In Escaping Salem, the other witch hunt of 1692, Richard Godbeer explains the “site of these ghastly affections” that tormented Stamford, Connecticut and spread mass hysteria throughout New England. Katherine Branch, a seventeen-year old servant who worked for the Wescots starts to having fits that could indicate bewitchment. Kate accused several women of bewitching her, one of which was Goody Clawson who “had carried a grudge against the Wescots, especially against Abigail and leapt at any opportunity to insult her” (Godbeer 35). Goody Clawson was previously suspected of bewitchment when “Wescots’ eldest daughter Joanna began to suffer from strange pains and nightmarish visions” (Godbeer 36). Godbeer explains that all of the women who were suspected of Witchcraft had troubled past or…show more content… These reports created pressure within the community, which led to any misfortune the cause of bewitchment. The people of the town had agreed that “witches posed a real and serious treat” (Godbeer 53), and Elizabeth Clawson and Mercy Disborough were brought to court for questioning. However, the court needed ‘witnesses of good and honest report’ to testify. Kate was the sole source of all information and the court needed two witnesses for each incriminating incident to prove that Elizabeth Clawson and Mercy Disborough were linked with the devil. People were eager to prove their points so witnesses like Edward Jesop and Isaac Sherwood who explained their experience involving Mercy Disborough. Experiments such as “ducking”; this involved throwing the suspect into water to see if they sank or not. If they sank, they were innocent otherwise guilty. Mercy was sure of her innocent so she requested that they would be “ducked”. They were both ducked on June 2nd and they both floated. However, the magistrates knew that this was highly controversial and found it was not sufficient
