The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman

In the winter of 1755, a small New England community was shocked by the trial of two enslaved people accused of murdering their master, a prominent Charlestown merchant. The courtroom records, reproduced in full, reveal a meticulous dissection of the crime, the legal charge of petit treason, and the stark contrast between colonial law and emerging ideas of humane punishment. Listeners hear the stark language of the era, the gravity of the accusations, and the chilling details of how the conspirators obtained and administered poison.

The narrative follows the harrowing proceedings that led to a public hanging for the man and an extraordinarily rare execution by burning for the woman—an event scarcely documented in New England history. Interwoven with excerpts from contemporary court minutes, the account also touches on other burning punishments in the colony, offering a vivid glimpse into the evolving standards of justice and the harsh realities faced by those caught in its grip.