Ralph Farnham, II

Ralph II died just before the witch trials commenced and his sons Ralph III & John were summoned as witnesses (information provided by Russell C. Farnham).

NOTE: Ralph II died just before the witch trials commended and his sons Ralph III and John were summoned as witnesses.-- per Russell C. Farnham

Apparently Ralph II was more than just a potential witness at the trial. It looks like whatever ill health he was suffering was the basis for accusations of witchcraft against two of the women, Abigail Barker and Mary Tyler (both found NOT guilty):

(Case of Mary Tyler ) January 7'th Mary Tyler wife of hopestill Tyler of Andover, Blacksmith, being Indicted by the Jurors for o'r Soveraigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen, upon their Oathes, by three Severall Indictments; That is to Say 1'st -- For that the said Mary Tyler , wife of hopestill Tyler , of Andover in the County of Essex Blaksmith about Seaven Yeares Since in the towne of Andover aforesaid, wickedly, malitiously and felloniously, a Covenant with the Devill did make and signed the Devills booke, and promised to serve the Devill as long as shee Lived, and by the Devill was baptized; and renounced her former Baptisme, by which Diabolicall, And wicked Covenant with the Devill, Shee the said Mary Tyler is become a detestable witch, contrary to the peace of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen, their Crowne and dignity, and the Lawes in that case made, and Provided. --

2'dly For that shee the said Mary Tyler , wife of Hopestill Tyler of Andover in the County of Essex Blaksmith, on, or about the Seventh day of Septem'r last in the year 1692, and Divers others dayes and times, as well before, as after, certaine detestable Arts called witchcrafts, and Sorceries, wickedly, malitiously, and felloniously hath used, practised, and Exercised, in the Towne of Andover aforesaid, upon, and against, one Ralph farnam Senior of Andover aforesaid by which wicked Arts, the said Ralph farnam Senior , the day and Yeare, aforesaid, and divers other dayes, and times, as well before as after, was and is, tortured, afflicted, consumed, wasted, pined, and Tormented contrary to the Peace of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen their Crowne and dignity, and the Lawes in that case made and Provided. --

Ralph II died just before the witch trials commenced and his sons Ralph III & John were summoned as witnesses (information provided by Russell C. Farnham).

Apparently Ralph II was more than just a potential witness at the trial. It looks like whatever ill health he was suffering was the basis for accusations of witchcraft against two of the women, Abigail Barker and Mary Tyler (both found NOT guilty).