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Setauket, Scene of More Charges

By George DeWan | Staff Writer

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Not long after Christmas, 1664, George Wood, a Setauket landowner and innkeeper, sickened and died. A while after that, his infant son followed him to the grave. These two deaths resulted in the only other witchcraft trial of Long Islanders.

Ralph and Mary Hall were indicted on charges of witchcraft and sorcery in connection with the death of the Woods. They were tried in the Court of Assizes in New York in October, 1665, the only witchcraft trial ever held in the State of New York. The Halls pleaded not guilty, and no public testimony was taken. The jury had some questions about Mary Hall, but none about Ralph Hall.

``We find that there are some suspicions by the evidence, of what the woman is charged with, but nothing considerable of value to take away her life,'' the jury said. ``But in reference to the man we find nothing considerable to charge him with.''

The couple returned to Setauket. Three weeks later they sold their property and moved north of New York City to what is now City Island.