Stamford Witch Trials

The Stamford Witch Trials took place in 1692, the same year as the more well-known Salem Witch Trials. The accuser was Katherine Branch, a French servant girl who worked for Daniel Wescot. Branch ultimately accused six women, most notably Elizabeth Clausen.

Branch appeared to experience fits in April of 1692, which began while she was harvesting herbs. She claims to have felt something pinching her. After returning home, she sobbed, then told Wescot AbOUT the experience. Branch stated that she saw a cat who promised her good things if she followed it. A few days after this, she said she saw ten cats which said they would kill her for talking about what happened. Branches apparent fits, accompanied by visions, continued for almost two weeks.

Branch Elizabeth Clausen of being the witch who caused her troubles. Clausen was a woman of fine reputation, but had been feuding with Mrs. Wescot about an amount of spun flax. Mr. Wescot asked a midwife to help. The midwife said she thought Branch’s condition might have natural causes. The midwife tried different cures, none of which were effective. Finally, the midwife concluded that Branch was bewitched. Emboldened, the Branch accused five other women of being witches.

A court inquiry followed that May, though Mrs. Wescot suspected Branch was lying. All denied they were witches. One fled to another colony to avoid arrest. Clausen and another of the accused, Mercy Disborough, were examined for witch’s marks. Clausen was exonerated, but Disborough was found to have unnatural wart like growths that were deemed evidence against her. Branch continued to experience her fits.

Clausen and Disborough were imprisoned while evidence against them was sought. The trial began in September. They were indicted by a grand jury. They pled not guilty. Mary Staples and Hannah and Mary Harvey, three more of Branch’s victims, were accused and acquitted.

Disborough insisted on being given the swimming test. She and Clausen were tied up and thrown into the water. They floated, a sign of guilt.

The persecution continued. Many people were deposed and testified against the accused. The belief was that to defend those accused of witchcraft meant they were aiding the devil. Finally, two of Clausen’s neighbors came forward to defend her. Seventy-six people signed a petition testifying to Clausen’s good character and actions.

The jury could not reach a verdict. Five prominent ministers were asked to examine the evidence and court records of the trial. They said the swimming test could not be relied on `as evidence. This was illegal and sinful. Disborough’s growths could only be used as evidence if a physician prescribed this. They suspected Branch had lied.

The Outcome

The jury reconvened in October and heard additional testimony. At the same time, nineteen of the Salem victims had been hanged, 200 more were accused and 100 were imprisoned.

Disborough was convicted and sentenced to death. Clausen was found not guilty and released from jail. After the trial ended Disborough’s friends claimed the last half of the trial was illegal. One of the original jurors was absent. The woman was reprieved.

Additional Readings

• Richard Godbeer, Escaping Salem: The Other Witch Hunt of 1692.
• John M. Taylor, The Witchcraft Delusion in Connecticut 1647-1697
• Ruth MacKenzie . Connecticut Justice And Mercy. Connecticut Bar Journal. 1965 Dec; Vol. 39 (No. 4). pp. 558-573
• Frank Samuel Child. A Colonial Witch: Being a Study of the Black Art in the Colony of Connecticut.