"Boston, May ye 20, 1680:--The Grand Jury presenting Elizabeth, wife of
William Morse. She was indicted by name of Elizabeth Morse for that she
not having ye fear of God before her eyes, being instigated by the
Devil, and had familiarity with the Devil contrary to ye peace of our
sovereign lord, the King, his crown and dignity, the laws of God, and of
this jurisdiction. After the prisoner was att ye barr and pleaded not
guilty, and put herself on ye country and God for trial. Ye evidences
being produced were read and committed to ye jury."
"Boston, May 21st, of 1680:--Ye jury brought in their verdict. They
found Elizabeth Morse guilty according to indictment.
"May ye 27:--Then ye sentence of ye Governor, to wit:--'Elizabeth you
are to goe from hence to ye plaice from which you come, and thence to
the plaice of execution, and there to be hanged, by ye neck, till you be
dead; and ye Lord have mercy on your Soule.'"
"June ye 1st:--Ye Governor and ye magistrates voted ye reprieving of
Eliz. Morse, as attests,
"EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary."
The unfortunate woman seems to have remained imprisoned until the
meeting of the Legislature. On the records of that body we find:--
"Ye Deputies in perusal of ye Acts of ye Hon. Court of Assistants
relating to ye woman condemned for witchcraft doe not understand why
execution of ye sentence given her by ye sd. court is not executed. Her
repreeval seems to us to be beyond what ye law will allow, and doe
therefore judge meete to declare ourselves against it, etc. This Nov.
3d., 1680.
"WM. TORREY, Clerk."