Introduction
There are many stories of injustice in Chelmsford’s past but, the story of Martha Sparks seems to be particularly cruel.
On July 10, 1676, Martha, the daughter of Thomas Barrett Jr., married Henry Sparks from Exeter, New Hampshire. Henry purchased 1 acre of land from Peter Talbot located just west of the “Gutt”. This is where Vine Brook crosses Littleton road, near the Westford Regency. To the west of his land, was the original Groton Road, which ran from Chelmsford center out to Forge Village. He purchased an adjoining acre and a half a year later. This land is on the north side of Littleton Road where it intersects with Concord Road and Powers Road. Henry’s son, Henry Sparks Jr., sold the family farm to Samuel Proctor in 1714.
In 1691, she was a young mother, caring for her children while her husband was fighting in King Williams War. He served in the ‘eastern parts’ of the Colony, fighting for the British crown, when enemy forces killed him in 1694.
One day, while she milked the cow, it struck her on the forehead with a horn. One of her neighbors saw the blood on her forehead and claimed a ghost of her likeness appeared.
Enablers
The neighbor claimed that Martha was a witch. Her reason was based upon the writings of Cotton Mather, a prominent Puritan minister in colonial Massachusetts. He took part in the Salem witch trials, but his influence extended to other witchcraft accusations, including the case of Martha Sparks.
In his writing “Wonders of the Invisible World,” he played a part trying to uphold judicial proceedings based on evidence. Although his definition of evidence included things like spectral testimony (testimony about visions or ghosts), which were problematic. His works contributed to the Puritan worldview validating the existence of witches, thus influencing accusations like those against Martha Sparks.
Mather did not play a direct role in the Chelmsford case, but some local people took his writings and sermons seriously.
Injustice
On October 28, 1691, Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth committed Martha to Boston Gaol (jail) on suspicion of witchcraft.
Thankfully, Chelmsford’s minister, Reverend Thomas Clark came to Martha’s defense. His influence upon the authorities helped them to verify this grave mistake. Martha’s father went to Boston where he petitioned Governor Phipps and his governor’s council to release her. Officials produced no formal evidence against her, even after holding her for more than a year.
Released from Boston Gaol on December 6, 1692, Martha returned to Chelmsford to care for her family. She died five years later on February 28, 1697, leaving two young children without parents.
Martha Sparks was the only person in Chelmsford who faced a witchcraft accusation.