Elizabeth "Goody" Garlick Witch Trial

Elizabeth “Goody” Garlick, wife of Joshua Garlick lived in East Hampton. She once worked on Gardiner Island. In February 1657, sixteen-year old Elizabeth Gardiner Howell became sick shortly after childbirth. When her husband came home, she began screaming about a witch. She ran a fever and became delirious. She described a black thing at the foot of her bed and Goody Garlick at the other. Though they tried to cure her, Elizabeth died a few days later.

Magistrates were called to the meeting house. Goody Garlick was brought before them. She did not speak a word in her defense. There were eleven witnesses testifying against her. The magistrates ruled that Elizabeth’s death was caused by witchcraft and Goody Garlick was responsible. In addition, she was connected to four other deaths via witchcraft. She supposedly cast evil eyes and sent animal familiars out to do her bidding. Someone claimed that she picked up a baby and after putting it down, the child took sick and died. She was blamed for illnesses, disappearances, the injuries and death of livestock.

The only person that defended Goody Garlick was her husband Joshua Garlick. At the last moment, Lionel Gardiner, Elizabeth’s father defended her. The magistrates agreed to send the accused to the General Court of Connecticut. At the time, East Hampton was a colony of Connecticut.

Luckily for her, there was John Winthrop Jr., the newly appointed sheriff. Winthrop was dubious that your average farmer’s wife could perform the kinds of magical acts attributed to witches. In May of 1658, the General Court declared Goody Garlick not guilty. Lionel Gardiner decided Goody and Joshua Garlick should move back to Gardiner Island, which they did for the rest of their lives.

 

Sources:

 

“Before Salem, There Was the Not-So-Wicked Witch of the Hamptons.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 25 Oct. 2012, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/before-salem-there-was-the-not-so-wicked-witch-of-the-hamptons-95603019

 

Rattiner, Dan. “Goody Garlick: The True Story of the Woman Tried for Witchcraft in East Hampton.” Dan's Papers, 3 May 2018, https://www.danspapers.com/2012/11/goody-garlick-the-true-story-of-the-woman-tried-for-witchcraft-in-east-hampton

Old Grace Church

 Local Episcopalian families living in South Oyster Bay began discussing the need for a church in 1844. Thomas Floyd-Jones donate the land to build the church. The exterior was made of clapboard with diamond shaped leaded glass windows. It cost $1300 to build at the time. In September of 1844 plans were approved to erect the first church building.  It was only 24 feet wide, 36 feet long, 16 feet ceilings and a brick foundation.

The first rector of the church was William A. Curtis at a salary of $300.00 a year. Grace Church was closed from Christmas to Easter of each year, as the handful of people who attended services went to New York or elsewhere during that time.  On July 9, 1846, the church was first used for services and the building was consecrated on April 13, 1847. In 1880, a gift of seven acres of land for a parsonage was given by John D. Jones in memory of his wife. What we call the Floyd-Jones House was built and placed where the new church now stands; the building was moved to its present location in the summer of 1957. The small building next to the old church was built a couple of years later. This building is called Wiley Hall in honor of Dr. William Wiley who was a Rector from 1890 until 1926. The church was enlarged in the early 1900s to fit 150 people. The clapboard was replaced with shingles and trim was added. 

In 1960, Grace Episcopal Church was built across the street and the Historical Society of the Massapequas rescued the Church. The Church was deconsecrated and retired in 1981. The church’s original Tiffany windows were removed and re-installed across the street. It was granted National Landmark Status in 1983.  

Old Grace Church is surrounded by the Floyd-Jones family cemetery and two other historical buildings; The Delancey Floyd-Jones Free Library and the Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage. Old Grace is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month from May through October from 11am through 1pm.

Sources:

Boyle, Chris. “Massapequa's Old Grace Church: A Long Island Landmark.” LongIsland.com, LongIsland.com, 9 Oct. 2019, https://www.longisland.com/news/10-09-19/massapequas-old-grace-church-a-long-island-landmark.html

“Grace Episcopal Church - Massapequa, NY: History.” Headerphoto, http://www.gracechurchmassapequa.org/about/history 

“Massapequa Historical Society - Historian's Message - History of Grace Church.” Historical Society of the Massapequas, https://www.massapequahistoricalsociety.org/history-of-grace-church.html