Ipswich Witchcraft Trial
Encyclopedia
The Ipswich witchcraft trial (also known as the second Salem witch trial
) was an 1878 American
civil court trial
in which Lucretia L. S. Brown, an adherent of the Christian Science
religion, accused fellow Christian Scientist Daniel H. Spofford of attempting to harm her through his "mesmeric" mental powers. By 1918, it was considered the last witchcraft trial held in the United States. Although the case draws its name from the town in which Brown lived, the trial was held in Salem, Massachusetts
. It garnered significant attention for its startling claims and the location in which it was held. The judge dismissed the case.
(then known as Mary Baker Glover). Spofford was born in New Hampshire
and grew up as a menial laborer and watchmaker's apprentice in eastern Massachusetts
. At 19, he enlisted in the United States Army
and served in the American Civil War
. After the war, he worked in a shoemaker's shop in Lynn, Massachusetts
, and around 1867 obtained copies of some of Glover's early writings on Christian Science. Spofford left Lynn to travel out west, but returned to Lynn in 1870 and met Glover. Spofford took one of Glover's classes in metaphysical healing in the early spring of 1875, and graduated in April.
Immediately thereafter, Spofford organized a group of Christian Science students to provide financial support to Glover (so that she might continue to teach them the tenets of her religious beliefs) and to rent a meeting space for them. He also set up several offices around the area to practice Christian Science healing, and began calling himself "Dr. Daniel Spofford." When Glover had difficulty finding a publisher for her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
, Spofford acted as publisher, while fellow students George Barry and Elizabeth Newhall put up the money for the publication. Spofford even distributed handbills alongside Glover to promote the book. He also introduced Glover to her future husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy. Glover and Eddy soon married, and Spofford was called on to help arrange the ceremony. The now-Mrs. Eddy continued to call on Spofford for assistance in handling the mental drain of her many students and the preparations for the second edition of her book.
In the spring of 1877, while Eddy was vacationing, she and Spofford disagreed over the terms of the publication of the second edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. On January 19, 1878, Spofford was expelled from the Association of Christian Scientists on grounds of "immorality". Eddy then sued Spofford for unpaid tuition, but lost the suit. Eddy and Spofford broke completely shortly thereafter. Modern commentators claim that Spofford felt shut out by Asa Eddy.
or possibly mental control or mental energy which could harm others. Chapter V of the first edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures was titled "Animal Magnetism Exposed," and explained how the mind can cure itself but also harm others ("mind crime"). Eddy apparently believed that such "mind crimes" could be stopped by having people in close physical proximity to her "intercept" these mental emanations.
MAM proved to be a lifelong concern of Eddy's after 1878. She rushed a truncated, second edition of Science and Health into print in 1878 so that her thinking on the issue could become public as soon as possible, and her lectures paid increasing attention to the issue. In 1881, a more complete, two-volume edition of Science and Health appeared, with the chapter on MAM greatly expanded and retitled "Demonology." (Later editions would remove this term from Science and Health.)
, a town about 12 miles (19.3 km) northeast of Salem, Massachusetts. An injury to her spine in childhood left her an invalid, but she said she had been healed through Christian Science. She suffered a relapse in 1877 and again in 1878, and accused Spofford of having interfered with her health through "mesmermism". Her lawsuit stated:
At least one witness claims that Eddy's attorney drew up the complaint for Brown. Eddy strenuously denied this. Some modern scholars have concluded that Brown acted without Eddy's influence, but others have asserted that Eddy was behind the suit.
The trial at the Supreme Judicial Court in Salem opened on May 14, 1878. Judge Horace Gray presided. Mary Baker Eddy and 21 other witnesses traveled to Salem to testify against Spofford. Judge Gray ordered Spofford to appear on May 17. The case garnered widespread attention from the media, with articles appearing in the Boston Globe, Newburyport Herald, and Salem Observer.
On May 17, Amos Noyes, Spofford's attorney (appearing on behalf of his client, who did not attend the trial), filed a demurrer
with the court, arguing that there was no question in equity and that the court had no jurisdiction
in the case. Brown's attorney, Edward Arens, claimed that mesmerism was an acknowledged fact and challenged the demurrer. Judge Gray dismissed the case, noting the claim was vague and the complaint "framed without a knowledge of the law of equity." The court also said it was not clear how it could prevent such mental control, even if it imprisoned Spofford.
Brown appealed the court's ruling, but the appeal was dismissed in November 1878.
One critical observer has called the trial "one of the most bizarre court-room sessions ever held in the United States." Eddy was strongly criticized by the press because of it.
Salem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
) was an 1878 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
civil court trial
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
in which Lucretia L. S. Brown, an adherent of the Christian Science
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
religion, accused fellow Christian Scientist Daniel H. Spofford of attempting to harm her through his "mesmeric" mental powers. By 1918, it was considered the last witchcraft trial held in the United States. Although the case draws its name from the town in which Brown lived, the trial was held in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
. It garnered significant attention for its startling claims and the location in which it was held. The judge dismissed the case.
Background
Daniel Spofford was one of the earliest adherents of Mary Baker EddyMary Baker Eddy
Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science , a Protestant American system of religious thought and practice religion adopted by the Church of Christ, Scientist, and others...
(then known as Mary Baker Glover). Spofford was born in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
and grew up as a menial laborer and watchmaker's apprentice in eastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. At 19, he enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and served in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After the war, he worked in a shoemaker's shop in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
, and around 1867 obtained copies of some of Glover's early writings on Christian Science. Spofford left Lynn to travel out west, but returned to Lynn in 1870 and met Glover. Spofford took one of Glover's classes in metaphysical healing in the early spring of 1875, and graduated in April.
Immediately thereafter, Spofford organized a group of Christian Science students to provide financial support to Glover (so that she might continue to teach them the tenets of her religious beliefs) and to rent a meeting space for them. He also set up several offices around the area to practice Christian Science healing, and began calling himself "Dr. Daniel Spofford." When Glover had difficulty finding a publisher for her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures is the central text of the Christian Science religion. It was written by Mary Baker Eddy, inspired by studies of the Bible she undertook in 1867 following a healing experience....
, Spofford acted as publisher, while fellow students George Barry and Elizabeth Newhall put up the money for the publication. Spofford even distributed handbills alongside Glover to promote the book. He also introduced Glover to her future husband, Asa Gilbert Eddy. Glover and Eddy soon married, and Spofford was called on to help arrange the ceremony. The now-Mrs. Eddy continued to call on Spofford for assistance in handling the mental drain of her many students and the preparations for the second edition of her book.
In the spring of 1877, while Eddy was vacationing, she and Spofford disagreed over the terms of the publication of the second edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. On January 19, 1878, Spofford was expelled from the Association of Christian Scientists on grounds of "immorality". Eddy then sued Spofford for unpaid tuition, but lost the suit. Eddy and Spofford broke completely shortly thereafter. Modern commentators claim that Spofford felt shut out by Asa Eddy.
The role of Christian Science teaching in the case
In her writings, Mary Baker Eddy developed the concept of "malicious animal magnetism" (MAM), seemingly a form of hypnosisHypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
or possibly mental control or mental energy which could harm others. Chapter V of the first edition of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures was titled "Animal Magnetism Exposed," and explained how the mind can cure itself but also harm others ("mind crime"). Eddy apparently believed that such "mind crimes" could be stopped by having people in close physical proximity to her "intercept" these mental emanations.
MAM proved to be a lifelong concern of Eddy's after 1878. She rushed a truncated, second edition of Science and Health into print in 1878 so that her thinking on the issue could become public as soon as possible, and her lectures paid increasing attention to the issue. In 1881, a more complete, two-volume edition of Science and Health appeared, with the chapter on MAM greatly expanded and retitled "Demonology." (Later editions would remove this term from Science and Health.)
The lawsuit
Lucretia Brown was a 50-year-old spinster who lived in Ipswich, MassachusettsIpswich, Massachusetts
Ipswich is a coastal town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 12,987 at the 2000 census. Home to Willowdale State Forest and Sandy Point State Reservation, Ipswich includes the southern part of Plum Island...
, a town about 12 miles (19.3 km) northeast of Salem, Massachusetts. An injury to her spine in childhood left her an invalid, but she said she had been healed through Christian Science. She suffered a relapse in 1877 and again in 1878, and accused Spofford of having interfered with her health through "mesmermism". Her lawsuit stated:
- ...that Daniel H. Spofford, of Newburyport, ... is a mesmerist, and practices the art of mesmermism, and by his said art and the power of his mind influences and controls the minds and bodies of other persons, and uses his said power and art for the purposes of injuring the persons and property and social relations of others and does by said means so injure them.
- And plaintiff further showeth that the said Daniel H. Spofford has at divers times and places since the year eighteen-hundred and seventy-five wrongfully and maliciously and with intent to injure the plaintiff, caused the plaintiff by means of his said power and art great suffering of body and mind, and spinal pains and neuralgia and a temporary suspension of mind, and still continues to cause the plaintiff the same.
- And the plaintiff has reason to fear and does fear that he will continue in the future to cause the same. And the plaintiff says that the said injuries are great and of an irreparable nature, and that she is wholly unable to escape from the control and influence he so exercises upon her and from the aforesaid effects of said control and influence.
At least one witness claims that Eddy's attorney drew up the complaint for Brown. Eddy strenuously denied this. Some modern scholars have concluded that Brown acted without Eddy's influence, but others have asserted that Eddy was behind the suit.
The trial at the Supreme Judicial Court in Salem opened on May 14, 1878. Judge Horace Gray presided. Mary Baker Eddy and 21 other witnesses traveled to Salem to testify against Spofford. Judge Gray ordered Spofford to appear on May 17. The case garnered widespread attention from the media, with articles appearing in the Boston Globe, Newburyport Herald, and Salem Observer.
On May 17, Amos Noyes, Spofford's attorney (appearing on behalf of his client, who did not attend the trial), filed a demurrer
Demurrer
A demurrer is a pleading in a lawsuit that objects to or challenges a pleading filed by an opposing party. The word demur means "to object"; a demurrer is the document that makes the objection...
with the court, arguing that there was no question in equity and that the court had no jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
in the case. Brown's attorney, Edward Arens, claimed that mesmerism was an acknowledged fact and challenged the demurrer. Judge Gray dismissed the case, noting the claim was vague and the complaint "framed without a knowledge of the law of equity." The court also said it was not clear how it could prevent such mental control, even if it imprisoned Spofford.
Brown appealed the court's ruling, but the appeal was dismissed in November 1878.
One critical observer has called the trial "one of the most bizarre court-room sessions ever held in the United States." Eddy was strongly criticized by the press because of it.