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.
VI. _Robert Downer_ testified, That this Prisoner being some Years ago
prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, _He believed she
was a Witch._ Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, _That some She-Devil
would shortly fetch him away!_ Which words were heard by others, as well
as himself. The Night following, as he lay in his Bed, there came in at
the Window, the likeness of a _Cat_, which flew upon him, took fast hold
of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and almost killed him.
At length he remembred what _Susanna Martin_ had threatned the Day
before; and with much striving he cried out, _Avoid, thou She-Devil! In
the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Avoid!_
Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and flew out at the Window.
And there also came in several Testimonies, that before ever _Downer_
spoke a word of this Accident, _Susanna Martin_ and her Family had
related, _How this +Downer+ had been handled_!
VII. _John Kembal_ testified, that _Susanna Martin_, upon a Causeless
Disgust, had threatned him, about a certain Cow of his, _That she should
never do him any more Good:_ and it came to pass accordingly. For soon
after the Cow was found stark dead on the dry Ground, without any
Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he was followed with a
strange Death upon more of his Cattle, whereof he lost in one Spring to
the Value of Thirty Pounds. But the said _John Kembal_ had a further
Testimony to give in against the Prisoner which was truly admirable.
Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy
one of this _Martin_, who had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she
not letting him have his choice, he said, he would supply himself then
at one _Blezdels_. Having mark'd a Puppy, which he lik'd at _Blezdels_,
he met _George Martin_, the Husband of the Prisoner, going by, who asked
him, _Whether he would not have one of his Wife's Puppies?_ and he
answered, _No._ The same Day, one _Edmond Eliot_, being at _Martin's_
House, heard _George Martin_ relate, where this _Kembal_ had been, and
what he had said. Whereupon _Susanna Martin_ replied, _If I live,
I'll give him Puppies enough!_ Within a few days after, this _Kembal_,
coming out of the Woods, there arose a little Black Cloud in the N. W.
and _Kembal_ immediately felt a force upon him, which made him not able
to avoid running upon the stumps of Trees, that were before him, albeit
he had a broad, plain Cart-way, before him; but tho' he had his Ax also
on his Shoulder to endanger him in his Falls, he could not forbear going
out of his way to tumble over them. When he came below the Meeting
House, there appeared unto him, a little thing like a _Puppy_, of a
Darkish Colour; and it shot backwards and forwards between his Legs. He
had the Courage to use all possible Endeavours of Cutting it with his
Ax; but he could not Hit it: the Puppy gave a jump from him, and went,
as to him it seem'd into the Ground. Going a little further, there
appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat bigger than the first, but as
Black as a Cole. Its Motions were quicker than those of his Ax; it flew
at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat; so, over his Shoulder one
way, and then over his Shoulder another way. His Heart now began to fail
him, and he thought the Dog would have tore his Throat out. But he
recovered himself, and called upon God in his Distress; and naming the
Name of JESUS CHRIST, it vanished away at once. The Deponent spoke not
one Word of these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his Wife. But the
next Morning, _Edmond Eliot_, going into _Martin's_ House, this Woman
asked him where Kembal was? He replied, _At home, a Bed, for ought he
knew._ She returned, _They say, he was frighted last Night._ Eliot
asked, _With what?_ She answered, _With Puppies._ _Eliot_ asked, _Where
she heard of it, for he had heard nothing of it?_ She rejoined, _About
the Town._ Altho' _Kembal_ had mentioned the Matter to no Creature
living.
VIII. _William Brown_ testifi'd, That Heaven having blessed him with a
most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day met with _Susanna
Martin_; but when she approach'd just unto her, _Martin_ vanished out of
sight, and left her extreamly affrighted. After which time, the said
_Martin_ often appear'd unto her, giving her no little trouble; and when
she did come, she was visited with Birds, that sorely peck'd and prick'd
her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a Pullet's Egg, would rise in her
Throat, ready to choak her, till she cry'd out, _Witch, you shan't choak
me!_ While this good Woman was in this extremity, the Church appointed a
Day of Prayer, on her behalf; whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; she saw not
_Martin_ as formerly; and the Church, instead of their Fast, gave Thanks
for her Deliverance. But a considerable while after, she being Summoned
to give in some Evidence at the Court, against this _Martin_, quickly
thereupon, this _Martin_ came behind her, while she was milking her Cow,
and said unto her, _For thy defaming her at Court, I'll make thee the
miserablest Creature in the World._ Soon after which, she fell into a
strange kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, and uncapable
of any reasonable Action; the Physicians declaring, that her Distemper
was preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and
in that condition she now remained.
IX. _Sarah Atkinson_ testify'd, That _Susanna Martin_ came from
_Amesbury_ to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season,
when it was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she said, unto
_Atkinson_) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and shew'd how dry she
was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her Shoes
were wet. _Atkinson_ was amazed at it; and professed, that she should
her self have been wet up to the knees, if she had then came so far; but
_Martin_ reply'd, _She scorn'd to be Drabbled!_ It was noted, that this
Testimony upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular Confusion.
X. _John Pressy_ testify'd, That being one Evening very unaccountably
Bewildred, near a Field of _Martins_, and several times, as one under an
Enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at length he saw a
marvellous Light, about the bigness of an Half-bushel, near two Rod, out
of the way. He went, and struck at it with a Stick, and laid it on with
all his might. He gave it near forty blows; and felt it a palpable
substance. But going from it, his Heels were struck up, and he was laid
with his Back on the Ground, sliding, as he thought, into a Pit; from
whence he recover'd by taking hold on the Bush; altho' afterwards he
could find no such Pit in the place. Having, after his Recovery, gone
five or six Rod, he saw _Susanna Martin_ standing on his Left-hand, as
the Light had done before; but they changed no words with one another.
He could scarce find his House in his Return; but at length he got home
extreamly affrighted. The next day, it was upon Enquiry understood, that
_Martin_ was in a miserable condition by pains and hurts that were upon
her.
It was further testify'd by this Deponent, That after he had given in
some Evidence against _Susanna Martin_, many years ago, she gave him
foul words about it; and said, _He should never prosper more;_
particularly, _That he should never have more than two Cows; that tho'
he was never so likely to have more, yet he should never have them._ And
that from that very day to this, namely for twenty years together, he
could never exceed that number; but some strange thing or other still
prevented his having any more.
XI. _Jervis Ring_ testify'd, That about seven years ago, he was
oftentimes and grievously oppressed in the Night, but saw not who
troubled him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, plainly saw
_Susanna Martin_ approach him. She came to him, and forceably bit him by
the Finger; so that the Print of the bite is now, so long after, to be
seen upon him.
XII. But besides all of these Evidences, there was a most wonderful
Account of one _Joseph Ring_, produced on this occasion.
This Man has been strangely carried about by _Daemons_, from one
_Witch-meeting_ to another, for near two years together; and for one
quarter of this time, they have made him, and keep him Dumb, tho' he is
now again able to speak. There was one _T. H._ who having, as 'tis
judged, a design of engaging this _Joseph Ring_ in a snare of Devillism,
contrived a while, to bring this _Ring_ two Shillings in Debt unto him.
Afterwards, this poor Man would be visited with unknown shapes, and this
_T. H._ sometimes among them; which would force him away with them, unto
unknown Places, where he saw Meetings, Feastings, Dancings; and after
his return, wherein they hurried him along through the Air, he gave
Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that he had indeed been so
transported. When he was brought unto these hellish Meetings, one of the
first Things they still did unto him, was to give him a knock on the
Back, whereupon he was ever as if bound with Chains, uncapable of
stirring out of the place, till they should release him. He related,
that there often came to him a Man, who presented him a _Book_, whereto
he would have him set his Hand; promising to him, that he should then
have even what he would; and presenting him with all the delectable
Things, Persons, and Places, that he could imagin. But he refusing to
subscribe, the business would end with dreadful Shapes, Noises and
Screeches, which almost scared him out of his Wits. Once with the Book,
there was a Pen offered him, and an Ink-horn with Liquor in it, that
seemed like Blood: But he never toucht it.
This Man did now affirm, That he saw the Prisoner at several of those
hellish Randezvouzes.
Note, this Woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked
Creatures in the World; and she did now throughout her whole Tryal,
discover her self to be such an one. Yet when she was asked, what she
had to say for her self? Her chief Plea was, _That she had lead a most
virtuous and holy Life._
IV.
THE TRYAL OF ELIZABETH HOW, AT THE
COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER, HELD BY ADJOURNMENT
AT SALEM, JUNE 30. 1692.
I.
_Elizabeth How_ pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of Witchcrafts,
then charged upon her; the Court, according to the usual Proceedings of
the Courts in _England_, in such Cases, began with hearing the
Depositions of several afflicted People, who were grievously tortured by
sensible and evident _Witchcrafts_, and all complained of the Prisoner,
as the cause of their Trouble. It was also found that the Sufferers were
not able to bear her _Look_, as likewise, that in their greatest Swoons,
they distinguished her _Touch_ from other Peoples, being thereby raised
out of them.
And there was other Testimony of People to whom the shape of this _How_,
gave trouble nine or ten years ago.
II. It has been a most usual thing for the bewitched Persons, at the
same time that the _Spectres_, representing the _Witches_, troubled
them, to be visited with Apparitions of _Ghosts_, pretending to have
been Murdered by the _Witches_ then represented. And sometimes the
Confessions of the Witches afterwards acknowledged those very Murders,
which these _Apparitions_ charged upon them; altho' they had never heard
what Informations had been given by the Sufferers.
There were such Apparitions of Ghosts testified by some of the present
Sufferers; and the Ghosts affirmed, that this _How_ had Murdered them:
Which things were _fear'd_ but not _prov'd_.
III. This _How_ had made some Attempts of joyning to the Church at
_Ipswich_, several years ago; but she was denyed an admission into that
Holy Society, partly through a suspicion of Witchcraft, then urged
against her. And there now came in Testimony, of preternatural
Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been Instrumental to debar
her from the Communion whereupon she was intruding.
IV. There was a particular Deposition of _Joseph Stafford_, That his
Wife had conceived an extream Aversion to this _How_, on the Reports of
her Witchcrafts: But _How_ one day, taking her by the Hand, and saying,
_I believe you are not ignorant of the great Scandal that I lye under,
by an evil Report raised upon me._ She immediately, unreasonably and
unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Woman's
part. _How_ being soon after propounded, as desiring an Admission to the
Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfy'd about
her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters objected against
her; and no Arguments in the World could hinder this Goodwife _Stafford_
from going to the Lecture. She did indeed promise, with much ado, that
she would not go to the Church-meeting, yet she could not refrain going
thither also. _How's_ Affairs there were so canvased, that she came off
rather _Guilty_ than _Cleared_; nevertheless Goodwife _Stafford_ could
not forbear taking her by the Hand, and saying, _Tho' you are Condemned
before Men, you are Justify'd before God._ She was quickly taken in a
very strange manner, Ranting, Raving, Raging and crying out, _Goody
+How+ must come into the Church; she is a precious Saint; and tho' she
be condemned before Men, she is Justify'd before God._ So she continued
for the space of two or three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But
coming to her self, she cry'd out, _Ha! I was mistaken;_ and afterwards
again repeated, _Ha! I was mistaken!_ Being asked by a stander by,
_Wherein?_ she replyed, _I thought Goody +How+ had been a precious Saint
of God, but now I see she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my
Child, and we shall never be well, till there be a Testimony for her,
that she may be taken into the Church._ And _How_ said afterwards, that
she was very sorry to see _Stafford_ at the Church-meeting mentioned.
_Stafford_, after this, declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of
_How_; and from that Shape she endured many Miseries.
V. _John How_, Brother to the Husband of the Prisoner testified, that he
refusing to accompany the Prisoner unto her Examination, as was by her
desired, immediately some of his Cattle were Bewitched to Death, leaping
three or four foot high, turning about, speaking, falling, and dying at
once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use, that might as well
perhaps have been omitted, the Hand wherein he held his Knife was taken
very numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, for several Days, being
not well at this very Time. And he suspected the Prisoner for the Author
of it.
VI. _Nehemiah Abbot_ testify'd, that unusual and mischievous Accidents
would befal his Cattle, whenever he had any Difference with this
Prisoner. Once, particularly, she wished his Ox choaked; and within a
little while that Ox was choaked with a Turnep in his Throat. At another
Time, refusing to lend his Horse, at the Request of her Daughter, the
Horse was in a preternatural manner abused. And several other odd things
of that kind were testified.
VII. There came in Testimony, that one Good-wife _Sherwin_, upon some
Difference with _How_, was Bewitched; and that she dyed, charging this
_How_ with having an Hand in her Death. And that other People had their
Barrels of Drink unaccountably mischieved, spoil'd and spilt, upon their
displeasing of her.
The things in themselves were trivial, but there being such a Course of
them, it made them the more considered. Among others, _Martha Wood_,
gave her Testimony, That a little after her Father had been employed in
gathering an account of _How's_ Conversation, they once and again lost
great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in such a manner, as
they could ascribe to nothing but Witchcraft. As also, That _How_ giving
her some Apples, when she had eaten of them, she was taken with a very
strange kind of Amaze, insomuch that she knew not what she said or did.
VIII. There was likewise a Cluster of Depositions, That one _Isaac
Cummings_ refusing to lend his Mare unto the Husband of this _How_, the
Mare was within a Day or two taken in a strange condition: The Beast
seemed much abused, being bruised as if she had been running over the
Rocks, and marked where the Bridle went, as if burnt with a red hot
Bridle. Moreover, one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the Cure of the
Beast, a blue Flame issued out of her, took hold of her Hair, and not
only spread and burnt on her, but it also flew upwards towards the Roof
of the Barn, and had like to have set the Barn on Fire: And the Mare
dyed very suddenly.
IX. _Timothy Pearley_ and his Wife, testifyd, Not only unaccountable
Mischiefs befel their Cattle, upon their having of Differences with this
Prisoner: but also that they had a Daughter destroyed by Witchcrafts;
which Daughter still charged _How_ as the Cause of her Affliction. And
it was noted, that she would be struck down whenever _How_ were spoken
of. She was often endeavoured to be thrown into the Fire, and into the
Water, in her strange Fits: Tho' her Father had corrected her for
charging _How_ with bewitching her, yet (as was testified by others
also) she said, She was sure of it, and must dye standing to it.
Accordingly she charged _How_ to the very Death; and said, _Tho' How
could afflict and torment her Body, yet she could not hurt her Soul:_
And, _That the Truth of this matter would appear, when she should be
dead and gone._
X. _Francis Lane_ testified, That being hired by the Husband of this
_How_ to get him a parcel of Posts and Rails, this _Lane_ hired _John
Pearly_ to assist him. This Prisoner then told _Lane_, That she believed
the Posts and Rails would not do, because _John Pearly_ helped him; but
that if he had got them alone, without _John Pearly's_ help, they might
have done well enough. When _James How_ came to receive his Posts and
Rails of _Lane_, _How_ taking them up by the Ends, they, tho' good and
sound, yet unaccountably broke off, so that _Lane_ was forced to get
thirty or forty more. And this Prisoner being informed of it, she said,
She told him so before, because _Pearly_ helped about them.
XI. Afterwards there came in the Confessions of several other (penitent)
Witches, which affirmed this _How_ to be one of those, who with them had
been baptized by the Devil in the River, at _Newbury_-Falls: before
which he made them there kneel down by the Brink of the River and
worshiped him.
V.
THE TRIAL OF MARTHA CARRIER, AT THE
COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER, HELD BY ADJOURNMENT
AT SALEM, AUGUST 2. 1692.
I.
_Martha Carrier_ was Indicted for the bewitching certain Persons,
according to the Form usual in such Cases, pleading _Not Guilty_, to her
Indictment; there were first brought in a considerable number of the
bewitched Persons; who not only made the Court sensible of an horrid
Witchcraft committed upon them, but also deposed, That it was _Martha
Carrier_, or her Shape, that grievously tormented them, by Biting,
Pricking, Pinching and Choaking of them. It was further deposed, That
while this _Carrier_ was on her Examination, before the Magistrates, the
Poor People were so tortured that every one expected their Death upon
the very spot, but that upon the binding of _Carrier_ they were eased.
Moreover the Look of _Carrier_ then laid the Afflicted People for dead;
and her Touch, if her Eye at the same time were off them, raised them
again: Which Things were also now seen upon her Tryal. And it was
testified, That upon the mention of some having their Necks twisted
almost round, by the Shape of this _Carrier_, she replyed, _Its no
matter though their Necks had been twisted quite off._
II. Before the Trial of this Prisoner, several of her own Children had
frankly and fully confessed, not only that they were Witches themselves,
but that this their Mother had made them so. This Confession they made
with great Shews of Repentance, and with much Demonstration of Truth.
They related Place, Time, Occasion; they gave an account of Journeys,
Meetings and Mischiefs by them performed, and were very credible in what
they said. Nevertheless, this Evidence was not produced against the
Prisoner at the Bar, inasmuch as there was other Evidence enough to
proceed upon.