Part 11

VII. One Mr. _Ruck_, Brother-in-Law to this _G. B._ testified, that _G. B._ and himself, and his Sister, who was _G. B's_ Wife, going out for two or three Miles to gather Straw-berries, _Ruck_ with his Sister, the Wife of _G. B._ Rode home very Softly, with _G. B._ on Foot in their Company, _G. B._ stept aside a little into the Bushes; whereupon they halted and Halloo'd for him. He not answering, they went away homewards, with a quickened pace, without expectation of seeing him in a considerable while; and yet when they were got near home, to their Astonishment, they found him on foot with them, having a Basket of Straw-berries. _G. B._ immediately then fell to Chiding his Wife, on the account of what she had been speaking to her Brother, of him, on the Road: which when they wondred at, he said, _He knew their thoughts._ _Ruck_ being startled at that, made some Reply, intimating, that the Devil himself did not know so far; but _G. B._ answered, _My God makes known your Thoughts unto me._ The Prisoner now at the Bar had nothing to answer, unto what was thus witnessed against him, that was worth considering. Only he said, _Ruck, and his Wife left a Man with him, when they left him._ Which _Ruck_ now affirm'd to be false; and when the Court asked _G. B._ _What the Man's Name was?_ his Countenance was much altered; nor could he say, who 'twas. But the Court began to think, that he then step'd aside, only that by the assistance of the _Black Man_, he might put on his _Invisibility_, and in that _Fascinating Mist_, gratifie his own Jealous Humour, to hear what they said of him. Which trick of rendring themselves _Invisible_, our Witches do in their Confessions pretend, that they sometimes are Masters of; and it is the more credible, because there is Demonstration, that they often render many other things utterly _Invisible_.

VIII. _Faltring, faulty, unconstant, and contrary Answers upon judicial and deliberate Examination_, are counted some unlucky Symptoms of Guilt, in all Crimes, especially in Witchcrafts. Now there never was a Prisoner more eminent for them, than _G. B._ both at his Examination and on his Trial. His _Tergiversations_, _Contradictions_, and _Falshoods_, were very sensible: he had little to say, but that he had heard some things that he could not prove, Reflecting upon the Reputation of some of the Witnesses. Only he gave in a Paper to the Jury; wherein, altho' he had many times before, granted, not only that there are _Witches_, but also, that the present Sufferings of the Country are the effects of _horrible Witchcrafts_, yet he now goes to evince it, _That there neither are, nor ever were Witches, that having made a Compact with the Devil, can send a Devil to Torment other people at a distance._ This Paper was Transcribed out of _Ady_; which the Court presently knew, as soon as they heard it. But he said, he had taken none of it out of any Book; for which, his Evasion afterwards, was, That a Gentleman gave him the Discourse in a Manuscript, from whence he Transcribed it.

IX. The Jury brought him in _Guilty_: But when he came to Die, he utterly deni'd the Fact, whereof he had been thus convicted.

II.

THE TRYAL OF BRIDGET BISHOP, ALIAS

OLIVER, AT THE COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER,

HELD AT SALEM, JUNE 2. 1692.

I.

She was Indicted for Bewitching of several Persons in the Neighbourhood, the Indictment being drawn up, according to the _Form_ in such Cases usual. And pleading, _Not Guilty_, there were brought in several persons, who had long undergone many kinds of Miseries, which were preternaturally inflicted, and generally ascribed unto an _horrible Witchcraft_. There was little occasion to prove the _Witchcraft_, it being evident and notorious to all beholders. Now to fix the _Witchcraft_ on the Prisoner at the Bar, the first thing used, was the Testimony of the _Bewitched_; whereof several testifi'd, That the _Shape_ of the Prisoner did oftentimes very grievously Pinch them, Choak them, Bite them, and Afflict them; urging them to write their Names in a _Book_, which the said Spectre called, _Ours_. One of them did further testifie, that it was the _Shape_ of this Prisoner, with another, which one day took her from her Wheel, and carrying her to the Riverside, threatned there to Drown her, if she did not Sign to the _Book_ mentioned: which yet she refused. Others of them did also testifie, that the said _Shape_ did in her Threats brag to them that she had been the Death of sundry Persons, then by her named; that she had _Ridden_ a Man then likewise named. Another testifi'd, the Apparition of _Ghosts_ unto the Spectre of _Bishop_, crying out, _You Murdered us!_ About the Truth whereof, there was in the Matter of Fact but too much suspicion.

II. It was testifi'd, That at the Examination of the Prisoner before the Magistrates, the Bewitched were extreamly tortured. If she did but cast her Eyes on them, they were presently struck down; and this in such a manner as there could be no Collusion in the Business. But upon the Touch of her Hand upon them, when they lay in their Swoons, they would immediately Revive; and not upon the Touch of any ones else. Moreover, Upon some Special Actions of her Body, as the shaking of her Head, or the turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell into the like postures. And many of the like Accidents now fell out, while she was at the Bar. One at the same time testifying, That she said, _She could not be troubled to see the afflicted thus tormented._

III. There was Testimony likewise brought in, that a Man striking once at the place, where a bewitched person said, the _Shape_ of this _Bishop_ stood, the bewitched cried out, _That he had tore her Coat_, in the place then particularly specifi'd; and the Woman's Coat was found to be Torn in that very place.

IV. One _Deliverance Hobbs_, who had confessed her being a Witch, was now tormented by the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now testifi'd, That this _Bishop_ tempted her to Sign the _Book_ again, and to deny what she had confess'd. She affirm'd, That it was the Shape of this Prisoner, which whipped her with Iron Rods, to compel her thereunto. And she affirmed, that this _Bishop_ was at a General Meeting of the Witches, in a Field at _Salem_-Village, and there partook of a Diabolical Sacrament in Bread and Wine then administred.

V. To render it further unquestionable, that the Prisoner at the Bar, was the Person truly charged in THIS _Witchcraft_, there were produced many Evidences of OTHER _Witchcrafts_, by her perpetrated. For Instance, _John Cook_ testifi'd, That about five or six Years ago, one Morning, about Sun-Rise, he was in his Chamber assaulted by the _Shape_ of this Prisoner: which look'd on him, grinn'd at him, and very much hurt him with a Blow on the side of the Head: and that on the same day, about Noon, the same _Shape_ walked in the Room where he was, and an Apple strangely flew out of his Hand, into the Lap of his Mother, six or eight Foot from him.

VI. _Samuel Gray_ testifi'd, That about fourteen Years ago, he wak'd on a Night, and saw the Room where he lay full of Light; and that he then saw plainly a Woman between the Cradle, and the Bed-side, which look'd upon him. He rose, and it vanished; tho' he found the Doors all fast. Looking out at the Entry-door, he saw the same Woman, in the same Garb again; and said, _In God's Name, what do you come for?_ He went to Bed, and had the same Woman again assaulting him. The Child in the Cradle gave a great Screech, and the Woman disappeared. It was long before the Child could be quieted; and tho' it were a very likely thriving Child, yet from this time it pined away, and, after divers Months, died in a sad Condition. He knew not _Bishop_, nor her Name; but when he saw her after this, he knew by her Countenance, and Apparel, and all Circumstances, that it was the Apparition of this _Bishop_, which had thus troubled him.

VII. _John Bly_ and his Wife testifi'd, That he bought a Sow of _Edward Bishop_, the Husband of the Prisoner; and was to pay the Price agreed, unto another person. This Prisoner being angry that she was thus hindred from fingring the Mony, quarrell'd with _Bly_. Soon after which, the Sow was taken with strange Fits; Jumping, Leaping, and Knocking her Head against the Fence; she seem'd Blind and Deaf, and would neither Eat nor be Suck'd. Whereupon a Neighbour said, she believed the Creature was _Over-looked_; and sundry other Circumstances concurred, which made the Deponents believe that _Bishop_ had bewitched it.

VIII. _Richard Coman_ testifi'd, That eight Years ago, as he lay awake in his Bed, with a Light burning in the Room, he was annoy'd with the Apparition of this _Bishop_, and of two more that were strangers to him, who came and oppressed him so, that he could neither stir himself, nor wake any one else, and that he was the Night after, molested again in the like manner; the said _Bishop_, taking him by the Throat, and pulling him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered for this cause to lodge with him; and that Night, as they were awake, discoursing together, this _Coman_ was once more visited by the Guests which had formerly been so troublesom; his Kinsman being at the same time struck speechless, and unable to move Hand or Foot. He had laid his Sword by him, which these unhappy Spectres did strive much to wrest from him; only he held too fast for them. He then grew able to call the People of his House; but altho' they heard him, yet they had not power to speak or stir; until at last, one of the People crying out, _What's the matter?_ The Spectres all vanished.

IX. _Samuel Shattock_ testify'd, That in the Year, 1680, this _Bridget Bishop_, often came to his House upon such frivolous and foolish Errands, that they suspected she came indeed with a purpose of mischief. Presently, whereupon, his eldest Child, which was of as promising Health and Sense, as any Child of its Age, began to droop exceedingly; and the oftner that _Bishop_ came to the House, the worse grew the Child. As the Child would be standing at the Door, he would be thrown and bruised against the Stones, by an invisible Hand, and in like sort knock his Face against the sides of the House, and bruise it after a miserable manner. Afterwards this _Bishop_ would bring him things to Dye, whereof he could not imagin any use; and when she paid him a piece of Mony, the Purse and Mony were unaccountably conveyed out of a lock'd Box, and never seen any more. The Child was immediately, hereupon, taken with terrible Fits, whereof his Friends thought he would have dyed: Indeed he did almost nothing but Cry and Sleep for several Months together; and at length his Understanding was utterly taken away. Among other Symptoms of an Inchantment upon him, one was, That there was a Board in the Garden, whereon he would walk; and all the Invitations in the World could never fetch him off. About 17 or 18 years after, there came a Stranger to _Shattock's_ House, who seeing the Child, said, _This poor Child is Bewitched; and you have a Neighbour living not far off, who is a Witch._ He added, _Your Neighbour has had a falling out with your Wife; and she said, in her Heart, your Wife is a proud Woman, and she would bring down her Pride in this Child._ He then remembred, that _Bishop_ had parted from his Wife in muttering and menacing Terms, a little before the Child was taken Ill. The abovesaid Stranger would needs carry the bewitched Boy with him, to _Bishop's_ House, on pretence of buying a pot of Cyder. The Woman entertained him in furious manner; and flew also upon the Boy, scratching his Face till the Blood came; and saying, _Thou Rogue, what dost thou bring this Fellow here to plague me?_ Now it seems the Man had said, before he went, That he would fetch Blood of _her_. Ever after the Boy was follow'd with grievous Fits, which the Doctors themselves generally ascribed unto _Witchcraft_; and wherein he would be thrown still into the _Fire_ or the _Water_, if he were not constantly look'd after; and it was verily believed that _Bishop_ was the cause of it.

X. _John Louder_ testify'd, That upon some little Controversy with _Bishop_ about her Fowls, going well to Bed, he did awake in the Night by Moonlight, and did see clearly the likeness of this Woman grievously oppressing him; in which miserable condition she held him, unable to help himself, till near Day. He told _Bishop_ of this; but she deny'd it, and threatned him very much. Quickly after this, being at home on a Lords day, with the doors shut about him, he saw a black Pig approach him; at which, he going to kick, it vanished away. Immediately after, sitting down, he saw a black Thing jump in at the Window, and come and stand before him. The Body was like that of a Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, but the Face much like a Mans. He being so extreamly affrighted, that he could not speak; this Monster spoke to him, and said, _I am a Messenger sent unto you, for I understand that you are in some Trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me, you shall want for nothing in this World._ Whereupon he endeavoured to clap his Hands upon it; but he could feel no substance; and it jumped out of the Window again; but immediately came in by the Porch, tho' the Doors were shut, and said, _You had better take my Counsel!_ He then struck at it with a Stick, but struck only the Ground, and broke the Stick: The Arm with which he struck was presently Disenabled, and it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-door, and spied this _Bishop_, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon, returning into the House, he was immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before; which Goblin was now going to fly at him; whereat he cry'd out, _The whole Armour of God be between me and you!_ So it sprang back, and flew over the Apple-tree; shaking many Apples off the Tree, in its flying over. At its leap, it flung Dirt with its Feet against the Stomack of the Man; whereon he was then struck Dumb, and so continued for three Days together. Upon the producing of this Testimony, _Bishop_ deny'd that she knew this Deponent: Yet their two Orchards joined; and they had often had their little Quarrels for some years together.

XI. _William Stacy_ testify'd, That receiving Mony of this _Bishop_, for work done by him; he was gone but a matter of three Rods from her, and looking for his Mony, found it unaccountably gone from him. Some time after, _Bishop_ asked him, whether her Father would grind her Grist for her? He demanded why? She reply'd, _Because Folks count me a Witch._ He answered, _No question but he will grind it for you._ Being then gone about six Rods from her, with a small Load in his Cart, suddenly the Off-wheel stump'd, and sunk down into an hole, upon plain Ground; so that the Deponent was forced to get help for the recovering of the Wheel: But stepping back to look for the hole, which might give him this Disaster, there was none at all to be found. Some time after, he was waked in the Night; but it seem'd as light as day; and he perfectly saw the shape of this _Bishop_ in the Room, troubling of him; but upon her going out, all was dark again. He charg'd _Bishop_ afterwards with it, and she deny'd it not; but was very angry. Quickly after, this Deponent having been threatned by _Bishop_, as he was in a dark Night going to the Barn, he was very suddenly taken or lifted from the Ground, and thrown against a Stone-wall: After that, he was again hoisted up and thrown down a Bank, at the end of his House. After this again, passing by this _Bishop_, his Horse with a small Load, striving to draw, all his Gears flew to pieces, and the Cart fell down; and this Deponent going then to lift a Bag of Corn, of about two Bushels, could not budge it with all his Might.

Many other Pranks of this _Bishop's_ this Deponent was ready to testify. He also testify'd, That he verily believ'd, the said _Bishop_ was the Instrument of his Daughter _Priscilla's_ Death; of which suspicion, pregnant Reasons were assigned.

XII. To crown all, _John Bly_ and _William Bly_ testify'd, That being employ'd by _Bridget Bishop_, to help to take down the Cellar-wall of the old House wherein she formerly lived, they did in holes of the said old Wall, find several _Poppets_, made up of Rags and Hogs-bristles, with headless Pins in them, the Points being outward; whereof she could give no Account unto the Court, that was reasonable or tolerable.

XIII. One thing that made against the Prisoner was, her being evidently convicted of _gross Lying_ in the Court, several times, while she was making her Plea; but besides this, a Jury of Women found a preternatural Teat upon her Body: But upon a second search, within 3 or 4 hours, there was no such thing to be seen. There was also an Account of other People whom this Woman had Afflicted; and there might have been many more, if they had been enquired for; but there was no need of them.

XIV. There was one very strange thing more, with which the Court was newly entertained. As this Woman was under a Guard, passing by the great and spacious Meeting-house of _Salem_, she gave a look towards the House: And immediately a _Daemon_ invisibly entring the Meeting-house, tore down a part of it; so that tho' there was no Person to be seen there, yet the People, at the noise, running in, found a Board, which was strongly fastned with several Nails, transported unto another quarter of the House.

III.

THE TRYAL OF SUSANNA MARTIN, AT THE

COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER, HELD BY ADJOURNMENT

AT SALEM, JUNE 29. 1692.

I.

_Susanna Martin_, pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of _Witchcraft_, brought in against her, there were produced the Evidences of many Persons very sensibly and grievously Bewitched; who all complained of the Prisoner at the Bar, as the Person whom they believed the cause of their Miseries. And now, as well as in the other Trials, there was an extraordinary Endeavour by _Witchcrafts_, with Cruel and frequent Fits, to hinder the poor Sufferers from giving in their Complaints, which the Court was forced with much Patience to obtain, by much waiting and watching for it.

II. There was now also an account given of what passed at her first Examination before the Magistrates. The Cast of her _Eye_, then striking the afflicted People to the Ground, whether they saw that Cast or no; there were these among other Passages between the Magistrates and the Examinate.

_Magistrate._ Pray, what ails these People?

_Martin._ I don't know.

_Magistrate._ But what do you think ails them?

_Martin._ I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it.

_Magistrate._ Don't you think they are bewitch'd?

_Martin._ No, I do not think they are.

_Magistrate._ Tell us your Thoughts about them then.

_Martin._ No, my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they are out they are anothers. Their Master.----

_Magistrate._ Their Master? who do you think is their Master?

_Martin._ If they be dealing in the Black Art, you may know as well as I.

_Magistrate._ Well, what have you done towards this?

_Martin._ Nothing at all.

_Magistrate._ Why, 'tis you or your Appearance.

_Martin._ I cannot help it.

_Magistrate._ Is it not _your_ Master? How comes your Appearance to hurt these?

_Martin._ How do I know? He that appeared in the Shape of _Samuel_, a glorified Saint, may appear in any ones Shape.

It was then also noted in her, as in others like her, that if the Afflicted went to approach her, they were flung down to the Ground. And, when she was asked the reason of it, she said, _I cannot tell; it may be, the Devil bears me more Malice than another._

III. The Court accounted themselves, alarum'd by these Things, to enquire further into the Conversation of the Prisoner; and see what there might occur, to render these Accusations further credible. Whereupon, _John Allen_ of _Salisbury_, testify'd, That he refusing, because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves at the request of this _Martin_, she was displeased at it; and said, _It had been as good that he had; for his Oxen should never do him much more Service._ Whereupon, this Deponent said, _Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch? I'l throw thee into the Brook:_ Which to avoid, she flew over the Bridge, and escaped. But, as he was going home, one of his Oxen tired, so that he was forced to Unyoke him, that he might get him home. He then put his Oxen, with many more, upon _Salisbury_ Beach, where Cattle did use to get _Flesh_. In a few days, all the Oxen upon the Beach were found by their Tracks, to have run unto the Mouth of _Merrimack-River_, and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore upon _Plum-Island_. They that sought them, used all imaginable gentleness, but they would still run away with a violence, that seemed wholly Diabolical, till they came near the mouth of _Merrimack-River_; when they ran right into the Sea, swimming as far as they could be seen. One of them then swam back again, with a swiftness, amazing to the Beholders, who stood ready to receive him, and help up his tired Carcass: But the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from thence, thorough the Marshes, up into _Newbury_ Town, and so up into the Woods; and there after a while found near _Amesbury_. So that, of fourteen good Oxen, there was only this saved: The rest were all cast up, some in one place, and some in another, Drowned.

IV. _John Atkinson_ testifi'd, That he exchanged a Cow with a Son of _Susanna Martin's_, whereat she muttered, and was unwilling he should have it. Going to receive this Cow, tho he Hamstring'd her, and Halter'd her, she, of a Tame Creature, grew so mad, that they could scarce get her along. She broke all the Ropes that were fastned unto her, and though she were ty'd fast unto a Tree, yet she made her escape, and gave them such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no cause but Witchcraft.

V. _Bernard Peache_ testifi'd, That being in Bed, on the Lord's-day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then saw _Susanna Martin_ come in, and jump down upon the Floor. She took hold of this Deponent's Feet, and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she lay upon him near Two Hours; in all which time he could neither speak nor stir. At length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her Hand, and pulling it up to his Mouth, he bit three of her Fingers, as he judged, unto the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, down the Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the People of the House, to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow her. The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand of the Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; and several more drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad: There was likewise the print of her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; but no more sign of any Footing further off.

At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto an Husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, _If he did not come, it were better that he did!_ He went not; but the Night following, _Susanna Martin_, as he judged, and another came towards him. One of them said, _Here he is!_ but he having a Quarter-staff, made a Blow at them. The Roof of the Barn, broke his Blow; but following them to the Window, he made another Blow at them, and struck them down; yet they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them.

About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that _Martin_ had a Broken Head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that.

The said _Peache_ also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death, upon Martin's Discontents.