All the facts known to us, and all the statements that have come down to us, require us to believe, that none who confessed, and stood to their confession, were brought to trial.  All who were condemned either maintained their innocence from the first, or, if persuaded or overcome into a confession, voluntarily took it back and disowned it before trial.  If this be so, then the name of every person condemned ought to be held in lasting honor, as preferring to die rather than lie, or stand to a lie.  It required great strength of mind to take back a confession; relinquish life and liberty; go down into a dungeon, loaded with irons; and from thence to ascend the gallows.  It relieves the mind to think, that Abigail Hobbs, wicked and shocking as her conduct had been towards Mr. Burroughs and others, came to herself, and offered her life in atonement for her sin.

The Court continued the trials at successive sessions during the spring, all resulting in acquittals, until in May, 1693, Sir William Phips, by proclamation, discharged all.  Hutchinson says, “Such a jail-delivery has never been known in New England.”  The number then released is stated to have been one hundred and fifty.  How many had been apprehended, during the whole affair, we have no means of knowing.  Twenty, counting Giles Corey, had been executed.  Two at least, Ann Foster and Sarah Osburn, had died in jail:  it is not improbable that others perished under the bodily and mental sufferings there.  We find frequent expressions indicating that many died in prison.  A considerable number of children, and some adults whose friends were able to give the heavy bonds required and had influence enough to secure the favor, had some time before been removed to private custody.  Quite a considerable number had succeeded in breaking jail and eluding recapture.  Upon the whole, there must have been several hundreds committed.  Even after acquittal by a jury, and the Governor’s proclamation, none were set at liberty until they had paid all charges; including board for the whole time of their imprisonment, jailer’s fees, and fees of Court of all kinds.  The families of many had become utterly impoverished.

The sufferings of the prisoners and of their relatives and connections are perhaps best illustrated by presenting the substance of a few of the petitions for their release, found among the files.  The friends of the parties, in these cases, were not in a condition to give the bonds, and they probably remained in jail until the general discharge; and how long after, before the means could be raised to pay all dues, we cannot know.[A]