George Jacobs, Sr.

George Jacobs, Sr. (c.1620–1692) was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials in Salem Village, Massachusetts, in 1692, and was found guilty and hanged on August 19, 1692. His son, George Jacobs, Jr. was also accused but evaded arrest. His accusers included his daughter-in-law and granddaughter.Enders A. Robinson. "The Devil Discovered: Salem Witchcraft 1692". Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL. 2001 (1991). pp. 336-339.]

Trial of George Jocobs

The painting below shows an important painting by Thompkins H. Matteson. The painting was not painted from observation but some time later based on the accounts of George's granddaughter. [ [http://www.iath.virginia.edu/salem/people/gjacobspics2.html George Jacobs, Sr.] , Salem Witch Trials, Virginia.edu, accessed 22 August 2008] By moving your cursor across the painting you can identify Jacobs who is consoled by his son who was also called George. The painting is entitled "Trial of George Jacobs, August 5, 1692".

On the left of the painting is William Stoughton, who was the chief magistrate and went on to be a Governor trice in Massachusetts. George's principal accuser was his own grandaughter, who was accusing George in order to save her own life. Jacobs' daughter-in-law is the woman standing who is being held back. She was thought to be mentally ill. The judge who is leading the accusation is thought to be an ancester of Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Hathorne, who holds a book and points at George's granddaughter as if challenging her to substantiate her earlier written statements. In the foreground are a girl and boy who are having fits allegedly caused by Jacobs' wizardry. The boy is unknown but the girl may be Jacobs' servant or a principal accuser Ann .

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