DEVONSHIRE WITCHES.
BY PAUL Q. KARKEEK.
(Read at Teignmouth, July, 1874.)
_Reprinted from the Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the
Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art. 1874._
DEVONSHIRE WITCHES.
BY PAUL Q. KARKEEK.
(Read at Teignmouth, July, 1874.)
Devonshire bears powerful evidence to the theory of Mr. Buckle, that
the climate and scenery of a country tend to influence the creed of
the people. Our miles of broad and almost deserted moorland, the deep
valleys, the dark combes, and our stormy iron-bound coasts, may to a
certain extent have inclined the Devonians of the past to a firmer
belief in the miraculous, than would be found in a more populous and
less rugged county. Traces of this are present even now. Although ages
have passed away since unhappy men and women were tried for witchcraft,
there may still be found in the western shires scores who believe
in charms, and who are habitual consultants of the "wise man;" and
sufferers from the evil-eye, or people who have been ill-wished, are
constantly heard of.
Prior to the arrival of James I. our statute-book looked but mildly on
witchcraft. Laws were passed in 1551 and 1562 against this offence, but
it remained for James the Demonologist to bring matters to a climax. In
proportion as the Puritans and their doctrines spread, so increased the
belief in, and prosecution for, witchcraft. This belief partook of the
nature of an epidemic. Suddenly prisoners were seized, tried in various
ways, taken before the magistrates, and sent to the assizes, where
they were but seldom acquitted. Popular opinion having been satisfied,
things resumed their usual course. There was no doubt about the crime;
the same village contained the victims and the person of ill-repute.
The inhabitants could see for themselves the patient whom no physician
could cure, and who pronounced the complaint to be witchcraft; and the
confession of the accused only too plainly confirmed all suspicions.
Next to murder, nothing could be more palpable; and yet, when once
the foundations of this fearful creed were disturbed by rationalism,
the whole fabric was speedily swept away, leaving but few traces to
show how great it had been, and these only in the minds of the most
ignorant classes. Strange to say, there are but few records of the
conviction of witches which were not fully supported by the confessions
of the accused. It is indeed true that these confessions were only too
frequently extorted by gross cruelty, but in scores of cases this was
not needed. The prisoners rejoiced in their crimes, and seemed proud of
their evil reputations. In that awful moment, when, with one foot on
the gallows ladder, and preparing to pay the penalty of their fancied
crimes, they even then would relate, and in glowing colours, their evil
deeds, there could be but small reason for idle boastings then; but so
it was. The witches themselves as firmly believed in their evil powers
as did their accusers and judges. The trials by law were conducted
with all order and fairness. There was no unusual mode of procedure.
In those days justice leaned towards the accuser, and inclined to
punishment; but witchcraft was not an exception, or was treated worse
than murder or theft, and not nearly so badly as heresy. As I said
before, these trials of witches would come in spasms, and with all the
fury of an epidemic. The history of one such epidemic I propose to
relate.
In the year 1682 there lived in the town of Bideford three old women,
poor, ugly, and discontented. One, Temperance Lloyd, pursued the
lucrative occupation of an apple-woman, when she could find any good
citizen rash enough to deal with her. No good housewife would allow
her children to go near her; for she was a witch, and the children
might get under the influence of the evil-eye. Once she had been sent
to the assizes, but was acquitted, much to the disgust of the Bideford
folk. On another occasion she had been dragged before the magistrates
and examined, but let off. It was no light matter to be tried for
witchcraft; but then there was one consolation, nothing could be done
to a witch until she had been forsaken by the devil, her master; so
it was only necessary to try her often enough. She had two companions
in her evil ways; one was Susanna Edwards, who was a witch of a
higher class than old Temperance Lloyd, for she had a pupil, one Mary
Trembles, who had come to an understanding with Susanna Edwards to
learn the art and mystery of witchcraft in all its branches. Things had
been going on very quietly in Bideford for some time. People had died
in unusual ways, and many had suffered without making much ado about
it; but there is an end to all things, and one day the storm broke.
This came about in the following manner:
A certain gentleman, named Thomas Eastchurch, lived in Bideford with
Elizabeth his wife, and Grace Thomas, her maiden sister. Mistress Grace
had been ailing for some time, and had consulted several physicians,
but to no purpose. Her brother did not attach much importance to the
case, and considered she was suffering from natural causes. Doctors in
those days called nervous attacks witchcraft. Some months previous to
the date of our story, Mistress Grace Thomas had recovered sufficiently
well as to be able to go out a little to take the air. While out
she came across Temperance Lloyd, who, to her astonishment, fell on
her knees, and thanked heaven that she was well and out again. Now,
people do not usually go on their knees in the open streets to return
thanks for the recovery of sick folk, even if they are doating old
beggar women. This was suspicious, and coupled with the fact that it
was Temperance Lloyd, the notorious witch, who was so surprisingly
grateful, it caused Mistress Thomas to form a little theory about the
origin of her ailments. That night she became much worse, and lay so
for some months, sometimes better and sometimes worse. At length,
on July 2nd, as she lay a groaning and complaining of her pains,
and particularly of one knee, her sister looked at it, and on close
inspection of the painful joint, discovered nine places like unto the
pricks of a thorn. It needed no great amount of reasoning power to
see that if people have nine prick holes on their knee, they must be
bewitched. Then they recollected the fervent delight exhibited last
September by Temperance Lloyd, and forthwith Dame Eastchurch procured
an interview with that worthy. When asked if she had made any images
of wax or clay for the bewitching of her sister, Temperance replied
in the negative, but owned that she had used a piece of leather for
that purpose. This distinction without a difference was not likely to
avail her anything, and she was at once arrested. The next day, Sunday,
July 3rd, a court of inquisition was opened at the Town-hall, and his
worship the mayor, Mr. Thomas Gist, Alderman John Davies, and the town
clerk, Mr. John Hill, formed the bench before which the case was tried.
Mistress Thomas described very fully the history of her complaint. She
gave all the symptoms; she told about the prickings, and pinchings,
and swoonings in a style that would have satisfied any one; and what
was more, she had lost every pain and ache ever since that Temperance
Lloyd had been locked up.
Then Dame Eastchurch related the discovery of the nine prick-holes, and
of the acknowledgment by the prisoner of using the piece of leather to
bewitch her sister.
The next witness, Ann Wakely, who had been sick nurse to Mistress
Thomas, confirmed the foregoing evidence, even to the magical
disappearance of the pains at the moment of the prisoner's arrest.
Furthermore, she had been commissioned by the mayor to examine the body
of the prisoner, which she had done in company with Honor Hooper and
other matrons, and they had discovered marks of diabolic familiarity
about her. The prisoner, too, had admitted to her that a certain
magpie, which came and fluttered at the window of Mistress Thomas on
Thursday morning last, was the devil himself. Honor Hooper confirmed
all this.
Then Mr. Thomas Eastchurch gave his evidence, which consisted in
retailing a long conversation he had had with the prisoner yesterday,
in which she had confessed to having met the devil in Higher Gunstone
Lane, and that he had tempted her to exercise her craft on Grace
Thomas. The description of the devil is simply that of a hobgoblin. He
was the length of her arm, and wore black clothes; he had broad eyes,
and a mouth like a toad.
Then Temperance Lloyd was called on for her confession, which was given
_ad libitum_. All that the preceding witnesses had said was true, and
in addition she related that on her visits to Mr. Eastchurch's house
she was accompanied by a "braget cat" (the devil in disguise), and that
when she had pricked and pinched her victim, though the room was full
of people, no one had seen her.
Here was enough to hang a dozen witches; but now that she was in a
mood to confess--an evident proof of her desertion by the devil--the
magistrates went into all her other witcheries, and truly they make a
goodly list.
She had been acquitted, though guilty, in 1670 of bewitching William
Herbert to death; and in 1679 she had done to death the daughter of Mr.
Edward Fellow, a gentleman of Bideford.
When finished with by the magistrates, the prisoner was taken to
church, and in the presence of all the witnesses against her was
examined by the rector, Mr. Michael Ogilby. This appears to be a relic
of the old ecclesiastical courts. Here the prisoner adds other trifling
items to her already long list of crimes. She had done to death Jane
Dallyn, and also Lydia Burman. There was some excuse for this last,
inasmuch as the said Lydia Burman had given evidence at the assizes in
1670 that the prisoner had appeared to her in the shape of a red pig,
while she was at work, brewing in the house of Humphrey Ackland, of
Bideford. Then Mr. Ogilby put her to the test of reciting the Lord's
Prayer and the creed, but the prisoner failing to do this to his
satisfaction, "he gave her many good exhortations, and so departed from
her." Such was the evidence against, and the confession of, Temperance
Lloyd. People believed it in those days, but now, alas! _Cuilibet in
sua arte credendum est._
Now, when Temperance was locked up in gaol, she evidently found it
lonely, and so made sufficient observations to her attendants as to
necessitate the arrest of her old cronies, Susanna Edwards and Mary
Trembles. One remark was to the effect that if she was to be hanged,
that Susanna should join her, and at the same time dropping hints about
riding on a red cow, and so on.
On July 18th the same magistrates set to work on Susanna Edwards
and Mary Trembles. A certain Grace Barnes had been taken ill in a
mysterious manner, and to the alarm of her husband and friends. Whilst
the attack lasted, one Agnes Whitfield, who was present, heard some
one at the door, which opening, she found Mary Trembles pretending to
be going to the bakehouse with a white pot in her hands. Grace Barnes
being told who was at the door, cried out that Mary Trembles was one of
them who did torment her; the other was Susanna Edwards, because she
was always coming to her house on some foolish pretence or other. Then
a blacksmith called William Edwards reports a conversation of Susanna
Edwards, showing that she and Mary Trembles had been trying their
art on Grace Barnes. One of the informants was Joane Jones, who was
probably the female watcher at the prison, because she gives evidence
of conversations overheard between Mary Trembles and Susanna Edwards
while in prison.
A curious scene took place before the magistrates on this occasion.
Anthony Jones, husband of the last witness, was standing by the side
of Susanna Edwards, and seeing her to twist her fingers about, said,
"Thou devil, thou art tormenting some person or other!" This enraged
the old woman, who looked at him and said, "Well enough I'll fit thee."
The evidence of Grace Barnes being required, a constable and the man
Jones are sent to fetch her; and as they are bringing her with much
ado into the court, Susanna catches the eye of the officious Mr.
Jones, who forthwith falls down in a fit, and is described as having
"leapt and capered like a madman, and fell a shaking, quivering, and
groaning, and lay for the space of half an hour like a dying or dead
man." Then follows the examination of Mary Trembles, who pleads guilty
to everything and anything. She had been enlisted to the cause of
witchcraft by Susanna Edwards, and had been promised by her "never to
want for money, drink, or clothes;" that the devil had appeared to
her like a Lyon, and that she and Susanna had bewitched Grace Barnes
because the latter had refused them some bread.
Susanna Edwards, in her confession, said that she had made the
acquaintance of the devil two years ago in Parsonage Close, and that
he was like a gentleman. She met him again the same day in Stambridge
Lane, and that he again persuaded her to kill Grace Barnes. She had
bewitched one Dorcas Coleman, and finally owned that "she gave herself
to the devil when she did meet him in Stambridge Lane, and that the
said Mary Trembles was a servant to her, in like manner as she,
this examinant, was a servant to the devil (whom she called by the
appellation of a gentleman)."
Another case was gone into against Susanna Edwards on July 26th, but it
merely confirmed her confession, which was hardly necessary.
These miserable old women were, on this evidence and these confessions,
sent to Exeter, where they, on August 18th, were tried, found guilty,
and condemned to be hanged; and which sentence was carried out on the
25th of the same month at Heavitree, as we are informed in Jenkin's
_History of Exeter_.
Even at the foot of the gallows they stuck to their story, altering it
but little, though they were much questioned by a meddlesome Mr. Hann,
"who was a minister in those parts." In a curious tract published in
London this same year (1682), which I have appended to this, with a
copy of the deposition taken at the magistrates' enquiry, there is a
statement that Mary Trembles was very loath to be hanged, and in order
to get her to the place of execution was strapped on a horse.
It is commonly supposed that this was the last execution for witchcraft
in England; but such is not the case. In 1716 a woman and her daughter
were hanged at Huntingdon for selling their souls to the devil. Twenty
years after, in 1736, the penal act of James I. was erased from the
statute-book. The judges of the land were among the first to set their
faces against these judicial murders; one of the earliest being Mr.
Chief Justice Holt, who on all occasions endeavoured to procure an
acquittal.
There is a letter among the State papers from Lord Keeper North, who
was at Exeter on circuit at these assizes, to Sir Leoline Jenkins,
which gives an excellent view of the question as then considered. It
is dated Exeter, August 19th, 1682. "Here have been three old women
condemned for witchcraft; your curiosity will make you enquire of the
circumstances. I shall only tell you that what I had from my brother
Raymond, before whom they were tried, that they were the most old,
decrepid, despicable, miserable creatures that he ever saw. A painter
would have chosen them out of the whole country for figures of that
kind to have drawn by.
"The evidence against them was very full and fanciful, but their
own confessions exceeded it. They appeared not only weary of their
lives, but to have a great deal of skill to convict themselves. Their
description of the sucking devills with sawcer-eyes was as natural that
the jury could not chuse but beleeve them. Sir, I find the country so
fully possessed against them, that though some of the _virtuosi_ may
think these the effect of confederacy, melancholy, or delusion, and
that young folkes are altogether as quick-sighted as they who are old
and infirme; Yet wee cannot repreive them without appearing to denye
the very being of witches, which, as it is contrary to law, so I think
it would be ill for his Majesties service, for it may give the faction
occasion to set afoot the old trade of witchfinding that may cost many
innocent persons their lives, which the justice will not prevent."
Though this was the last execution for witchcraft in the West, it was
not the last trial. In 1695 a woman named Mary Guy was tried before
Chief Justice Holt, at Launceston Castle, for bewitching Philadelphia
Row. In this case the victim vomited pins, straws, and feathers; but,
owing to a successful appeal, by the judge to the jury, a verdict of
acquittal was brought in.
In 1696 Elizabeth Horner was tried before this same judge at Exeter,
and though evidence of a startling nature was given by the children of
a Mr. William Bovet, the jury acquitted her; a result brought about no
doubt by the exertions of the judge. This case of Elizabeth Horner was
the last tried in Devonshire, and with her acquittal was heard the last
of Devonshire witches in courts of justice.
APPENDIX.--No. I.
A True and Impartial Relation of the Information against Three Witches
who were indicted, arraigned, and convicted at the Assizes holden for
the county of Devon, at the Castle of Exon, August 14th, 1682, with
their several Confessions, &c. &c.[1]
[Footnote 1: It is easy to see that some of these depositions are
placed out of order. The first three should be the last. Compare dates.]
DEVON.--The information of Dorcas Coleman, the wife of John Coleman,
of Biddiford aforesaid, Mariner, taken upon her oath, before Thomas
Gist, Mayor of the Burrough Town and Manor of Biddiford, and John
Davies, Alderman, etc., on the 26th of July, Anno Domini 1682. The
said informant upon her oath saith, That about the end of the month
of August in the year 1680, she was taken in tormenting pains, by
pricking in her arms, stomach, and heart, in such a manner as she
never was taken before. Upon which she, this informant, did desire one
Thomas Bremincom to repair unto Dr. Beare for some remedy for those
pains. And shortly afterwards the said Dr. Beare did repair unto this
informant. And upon view of her body, he did say that it was past his
skill to ease her of her pains, for he told her that she was bewitched.
And further saith, that at the time of her tormenting pains, she did
see her, the said Susanna Edwards, in her chamber; and that she this
informant would point with her finger at what place in the chamber the
said Susanna Edwards would stand, and where she would go. And further
saith, that she hath continued so ever since more or less every week.
And saith that when the said Susanna was apprehended concerning Grace
Barnes of Biddiford aforesaid, that this informant did go to see the
said Susanna: and that when the said Susanna was in prison she did
confess unto this informant, that she had bewitched her and done her
some bodily harm by bewitching her. And thereupon she fell down on her
knees and desired this informant to pray for her, the said Susanna
Edwards.
The Information of Thomas Bremincom of Biddiford in the county
aforesaid, gent., taken, etc., the 26th of July AD 1682. The said
informant upon his oath saith, that about two years ago, Dorcas
Coleman, the wife of John Coleman of Biddiford aforesaid, mariner, was
taken very sick, and in her sickness this informant did repair unto one
Dr. Beare for some remedy for these pains. The said Mr. Beare being
come unto her, and upon view of her body, did say that it was past his
skill to ease her, by reason that she was bewitched. And further saith
that after the said Mr. Beare had left her, he this informant did see
one Susanna Edwards, of Biddiford aforesaid widow, to come into her
chamber to visit her the said Dorcas. This informant further saith,
That as soon as the said Dorcas did see the said Susanna Edwards, she
did strive to fly in her face; but was not able to get out of the chair
wherein she sate. This informant and John Coleman, the said Dorcas'
husband did strive to help her out of the chair: upon which the said
Susanna began to go backwards to go out of the chamber. And further
said, that when the said Susanna was almost gone out of the chamber the
said Dorcas did slide out of the chair upon her back, and so strive
to go after the said Susanna. But this informant and her said husband
seeing her in such a sad condition did endeavour to take her up from
the ground, but could not until the said Susanna was gone down over
the stairs. This informant further saith, that at the same time of her
tormenting pains, and when she could neither see nor speak, by reason
that her pains were so violent upon her, this informant hath seen her
the said Dorcas, to point with her hand which way the said Susanna was
gone. And saith that immediately after he hath gone out at the fore
door, and hath seen the said Susanna to go the same way that the said
Dorcas did point with her hand.
The Information of John Coleman of Biddiford, in the County aforesaid,
Mariner, taken, etc. the 26th July 1682. The said informant upon his
oath saith--That Dorcas Coleman his wife, has been a long time sick,
in a very strange and unusual manner; and he hath sought far and near
for remedy, and saith that one Dr. George Beare being advised with
concerning her sickness in this deponent's absence (whilst he was
at sea) the said Mr. Beare hath (as this Informant was told by his
said wife and his uncle Thomas Bremincom, at his return) said that
it was past his skill to prescribe directions for her cure, because
the said Dorcas was bewitched. This informant further saith, that
about three months last past, his said wife was sitting in a chair,
and being speechless, he this informant did see one Susanna Edwards,
of Biddiford, to come into the chamber under a pretence to visit
her.--Whereupon this Informant's wife did strive to come at her the
said Susanna, but could not get out of the chair, upon which this
informant and the said Thomas Bremincom did endeavour to help her out
of the chair, and the said Susanna did go towards the chamber door.
And further saith, That when the said Susanna was come at the chamber
door, she the said Dorcas (remaining speechless as aforesaid) did
slide out of the chair upon her back, and so strove to come at her the
said Susanna, but was not able to rise from the ground, until the said
Susanna was gone down the stairs; and further saith, That the said
Dorcas continued in such a strange and unusual manner of sickness ever
since unto this day with some intermissions.
The Information of Grace Thomas, of Biddiford in the County aforesaid,
Spinster, taken upon her oath the 3rd day of July, A.D. 1682 before
us. The said informant upon her oath saith, that upon or about the
second day of February which was in the year of our Lord 1680, this
informant was taken with great pains in her head, and all her limbs,
which pains continued on her till near or upon 1st day of August then
following; and then this Informant's pains began to abate, and this
Informant was able to walk abroad to take the air: But in the night
she was in much pain and not able to take her rest. This Informant
further saith, That upon or about the 30th day of September now last
past this informant was going up the High Street of Biddiford, when
this informant met with Temperance Lloyd of Biddiford aforesaid, widow,
and she the said Temperance did then and there fall down on her knees
to this Informant and wept--saying "Mrs. Grace, I am glad to see you
so strong again." Upon which this informant said, "Why dost thou weep
for me?" Unto which the said Temperance replied, "I weep for joy to
see you so well again," as the said Temperance then pretended. This
Informant further saith--That that night she, this informant, was taken
very ill with sticking and pricking pains as tho' pins and awls had
been thrust into her body, from the crown of her head to the soles of
her feet; and this informant lay as though it had been upon a rack.
And saith, that these pricking pains have continued upon her body ever
since; and that her pains are much worse by night than by day. This
informant further saith, That on Thursday 1st of June last in the
night, she the Informant was bound and seemingly chained up with all
her sticking pains in her belly; so that on a sudden her belly was as
big as two bellies, which caused her to cry out, "I shall die;" and in
this sad condition this Informant lay as though she had been dead for
a long space (which those persons that were in the chamber with her,
this informant did compute to be about two hours). And this Informant
further saith, that on Friday night last, being the 30th of June, this
Informant was again pinched and pricked to the heart with such cruel
thrusting pains in her head, shoulders, arms, hands, thighs and legs,
as tho' the flesh would have been then immediately torn from the woman
with a man's fingers and thumbs. And further saith--That she was even
plucked out over her bed, and lay in this condition for the space of
three hours (as she was informed by some of those persons then in the
chamber). This Informant further saith that upon the 1st day of this
instant July, as soon as the aforesaid Temperance Lloyd was apprehended
and put in the prison of Biddiford, she this Informant immediately felt
her pricking and sticking pains to cease and abate. And saith--that
she hath continued so ever since unto this time, but is still in great
weakness of body. And further saith, that she believeth that the said
Temperance Lloyd hath been an instrument of doing much hurt and harm
to her body, by pricking and tormenting of her in manner as before set
forth.
The Information of Elizabeth Eastchurch wife of Thomas Eastchurch of
Biddiford, Gent., taken upon her oath, etc., the 3rd of July, A.D.
1682. The said informant upon her oath saith--That upon the 2nd day
of this instant July the said Grace Thomas then lodging in this
informant's said husband's house and hearing of her to complain of
great pricking pains in one of her knees, she this informant did see
her said knee, and observed that she had nine places in her knee which
had been prickt, and that every of the said pricks were as tho' it
had been the prick of a thorn. Whereupon this Informant upon the same
2nd of July did demand of the said Temperance Lloyd, whether she had
any wax or clay in the form of a picture whereby she had pricked and
tormented the said Grace Thomas. Unto which the said Temperance made
answer that she had no wax or clay, but confessed that she had only a
piece of leather which she had pricked nine times.
The Information of Anne Wakely, wife of William Wakely of Biddeford,
Husbandman, taken the 3rd of July, A.D. 1682. The said informant upon
her oath saith, That upon the 2nd of July Instant, she this deponant by
order of Mr. Mayor did search the body of the said Temperance Lloyd, in
the presence of Honor Hooper, and several other women. And upon search
of her said body, she this informant did find in her secret parts,
two teats, hanging nigh together like unto a piece of flesh that a
child had suckt. And that each of the said teats was about an inch in
length. Upon which this Informant did demand of her the said Temperance
whether she had been suckt at that place by the Black Man? meaning the
Devil. Whereto the said Temperance did acknowledge that she had been
suckt there often times by the Black Man, and the last time she was
suckt by the said Black Man, was the Friday before she was searched,
viz the 30th of June last. And this Informant saith, that she had been
attendant of the said Grace Thomas about six weeks last past; and that
on Thursday, the 29th June last in the Morning, she this informant did
see some thing in the shape of a Magpie to come at the Chamber window
where the said Grace did lodge. Upon which this Informant did demand
of the said Temperance whether she did know of any bird to come and
flutter at the said window. Unto which question the said Temperance
did then say, that it was the Black Man in the shape of a bird; and
that she the said Temperance was at that time by the said Thomas
Eastchurch's door of the house where the said Grace Thomas did lodge.
The like is deposed by Honor Hooper, servant unto the said Thomas
Eastchurch, as appears by her information taken upon her oath the day
and year above said before the said Thomas Gist, Mayor and John Davies,
Alderman of Biddiford.
Temperance Lloyd--her examination taken the 3rd of July A.D. 1682.
The said informant being brought before us by some of the constables of
the said borrough, upon the complaint of Thomas Eastchurch of Biddiford
aforesaid, gent, and charged upon suspicion of having used some Magical
art, sorcery, or witchcraft upon the body of Grace Thomas of Biddiford,
spinster; and to have had discourse or familiarity with the Devil in
the shape of a Black man; and being demanded how long since she had
discourse or familiarity with the Devil in the likeness of a Black
man, saith--That about the 30th of September last she met the Devil
in the likeness of a Black man about the middle of the afternoon of
that day, in a certain street or lane in the town of Biddiford, called
Higher Gunstone Lane, and then and there he did tempt and solicit her
to go with him to the house of the said Thomas Eastchurch to torment
the body of the said Grace Thomas, which this examinant at first did
refuse to do, but afterwards by the temptation and persuasion of the
Devil she did go to the house of the said Thomas Eastchurch, and that
she went upstairs after the said black man, and confesseth that both
of them went up into the chamber where the said Grace Thomas was, and
that there they found one Anne Wakely, the wife of William Wakely of
Biddiford, rubbing and stroking one of the arms of the said Grace
Thomas. And the said Examinant doth further confess that she did then
and there pinch with the nails of her fingers the said Grace Thomas,
in her shoulders, arms, thighs, and legs, and that afterwards they
came down into the street together; and that there this examinant did
see something in the form of a grey or braget cat; and saith that the
said cat went into the said Thomas Eastchurch shop. The said Examinant
being further demanded, whether she went any more unto the said Thomas
Eastchurch house, saith and confesseth that the day following she came
again to the said Thomas Eastchurch's house invisible and was not seen
by any person; but there this examinant did meet with the braget cat
as aforesaid, and the said cat did retire and leap back into the said
Thomas Eastchurch's shop. The said Examinant being further demanded
when she was at the said Thomas Eastchurch the last time, saith that
she was there upon Friday the 30th of June last, and that the Devil
in the shape of the said Black man was there with her; and that they
went up again into the said chamber, where she found the said Grace
Thomas lying on her bed in a very sad condition, notwithstanding which
she this examinant and the said black man did torment her again: and
saith and confesseth that she this examinant had almost drawn her out
of her bed, and that on purpose to put the said Grace out of her life.
And further saith that the Black man (or rather the Devil) did promise
this examinant, that no one should discover her. And confesseth that
the said Black man or the Devil did suck her teats, which she now hath
in her secret parts: and that she did kneel down to him in the street,
as she was returning to her own house and after that they had tormented
the said Grace Thomas in manner as last above mentioned. Being demanded
of what stature the said Black man was, said, that he was about the
length of her arm and that his eyes were very big, and that he hopt or
leapt in the way before her; and afterwards did suck her again as she
was lying down, and that his sucking was with great pain unto her,
and afterwards vanished clear away out of her sight. This Examinant
does further confess that upon the first of June last, whilst the said
Mr. Eastchurch and his wife were absent, that she did pinch and prick
the said Grace Thomas with the aid and help of the Black man in her
belly, stomach, and breast, etc., and that they continued so tormenting
of her, about the space of two or three hours, with an intent to have
killed her. And further saith that at the same time she did see the
said Anne Wakely, rubbing and chafing of several parts of the said
Grace Thomas, her body; although the said Anne being present at the
taking of this examination doth affirm that she did not see the said
examinant.
Whereas the said Temperance Lloyd hath made such an ample confession
and declaration concerning the said Grace Thomas, we the said Mayor and
Justice were induced to demand of her some other questions concerning
other Witcheries which she had practiced upon the bodies of several
other persons within this Town; viz.--
She the said examinant did confess that about the 14th of March, in
the year 1670, she was accused, indicted, and arraigned for practising
Witchcraft upon the body of William Herbert, late of Biddiford,
husbandman; and that altho' at the trial of her life at the Castle
of Exeter, she was there acquitted by the Judge and Jury then; yet
this Examinant does now confess that she is guilty thereof, by the
persuasion of the Black man and that she did prick the same William
Herbert unto death.
And whereas upon or about the 15th of May, in the year 1679, she was
accused before the then Mayor and Justices of the town of Biddiford
aforesaid, for practising witchcraft upon the body of Anne Fellow, the
daughter of Edward Fellow of Biddiford, gent, and although her body was
then searched by four women of the town of Biddiford, and the proofs
then against her not so clear and conspicuous the said Mr. Fellow did
not further prosecute against her--yet this examinant doth now confess,
that the said Black man or Devil with her, this examinant did do some
bodily hurt to the said Anne Fellow, and that thereupon the said Anne
did shortly die and depart this life.
Whereas we Thomas Eastchurch and Elizabeth Eastchurch his wife, Honor
Hooper and Anne Wakely, upon yesterday which was the 3rd of July
1682, did give in our several informations upon our oaths, before
Thomas Gist, Mayor, and John Davies, Alderman, two of his Majesties
Justices of the Peace within the Burrough, etc., of Biddiford, against
Temperance Lloyd, for using and practising witchcraft upon the body
of Grace Thomas, as by our several examinations it doth appear: But
because we were dissatisfied in some particulars concerning a piece of
leather, which the said Temperance confessed of unto the said Elizabeth
Eastchurch and we conceiving that there might be some enchantment used
in or about the same leather; Therefore upon this present 4th of July
we with the leave of Mr. Mayor did bring the said Temperance into the
Parish Church of Biddiford, in the presence of Mr. Michael Ogilby,
rector of the same parish church, and divers other persons, where the
said Temperance was demanded by the said Mr. Ogilby, how long since the
Devil did tempt her to do evil. Whereupon she did confess, that about
twelve years ago, she was tempted by the Devil, to be instrumental to
the death of William Herbert. And that the Devil did promise her, that
she should live well and do well. And she did then also confess that
she was an instrument of the death of the said William Herbert. And as
to the said Grace Thomas, she further confessed, that on Friday the
23rd of June last; she the said Temperance, came into the said Thomas
Eastchurch's shop, in the form of a cat, and fetcht out of the same
shop, a puppet or picture (commonly called a child's baby) and that
she carried the same into the chamber where the said Grace did lodge
and left it about the bed: where the said Grace did lie; but would
not confess that she had prickt any pins in the said puppet, or baby
picture, altho she were demanded particularly that question by the said
Mr. Ogilby. Also the said Temperance did then confess That she was the
cause of the death of Anne Fellow, the daughter of Edward Fellow.--Also
she did then confess that she was the cause of the death of one Jane
Dallyn, wife of Symon Dallyn of Biddiford, mariner, by pricking her
in one of her eyes, which she did so secretly perform that she was
never discovered or punished for the same. Also the said Temperance
did confess and declare that she did bewitch unto death one Lydia
Burman of Biddiford, spinster, because she had been a witness against
her, at the trial for her life, at the Assizes when she was arraigned
for the death of the said William Herbert, and had deposed that the
said Temperance had appeared to her in the shape of _a red pig_ at
such times as she the said Lydia was brewing in the house of Humphrey
Ackland of Biddiford. Being further demanded in what part of the house
of the said Mr. Eastchurch, or in what part of the bed whereon the said
Grace Thomas lay, she left the puppett above mentioned, saith, That she
would not, nor must not discover, for if she did discover the same that
the devil would tear her in pieces.
And afterwards Mr. Ogilby desired her to say the Lord's prayer and
her creed; which she imperfectly performing he did give her many good
exhortations, and so departed from her. In witness whereof, we have
hereunto set our hands, this 4th day of July Anno Domini 1682.
The information of Thomas Eastchurch of Biddiford, gent, taken the 3rd
of July A.D. 1682. The said informant upon his oath saith, that upon
yesterday, which was 2nd of July, he did hear the said Temperance Lloyd
say and confess, that about the 30th of September last, as she was
returning from the bakehouse with a loaf of bread under her arm towards
her own house, she did meet with some thing in the likeness of a black
man in the street called Higher Gunstone Lane, within this town, and
then and there the said black man did tempt and persuade her to go
to this Informant's house, to torment one Grace Thomas, who is this
informant's Sister in law. That the said Temperance did first refuse
the temptation, saying that the said Grace Thomas had done her no harm.
But afterward, by the further persuasion of the said black man, she
did go to this informant's house and that she went up stairs after the
said blackman: and confessed that both of them went into the chamber
where the said Informant's said sister in law was, and that there they
found Anne Wakely rubbing one of the arms of the said Grace Thomas. And
this informant further saith--That the said Temperance did also confess
that the Blackman did persuade her to pinch the said Grace in the knee,
arms and shoulders, intimating with her fingers how she did it. And
that when she came down stairs into the street, she saw a braget cat go
into the Informant's Shop, and that she believed it to be the Devil.
And this Informant did hear the said Temperance confess that on Friday
night last, the Black man did meet with her near her own door about ten
of the clock and there did again tempt her to go to this Informant's
house and to make an end of the said Grace Thomas. Whereupon the said
Temperance did go to this Informant's house with the black man, and
that she did prick and pinch the said Grace Thomas again in several
parts of her body, declaring with both her hands how she did it. And
that thereupon the said Grace did cry out terribly. And confessed that
the said black man told her that she should make an end of the said
Grace Thomas. And further did confess, that the black man did promise
her that no one should discover her or see her. And she also confessed
that about 12 of the clock that same night that same black man did
suck her in the street, she kneeling down to him. That he had blackish
clothes and was about the length of her arm. That he had broad eyes
and a mouth like a toad, and afterwards vanisht clear away out of her
sight. This informant further saith that he heard the said Temperance
confess, that about the 1st of June last the said black man was with
her again, and told her that on that night she should make an end of
the said Grace Thomas; and confessed that she had griped the said Grace
in her belly, stomach and breast and clipt her to the heart. And that
the said Grace did cry out pitifully. And that the said Temperance was
about the space of two hours tormenting her. And that Anne Wakely (with
several other women) were then in the chamber but could not see the
said Temperance: and that the black man stood by her in the same room.
This informant further saith, that he supposed that the said Grace
Thomas in her sickness had been afflicted through a distemper arising
from a natural cause and did repair to several physicians but that she
could never receive any benefit prescribed by them.
The Information of William Herbert of Biddiford blacksmith taken the
12th of August A.D. 1682.
This Informant upon his oath saith, that near or upon the 2nd of
February in the year 1670 he did hear his father William Herbert
declare on his death bed that Temperance Lloyd of Biddiford widow had
bewitched his said father unto death. This Informant's father further
declaring to this informant that he with the rest of his relations
should view his father's body after his decease and that by his body
they should see what prints and marks the aforesaid Temperance had
made upon his body. And saith that his father did lay his blood to the
charge of the said Temperance Lloyd, and desired this informant to see
her apprehended for the same; which was accordingly done, and saith
that she was accused for the same, but that she was acquitted at the
Assizes. This informant further saith, that upon the 4th of July last,
he went to the prison of Biddiford, where the said Temperance was, and
demanded of her, whether she had done any bodily harm unto the said
William Herbert deceased; unto which she answered "Surely, William,
I did kill thy father." This informant did demand of her further
whether she had done any hurt to one Lydia Burman late of Biddiford,
unto which the said Temperance answered that she was the cause of her
death. This informant demanded of her, why she had not confessed so
much when she was in prison last time? She answered that her time was
not expired, for the Devil had given her greater power for a longer
time. And this informant did hear the said Temperance confess that she
was the cause of the death of Ann Fellow, daughter of Edward Fellow of
Biddiford, gent. And also that she the said Temperance was the cause of
the bewitching out of one of the eyes of Jane wife of Symon Dallyn of
Biddiford, Mariner.
The information of John Barnes of Biddiford, yeoman, taken the 18th of
July A.D. 1682.
The said informant upon his oath saith, that upon Easter Tuesday,
which was the 18th of May last, this Informant's wife, Grace Barnes,
was taken with very great pains of sticking and pricking in her arms,
stomach and breast, as tho' she had been stabbed with awls being so
described unto him by the said Grace in such a manner as this Informant
thought she would have died immediately; and in such sad condition she
had continued to this present day in tormenting and grievous pains.
And further saith, that upon Sunday last, which was the 16th of July
instant, about 10 of the clock in the forenoon, this Informant's said
wife was taken worse than before, insomuch as four men and women could
hardly hold her. And at that time one Agnes Whitefield, wife of John
Whitefield of Biddiford, cordwainer, being in this Informant's house
and hearing some body at the door, she did open the door where she
found one Mary Trembles of Biddiford, single woman, standing with a
white pot in her hand, as though she had been going to the common
bakehouse. And thereupon this Informant's wife did ask of the said
Agnes, who it was that was at the door? Unto which the said Agnes
answered that it was Mary Trembles. Then this Informant's wife said
that she, the said Mary Trembles was one of them that did torment her,
and that she was come now to put her the said Grace out of her life.
The Information of Grace Barnes, the wife of John Barnes of Biddiford,
yeoman, taken the 2nd of August, Anno Domini 1682. The said Informant
upon her oath saith, that she had been very much pain'd and tormented
in her body these many years last past insomuch that she had sought
out for remedy far and near and never had any suspicion that she had
magical art or witchcraft used upon her body until about a year and
half ago, that she was informed by some physicians that it was so. And
further saith thereupon she had some suspicions of one Susanna Edwards
of Biddiford, widow, because that the said Susanna would oftentimes
repair to this Informant's house upon frivolous or no occasion at all.
And further saith that about the middle of May last she was taken with
very great pains of sticking and pricking in her arms, breast, and
heart as though divers awls had been prick'd or stuck into her body,
and was in great tormenting pains for many days and nights together
with very little intermission. And saith that upon Sunday the 16th of
July last, she was taken in a very grievous and tormenting manner; at
which instant of time one Agnes Whitefield, the wife of John Whitefield
of Biddiford, was in this Informant's house, who opening the door and
looking out found one Mary Trembles of Biddiford standing before the
door. And thereupon this informant did ask of the said Agnes, who it
was that stood at the door? who answered that it was the said Mary
Trembles. Upon which this informant was fully assured that the said
Mary Trembles, together with the said Susanna Edwards, were the very
persons that had tormented her by using some magical art or witchcraft
upon her body as aforesaid.
The Information of William Edwards, of Biddiford, blacksmith, taken the
18th of July, Anno Dom. 1682.
The said Informant upon his oath saith, that upon the 17th of July
inst. this informant did hear Susanna Edwards confess, that the Devil
had carnal knowledge of her body; and that he had suck'd her in her
breast. And further saith that he did hear the said Susanna to say,
that she and one Mary Trembles of Biddiford did appear hand in hand
invisible in John Barnes' house of Biddiford, where Grace the wife of
the said John Barnes did lie in a very sad condition. And further saith
that he did then also hear the said Susanna to say, that she and the
said Mary Trembles were at that time come to make an end of the said
Grace Barnes.