of _Witches_, _when Persons are Impeached by other notorious Witches, to
be as ill as themselves; especially, if the Persons have been much noted
for neglecting the Worship of God_. Now, as there might have been
Testimonies enough of _G. B's_ Antipathy to _Prayer_, and the other
Ordinances of God, tho by his Profession, singularly Obliged thereunto;
so, there now came in against the Prisoner, the Testimonies of several
Persons, who confessed their own having been horrible _Witches_, and
ever since their Confessions, had been themselves terribly Tortured by
the Devils and other Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and therein
undergone the Pains of many _Deaths_ for their Confessions.
These now testified, that _G. B._ had been at Witch-meetings with them;
and that he was the Person who had Seduc'd, and Compell'd them into the
snares of Witchcraft; That he promised them _Fine Cloaths_, for doing
it; that he brought Poppets to them, and Thorns to stick into those
Poppets, for the Afflicting of other People; and that he exhorted them
with the rest of the Crew, to Bewitch all _Salem Village_, but besure to
do it Gradually, if they would prevail in what they did.
When the _Lancashire Witches_ were Condemn'd I don't remember that there
was any considerable further Evidence, than that of the Bewitched, and
than that of some that confessed. We see so much already against _G. B._
But this being indeed not enough, there were other things to render what
had been already produced _credible_.
V. A famous Divine recites this among the Convictions of a Witch; _The
Testimony of the party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together with
the joint Oaths of sufficient Persons that have seen certain Prodigious
Pranks or Feats wrought by the Party Accused._ Now, God had been pleased
so to leave this _G. B._ that he had ensnared himself by several
Instances, which he had formerly given of a Preternatural Strength, and
which were now produced against him. He was a very Puny Man, yet he had
often done things beyond the strength of a Giant. A Gun of about seven
foot Barrel, and so heavy that strong Men could not steadily hold it out
with both hands; there were several Testimonies, given in by Persons of
Credit and Honor, that he made nothing of taking up such a Gun behind
the Lock, with but one hand, and holding it out like a Pistol, at
Arms-end. _G. B._ in his Vindication, was so foolish as to say, That
_an +Indian+ was there, and held it out at the same time:_ Whereas none
of the Spectators ever saw any such _Indian_; but they supposed, the
_Black Man_, (as the Witches call the Devil; and they generally say he
resembles an _Indian_) might give him that Assistance. There was
Evidence likewise brought in, that he made nothing of taking up whole
Barrels fill'd with _Malasses_ or _Cider_, in very disadvantageous
Postures, and Carrying of them through the difficultest Places out of a
Canoo to the Shore.
Yea, there were two Testimonies, that _G. B._ with only putting the Fore
Finger of his Right hand into the Muzzle of an heavy Gun, a
Fowling-piece of about six or seven foot Barrel, did lift up the Gun,
and hold it out at Arms-end; a Gun which the Deponents thought strong
Men could not with both hands lift up, and hold out at the But-end, as
is usual. Indeed, one of these Witnesses was over-perswaded by some
Persons, to be out of the way upon _G. B's_ Tryal; but he came
afterwards with Sorrow for his withdraw, and gave in his Testimony: Nor
were either of these Witnesses made use of as Evidences in the Trial.
VI. There came in several Testimonies relating to the Domestick Affairs
of _G. B._ which had a very hard Aspect upon him; and not only prov'd him
a very ill Man; but also confirmed the belief of the Character, which
had been already fastned on him.
'Twas testified, that keeping his two Successive Wives in a strange kind
of Slavery, he would when he came home from abroad, pretend to tell the
Talk which any had with them; That he has brought them to the point of
Death, by his harsh Dealings with his Wives, and then made the People
about him, to promise that in case Death should happen, they would say
nothing of it; That he used all means to make his Wives Write, Sign,
Seal, and Swear a Covenant, never to reveal any of his Secrets; That his
Wives had privately complained unto the Neighbours about frightful
Apparitions of Evil Spirits, with which their House was sometimes
infested; and that many such things have been whispered among the
Neighbourhood. There were also some other Testimonies relating to the
Death of People whereby the Consciences of an Impartial Jury were
convinced that _G. B._ had Bewitched the Persons mentioned in the
Complaints. But I am forced to omit several passages, in this as well as
in all the succeeding Tryals, because the Scribes who took notice of
them, have not supplyed me.
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.