I inclose you an extract from an old document in my possession, which
appears to be the examination of two witnesses against one Mary Shepherd
for witchcraft. The nature of the offence is not {327} specified.
Perhaps it may be interesting to some of your readers.
_The Exa[=m] of Jone Coward of Wareham, taken upon Oath the 28
March, 1638._
Who sayth, y't about Midsomer last past one Mary Sheapheard of
Wareham did pull of one of this Ex[=mt]'s stockings, and
within 2 howers after this Ex[=nt] was taken in all her limbs
that she could not stur hand or foot, where upon this Ex[=nt]
considered that the fors'd Mary Sheapheard had done her that
hurt, and forth w'th cryed out upon the sayd Mary Shep.
(though the sayd M. Shep. was not present), where upon this
Ex[=mt]'s mother went unto the house of M. Shep. to perswaed
her to come downe to this Ex[=nt]; but the sayd M. Shep. would
not. Whereupon this Ex[=nt]'s mother went unto the Mayor of
the Town, who co[=m]anded the s'd M. Shep. to goe to this
Exa[=nt]. At length the s'd Ma. Shep. accordingly did (and
being co[=e]), she did wring this Ex[=nt] by the hande, and
p'esently this Ex[=nt] recouered. Ffurther, the Ex[=nt]
sayth, y't about ye 24 of July _next followinge_, this
Ex[=nt] was taken in ye like manner ye second time, w'th
her hands and feet wrested about, and so sent for the s'd M.
Shep., who instantly pulled the Ex[=nt] by the hands, and
p'esently the Ex[=nt] recovered again.