANDLER, all prominent men of the community, also testified against Samuel.  Mr. FOSTER, the father of five daughters testified that WARDWELL had predicted the birth of FOSTER's sixth
child, a son.  CHANDLER stated, "that I have often heard Samuel WARDWELL of Andover tell young persons their fortunes and he was much adicted to that and mayd sport of it....."
 	 
	Samuel WARDWELL, convicted witch, was hung with seven other unfortunate souls dispite the fact that he later recanted his confession. Samuel proclaimed his innocence to the bitter end and as he spoke on the floor of the gallows a puff of smoke from the hangman's pipe blew across his face causing someone in the crowd to shout, "The Devil doth hinder his words." Rev. Nicholas NOYES of the Salem Church remarked, "What a sad thing it is to see  eight firebrands of hell hanging there."
 	 
	The Sheriff seized the following items of Samuel's property in order to cover the expenses of his trial:  five cows at 2 pounds apiece = 10 pounds; one heifer and a yearling 2-5-9; 1 horse 3-0-0, 9 hogs 7-0-0; 8 loads of hay 4-0-0;a set of carpenter's tools 1-10-0; six acres of corn upon the ground 9-0-0 totaling 36-15-0 pounds.
 	 
	On 2 January 1693 Samuel's wife SARAH was also accused of witchcraft and making a covenant with the devil.  She was imprisioned but eventually released. The WARDWELL's daughter Mercy was also accused but exonerated.  The WARDWELLS while incarcerated, had to provide their own subsistence which probably included a substantial payment to the "keeper of the gaol".
 	 
	Since Samuel WARDWELL was deceased and SARAH WARDWELL jailed the Andover selectman bound out their "suffering" children to local families. Samuel jr was placed with his Uncle John BALLARD for a period of one year;
William WARDWELL with Corp. Samuel FRIE until he became twenty-one years of age from whom he would learn the trade of weaver; Eliakim WARDWELL to Daniel POORE
until he reached twenty-one years of age and Elizabeth (probably Rebecca called Elizabeth in error) went to live with John STEVENS until she was eighteen years old.
 	 
	On 19 Feb. 1711/12 Samuel WARDWELL's sons petitioned the Court for restitution for the seizure of their father's property and also to remove their mother's name inserted in a list of those whose attainder was taken off by the Act of Reversal.  The sum of 36-10-6 pounds was given to the WARDWELL children
for their sufferings.
 	 
	The Bible quotation "Thous shalt not suffer a witch to live" (EX 22-18) was indeed taken literally by some of the citizens of Essex County Mass.
 	 
	REFERENCES:  Sarah L. Bailey, Historical Sketches of Andover Mass.Comprising The Present Towns of Andover & North Andover,Mass.,( Boston 1880} Pages 210-221
 	 
	Claude M. FOSS, Andover, Symbol of New England - The Evolution of a Town 
                  (Andover & North Andover Historical Society
                  1959} Page 92-95
 	 
	Elizabeth W. Stay, A Brief Genealogy of the Wardwell Family 
                  (Wardwell Greenfield, MA 1905)
 	 
	Chadwick Hansen,Witchcraft at Salem  {New American Library 1969} Pages 120,130,194,261,273
 	 
	The Conn. Nutmegger Vol. 11-1 1978

	Children of SAMUEL WARDWELL and SARAH HOOPER were as follows:(VRS)
	7	i	MARY4 WARDWELL, born 3 Oct 1673 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 16 Feb 1754 in Andover, MA(VR). She married on 31 Aug 1697 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, JOHN WRIGHT [VR), died 9 Jun 1752 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR), son of WALTER WRIGHT and SUSANNAH JOHNSON 
	8	ii	ELIZABETH4 WARDWELL, born 3 Sep 1675 in Andover, MA; died 9 Sep 1675 in Andover, MA.(VR) 
	9	iii	SAMUEL jr4 WARDWELL, born 24 Feb 1676/77 in Andover, MA; died 15 Mar 1756 in Somers, Tolland Co., CT (VR). He married on 20 Dec 1716 in Beverly, Essex Co., MA, RETURN GILES [VR]. 
+	10	iv	WILLIAM4 WARDWELL , born 9 Nov 1679 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. He married DOROTHY WRIGHT. 
	11	v	ELIAKIM4 WARDWELL [1894], born 17 Aug 1687 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died bef. Oct 1753. He married  RUTH BRAGDON. 
	12	vi	REBECCA4 WARDWELL, born 10 Sep 1691 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; buried 2 Mar 1736/37 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). She married on 20 Feb 1710/11 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, EZEKIEL OSGOOD VR), died 4 Nov 1740 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR).   Rebecca joined the South Andover Church 12 July 1713.  Her husband Ezekiel joined 27 June 1714 (Historical Manuel of the So AndoverChurch printed 1854 ).

                                          Generation 4

10. WILLIAM4 WARDWELL (SAMUEL3, THOMAS2, JOHN1), born 9 Nov 1679 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 22 Apr 1751 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). He married on 25 Nov 1706 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR), DOROTHY WRIGHT, born 23 Jul 1688 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR); died 15 Nov 1773 in Andover, Essex Co., MA,(VR) daughter of WALTER WRIGHT and ELIZABETH PETERS  
 
	William & Dorothy WARDWELL were members of the South Andover Church.(Historical Manuel of the South Andover Church printed 1854). William was received into membership by profession of faith on 4 Apr. 1714 and remained a member until his death (ibid).  Dorothy was received a member by profession of faith on 28 Jan. 1728 and also remained a member until her death (ibid)
. 	 
	The WARDWELLS lived in Andover on the hill toward the east .In 1742 William sold land in Andover to Jonathan WARDWELL (Essex Deeds Bk 83:130).
 	 
	William WARDWELL was probably trained as a weaver by Col. FRIE to whom he was bonded and may have worked with his father-in-law Walter WRIGHT who was also a weaver.
 	 
	There was no probate record for William or Dorothy WARDWELL at Essex Probate Court in Salem, MA.

	Children of WILLIAM WARDWELL and DOROTHY WRIGHT were as follows:
                            born Andover, MA (VRS)

	13	i	WILLIAM5 WARDWELL, born abt. 1707/08; died 24 Mar 1790 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VRS). He married on 17 May 1739 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, MARGERY GRAY [VR) died 31 Oct 1795 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. (VR) 
	14	ii	THOMAS5 WARDWELL , born 3 May 1709 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 29 Feb 1776 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). He married on 11 Dec 1735 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, ABIGAIL GRAY (VR)], died 16 Oct 1778 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR).   Thomas joined the South Andover Church 25 Jan. 1730.  His wife joined 31 Oct. 1736 (So. Andover Church Manual, Page 130,132).
	15	iii	JONATHAN5 WARDWELL, born 16 Dec 1711 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 31 Jan 1788 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). He married on 5 May 1748 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, RACHEL PEVEY (VR), died 4 Oct 1781 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR).   Jonathan & Rachel joined the So. Andover Church 29 Oct. 1775 (So. Andove Church Manual).
	16	iv	SARAH5 WARDWELL, born 1 Jun 1714 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 2 Jul 1757 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). She married on 31 Mar 1741 in Salem, Essex Co., MA, JONATHAN DARLING [VR], died 1746 in Louisburgh Exped. 
	17	v	DOROTHY5 WARDWELL , born 30 Jan 1715/16 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 25 Aug 1751 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). She married on 21 May 1739 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, SAMUEL OSGOOD , died 16 Mar 1774 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR).   Dorothy OSGOOD joined the So. Andover Church 16 May 1736.  Her husband joined 23 Jan. 1734 (So. Andover Manual Page 132).
+	18	vi	PHEBE5 WARDWELL ], born 3 Oct 1717 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. She married THOMAS BANCROFT . 
	19	vii	JOHN5 WARDWELL  born 9 Oct 1719 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. He married on 23 Aug 1759 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, LYDIA HARDY [VR], died 15 Nov 1774 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). 
	20	viii	HANNAH5 WARDWELL , born 6 Jul 1721 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. She married on 3 Nov 1743 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, WILLIAM BUXTON [VR]. 
	21	ix	ELIAKIM5 WARDWELL , born 22 Jan 1723 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 30 Jun 1754 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). He married on 5 May 1748 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, MARY PEAVEY [VR], died 15 Jan 1803 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR).   Eliakim joined the So. Andover Church 30 Oct 1743 (Church Manual Page 132)
	22	x	NATHAN5 WARDWELL, born 15 Aug 1724 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 8 Sep 1738 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). 
	23	xi	MARY5 WARDWELL, born 17 Feb 1727 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 30 Aug 1738 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). 
	24	xii	JOSHUA5 WARDWELL, born 6 Dec 1728 in Andover, Essex Co., MA. He married on 17 Mar 1757 in Andover, Essex Co., MA, MARY SAUNDERS [VR], died 6 Dec 1778 in Swansea, MA (VR).   Joshua was living 1773 in Swansea Mass. (Frederick Pierce,Foster Genealogy {Chicago, 1899} Page 1041)
	25	xiii	ABIAH5 WARDWELL, born 22 Apr 1731 in Andover, Essex Co., MA; died 5 Sep 1738 in Andover, Essex Co., MA (VR). 

                                          Generation 5

18. PHEBE5 WARDWELL (WILLIAM4, SAMUEL3, THOMAS2, JOHN1), born 3 Oct 1717 in Andover, Essex Co., MA(VR); died aft. 1779. She married on 12 Jan 1742 in Reading, Middlesex Co., MA, THOMAS BANCROFT [VR], born 26 Sep 1721 in Reading, Middlesex Co., MA (VR); died 20 Oct 1763 in Reading, Middlesex Co., MA (VR), son of THOMAS IV BANCROFT and LYDIA EMERY. 
 
	Phebe BANCROFT was living in Ward, MA (now the Town of Auburn, MA) in 1779 when she was named "guardian unto Jacob BANCROFT, minor son and heir of Thomas BANCROFT, late of Reading".  Phebe, William & Benjamin BANCROFT, all of Ward posted a bond of $500.  The witnesses to this document were William BANCROFT & ____ELLIOT (Worcester, MA Probate Court Vol. 217:136).

	Thomas BANCROFT was a farmer and an officer in the militia.
 	 
	His will was dated 8 Sept. 1763 and probated 28 Nov. of that year. Thomas names his wife Phebe who was executrix of the estate; his sons Thomas, Daniel, William, Benjamin, Jacob; his daughters Phebe & Mary. Thomas' son Thomas jr was
to receive his grandmother DAMON's Bible upon her decease. The witnesses to the document were James BANCROFT,  Joseph BANCROFT & _____TOWNSEND (Middlesex, MA Probate Court Cambridge, MA Docket #991).

	Children of PHEBE WARDWELL and THOMAS BANCROFT were as follows:VRS)
	26	i	THOMAS jr6 BANCROFT , born 15 May 1743 in Reading, MA; died Sep 1765 in Reading, MA.(VRS) 
	27	ii	DANIEL BANCROFT, born 15 Dec 1745 in Reading, MA; died 2 Jun 1818 in Salem, MA (VRS). He married on 14 Aug 1770 in Salem, MA, HANNAH SYMONDS [VR], died 16 Aug 1820 in Salem, MA.(VR) 
	28	iii	WILLIAM6 BANCROFT, born 1 Jun 1748 in Reading, MA; died 27 Jun 1841 in Warwick, MA (VR). He married (1) on 5 Sep 1771 in Worcester, MA, MARY BANCROFT [VR), died 11 Aug 1823 in Warwick, MA (VR). He married (2) on 18 Jun 1829 in Warwick, MA, REBECCA STOWELL DAY [VR], died 20 Jun 1842 in Philipston, MA.   See NEH&G Register Jan. 1949, Page 61
	29	iv	PHOEBE6 BANCROFT, born 4 May 1751 in Reading, MA; died 5 Nov 1783 in Warwick, MA. She married on 17 Sep 1772 in Worcester, MA, EBENEZER BANCROFT . 
	30	v	MARY6 BANCROFT , born 2 Aug 1754 in Reading, MA; died 11 Dec 1830 in Warwick, MA. She married  JONATHAN GALE, died 29 Jan 1808 in Warwick, MA. 
	31	vi	BENJAMIN6 BANCROFT, born 11 Mar 1757 in Reading, MA.   This Benjamin may be the Benjamin BANCROFT buried Hitchcock or West Cemetery, Petersham, MA 13 Oct 1838, age 83 with Mrs. Hannah, wife of Benjamin d 24 Mar 1816, age 60 & Susanna, relict of Benjamin died 7 June 1841, age 76 & Harrison d Oct. 11, 1866, age 75 & Sally, wife of Harrison d July 6, 1841, age 47  (Petersham Historical Society- Delight Haines 1982).
	32	vii	JONATHAN6 BANCROFT  born 19 Dec 1759 in Reading, MA. 
+	33	viii	JACOB6 BANCROFT born 30 Aug 1762 in Wakefield, Middlesex Co., MA. He married (1) LYDIA HAYDEN. He married (2) SALLY TURNER SEE BANCROFT FAMILY BY COMPILER 



Doris Sheridan

dsheridan001@nycap.rr.com
Troy, NY 12180
United States