Such was the kind of testimony which the Court received with awe-struck and bewildered credulity, and which took away the lives of valuable and blameless men.  All we know of the manner of Willard’s death is a passage from Brattle, who states that a deep impression was produced by the admirable deportment of the sufferers during the awful scenes before and at their executions; giving every evidence of conscious innocence and a Christian character and faith, on the part especially of “Procter and Willard, whose whole management of themselves from the jail to the gallows, and whilst at the gallows, was very affecting, and melting to the hearts of some considerable spectators whom I could mention to you:  but they are executed, and so I leave them.”

On the 9th of September, the Court met again; and Martha Corey, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Dorcas Hoar, and Mary Bradbury were tried and condemned; and, on the 17th, Margaret Scott, Wilmot Reed, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Abigail Faulkner, Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, and Abigail Hobbs received the same sentence.  Those in Italics were executed Sept. 22, 1692.  Of the circumstances in relation to them, in reference to their death and at the time of their execution, but little information has reached us.  The following extract from Mr. Parris’s church-records presents a striking picture:—­

“11 September, Lord’s Day.—­Sister Martha Corey—­taken into the church 27 April, 1690—­was, after examination upon suspicion of witchcraft, 27 March, 1692, committed to prison for that fact, and was condemned to the gallows for the same yesterday; and was this day in public, by a general consent, voted to be excommunicated out of the church, and Lieutenant Nathaniel Putnam and the two deacons chosen to signify to her, with the pastor, the mind of the church herein.  Accordingly, this 14 September, 1692, the three aforesaid brethren went with the pastor to her in Salem Prison; whom we found very obdurate, justifying herself, and condemning all that had done any thing to her just discovery or condemnation.  Whereupon, after a little discourse (for her imperiousness would not suffer much), and after prayer,—­which she was willing to decline,—­the dreadful sentence of excommunication was pronounced against her.”

Calef informs us, that “Martha Corey, protesting her innocency, concluded her life with an eminent prayer upon the ladder.”

Nothing has reached us particularly relating to the manner of death of Alice or Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Margaret Scott, or Wilmot Reed.  They all asserted their innocence; and their deportment gave no ground for any unfavorable comment by their persecutors, who were on the watch to turn every act, word, or look of the sufferers to their disparagement.  Wilmot Reed probably adhered to the unresisting demeanor which marked her examination.  It was all a mystery