SARAH (TOWNE)
CLOYCE
Part 1
born: 11 Jan 1637 at Salem, Essex, MA
married: 1682 in Salem, Essex Co, Ma to Peter Cloyce (Clayce)
died: 1703 in Framingham or Salem, Essex, Ma
Sarah (Towne) Cloyce is the sister of
Rebecca (Towne) Nurse, (see page 7)
and Mary (Towne)
Estey (see page 12)
Sarah Towne Cloyes was put into prison, and later released.
She pressed charges for her unlawful arrest and the killing of her sisters.
She received three gold sovereigns for each of them.
The movie, Three Sovereigns For Sister Sarah is about this event.
According to: 'Salem Possessed, The Social Origins of Witchcraft', 1974,
Paul Boyer & Stephen Nissenbaum, p 149.
The mother of Sarah, Rebecca, and Mary; Joanna (Blessing) Towne,
was also accused of witchcraft though never arrested or brought to trial.
"The widow of Edmund Bridges
and her children were ordered out of Topsfield by the constable,
on September 12, 1682. She was Sarah Town, daughter of William, and had probably returned to
Topsfield after the death of her husband which had occured a few months earlier. She soon
became the second wife of Peter Cloyse and was accused of witchcraft but was
not executed."
(History of Topsfield) 1/17/1683; Petition for settlement of a small estate left the
undersigned by their father, who died ten years ago leaving no will, but left his estate in
the hands of their mother who was appointed administatrix and the estate remained unsettled
until her death, and now they desire that the following division may be allowed: the land to
be divided equally to his three sons, Edmond, Jacob, and Joseph and the moveables equally to
the three daughters, Rebecca, Mary, and Sarah; also the three brothers to pay all debts now
due and what charges shall arise in settlement of the estate to be equally borne by all six.
Signed by Mary (her mark) Towne relict of Edmond,
Jacob Towne,
Joseph (his mark) Towne,
Francis (his mark) Nurse with the consent of Rebecca,
Mary (her mark) Esty formerly Mary Towne,
Sarah (her mark) Bridges.
Witness:
John How,
John Pritchet
1692; not attending church. (Salem Witchcraft Vol II by Upham)
April 3, 1692; Sunday - left church during services, slamming door behind herself due to
nature of sermon (devils). (The Devil Discovered by Enders A. Robinson)
*April the 3d*. Being Sacrament Day at the Village, Sarah Cloys, Sister to Goodwife Nurse,
a Member to one of the Churches, was (tho' it seems with difficulty prevail'd with to be)
present; but being entred the place, and Mr. Parris naming his Text, 6 John, 70. *Have not I
chosen you Twelve, and one of you is a Devil* (for what cause may rest as a doubt whether upon
the account of her Sisters being Committed, or because of the choice of that Text) she rose up
and went out, the wind shutting the Door forcibly, gave occasion to some to suppose she went out
in Anger, and might occasion a suspicion of her; however she was soon after complain'd of,
examin'd and Committed."
(Robert Calef's - More Wonders of the Invisible World) April 4, 1692; Monday - complaint of
witchcraft brought against Sarah. (Salem Witchcraft Vol II by Upham: The Devil Discovered by
Enders A. Robinson)) April 8, 1692; Warrant issued for Sarah. (Salem Witchcraft Vol II by Upham)
April 11 -April 12, 1692; Monday - examination before the highest tribunal in the colony. Sarah
examined first. Refused to confess - sent to jail at Salem where her sister Rebecca awaited.
Placed in hand and leg irons.
Later was removed to Boston prison. (Salem Witchcraft Vol II by Upham: The Devil Discovered by
Enders A. Robinson]
June 1692; a declaration by John Arnold and wife Mary, prison keepers at Boston reports no ill
conduct but only sober and civil behaviors exhibited. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
June 6, 1692; petitioned court with Mary to receive some sort of counsel as none had been allowed,
and the right to have people testify in their defense. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
June 1692; Sarah and Mary moved to Ipswich prison. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
July 31, 1692; Account of blacksmith Robert Lord of Ipswich shows a charge of 1# 20.0 for four pairs
of iron fetters and 2 pairs of handcuffs for Sarah, Mary and two others. (The Devil Discovered -
Robinson) for making fouer payer of iron ffetters and tow payer of hand Cuffs and putting them on
to ye legs and hands of Goodwife Cloys, Estes, Bromidg and Green all att one pound aleven Shillings
money" (History of Ipswich, MA)
Aug 31, 1692; "......Brother Cloyse hard to be found at home being often with
his wife in Prison in
Ipswich for Witchcraft...." (Danvers Church Records)
Sep 5, 1692; Account of John Harris, Deputy Sherriff of Ipswich: "For providing
a jury to make
search upon Sarah Cloyce, Mary Easty, Rachel Clinton, Dorcas Hoar, Mary Bradbury, and Corey and his
wife...4s" (Records of the Peabody Institute Library, Danvers, MA) "An account
from John Harris
sherife deputy of sondry charges at ye Corts of Iran terminer held at Sallem in ye yere 1692...Itt.
for providing a Jury to make search upon Cori & his wife & Clenton Easty: hore: Cloiss: & mrs.
Bradbury...4 #" (History of Ipswich, MA) Summons for witnesses to testify against
Sarah Cloyce,
Mary East, Martha and Giles Corey. (Records of the Peabody Institute Library, Danvers, MA)
September 6, 1692; Mary and Sarah petition court to have some counsel for their case as none has been
allowed, and ask that others be able to testify in their defense. (The Devil Discovered - Robinson)
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASAL_WA.HTM
and I thank them for it.
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