On 22 Nov 1722 when Susanna was 47, she married
John Alden (14272) , son of
Capt. John Alden (4971) (ca 1626-14 Mar 1702) &
Elizabeth Phillips (-Feb 1696), in Boston, MA.
31 Born on 12 Mar 1663 in Boston, MA.31 John died in Boston, MA, on 1 Feb 1730; he was 66.31
“At the time of the Salem witchcraft, he was sent for by the magistrates of that town upon the accusation of several poor distracted and possessed creatures or witches. Upon his examination, these wretches began their juggling tricks, falling down and crying out, and staring in the faces of the people in an impudent manner. The magistrates demanded of them several tiems, who it was of all the people in the room, that afflicted them; one of the accusers pointed several times at one Capt. Hill; but said nothing, until a man standing behind her to hold her up, stooped down to her ear, when she immediately called out, ‘Alden, Alden afflicted her.’ Being asked if she had ever seen Alden, she replied No; but said she, the man told her so. All were then ordered into the street, and a ring was make; when she cried out—’There stands Alden, a bold fellow, with his hat on, sells powder and shot to the Indians,’ &c. Capt. Alden was then committeed to custody, and his sword taken from him, for it was with this, they said, he afflicted them. He was next ordered before the magistrates at the meeting-house and placed on a chair, to the open view of all the assembly. The accusers again cried out, that Alden pinched them, while he stood on the chair, and one of the magistrates bade the marshal hold open his hands that he might not toudh them. Mr. Gidney, one of the justices, bid Capt. Alden confess and give glory to God. Capt. Alden replied that he hoped he should always give glory to God, but never would gratify the devil. He next asked, why they thought he should come to that village to afflict persons that he had never seen before, and appealed to all, and particularly challenged Mr. Gidney to produce a charge against his character. Mr. Gidney replied, that he had known him for many years, and had been to sea with him, and always believed him to be an honest man; but now he saw cause to alter his opinion. He then asked Gidney what reason could be given why his looking upon him did not strike him down as well as his miserable accusers; but no reason could be given. He assured Gidney, that a lying spirit was in his accusers, and that there was not a word of truth in all they said of him. Capt. Alden was however committed to prisn, May 31st, 1692, where he remained fifteen weeks, when having been prevailed upon by his friends, he made his escape, and absented himself until the people recovered the use of their reason. He chose Duxbury as the place of his concealment, and here he remained at the house of one of his relatives, where he arrived late in the evening after his escape, and saluted them with the cheerful assurance that ‘he was come from the devil, and the devil was after him.’”180