Specters and the Devil Pact

We’re in Salem Village on Thursday, April 14, 1692, where spectral appearances are treated as proof of a diabolical pact. We dig into Mercy Lewis’s September 9 deposition accusing Giles Cory, describing his specter as unnaturally strong, tormenting her, pressuring her to sign the Devil’s book, and beating her nearly to the point of breaking her back—leading her to declare him a “dreadful wizard,” even while he sits in prison. We also draw from Abigail Williams’s May 31 testimony against Martha Cory, claiming Martha’s apparition hauled, pinched, and tempted her to sign the Devil’s book and that she saw her at the Devil’s sacrament. We question how Abigail keeps appearing at these alleged devil gatherings while remaining an “afflicted” witness and the pastor’s niece.00:00 Welcome and Hosts00:04 Spectral Evidence Explained00:30 Mercy Lewis vs Giles Cory01:02 Abigail Williams vs Martha Cory01:28 Why Abigail Sees Sabbaths