The Brown v. Spofford mesmerism trial
In Salem, Massachusetts, in May 1878, a court heard a complaint that Spofford was using mesmerism to harm Lucretia Brown. Mary Baker Eddy and 21 followers came to testify.
The New England Historical Society and Wikipedia both date the opening hearing to 14 May 1878, at the Supreme Judicial Court in Salem. Judge Horace Gray presided. Mary Baker Eddy and 21 followers travelled to the courthouse from Lynn.
The case was a request for an injunction against Spofford. Lucretia Brown's complaint said he used mesmerism on her, causing neuralgia and severe pain in her spine, and that she was held fully in his control. Judge Gray ordered Spofford to appear on 17 May. The Boston Globe, the Newburyport Herald and the Salem Observer carried articles on it.
Historic Ipswich adds an account of Eddy's side: she believed Spofford worked against her church and directed twelve students to give a daily two-hour shift of concentrated thought, around the clock, against him. Historic Ipswich gives a different year for a related gathering, so its dates are left aside here.
"The trial at the Supreme Judicial Court in Salem opened on May 14, 1878.[37][41] Judge Horace Gray presided.[42] Mary Baker Eddy and 21 other witnesses traveled to Salem to testify against Spofford.[22][37] Judge Gray ordered Spofford to appear on May 17.[42] The case garnered widespread attention from the media, with articles appearing in The Boston Globe, Newburyport Herald, and Salem Observer.[40][30][41][42]"
- The Last Salem Witchcraft Trial and a Case of Attempted Murder, New England Historical Society
- Lucretia Brown and the Last Witchcraft Trial in America, Historic Ipswich (Gordon Harris, 2025)