Sewall, Samuel (1652-1730) English-born, early American statesman
known for his then liberal views. His famous Diary gives us a glimpse
of life in early Boston. Sewall held a number of political positions in
the Massachusetts colony and presided as a judge at the Salem
witchcraft trials. He later repented in a public confession read to the
congregation at his church.
The Judge's Confession (1878) From the first volume of the "Sewall
Papers," published by the Massachusetts Historical Society. This is
the confession that was read aloud to the congregation at Sewall's
church on January 14, 1697 in which Sewall repents his involvement in
the Salem witchcraft trials. Asking man and God's pardon, Sewall states
that he "desires to take the Blame and shame of it."
