Esther (Dutch) Elwell, Accused Witch

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Esther Elwell

Warrant filed against her in Salem Witch Trials along with Abigail Rowe and Rebecca Dike. They were accused of witchcraft by 17 year old Betty Hubbard, and killing their neighbor Mary Fitch. (Mary Fitch actually came down with a mysterious illness.) ... Luckily, the court dissolved before their case was taken and she survived the Salem Witch Trials.

~ Story as seen on NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?" with Sarah Jessica Parker.

From The Geography and Genealogy of Gloucester Witchcraft":

Esther Dutch, the daughter of Osman and Grace Dutch, was born around 1639 and married Samuel Elwell in 1658. Her parents lived at the Harbor at a place known as Dutch's Slough and were rather prominent in town affairs.13 Samuel Elwell's father Robert was also a distinguished citizen of the town. He lived at the Harbor at first, but most of his land was on Eastern Point, and he probably ended up living there.Samuel inherited his house and most of his land when he died in 1683. Prior to that Samuel had lived across the Harbor, near the Cut, in a house belonging to Robert that went to Samuel's son Samuel when Samuel (senior) inherited his father's house. The value of Robert Elwell's estate totaled £290 10s.

Warrant for Arrest of Esther Elwell, Abigail Roe, and Rebecca Dike. November 5, 1692 Suffolk Court Records Case No. 2689 No. 17

http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=BoySal1.sgm&images=...

To the Sheriffe of Our County of Essex, his under Sheriffe or Deputy . or Constable of Glocester, or Constable. Whereas Complaint Is made by Leut. James Stevens & William Stevens & Nathaniel Coyt all of Glocester, In the County of Essex In behalfe of their Majesties , unto -- thair Majesties Justices. of the peace. against Esther Ellwell the wife of Samuel Elwell, & Abigail Roe daughter of Hugh Roe: & Rebecka Dike, the wife of Richard Dike. all of Gloster, afforesaid , for that they have Grounded suspicion that the Said Elwell Dike & Roe have wickedly & felloniously Comitted Sundry acts of witchcraft upon the body of Mrs. Mary fitch the wife of Mr. John fitch of Gloaster afforesaid, unto the Wasteing pineing & Consumeing of her body Contrary to the peace of our sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen & Contrary to the forme of the statutes in that Case made & Provided. & have Craved Justice & have Entered into Recognisance, to prosecute the Said Complaint to Effect. the which is therefore In their Majesties Names. William & Mary of England &c King & Queen to Require you by vertue hereof forwith or as soon as may be, to Apprehend Seize & Secure the Said Esther Ellwell Rebecka Dike & Abigall Roe & them haveing So Secured You are the first Convenient time to bring before their Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex that thay may be Examined & Provided with as the Law Directs of which You are not to faile at your Perrill & for So Doeing this shall be Your sufficient Warrant, & make a true Returne under Your hand according to Law --

Ipswich Novemb'r. 5th 1692 Given under my hand

Tho's. Wade. J. P.

Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard v. Abigail Row, Esther Elwell & Rebecca Dike http://www.17thc.us/primarysources/document.php?id=707

Esther Dutch (b. 1639), wife of Samuel Elwell on 30 October 1692 along with 2 other women, Rebecca, wife of Richard Dike, and Abigail Rowe, daughter of Hugh Rowe, all of Gloucester, were taken to Ipswich,for examination on a charge of witchcraft, but were all released on 07 November 1692.(Source: Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916) Warrant for Arrest of Esther Elwell, Abigail Rowe, and Rebecca Dike To the Sheriffe of Our County of Essex, his under Sheriffe or Deputy, or Constable of Glocester, or Constable.Whereas Complaint is made by Leut. James Stevens & William Stevens & Nathaniel Coyt all of Glocester, In the County of Essex In behalfe of their Majesties, unto -- thair Majesties Justices, of the peace, against Esther Elwell the wife of Samuel Elwell, & Abigail Rowe daughter of Hugh Rowe: & Rebecka Dike, the wife of Richard Dike, all of Gloster, aforesaid, for that they have Grounded suspicion that the Said Elwell Dike & Rowe have wickedly & felloniously Comitted Sundry acts of witchcraft upon the body of Mrs. Mary Fitch the wife of Mr. John Fitch of Gloster aforesaid, unto the Wasteing pincing & Consumeing of her body Contrary to the peace of our sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen Contrary to the forme of the statutes in that Case made & Provided & have Craved Justice & have Entered into Recognisance to prosecute the Said Complaint to Effect, the which is therefore In their Majesties Names, William & Mary of England & King & Queen to Require Seize & Secure the Said Esther Elwell Rebecka Dike & Abigail Rowe & them haveing So Secured You are the first Convenient time to bring before their Majesties Justices of the Peace for the County of Essex that thay may be Examined & Provided with as the Law Directs of which You are not to faile at your Perrill & for So Doeing this shall be Your sufficient Warrant, & make a true Returne under Your hand according to Law -Ipswich Novemb'r 5th 1692Given under my hand *Tho's. Wade. J:P (Source: Suffolk Court Records Case No. 2689 No. 17,and Linda Faye Johnson (Tucker), the 9th Great Granddaughter of Robert Elwell )

Married Samuel Elwell June 7, 1658 in Gloucester. A report based of source: Levi Henry Elwell, 1854-1916, Esther (Hester?) along with Rebecca Dike and Abigail Rowe were taken to Ipswich for examination on a charge of witchcraft but were released Nov. 7, 1692. He also reported that due to sickness and poverty, like her mother, she was a poor distress widow for many years.

The Accused:

Esther Elwell:

Esther Elwell, whose maiden name was Dutch, was from a prominent family that lived at the Harbor in an area known as Dutch’s Slough. She later married a wealthy man named Samuel Elwell.

Her mother, Ruth Dutch, had also once been accused of witchcraft, although it is not known when. Elwell’s witchcraft case was featured on an episode of the NBC genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? after actress Sarah Jessica Parker discovered she is descended from Elwell.