[67] There are four Indictments recorded. The Witnesses to the first
correspond with the Records. Those to the second differ by the Omission
of "John Bligh, and Rebeckah, his Wife; Samuell Shattuck, and Sarah,
his Wife; William Bligh, William Stacey; John Loader."
[68] These correspond with the Original, with some very slight
Difference in the Orthography; and so of those to the fourth Indictment.
[69] It will be seen that much the same Set of Witnesses figure in most
of the Cases; and it is surprising that such _stereotype_ Testimony
should have been so long imposed upon the Judges.
[70] The Answers of Bridget at her Examination were Common-sense-like,
and carried with them such honest Simplicity, that it is Matter of
Astonishment the Judges could not distinguish between the most puerile
Absurdities and Truth. It appears that she had had a Husband, named
Oliver; hence she is often called Bridget Bishop, alias Oliver. During
her Examination, the Afflicted apparently suffered excessive Torture.
One "Sam. Gold" afterwards asked her if she was not troubled to see
them so tormented. He reported that her Answer was "No. She was not
troubled for them." This was viewed as strong Evidence against her.
[71] Among all the hard swearing, that of "Sus. Sheldon" was perhaps
equal to any. She was about 18 Years old. At one Time, June 2d, 1692,
she saw the "Apperishtion" of Bridget Bishop, and immediately came two
little Children, Twins, which told her (Bridget) to her Face that she
had murdered them by setting them into Fits, whereof they dyed. One
John Cooke, aged 18, swore about an Apple which jumped out of his Hand.
John _Blye_ and his Wife, about a Sow of theirs being bewitched, and
they "Judged Bishop bewitched said Sow." Elizabeth Balch of Beverly,
aged about 38, Wife of Benj. B. Juʳ, "being at Salem ye very Day that
Capt George Corwin was buried, and in ye Euening of said Day coming
from sd. Salem vnto sd. Beuerly, on Horseback, with her Sister, then
known by the Name of Abigail Woodburie, now Abigail Waldron lieuing in
Wenham, Wife vnto Nathaniell Waldron, riding behinde her; and were come
so far as Crane Riuer Common soe called, Edward Bishop and his Wife
ouertook vs (on horseback) who are both now in Prison vnder Suspition
of Witchcraft." Bridget complained of her Husband for riding into the
Water, and of riding too fast. Whereupon an Altercation arose, and
hard Words were bandied between them. "And then sd. Bishop directed
his Speech vnto vs as we rode along, and sd. that she had been a bad
Wife vnto him euer since they were marryed, and reckoned vp many of
her Miscarriages towards him; but now of late she was worse than euer
before (and that the she Devill did come bodyly vnto her, and that she
was familiar with the Deuil, and that she sate vp all ye Night long
with ye Deuill) or Words to that Purpose. Said Bishop's Wife made very
little Reply."--_Records S. W._, i, 167-8.
[72] "Sus. Sheldon," in additional Testimony said, that "on the fourth
Day, at Night, came Goody Olliuer, Mrs. English, Goodman Corie, and
a black Man with a hi crowned hatt, with Books in their Hands. Goody
Olliuer bid me touch her Book. I would not;" told me she had been a
Witch twenty Years. "Then there came a streacked Snake, creeping ouer
her Shoulder, and creep into her Bosom. Mrs. English had a Yello Bird
in her Bosom, and Goodman Corie had two Turcles hang to his Coat, and
he opened his Bosom and put his Turcles to his Brest and gave them
suck. Then Goodm. Core and Goody Oliuer kneeled downe before the Black
Man and went to prayer. The Black Man told me Goody Olliver had been
a Witch 20 years and an half. Then they all set to biting mee, and so
went away. Goodwife Core told me she lived in [B]osston Prison. Then
she pulled out her brest and the Black Man gave her a thing like a
blake Pig. It had no Hairs on it. Shee put it to her brest and gave it
suck. Goody Olliver told mee shee had killed four Women. Two of them
were the Fosters Wifes and John Traskes Wife, and did not name the
other. Then they did all bite mee."--_Records S. W._ ii, 169-170. Then
follows the "Death Warrant" of Bridget Bishop, dated at Boston, June
the 8th, 1692, signed by Lieutenant Governour Stoughton.
[73] Her Testimony, as recorded, may be read in the Records as above
cited, i, 148-9. It is a Tissue of Contradictory Nonsense; and if at
all relied upon would excite no Wonder, in view of what had gone before.
[74] John Cooke was a young Man of some 18 years of Age. It should be
remembered that these accounts of Evidence are Dr. Mather's Version. He
has omitted the most important Item in Cook's Testimony. He swore, that
after Goodwife Bishop had struck him on the side of the Head, he saw
her go out under the end Window at a little Crevice about as large as
one could thrust his hand into. See _Records S. W._ i, 165.
[75] Gray gave his age as about 42 Years. His Testimony is pretty fully
and fairly given above. See _Records_, _Ibid_, 152-3. He is noticed in
Savage's _Dictionary_, ii, 299.
[76] This Testimony was given June 2d, 1692. The Blighs gave other
Testimony, also, on the same Day. John _Blye_, Senior, aged about 57,
and William Blye, aged about 15 Years. These testified concerning the
finding of _Poppitts_, as given in Volume i, Page 173-4.
[77] Coman gave his Age as about 32 years. His Nightmare Story is here
a good deal abridged. The curious Reader must go to the Records, _as
published by_ Woodward, Vol. i, 163-4.
[78] Shattuck's Testimony occupies three and an half of Mr. Woodward's
quarto Pages. His Age was 41. A part of his Story reminds one of the
Man who appeared among his friends with an awfully bruised Face. On
being asked how it happened, replied that the Stones in the Road
flew up and struck him as he was walking along. Poor Shattuck was
unquestionably injured in the same way.
[79] John Louder gave his Age "about thirty two." He said he lived
with Mr. John Gedney in Salem about seven or eight Years since. He was
doubtless afflicted by the same Agents as Samuel Shattuck was, and saw
quite as much if not hurt as much. A black Pig seemed determined to
keep him Company; but there were some other Things equally nondescript.
See _Records_, i, 160-1.
[80] _Stacy_ was of Salem, aged thirty six, or thereabouts. He goes
back fourteen Years, which was the time of the Money Transaction.
So that Dr. Mather's version of the Affair, as though it had just
happened, is not a fair one. Stacy was often in the same Predicament
of Shattuck and Louder, only Stone Fences, Stumps and other odd things
knocked him about in a manner, which if it surprised the Magistrates,
it probably surprised nobody who might be better acquainted with him.
See _Wonders_, Vol. i, 172.
[81] This Evidence has been referred to in a previous Note.
[82] It was no difficult matter, during a long and tedious Examination,
so to bewilder and confound Persons of firmer nerves than an aged
Matron, and thus make them contradict themselves, not knowing what to
say and hardly what was said to them. Respecting the Jury of Women, who
searched her, the Reader may consult the Records, if his Patience is
equal to his Curiosity.
[83] It would be much more satisfactory if the matter of the Dæmon had
been well attested. If a Noise, and the Transportation of _that Board_
is all the Evidence that could be adduced that the Devil was at work
there, it can hardly be said to amount to much. Besides, if the Devil
had had any ill will towards the Meeting House, he could easily have
set fire to it. His Enmity to M. Houses is generally admitted.
[Susanna Martin's _Indictment_.]
_The Indictment of_ Susanna Martin.
[Essex ss.] _Anno Regni Regis & Reginæ Willielmi & Mariæ, nunc Angliæ,
&c. quarto._--
THE Jurors for our Soveraign Lord and Lady the King and Queen, present,
That _Susanna Martin_ of _Amesbury_ in the County of _Essex_, Widow,
The second Day of _May_, in the fourth Year of the Reign of our
Soveraign Lord and Lady _William_ and _Mary_, by the Grace of God,
of _England_, _Scotland_, _France_ and _Ireland_, King and Queen,
Defenders of the faith, _&c._ And divers other days and times, as
well before as after, certain detestable Arts, called Witchcrafts,
and Sorceries, Wickedly and Felloniously hath used, practised, and
exercised, at and within the Township of _Salem_, in the County of
_Essex_ aforesaid, in, upon, and against one _Mary Wolcott_ of
_Salem_-Village, in the County of _Essex_, Single-Woman, by which said
wicked Arts the said _Mary Wolcott_, the Second Day [126] of _May_,
in the fourth Year aforesaid, and at divers other days and times, as
well before as after, was and is Tortured, Afflicted, Pined, Consumed,
Wasted and Tormented; as also for sundry other Acts of Witchcraft, by
said _Susanna Martin_, committed and done before and since that time,
against the Peace of our Soveraign Lord and Lady, _William_ and _Mary_,
King and Queen of _England_; Their Crown and Dignity, and against the
Form of the Statute, in that Case made and provided.
Return'd by the Grand-Jury, _Billa Vera_.
Witnesses--_Sarah Vibber, Mary Wolcott_, Mr. _Samuel Parris, Elizabeth
Hubbard, Mercy Lewis_.
The Second Indictment[84] was for afflicting _Mercy Lewis_.
Witnesses--_Samuel Parris, Ann Putnam, Sarah Vibber, Elizabeth Hubbard,
Mary Wolcott, Mercy Lewis_.
[Susanna Martin's _Tryal_.]
The Trial of _Susanna Martin, June_ 29, 1692. As is Printed, in
_Wonders of the Invisible World_, from p. 114 to p. 116.
1. S_USANNA Martin_, pleading not Guilty, to the Indictment of
Witchcrafts 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.
There was now also an Account given, of what had 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.
_Magist._ But, What do you think ails them?
_Martin._ I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it.
_Magist._ Don't you think they are bewitched?
_Martin._ No, I do not think they are.
_Magist._ 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--
_Magist._ 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.
[127] _Magist._ Well, what have you done towards this?
_Martin._ Nothing at all.
_Magist._ Why, 'tis you or your appearance.
_Martin._ I can't help it.
_Magist._ 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.--
The Court accounted themselves Alarm'd by these things, to inquire
further into the Conversation of the Prisoner; and see what there
might occur, to render these Accusations further credible.⒜ Whereupon
_John Allen_, of _Salisbury_ testified, 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'll 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 them, and help up his tired
Carcass: but the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from
thence thorough the Marishes, 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.[85]
⒜: The Above is but a very small Part of the Examination, as appears by
the Records. See _Wonders of the Invisible World_, Vol. I, P. 175.
4. _John Atkinson_ testified, that he exchanged a Cow, with a Son
of _Susanna Martins_, 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 fastened unto
her, and tho she was tied [128] fast unto a Tree, yet she made her
escape, and gave them such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no
cause but Witchcraft.[86]
5. _Bernard Peache_ testified that being in Bed, on a Lords 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
Deponents 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
to 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 on it; and several more drops of Blood
upon the Snow, newly fallen abroad. There was likewise the print of her
two Feet, just without the Threshold; but no more sign of any footing
further off.[87]
At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto
a 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 Quarterstaff, 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 testified, the bewitching of Cattle to Death,
upon_ Martin's_ discontents.
6. _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 disatisfied, 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, and
took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and
almost killed him; at length he remembered what _Susanna Martin_ had
threatened the Day before, and with much striving, he cried out, _Avoid
thou the Devil, In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, avoid_: Whereupon it left him, leaped 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.[88]
[129] 7. _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 30_l._ 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
liked at _Blezdels_, he met George Martin, the Husband of the Prisoner
going by, who asked whether he would not have one of his Wives Puppy's;
and he answered, No. The same Day one _Edmund Eliot_,[89] being at
_Martins_ House heard _George Martin_ relate where this _Kembal_ had
been, and what he had said; whereupon _Susanna Martin_ reply'd, _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 Axe 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 Axe, 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 Coal. It's motions were quicker than
those of his Axe. It flew at his Belly, and away at his Throat, so
over his Shoulders one way, and then over his Shoulders 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, _Edmund Eliot_ going
into _Martins_ 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.[90]
[130] 8. _William Brown_ testified, that Heaven having bless'd him
with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day met with
_Susanna Martin_: but when she approached just unto her, _Martin_
vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted. After which
time the said _Martin_ often appeared 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 Pullets Egg would
rise on 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 the 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 this _Martin_ came behind her, while
she was Milking her Cow, and said unto her, _For thy defaming me 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.[91]
9. _Sarah Atkinson_ testified, that _Susanna Martin_ came from
_Amesbury_, to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season,
when it was not fit for any one to Travel. She came (as she said unto
_Atkinson_) all that long way on foot. She bragg'd and show'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 herself have been wet up to the Knees, if she had then come so
far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorned to be drabbled!_ It was noted
that this Testimony upon her Tryal, cast her into a very singular
confusion.[92]
10. _John Pressy_ testified, that being one Evening very unaccountably
bewildred near a Field of _Martin_, 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 Rood
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 recovered, 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 Rood, 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 af[131]frighted. 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 testified 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
were 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 of any more.[93]
11. _Jarvis Ring_ testified that about Seven Years ago he was
oftentimes 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 forcibly bit him by the
Finger; so that the print of the bite is now so long after to be seen
upon him.
12. But besides all these Evidences, there was a most wonderful Account
of one _Joseph Ring_ produced on this occasion. This Man has been
strangely carried about by _Dæmons_. From one Witch-meeting to another,
for near two Years together; and for one quarter of this time they made
him and kept him Dumb, though he is now again able to speak. There
was one _T. H._[94] who having, as 'tis judged, a design of Engaging
this _Joseph Ring_ in a snare of Devilism, 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 thro 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 imagine. 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 a Book, there was a Pen offer'd him, and
an Inkhorn, with liquor in it, that seem'd like Blood: but he never
touched it.[95]
This Man did now affirm, that he saw the Prisoner at several of those
hellish Randezvouzes.
[132] _Note_--This Woman was one of the most Impudent, Scurrilous,
wicked Creature in the World; and she did now throughout her whole
Tryal, discover herself to be such an one. Yet when she was asked what
she had to say for herself, her chief plea was, that she had led a most
vertuous and holy life.