Samuel Wyllys was born in Fenny Compton (Warwickshire), England in 1631, the son of George and Mary Smith Wyllys. The family joined the Puritan Great Migration to Massachusetts a few years later, and established a new home at Hartford by 1638. Samuel attended Harvard College, and graduated in 1653. He was subsequently elected a Connecticut magistrate in 1654, at the tender age of twenty-two, and re-elected every year until Connecticut received its charter in 1662. After that, Wyllys was elected an Assistant to the colony's governor, a post to which he was also returned many times. He was later a commissioner to the New England Colonies.
Wyllys married Ruth Haynes, daughter of the first governor of the colony of Connecticut, in 1654. They had three daughters (Mary, Mehitable and Ruth) and a son named Hezekiah. Wyllys died at Hartford on May 30, 1709.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Samuel Wyllys papers, Ms. Wyllys, Brown University Library.
The Samuel Wyllys papers are principally concerned with the business of the government of the colony of Connecticut. The papers, the bulk of which date from 1663-1698, contain miscellaneous government and legal papers pertaining to Indian relations, colonial wars, and civil and criminal cases. Depositions of cases of witchcraft, assault, theft, drunkenness and other crimes tried in Connecticut can be found in the papers. A notebook labeled Ms. 377 (Series 1) contains copies of some of the original records of witchcraft cases. A few papers in the collection relate to Wyllys family matters.
The folder labeled Ms. 376 in Series 3 is misleading since the contents of this folder are not original court records but consist of an "Explanation of Wyllys Manuscript Transcriptions", a summary of the "Oyer and Terminer Court Records of Trials for Witchcraft in Connecticut, 1662/63-1693", and transcriptions of these documents. Series 3 also contains transcriptions of records from the Connecticut State Library labeled Ms. 18 - 37.
The Wyllys papers came into the hands of the Brown family of Providence at some point, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century, and were later split between members of the family. The portion of the collection held by the Brown University Library was passed from Nicholas Brown III (1792-1859) to his daughter, Annmary Brown Hawkins (1837-1904). After the death of Mrs. Hawkins in 1904, her husband deposited the papers in the Annmary Brown Memorial, which became part of Brown University in 1948. The remaining portion of the Wyllys papers was held by John Carter Brown until his death in 1874, and were transferred to the Connecticut State Library by his widow sometime thereafter. Both the John Hay Library and the Connecticut State Library have copies of portions of the Wyllys papers held by the other institution.
The Wyllys papers were organized some time ago. The manuscripts were numbered in sequence, and are currently arranged by manuscript number rather than by date or author. This scheme of arrangement is only roughly chronological. Further, while most of the documents in the collection were authored within the lifetime of Samuel Wyllys, if not directly composed by him, there are several documents that post-date Wyllys by a number of years and were clearly authored by others.
The collection has been arranged in three series:
Users should note that the original manuscripts are contained in Series 1. Series 2 and 3 consist of supplementary materials. Each court record in the collection was assigned a Ms. number. Court records pertaining to witchcraft were also assigned a W- number.
The folder labeled Ms. 376 was moved from Series 1 to Series 3 because the contents of this folder are not original court records but consist of an "Explanation of Wyllys Manuscript Transcriptions", a summary of the "Oyer and Terminer Court Records of Trials for Witchcraft in Connecticut, 1662/63-1693", and transcriptions of these documents.
The Samuel Wyllys papers were bequeathed to the Annmary Brown Memorial by General Rush C. Hawkins (1831-1920). They became part of the Brown University Library's collections when the University acquired the Annmary Brown Memorial in 1948.
Annmary Brown Hawkins inherited this portion of the Wyllys papers from her father, Nicholas Brown. The other portion of the Wyllys papers were originally held by John Carter Brown, but were donated to the Connecticut State Library at some point after his death by his widow, Sophia Augusta Brown.
Brown University Library catalog record for this collection:
RESOURCES BEYOND BROWN:
A related collection of Samuel Wyllys papers is located at the:
A biography of Samuel Wyllys' father:
Additional information about the witchcraft trials in Connecticut:
Digital facsimiles of items from this collection are available from within the online finding aid. This collection has also been microfilmed.
Testimony of Maria Skreech in regards to the suspicious death of a sow.
Unknown & Greensmith, 1662 January 8
With Ms. 337. (W-1)
Testimony of Rebecca, his wife (referring also to Goodwives Seagar, Sanford. Ayers, Grant, Palmer, Varlett, and James Walkely.) Hung.
Report of trial. Signed Walt. Fyler. Acquitted.
Testimony of Mrs. Migat. Acquitted.
Testimony of Goodwife Garrett. Testimony of Goodman Garrett, regarding a mess of parsnips. Testimony of Goodwife Wattson. Acquitted.
Testimony of Dr. Rossiter on death of Kelly's child.
Testimony of John and Bethia Kelly.
Testimony of Goodwife Robins.
January 30, 1666/7 - Testimony of Ann Smith regarding condition of Debell's wife and statements of William Graves. January 31, 1666/7 - Testimony of Mary Scolefield (January); Testimony of Thomas Steadwell. February 4, 1666/7 - Testimony of Mary Homes; Testimony of Mary Scolefield; Testimony of Thomas Steadwell; Testimony of Zacery Debell; Testimony of Elizabeth Steadwell.
February 4 1666/7 - Testimony of Zacery Debell; Testimony of Ann Hardy; Testimony of Sarah Bates; Testimony of Samuel Debell.
(With reference also to James Waltley). Testimony of Thomas Bracy regarding the cutting of a pair of breeches, a calf's head, etc.
Testimony of Elizabeth Smith, regarding fortune telling.
Grievances of the Widow Harrison.
Testimony of Joseph Dikenson.
Testimony of John Graves. Experiment of grazing oxen on Katherine Harrison's land.
Testimony of Joane Frances. In regards to her sick child and the exploding of a barrel of beer.
Testimony of Mary Kercum. Testimony of Goodwife Johnson regarding a nose bleed.
Testimony of Mary Hale.
Opinion of certain ministers (Said by Taylor to be in the handwriting of the Reverend Gershom Bulkeley).
Accused by Catherine Branch. Clauson Acquitted. Disbrow condemned and later reprieved. Occasional reference to Goodwives Miller, Harvey, Abison, Etc. suspected. May 27, 1692 - Complaint of Serjeant Daniel Wescott on behalf of Catherine Branch, afflicted. Clauson and Disbrow accused by Catherine Branch before the court. May 28, 1692 - Examination of Goody Clauson. Examination of Goody Disbrow. Reports upon official search of Clauson and Disbrow.
Testimony of J. Selleck on examination of Catherine Branch.
June 28, 1692 - Report of J. Selleck on Catherine Branch during a "stife fitt". Deposition of J. Selleck on Catherine Branch while in her senses. June 29, 1692 - Further deposition of J. Selleck.
Letter of J. Selleck to Nathan Gold on examination of Catherine Branch.
Deposition of Sarah Kecham, on testing Catherine Branch's sincerity by means of a naked sword.
Deposition of Sarah Bates regarding the affliction of Catherine Branch.
Depositions regarding Catherine Branch by: Abraham Finch, Junior; Ebenezer Bishop. Deposition of Abraham Finch, Junior, regarding Goody Clauson.
Depositions regarding Catherine Branch by: Samuel Holly, Senior and Daniel Wescott.
Depositions regarding Catherine Branch by David Selleck.
Testimony of Daniel Wescott regarding Clauson and a sick child.
September 12, 1692 - Testimony of Abigail Wescott vs. Clauson. September 15, 1692 - Testimony of Daniel Wescott regarding quarrel between his wife and Goody Clauson.
Ministers' opinion on evidence presented. Signed by Joseph Eliot and Timothy Woodbridge.
Reports of Sarah Bates and others on search of Goody Clauson.
Clanson, 1692 October 24
Clanson, 1692 October 24
Testimony of John Finch on Clauson and a sick child.
Clanson, 1692 October 28
Clanson, 1692 October 28
Examination of Mercy Disbrow with depositions by: Thomas Benit, Elizabeth Benit, Hanny Grey, Ann Godfree, and John Gramman.
Disbrow, 1692 June 6
Disbrow, 1692 June 6
Depositions regarding Mercy Disbrow by: Benjamin Duning, Joseph Stirg, Thomas Halliberch, Joseph Wakeman. Examination of Mercy Disbrow before Special Court regarding her desire to be ducked.
Disbrow, 1692 September 15
Disbrow, 1692 September 15
Testimony of Edward Jesop vs. Mercy Disbrow regarding roast pig.
Disbrow, 1692 September 15
Disbrow, 1692 September 15
Reasons for reprieving Mercy Disbrow. Signed by Samuel Willis, William Pitkins, and Nathaniel Stanly.
Disbrow, 1693 May 12
Disbrow, 1693 May 12
Testimony of John Tash regarding Goodwife Staples (who was referred to during examination of June 29, 1692).
Staples, 1692 July 12
Staples, 1692 July 12
Grounds for the examination of a witch. Said to be in the handwriting of William Jones, a Deputy Governor of Connecticut.
general, undated
general, undated
September 14, 1692 - Indictment of Mercy Disbrow and Elizabeth Clauson before the court of Oyer and Terminer. September 15, 1692 - Record of her (Disbrow?) remandment to jail pending verdict from jury. September 15-16, 1692 - Acquittal of Mary Staples, Mary Harveuy, and Hanah Harveuy. September 1692 - Record of remandment to jail pending verdict from the jury. October 28, 1692 - Acquittal of Elizabeth Clauson. Mercy Disbrow adjudged guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death.
Clanson and Disbrow, 1692 September 14
Clanson and Disbrow, 1692 September 14
Fragile
(Oct 20 copy)
2 sections (inserted)
Draft of a document giving Connecticut commercial and political privileges on eastern Long Island. See transcription for a discussion of significance of this manuscript and the roles of Wyllys and Winthrop.
Fragile
[i.e. 1728 June 18?]
3 parts
John Pynchon of Springfield, Massachusetts, authorizes Samuel Wyllys to handle his business affairs in Connecticut. "Signed sealed & dlvd in presence off" two witnesses.
[i.e. 1708 January 22-1710 October 27?]
4 sewn parts
[i.e. 1738 October 5-December 25], 4 sewn leaves.
Draft of a document giving Connecticut commercial and political privileges on eastern Long Island.
[i.e. 1728 June 18?]
3 parts
John Pynchon of Springfield, Massachusetts, authorizes Samuel Wyllys to handle his business affairs in Connecticut. "Signed sealed & dlvd in presence off" two witnesses.
[i.e. 1708 January 22-1710 October 27?]
4 sewn parts
[i.e. 1738 October 5-December 25], 4 sewn leaves.
The manuscript number assigned to this folder is misleading; the contents of this folder are not original court records but include an "Explanation of Wyllys Manuscript Transcriptions" (2 pages).
The manuscript number assigned to this folder is misleading; the contents of this folder are not original court records but include a summary of the "Oyer and Terminer Court Records of Trials for Witchcraft in Connecticut, 1662/63-1693" listing documents in the collection numbered W-1 to W-39 (6 pages), and transcriptions of these documents (pages numbered 7-92, with some pages unnumbered.).
Typescripts, not photostats.