My 12th Great Aunt Susannah Roots of Beverly was arrested at the age of 71 on the charges of Witchcraft after being accused by Mercy Lewis, Ann Putnam Jr, Mary Walcott, and Mary Warren. She was arrested, imprisoned, and had evidence against her. But was held in prison until from May 1692-January 1693 when she was released due to “insufficient evidence”. Susannah is one of the remaining people who’s names haven’t been cleared in any bills since 1711. I hope this petition will bring to light the forgotten victims of the Salem Witch Trials. 

The Arrest Warrant of Susannah Roots

“To the Constables of Beverly.

Whereas Complaint hath been this day made before us, by Sergent Thomas Puttnam and John Puttnam: both of Salem village yeomen against Susannah Roots of Beverly widdow for sundry acts of witchcrafft by her Commited on the bodys of Mary wallcott Abigal williams Marcy Lewis Ann Puttnam and others. You are therfore in their Majesties names hereby Required to apprehend and forthwith bring before us Susannah Roots of Beverly widdow, who stands charged with Committing Sundry acts of witchcraft as aboves’d to the wrong and Injury of the bodys of the above-named Persons, in order to her Examination Relateing to the aboves’d Premises faile not Dated Salem

May the 21’st 1692”

Andrew Elliot’s Deposition Against Susannah Roots 

“An information if it might be any help in the examination of the person before you goode Roots I being in the house of Mr Laurence Denni’s some time since she was suspected for what she is now before you & there was Likewise Leonard Austen of our Town of Beverly s’d Austen then s’d that he thought she was a bad woman, his reason was that he Living in the house with s’d Roots not Long since and when he went to prayer at any time with his wife & thought said Roots would accompany them in s’d Duty but Did not at any time but would withdraw & absent herself: & further when my self were gone to bed & she unto her bed. she would rise in the night & we Could hear her talk in the room below I lying in the Chamber over said room as if there were: 5: or six persons with her more s’d Austen might speak if caled thereunto as far as know more concer[n]ing Roots''