Thirteen offences were made capital by the original laws of
Massachusetts Bay; namely, Idolatry; Witchcraft; Blasphemy; Murder;
Bestiality; Sodomy; Adultery; Rape; Man-stealing; False-witness;
Conspiracy, or rebellion against the government; Cursing or smiting
the father or mother, after passing sixteen years of age, unless with
justifying provocation, or with unchristianly neglect in education;
Filial rebellion, after sixteen years of age.
To these were added, 1692, High Treason; Concealing the death of a
bastard child; Arson; Piracy.