1692 :: Warrant for Arrest of Barkers and Marston

On this date in our family history . . . the 25th day of August . . . in the year 1692 . . . after being accused of the supposed crime of witchcraft, a warrant is issued for the apprehension of certain individuals from our family tree, i.e. . . . 

Essex To the Constables of Andov'r

Complaint being made to me this day, by Sam'l Martin of Andover & Moses Tyler sen'r of Boxford, against Willia Barker sen'r Mary Marstone the wife of John Marstone jun'r & Mary Barker the daughter of Lef't John Barker , all of Andov'r in that the aboves'd William Barker Mary Marstone & Mary Barker, have woefully afflicted & abused, Abigail Martin & Rose foster of Andov'r, & Martha Sprague of Boxford by witchcraft, Contrary to the peace of o'r sovereigne Lord & Lady #[King] William & Mary King & Queen of England &c: & to their Majes'ts Laws in that Case provided:

These therefore require you in their Majes'ts names upon sight hereof, to apprehend & seize the bodies of William Barker sen'r Mary Marstone the wife of John Marstone jun'r & Mary Barker the daughter of Lef't John Barker all of Andov'r & them safely Convey to Salem, before their Majes'ts justices of the peace there, to be examined & proceeded with according to law, for which this shall be yo'r warrant: given und'r my hand & seal this #[eighteenth] 25'th [25] day of August Anno Domini 1692: in the fourth year of their Majes'ts Reigne:/ *Dudley Bradstreet justice of Peace

The s'd Martin & Tyler have given suffitient bond to prosecute s'd persons to effect, which bond remains with me:

(Reverse) [torn] In Obediance Two this warant I have aprehended the within Riten persons and have brought them to Salom the 29'th of August 1692 Before their honours mentined in the Rit: pere me *Ephraim Foster
Constable of Andover

W'm Barker
Mary Marston Mary Barker
Exa'd 29: 6. 92

The names mentioned in this warrant and their kinship to the Keeper of this family history blog are as follows . . . 

• Samuel Martin [step 9th great-grand-uncle] 
• Moses Tyler [9th great-grandpa] 
• William Barker [8th great-grandpa]
• Mary Marston [stepdaughter of 8th great-grand-aunt]
• Mary Barker [7th great-grandma]
• Abigail Martin [wife of step 9th great-grand-uncle]
• Rose Foster [7th great-grand-aunt]
• Martha Sprague [step-8th-great-grand-aunt]
• Dudley Bradstreet [father-in-law of 8th great-grand-uncle] 
• Ephraim Foster [8th great-grandpa]