Richard Carrier (Salem witch trials)

Richard Carrier (July 19, 1674 – November 17, 1749) was a witness during the 1692 Salem witch trials who was forced to testify against his mother.

Early life

Carrier was born in 1674 to Martha Carrier (1643–1692) and Thomas Carrier (1630–1739) in Billerica. He was the second oldest of 8 children and had three sisters and two brothers. He moved to Andover with his family and survived a smallpox outbreak in 1690 which his family was accused of causing.

Salem witch trials

When Carrier was 18 years old in 1692, he was arrested together with his family on accusation of witchcraft on May 28, 1692. During his mother's trial, Carrier and his 7-year-old sister Sarah testified against their mother on the accusation of witchcraft. He, however, was [...] before his testimony by hanging him by his heels "until the blood was ready to come out of his nose" or until he said what his interrogators wanted to hear. His mother was convicted and executed on August 19, 1692, and Richard Carrier and his family were set free.

In 1711, Carrier and his family received a small amount of recompense from the Massachusetts government for her conviction: 7 pounds and 6 shillings.

Later life

Carrier married Elizabeth Sessions on July 18, 1694, in Andover, Massachusetts and had six children with her. After Elizabeth's death, Carrier married Thankful Brown on July 29, 1707, in Colchester, Connecticut and had four children with her

Carrier led the rest of his life in Colchester until he died on November 17, 1749. He was buried in Colchester Burying Ground.

See also

• Salem witch trials
• List of people of the Salem witch trials