Witchcraft Suspect George Burroughs Examined: May 9, 1692

May 9, 1692: George Burroughs Faces Salem’s MagistratesChaos erupts as Salem magistrates John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, joined by William Stoughton and Samuel Sewall, interrogate former Salem Village minister George Burroughs and then confront him with a roomful of afflicted accusers. After a private courtesy interview, Burroughs denies key allegations and admits lapses in communion and baptisms—then the spectral testimony begins: Susannah Sheldon, Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Elizabeth Hubbard, and Ann Putnam Jr. describe Burroughs’ “book,” violent torment, threats, and vivid claims that the ghosts of his first two wives accused him of murder and demanded vengeance. Additional testimony comes from multiple townspeople and captains, and Burroughs is bound over for jail. We also point to essential sources for May 9, including Marilynne K. Roach and the legal record collection edited by Bernard Rosenthal.00:00 Welcome to the Show00:11 May 9 Interrogations Begin00:31 Private Exam of Burroughs01:11 Afflicted Chaos Erupts01:34 Mercy Lewis Mountain Vision02:37 Mary Walcott Murder Claims03:17 More Spectral Book Threats04:07 Ann Putnam Ghostly Parade05:37 Magistrates Question Burroughs05:58 Other Witnesses and Jail06:17 Missing Records and Reading List