George Jacobs

Falsely accused and hanged as a wizard in Salem, August 19, 1692

Click to see "The Trial of George Jacobs, August 5, 1692." By T. H. Matteson, 1855.
Oil painting from the Peabody and Essex Museum

The George Jacobs house, built in 1677

Text excerpted and edited from The History of Salem, Massachusetts, Vol. III by Sidney Perley, 1924.

George Jacobs came to Salem in or before 1674, and settled in that portion of the town which is now Danvers, northwesterly of Great Cove. His son George Jacobs built, in 1677, the ancient Jacobs house, which is still standing (1924), and which has been in the family ever since. In 1718, a section of the house was called "the gun room".

George Jacobs, Sr., his son George Jacobs, Jr., the latter's wife Rebecca and their daughter Margaret, were accused of witchcraft, and the father was tried. He was examined May l0th 1692, and the accusing girls were present in full force· His examination was as follows :--

Jacobs: I am as innocent as the child born tonight. I have lived thirty-three years here in Salem.

Court: What then?

Jacobs: If you can prove that I am guilty I will lie under it.

Sarah: Last night I was afflicted at Deacon Ingersoll's, and Mary Walcott said it was a man with two staves.
It was my master . . .

Jacobs: Pray do not accuse me. I am as clear as your worships. You must do right judgments.

Court: What book did he bring you, Sarah ?

Sarah: The same book that the other woman brought.

Jacobs: The devil can go in any shape.

Court: Did he not appear on the other side of the river and hurt you? Did not you see him?

Sarah:Yes, he did.

Court: Look there, she accuseth you to your face, she chargeth you that you hurt her twice. Is it not true?

Jacobs: What would you have me say? I never wronged no man in word or deed.

Court: Here are three evidences.

Jacobs: You tax me for a wizard. You may as well tax me for a buzzard. I have done no harm.

Court: Is it not harm to afflict these?

Jacobs: I never did it.

Court: But how comes it to be in your appearance?

Jacobs: The devil can take any license.

Court: Not without their consent.

Jacobs: Please your worships, it is untrue, I never showed the book. I am silly about these things as the child born last night.

Court: That is your saying. You argue you have lived so long, but what then, Cain might live so long before he killed Abel and you might live long before the devil had so prevailed on you.

Jacobs: Christ hath suffered three times for me. . .

Court: What three times ? He suffered the cross and gal . . .

Sarah:You had as good confess if you are guilty.

Jacobs: Have you heard that I have any witchcraft?

Sarah: I know that you lead a wicked life.

Jacobs: Let her make it out.

Court: Doth he ever pray in his family?

Jacobs: Not unless by himself.

Court: Why do you not pray in your family?

Jacobs: I cannot read.

Court: Well you may pray for all that. Can you say the Lord's prayer? Let us hear you.

Record: (He might [missed] in several parts of it and could not repeat it right after many trials.

Court: Sarah Churchill, when you wrote in the book you was showed your master's name you said.

Sarah:Yes sir.

Jacobs: Well, burn me or hang me I will stand in the truth of Christ. I know nothing of it.

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