The Project Gutenberg eBook of Devonshire Witches, by Paul Q. Karkeek..

Reprinted from the Transactions of the Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art. 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[Pg 4] 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[Pg 5] 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[Pg 6] 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[Pg 7] 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[Pg 8] 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[Pg 9] 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.

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]

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[Pg 11] 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[Pg 12] 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[Pg 13] 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.

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[Pg 14] 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[Pg 15] 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[Pg 16] 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[Pg 17] 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[Pg 19] 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.

The Information of Joane Jones, the wife of Anthony Jones of Biddiford, husbandman, taken the 18th of July, Anno Dom. 1682. The said informant upon her oath, saith that upon the 18th of July[Pg 20] she this informant being present with Susanna Edwards of Biddiford, widow, there came to see the said Susanna one John Dunning, of Great Torrington, which said John Dunning this Informant did hear him to demand of the said Susanna how and by what means she became a witch. Unto which question the said Susanna did answer, that she did never confess afore now, but now she would. And further saith, that she did hear the said Susanna confess unto the said John Dunning that she was on a time out gathering of wood, at which time the said Susanna did see a gentleman to draw nigh unto her: whereupon she was in good hopes to have a piece of money of him. This Informant further saith that the said John Dunning did demand of the said Susanna where she did meet with the said gentleman; she did answer that it was in Parsonage Close. And further saith, that after the said John Dunning was gone, this Informant did hear the said Susanna confess, that on Sunday the 16th inst. she with Mary Trembles and by the help of the Devil, did prick and torment Grace the wife of John Barnes of Biddiford, and this informant further saith that she did hear the said Susanna Edwards and Mary Trembles say and confess that they did this present day torment and prick her the said Grace Barnes: and further saith that she did hear the said Mary Trembles say unto the said Susanna Edwards "O thou Rogue, I will now confess all: for 'tis thou that hast made me to be a witch and thou art one thyself and my conscience must swear it." Unto which the said Susanna replied, "I did not think thou would have been such a Rogue to discover it." And further saith that the said Susanna did confess that the Devil did oftentimes carry about her spirit. And further saith that she did hear the said Susanna say and confess that she did prick and torment Dorcas Coleman the wife of John Coleman of Biddiford, mariner. And further saith that she did hear the said Susanna Edwards to confess that she was suckt in her breast several times by the Devil in the shape of a boy, lying by her in her bed and that it was very cold unto her. And this Informant further saith that her husband observing the said Susanna to gripe and twinkle her hands upon her own body, said unto her, "Thou Devil, thou art now tormenting some person or other." Whereupon the said Susanna was displeased with him, and said, "Well enough I'll fit thee;" and that present time the said Grace Barnes was in great pain with prickings and stabbings in her heart, as she did afterwards affirm. This informant further saith that one of the Constables and her said husband with some others were sent by Mr. Mayor to bring the said Grace Barnes unto the Town Hall of Biddiford aforesaid, which they did accordingly do, and immediately as soon as he with others had led and with much ado brought the said Grace Barnes into the town-hall, the said Susanna Edwards turned about and looked upon her said husband, and forthwith this informant's husband was taken in a very sad condition, as he was leading and supporting the said[Pg 21] Grace Barnes up the stairs of the said Town-hall, before the Mayor and Justices; insomuch that he cried out, "Wife I am now bewitched by this Devil" meaning Susanna Edwards; and forthwith 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. And at length coming to his senses again did declare unto this Informant, that the said Susanna Edwards had bewitched him. And this Informant further saith, that she did never knew her said husband to be taken in any fits or convulsions, but a person of a sound and healthy body ever since he had been this Informant's husband.

The Information of Anthony Jones of Biddiford, Husbandman, taken the 19th of July A.D. 1682. The said informant upon his oath saith, that yesterday whilst the said Susanna Edwards was in the Town-hall of Biddiford concerning the said Grace Barnes he did observe the said Susanna to gripe and twinkle her hands upon her own body, in an unusual manner: whereupon the said Susanna was displeased with this informant, and said, "Well enough I will fit thee." And at that present time the said Grace Barnes was in great pains with prickings and stabbings unto her heart as the said Grace did afterwards affirm. This Informant further saith that one of the constables etc. with some others being sent by order of Mr. Mayor, to bring the said Grace unto the Town-hall of Biddiford, immediately, as soon as they had brought the said Grace unto the Town-hall, the said Susanna turned about and looked upon this informant, and forthwith the Informant was taken in a very sad condition as he was coming up the stairs of the said Town-hall, before the Mayor and Justices, insomuch that he cried out, "Wife, I am now bewitched by this Devil Susanna Edwards."

The Examination of Mary Trembles of Biddiford, single woman, taken July 18th, 1682. The said Examinant being brought before us and accused for practising of witchcraft upon the body of Grace Barnes, wife of George Barnes, of Biddiford, yeoman, was demanded by as how long she had practised witchcraft, said and confessed, that about three years last past, one Susanna Edwards of Biddiford, widow, did inform her, that if she would do as the said Susanna did, that this Examinant should do very well. Whereupon this Examinant did yield unto the said Susanna Edwards, and said that she would do as the said Susanna did; and this Examinant further confesseth that the said Susanna Edwards did promise that this Examinant should neither want for money, drink, nor clothes. And further confesseth that after she had made this bargain with Susanna Edwards, that the Devil in the shape of a Lyon (as she conceived) did come to this Examinant—and that he did suck her, and that his sucking was so hard as to cause her to cry out for the pain thereof. And further confesseth that on Tuesday in Easter week, which was 18th of May last, she, this Examinant did go about the town of Biddiford, to beg some bread, and[Pg 22] in her walk, she did meet with the said Susanna Edwards, who asked this Examinant where she had been. Unto whom this Examinant answered, that she had been about the town, and had begged some meat, but could get none. Whereupon this Examinant, together with the said Susanna, did go to the said John Barnes' house, in hope that there they should have some meat. But the said John Barnes not being within his house, they could get no meat or bread, being denied by the said Grace Barnes and her servants, who would not give them any meat. Whereupon the said Susanna Edwards did bid this Examinant to go to the said John Barnes' house again, for a farthing's worth of tobacco. Whereupon this Examinant did go, but could not have any: whereof this Examinant did acquaint the said Susanna, who then said that it should be better for the said Grace if she had let this Examinant have had some tobacco. And further confesseth, that on the 16th of this instant, she the said Susanna, did go to the said John Barnes house, and went into the fore door, invisibly into the room, where they did pinch and prick the said Grace Barnes almost unto death; and that she saw the said John Barnes in bed with his wife, on the inner side of the bed. And saith and confesseth, that on the 16th inst. as she was going towards the common bakehouse, she, with the help of the Devil, would have killed the said Grace Barnes, if that she, this examinant, had not spilt some of the meat she was then carrying to the bakehouse.

The examination of Susanna Edwards, of Biddiford, widow, taken 18th of July A.D. 1682. The said Examinant being brought before us, and accused of practising witchcraft upon the body of Grace Barnes, wife of John Barnes of Biddiford, yeoman, was demanded by us how long she had discourse or familiarity with the Devil; saith, that about two years ago, she did meet with a gentleman in a field called the Parsonage Close, in the town of Biddiford, and saith, that his apparel was all of black. Upon which she did hope to have a piece of money of him. Whereupon the gentleman drawing near unto this examinant, she did make a curchy or courtesy unto him, as used to do to gentlemen. Being demanded what and who the said gentleman, she spake of was, the said examinant answered, that it was the Devil. And confessed that the Devil did ask of her, whether she was a poor woman? Unto whom she answered, that she was a poor woman; and that thereupon the Devil, in the shape of the gentleman, did say unto her, that if this examinant would grant him one request, that she should neither want for meat, drink, nor clothes: whereupon this examinant did say unto the said gentleman (or rather the Devil) "In the name of God, what is it that I shall have?" Upon which the said gentleman vanished clear away from her. And further confesseth, that afterwards there was something in the shape of a little boy, which she thinks to be the Devil, came into her house, and did lie with her and that he did suck at[Pg 23] her breast. And confesseth that she did afterwards meet him in a place called Stanbridge Lane, in this parish of Biddiford leading towards Abbotsham (which is the next parish on the west of Biddiford) where he did suck blood out of her breast. And further confesseth that on Sunday the 16th inst., this Examinant together with Mary Trembles, did go unto the house of John Barnes, and that nobody did see them; and that they were in the same room where Grace the wife of the John Barnes was, and that they did prick and pinch the said Grace Barnes with their fingers, and put her to great pain and torment, insomuch that the said Grace was almost dead. And confesseth, that this present day, she did prick and torment the said Grace Barnes again (intimating with her fingers how she did it). And also confesseth that the Devil did entice her to make an end of the said Grace: and that he told her he would come again to her once more. And confesseth, that she can go to any place invisible, and yet her body shall be lying in her bed. And further confesseth, that the Devil hath appeared to her in the shape of a Lyon, as she supposed. Being demanded whether she had done any bodily hurt unto any other person beside the said Grace Barnes, saith and confesseth, that she did prick and torment Dorcas Coleman, wife of John Coleman of Biddiford, mariner. And saith that she gave herself to the Devil, when she did meet him in Stambridge Lane as aforesaid. And saith, that the said Mary Trembles was a servant to her, this examinant, in like manner as she this examinant was a servant to the Devil (whom she called by the appellation of a gentleman).

The substance of the last words and confession of Susanna Edwards, Temperance Lloyd, and Mary Trembles, at the time and place of their execution, Aug. 25, 1682, as fully as could be taken in a case liable to be so much noise and confusion as is usual on such occasions.

Mr. H. Mary Trembles, what have you to say as to the crime you are to die for?

Mary. No, not at all: but did frighten me, and did nothing to me; and I cried to God and asked what he would have, and he vanished.

H. Mary Trembles, was not the Devil there with Susan, when I was once in prison with you, and under her coats? the other told me he was there, but is now fled; and that the Devil was in the way when I was going to Taunton with my son, who is a Minister? Thou speakest now as a dying woman, and as the Psalmist says, "I will confess my iniquities, and acknowledge all my sins." We find that Mary Magdalene had seven Devils: and she came to Christ and had mercy, and if thou break thy league with the Devil, and make a covenant with God, thou may'st also obtain mercy. If thou hast anything to speak, speak thy mind?

Mary. I have spoken the very truth and can speak no more: Mr. H. I would desire that they may come by me, and confess as I have done.

H. How did he appear to thee at the first, or where, in the street? In what shape?

T. I did hurt a woman sore against my conscience: he carried me up to her door, which was open: The woman's name was Mrs. Grace Thomas.

H. What caused you to do harm? What Malice had you against her? and did she do you any harm?

T. No, she never did me any harm: but the Devil beat me about the head grievously, because I would not kill her: but I did bruise her after this fashion (laying her two hands to her side).

H. Did you know any mariners that you or your associates destroyed by overturning of ships or boats?

T. I sold apples, and the child took an apple from me, and the[Pg 25] mother took the apple from the child, for which I was very angry; but the child died of small-pox.

H. Did you know one Mr. Lutteris about these parts, or any of your confederates? Did you or them bewitch his child?

H. Temperance, how did you come to hurt Mrs. Grace Thomas? Did you pass through the keyhole of the door or was the door open?

T. The Devil did lead me up stairs, and the door was open, and this is all the hurt I did.

T. No. He said I should go along with him to destroy a woman, and I told him I would not. He said he would make me: and then he beat me about the head.

H. You say you never hurt ships or boats; did you never ride over an arm of the sea on a cow?

T. No. No, Master: 'twas she (meaning Susan), when Temperance said "'twas she," she said "she lied" and that she was the cause of bringing her to die "for she cried when she was first brought to gaol, if that she was hanged, she would have me hanged too; she reported I should ride on a cow before her, which I never did."

H. Susan, did you see the shape of a bullock? At the first time of your examination you said it was like a short black man about the length of your arm?

H. Susan, had you any knowledge of the bewitching of Mrs. Lutteris' child, or did you know a place called Trunta Burroughs?

H. Are you willing to have any prayers? Then Mr. H. prayed, whose prayer we could not take, and they sung part of the 40th Psalm at the desire of Susan Edwards. As she mounted the ladder, she said, "The Lord Jesus speed me: though my sins be red as scarlet, the Lord Jesus can make them as white as snow, the Lord help my soul." Then was executed.

Mary Tremble said, "Lord Jesus, receive my soul! Lord Jesus, speed me!" and then was also executed. Temperance Lloyd said, "Jesus Christ, speed me well! Lord, forgive all my sins! Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful to my poor soul."

Mr. Sheriff. You are looked on as the woman that hath debauched the other two. Did you ever lie with the Devil?

T. I forgive them as I desire the Lord Jesus will forgive me. The greatest thing that I did was Mrs. Grace Thomas; and I desire I may be sensible of it, and that the Lord Jesus Christ may forgive me. The Devil met me in the street and bid me kill her, and because I would not, he beat me about the head and back.

Sh. How do you know you did it? how went you in thro' the keyhole or the Door?

Sh. You were charged about twelve years since, and did you never see the Devil but about this time?

T. Yes, once before. I was going for brooms; and he came to me and said, "This poor woman has a great burthen, and would help ease me of my burthen;" and I said, "The Lord had enabled me to carry it so far, and I hope I shall be able to carry it further."

Sh. Then you have served a very bad master, who gave you nothing. Well, consider you are just departing this world: do you believe there is a God?

The Tryal, Condemnation, and Execution of three witches who were Arraigned at Exeter on the 18th of August, 1682.

Let not my assertion seem strange to the Ingenious Reader, who seems to affirm this (by some incredulous) story, concerning the subsequent matter; nor will I trouble you with a long prologue to stir you to believe that which so many letters have verified, concerning the matter in hand, but so it was.

The Assizes being held at Exon (alias) Exeter, on the 18th of August, 1682. It happened that there was three persons Arraigned for witchcraft whose names take as followeth, (viz.) Temperance Floyd, Mary Floyd, and Susannah Edwards, all dwelling in one town, in the aforesaid County of Devon, namely Bideford, by some called Bythford, all three being stricken in years, which might have taught them more grace; but Man's Enemy, Soul's destroyer, and the author of wickedness so prevailed with them that they made an Interchange accepting a Hell for an Heaven, rather willing to please the Devil than the Great Creator whose smiles are more precious than refined Gold, the loss of whose love is no less than Everlasting Destruction. These I say, these poor souls (aiming at nothing but ruin) embrace folly instead of wisdom, present pleasure for eternal pain; take Flames for Crowns, Misery for Happiness, change God for a Devil and a soul for Hell. It is so much to be[Pg 28] lamented that these persons should take delight in nothing more than to Converse with Devils, who reason tells seeks nothing but Destruction, God's dishonour, and Man's overthrow, to (if it were possible) empty Heaven and fill Hell. I come now to the particulars. The aforesaid Persons whose names are already inserted came to their Tryal having been sometime before accused of Witchcraft, and for that cause Imprisonment; when they came to the Bar, their indictment was read, and though the Devil had so much power over them, yet they had not Impudence enough to deny what they were accused for: Intemperate Temperance Floyd, who was the eldest of the three, pleaded to the indictment, and owned the accusation, acknowledging she had been in league with the Devil 20 years and upwards, and that in the term of those years she had been guilty of many cruelties, and by Hellish power afflicted both Man and Beast; but now to the other Two who were instructed in that Damnable art of Witchcraft by the above named Temperance Floyd, they acknowledged that they had served five years with her to learn her accursed art, and during the term of those years they saw and were acquainted with many wonderful and unlawful tricks. For they owned that they had not been idle in their Hellish practices, but had served him faithfully, who will reward them gratefully for their Diabolical Indulgence. We have an account of some of their Wicked, Inhuman, Accursed, Damnable, and Preposterous action. But let us chiefly mind the Eldest and worst of these Three, namely Temperance Floyd. Let her be the substance of our matter, who was the introducer and cause of the other two's overthrow. These wicked wretches being all of one mind, at last began to exercise their Devilish Arts, and upon one Mr. Hann, a minister in those parts; a person of good repute and Honest Conversation, who sought his soul's eternal happiness, while they designed their everlasting Ruin. These Hellish agents intended Mischief and misery to the person of Mr. Hann: but the overruling Power prevented them; but because they could not be suffered to exercise their Diabolicism upon his body, they thought they would be some other way Revenged, so witch like, they laid their Diabolical Charms upon his cattle, so that those cows that used to give milk, when they came to be milked they gave blood, to the great astonishment of the milkers; but finding themselves outcast from everlasting happiness, they grew insolent in their Cursed Conceits, resolving to make use of that art which they should so deadly pay for. But I too much insist upon the Old hag whose cruelties are and were sufficiently manifested by her own confession at her Tryal, the other Two witches being somewhat younger than the Old Shape of Prince Lucifer, who acknowledged themselves to have been servants to the Old one for five years to learn the art and mystery of Hellish, Damnable, Accursed and Most to be Lamented Witchcraft; and in the term of these 5 years grew to be as dexterous as their Devilish Tutor, trying their[Pg 29] experiments upon Man and Beast to the injury of both, but the Old one confessed plainly that she had caused several Ships at sea to be cast away, with loss of many men's lives and the prejudice of many others. She confessed also that the Devil lay carnally with her for Nine Nights together, and that she had Paps about her an Inch long, which the Devil us'd to suck to Provoke her to Letchery; but the other two seemed to be more Pensive than she, for they confessed that she was the Introducer of their Misery, and that they had served both the Devil and her five years' slavery, to understand the ready way to everlasting Destruction. But Heaven's Vengeance never fails to follow such offenders who do wickedly, presumptuously and prophanely make use of the Devil to satisfy their Impious wills. But to proceed, this old witch whose name was Temperance Floyd, was without doubt perfectly Resolute, not minding what should become of her Immortal soul, but rather Impudently owned at, as well as after her Tryal, so Audacious, that she had done many wicked Exploits by the Power (not virtue) of her Hellish Discipline: She confessed that she had been Instrumental to the Death of several, namely one Hannah Thomas, by pretence of love, Squeezing her in her arms so long till the blood gushed out of her mouth; she confessed that she and the other two had been the death of Two more, besides several others that they had lamed by their Hellish Art; they confessed that they had been the destruction of many cattle, both small and great, and many more things too tedious to relate; being asked at their trial to say the Lord's Prayer, they answered, that they could not except it were backwards; they said the Devil used to be with them on Nights in Several Shapes, sometimes like a Hound, who Hunted before them (but without doubt he hunted for Souls). There were many more accusations laid against them, which they all owned (except one) which was about causing a ship to be sunk, and a boy that fell from the Topmast of another ship and so broke his neck or as some say Drowned in the Sea. It being asked how long they had been in league with the Devil, one of them said twenty years she had been his Familiar Acquaintance, the other two were of lesser standing, but long enough to Ruin their Precious Souls. They also Asserted that the Devil came with them to the Prison Door, and there left them much like what he is, the Author of Lies, the Inventor of Mischief, the Betrayer of Souls, the unsatisfied deceiver and God's Enemy. All these things being Confessed by their own Tongues, it is not strange to think that Judgment past upon them regularly in such cases. But now to proceed. As to the manner of their Deportment going to the place of Execution. It is certainly affirmed the old witch Temperance Floyd went all the way Eating and was seemingly unconcerned, but Mary Floyd was very obstinate, and would not go, but lay down, insomuch that they forc'd to tye her on a horse's back, for she was very loath to receive her deserved Doom. But when they came to the place of[Pg 30] Execution, they desired the Minister to pray for them, and that part of the 40th Psalm might be sung; which was accordingly done, and presently after the Executioner did his office.

Thus have you heard of the wicked life and Miserable death of three Gross Offenders, who slighted God's Commandments, despised a Christ and embraced a Devil, lost Heaven to purchase Hell, at the dear rate of their Immortal Souls. Let this then be a caution for all Sinners to forsake Sin and Satan, whose end and design is to ruin Souls, to enslave Mortals, and without doubt, were it possible, to pull God's Almighty Majesty out of his everlasting Throne. 'Tis great pitty that some have so little esteem of their Jewels which Jesus Christ the Son of the Almighty, purchased at so dear a rate, yet vile Sinners never call to mind, or at least very seldom, what Labyrinths of Misery they involve themselves in, how they crush Christ, and how they wound his already wounded side for sinners: But now to conclude, take a poor sinners advice, walk uprightly and justly, and let not the fruition of present enjoyment, cause you to neglect Eternal Happiness, the enjoyments of which is beyond Expression and the loss thereof Eternal Misery, Destruction, and Ruin.

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