George Alexander (1619-1703) was a witness at a Witch Trial

George Alexander (1619-1703) was a witness at a Witch Trial

GEORGE ALEXANDER son of John born in Scotland; removed from Windsor to Northampton 1655; an engager and settler of Northfield, Mass., 1655. Died May 5, 1703.

He married March 18, 1644 Susanna, who died May 1684.

The following extracts are from History of the Town of Northfield, Mass..

George Alexander, in 1670, was one of the party from Northampton that "went upon discovery" of the place, examined with care, and. ascertained that the natives were ready and anxious to sell the tract. As the best lands in this region were becoming rapidly absorbed by grantees and settlers from the hay, and as people from Hadley and Northampton were already "straightened for room little time was lost in bargaining for the new country. Early in the spring of 1671, Joseph Parsons, Sr. William Janes, George Alexander, and Micah Mudge and. Caleb Pomeroy and, perhaps others, went up, and consummated the purchase Sept. 9, 1673. Georr Alexander signed the petition to the General Court May 31, 1671, and. both George and John Alexander's names are on the list of engagers, May 15, 1672.

George Alexander was early at Windsor, then at Northampton. He was of the first party that went up the river to Squakheag and did much tp promote the settlement of that place. His wife was Susanna: and perhaps two of his younger children, then grown up, came with him. At the resettlement of Squakneag, Geore Alexander was given 60 acres in additon to his home-lot, altho the records ddo not show tht George Alecander became an actual resident.

GEORGE ALEXANDER son of John born in Scotland; removed from Windsor to Northampton 1655; an engager and settler of Northfield, Mass., 1655. Died May 5, 1703.He married March 18, 1644 Susanna, who died May 1684.

The following extracts are from History of the Town of Northfield, Mass..

George Alexander, in 1670, was one of the party from Northampton that "went upon discovery" of the place, examined with care, and. ascertained that the natives were ready and anxious to sell the tract. As the best lands in this region were becoming rapidly absorbed by grantees and settlers from the hay, and as people from Hadley and Northampton were already "straightened for room little time was lost in bargaining for the new country. Early in the spring of 1671, Joseph Parsons, Sr. William Janes, George Alexander, and Micah Mudge and. Caleb Pomeroy and, perhaps others, went up, and consummated the purchase Sept. 9, 1673. George Alexander signed the petition to the General Court May 31, 1671, and. both George and John Alexander's names are on the list of engagers, May 15, 1672.

George Alexander and the Northampton Witch Trials

There was considerable excitement in Northampton in 1656 over the trail for slander of Sarah Bridgman, who had called Mary Parsons a witch. In the course of the proceedings George Alexander and Samuel Allen were called upon to testify about an ox which had been bitten by a rattlesnake, it was alleged. through witchcraft of Mary Parsons. Both men said that they saw "nothing but what might com to passe in ye ordinary way and they killed the rattlesnake." In the course of time Alexander apparently became more credulous as to the power of witches, for in 1691 he was one of the accusers of Mary Randall, whose of fence was "familiarity with the devil."

In the course of time Alexander apparently became more credulous as to the power of witches, for in 1691 he was one of the accusers of Mary Randall, whose offence was "familiarity with the devil."

The last case of suspected witchcraft in this town, and section, was that of Mary Randall. She was "presented" in 1691, on the charge of "familiarity with the devil." George and John Alexander and others, were her accusers. The County Court judged that there was "vehement suspicion" of guilt, and ordered that the case should be continued one year. She was sentenced to be sent to prison or to give bonds in sum of 10(British pounds) for her good behavior, and appearance at court. Her father became her bondsman, but the case was never called for trial. William Randall was discharged of his bond in 1692.