THE WITCHCRAFT DELUSION IN COLONIAL CONNECTICUT; 1647-1697;
BY JOHN M. TAYLOR; 1908
HUGH (CROSIA, CROSHER) CROHSAW
THE INDICTMENT
Hugh Crotia, Thou Standest here presented by the Name of Hugh Crotia of Stratford in the Colony of
Connecticutt, in New England; for that not haveing the fear of God before thine Eyes, through the Instigation
of the Devill, thou hast forsaken thy God, &covenanted with the Devill, and by his help hast in a preternaturall
way afflicted the bodys of Sundry of his Majestie's good subjects, for which according to the Law of God, and
the Law of this Colony, thou deservest to dye.
The arrest—Satan the accessory—An alibi—The confession—A contract to serve the devil
Fayrfield this 15 Novembor 1692 acording as is Informed that hugh Crosia is complained of by a gerll at
Stratford for aflicting her and hee being met on ye road going westward from fayrfeild hee being met by
Joseph Stirg and danill bets of norwak and being brought back by them to athority in fayrfeild and on thare
report to sd authority of sum confesion sd Croshaw mad of such things as rendar him undar suspecion of
familiarity with satan sd Crosha being asked whethar he sayd he sent ye deuell to hold downe Eben Booths
gerll ye gerll above intended hee answared hee did say so but hee was not thar himself hee answereth he lyed
when he sayd he sent ye deuell as above.
Sd hugh beeing asked whethar hee did not say hee had made a Contract with ye deuell five years senc
with his heart and signed to ye deuells book and then seald it with his bloud which Contract was to serve ye
deuell and the deuell to serve him he saith he did say so and sayd he ded so and wret his name and sealed ye
Contract with his bloud and that he had ever since been practising Eivel against every man: hee also sayd ye
deuell opned ye dore of eben booths hous made it fly open and ye gate fly open being asked how he could tell
he sayd he deuell apeered to him like a boye and told him hee ded make them fly open and then ye boye went
out of his sight.
This examination taken and Confessed before authority in fairefeild before Us Testis the date above “Jon.
Bur, Assist Nathan Gold, Asist.
The Grand Jury upon consideration of this Case re-turnd, Ignoramus....
This Court do grant to the said Hugh Crotia A Gaol Delivery, he paying the Master of the Gaol his just
fees and dues upon his release and also all the Charge laid out on him at Fairfield, &in bringing him to prison.
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