MERCY LEWIS TESTIMONY
May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
MERCY LEWIS v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The
Deposition of Mercy Lewis aged about 19 years who testifieth and said
that in the latter end of April 1692 there appeared to me the Apparition
of a short old woman which told me her name was Goody Martin and that
she came from Amesbury who did most grievously torment me by biting and
pinching me, urging me vehemently to write in her book, but on the 2 May
1692 being the day of her examination Susanna Martin did torment and
afflict me most grievously in the time of her examination for when she
looked upon me personally she would strike me down or almost choke me
and several times since the Apparition of Susanna Martin has most
grievously afflicted me by pinching and almost choking me to death,
urging me to write in her book, and also on the day of her examination I
saw the Apparition of Susanna Martin go and hurt the bodies of Mary
Walcott, Elizabeth Hubbard, Abigail William and Ann Putnam Junr.
Mercy Lewis
JOHN ATKINSON TESTIMONY
May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JOHN ATKINSON v. SUSANNA MARTIN
John Atkinson aged fifty six years or thereabouts, Testifieth that some
time about five years since, one of the sons of Susanna Martin Senior
of Amesbury exchanged a cow of his with me for a cow which I bought of
Mr. Wells the minister which cow he took from Mr. Wells his house. About
a week after I went to the house of Susanna Martin to receive the cow
of the young man her son. When I came to bring the cow home
notwithstanding hamstringing of her and halting her she was so mad that
we could scarce get her along, but she broke all the ropes fastened to
her. We put the halter two or three times round a tree which she broke
and ran away and when she came down to the Ferry we were forced to run
up to our waists in water. She was so fierce but after much ado we got
her into the boat, she was so tame as any creature whatsoever, and
further this Deponent saith that Susanna Martin muttered and was
unwilling this deponent should have the cow.
Jurat in Curia
SARAH VIBBER TESTIMONY
May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
SARAH VIBBER v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The Deposition of Sarah Vibber
aged about 36 years who testifieth and saith that on the 2 May 1692 the
Apparition of Susanna Martin of Amesbury did most grievously tormet me
during the time of her examination for if she did but look personally
upon me she would strike me down or almost choke me and also the same
day I saw the Apparition of Susanna Martin most grievously afflict the
bodies of Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis and Ann Putnam by pinching and
almost choking them and several times since the Apparition of Susanna
Martin has most grievously afflicted me by beating and pinching me and
almost choking me to death, and that she believes the said Martin is a
witch and that she is bewitched by her.
Jurat in Curia
ELIZABETH HUBBARD TESTIMONY
May 1696 | Salem, Massachusetts
ELIZABETH HUBBARD v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The Deposition of Elizabeth
Hubbard aged about 17 years, who testified and saith that I have often
seen the apparition of Susanna Martin among the witches, but she did not
hurt me till the 2 day of May being the day of her examination, but
then she did afflict me most grievously during the time of her
examination for if she did but look personally upon me she would strike
me down or almost choke me and several times since the apparition of
Susanna Martin has most grievously afflicted me. Also on the day of her
examinatioin I saw the apparition of Susanna Martin go and afflict and
almost choke Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Abigial Williams and Ann Putnam
Jun.
(her Mark)
Eliz. Hubbard
SARAH ATKINSON TESTIMONY
May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
SARAH ATKINSON v. SUSANNA MARTIN
Sarah Atkinson aged forty eight years or thereabouts testifieth that
some time in the spring of the year about eighteen years since Susanna
Martin came unto our house at Newbury from Amesbury in an Extraordinary
dirty season when it was not fit for any person to travel, she then came
on foot. When she came into our house I asked her whether she came from
Amesbury a foot, she said she did. I asked her how she could come in
this time a foot and bid my children make way for her to come to the
fire to dry herself. She replied she was as dry as I was and turned her
coats on side and I could not perceive that the sole of her shoes were
wet. I was startled at it that she should come so dry and told her that I
should have been wet up to my knees if I should have come so far on
foot. She replied that she scorned to have a drabbled tail.
Jurat in Curia
JOHN PRESSEY TESTIMONY
11 May 1692 | Salisbury, Massachusetts
JOHN PRESSEY v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The testimony of John Pressey of Amesbury aged 53 years or thereabouts
taken before me at my house at Salisbury the eleventh day of May: Ano:
Dom. 1692 is as followeth. That about twenty four years ago, he this
deponent was at Amesbury Ferry upon a Saturday in the evening near about
the shutting in of the daylight (which was about three miles From his
house) and as he was going home a little beyond the field of George
Martin at a hill called Goodal’s hill this deponent was bewildered and
lost his way and having wandered a while he came back again to the same
place which he knew by stooping trees in that place, which perceiving he
set out again and steered by the moon which shone bright, and was again
lost and came back again to the same place.
And then set out the 3rd time
in like manner and was bewildered and came back but not so far as before
but knew where he was and so set himself in his way as before and in
Less than half a mile going he saw a light stand on his left hand about
two rod out of the way; it seemed to be about the bigness of a half
bushel, but this deponent kept on his way and left it and in a matter of
seven or eight rod going it appeared again at the like distance from
him as before and so it did again the 3d time, but the deponent passed
on his way and in less than twenty rod going the same or such another
light lay in his way and he having a stick in his hand did with the end
of it endeavored to stir it out of the place and to give it some small
blows with it and the light seemed to brush up and move from side to
side as a turkey cock when he spreads his tail, but went not out of the
place, which perceiving this deponent laid it on with his stick with all
his might he thinks he gave her at least forty blows, and so was a
going away and leave it but as he was going his heels were struck up and
he laid on his back on the ground and was sliding into a deep place (as
to him seemed) but taking hold of some brush or brushes and so
recovered himself and having lost his coat which he had upon his arm
went back to the light, saw his coat and took it up and went home
without any more disturbance there.
He farther say he do not know
any such pit to be in the place that he was sliding into. He also saith
that when he did strike at the light he did certainly feel a substance
with his stick. He further saith that after striking it and his
recovering himself and going on his way as aforesaid, when he had gone
about 5 or 6 rod he saw Susanna Martin then wife of George Martin of
Amesbury standing on his left hand as the lights had done. There she
stood and looked upon him and turned her face after him as he went
along, but said nothing nor did nothing to this Deponent, but that he
went home as aforesaid. Only he again over went his own house but
knowing the ground that he was upon returned and found his own house,
but being then seized with fear could not speak till his wife spoke to
him at the door and was in such condition that his family was afraid of
him, which story being carried to the Town the next day it was upon
inquiry understood, that the said Goodwife Martin was in such a
miserable case and in such pain that they swabbed her body (as was
reported). This deponent further saith that these things being noised
abroad, Major Pike sent for this deponent and had an account of the
case, but seemed to be troubled that this deponent had not told him of
it in season that she might have been viewed to have seen what her ail
was. John Pressey aforesaid made oath to the truth of what is written in
these two sides of the paper the eleventh day of May Anno Dom 1692.
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia
JOHN KIMBALL TESTIMONY
16 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JOHN KIMBALL v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The deposition of John Kimball of Amesbury aged 45 or upwards testifying
saith, That about 23 years ago this deponent being about to remove from
Newbury to Amesbury having bought a piece of land of George Martin of
Amesbury for which he was to pay him in cash or goods upon a certain day
in March next following, and when the Day of payment was come Martin
and hiw wife came for the pay and the said Kimball offered them the
choice of three cows and other cattle but did reserve two cows which thy
were not free to part with, they being the first that ever they had,
and Martin himself was satisfied with other pay but Susanna his wife
understanding from this deponent and his wife that they would not part
with one of these 2 cows, the said Susanna Martin said (you had been as
good you had) for she will never do you any more good (and so it came to
pass) for the next April following that very cow lay in the fair dry
yard with her head to her side (but stark dead) and when she was floaed
[perhaps flayed] no impediment did appear in her for she was a stout
lusty cow, and in a little while after another cow died and then an ox,
and then other cattle to the value of 30 pounds that spring.
Sworn by John Kimball May the 16 1692.
Before Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia
John Kimball of Amesbury
aforementioned further deposeth that the same year after he was come to
live at Amesbury and was dwelling in the house of Edmund Elliot he was
needed to get a dog and hearing that the wife of said George Martin had a
bitch that had whelps and this deponent went to her to get one of her,
but she not letting him have his choice he did not absolutely agree for
any but said he heard one Blesdell had a bitch by which he may supply,
but if not there was no one else he would have heed of her price, but
being upon that account at said Blesdell’s and marked the whelp that I
agreed for, George Martin coming by asked me whether I would not have
one of his wife’s whelps to which this deponent made answer on the
negative.
The same day Edmond Elliot said that he was at the house of the said
Martins and heard the said Martin ask his wife why this deponent were
not to have one of her puppies and she said he have got one at Goodman
Blesdell’s and he saw him choose it and mark it (to which his said wife
said), "If I live I’ll give him puppies enough."
Within a few days after this I,
this deponent, coming from his intended house in the woods to Edmond
Elliot’s house where I dwelt about the sunset or presently after and
there did arise a little black cloud in the n.w and a few drops of rain
and the wind blew pretty hard. In going between the house of John Wood
and the meeting house, this said deponent came by several stumps of
trees by the wayside. He by impulse he can give no reason of that made
him tumble over the stumps one after another through, though he had his
ax upon his shoulder which put him in Danger and made him resolved to
avoid the next but could not.
And when he came a little below
the meeting house there did appear a little thing like a puppy of a
darkish color. It shot between my legs forwards and backwards as one
that were distract the hay and this deponent being free from all fear
used all possible endeavors to cut it with his ax but could not hurt it
and as he was thus belaboring with his ax the puppy gave a little jump
from him and seemed to go into the ground.
In a little further going there
did appear a black puppy somewhat bigger than the first but as black as
a coal to his apprehension which came against him with such violence as
its quick motions did exceed his motions of his ax. Do what he could
and it flew at his belly and away and then at his throat and over his
shoulder one way and go off and up at it again another way and with such
quickness seized and violence
did it assault him as if it would tear out his throat or his belly
while he was without fear, but at least I felt my heart to fail and sink
under it that I thought my life was going out and I recovered myself
and gave a start up and ran to the fence and calling upon God and naming
the name Jesus Christ and then it invisibly away my moaning as it
looked that out but this deponent made it not known to anybody for
fretting his wife.
The next morning Edmond Elliot
(as he told aborad and in his own house) said that he was going toward
the house of said Martin to look his oxen went in to light his pipe and
the said Martin’s wife asked him where Kimball was (said Elliot said
abed with his wife for aught he knew) (she said they say he frightened
last night) with what said Elliot she said with puppies. Elliot replied
that he heard nothing of it and asked where she heard of it and she said
about the Town which story said Elliot having told it was all the Town
over when this deponent came home at night for he had been all day alone
in the woods at work at his frame work.
John Kimball made oath to the truth of all that is written on both sides of this paper May the 16th 1692.
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia
WILLIAM BROWN TESTIMONY
11 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
WILLIAM BROWN v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The Deposition of William Brown of Salisbury aged 70 years or
thereabouts, who testifying saith, That about one or two and thirty
years ago Elizabeth his wife being a very rational woman and Sober and
one that feared God as was well known to all that knew her and as
prudently careful in her family, which woman going upon a time from her
own house towards the mill is Salisbury did there meet with Susanna
Martin the then wife of George Martin of Amesbury. Just as they came
together the said Susanna Martin vanished away out of her sight which
put the said Elizabeth into a great fright. After which time the said
Martin did many times afterward appear to her at her house and did much
trouble her in any of her occasions and this continued till about feb,
following, and then when she did come it was as birds pecking her legs
or pricking her with the motion of their wings and then it would rise up
into her stomach with pricking pain as nails and pins of which she did
bitterly complain and cry out like a woman in travail and after that it
would rise up to her throat in a bunch like a pullet’s egg and then she
would turn back her head and say, witch you shan’t choke me.
In the time of this extremity
the church appointed a day of humitting [humility, ie., fasting] to seek
God on her behalf and thereupon her trouble ceased and she saw Goodwife
Martin no more for a considerable time for which the church instead of
the day of humiliation gave thanks for her Deliverance and she came to
meeting and went about her business as before. This continued till April
following at which time summonses were sent to the said Elizabeth
Brown, Goodwife Osgood by the Court to give their evidences concerning
the said Martin and they did before the Grand Jury gave a full account.
After which time the said
Elizabeth told this deponent that as she was milking of her cow the said
Susanna Martin came behind her and told her that she would make her the
miserablest creature for defaming her name at the Court and wept
grievously as she told it to this deponent.
About 2 months after this
deponent came home from Hampton and his said wife would not own him but
said they were divorced and asked him whether he did not meet with one
Mr. Bent of Abbey in England by whom he was divorced. And from that time
to this very day have been under a strange kind of distemper frenzy
incapable of any reasonable action though strong of body and healthy of
body. He further testifieth that when she came into that condition this
deponent procured Doctor Fuller and Crosby to come to her for her relief
but they did both say that her distemper was supernatural and no
sickness of body but that some evil person had bewitched her.
Sworn the eleventh day of May Anno Dom 1692
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
ROBERT PIKE – CERTIFYIN GWILLIAM BROWN’S TESTIMONY
16 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
Wm. Brown made oath that the above is a true relation according to his
wife’s complaint. Concerning the truth of what is sworn by William Brown
concerning his wife with respect to her being a Rational woman before
she was so handled and of her now present condition and her so long
continuance all that then knew her and now know her can testify to the
truth of it for she yet remains a miserable creature of which myself is
one as witness my hand 16 May 1692.
Robt. Pike
BERNARD PEACH TESTIMONY
11 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
BERNARD PEACH v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The deposition of Bernard Peach aged 43 or thereabouts, who testifying
saith, That about six or seven years past this deponent living at the
house of Jacob Morell in Salisbury being in bed on a Lord’s Day night he
heard a scrabbling at the window, he this deponent saw Susanna Martin
wife of George Martin of Amesbury come in at the window and jumped down
upon the floor. She was in her hood and scarf and the same dress that
she was in before at meeting the same day. Being come in she was coming
up towards this deponent’s face, but turned back to his feet and took
hold of them and drew up his body into a hoop and lay upon him about an
hour and half or 2 hours in all which time this deponent could not stir
nor speak, but feeling himself beginning to be loosened or lightened he
beginning to strive he put out his hand among the clothes and took hold
of her hand and brought it up to his mouth and bit three of the fingers
(as he judge) to the breaking of the bones. Which done the said Martin
went out of the chamber down the stairs and out of the door.
And as soon as she went away
this deponent called to the people of the house and told them what was
done and that said Martin was now gone out of the door this deponent did
also follow her but the people did not see her (as they said) but
without the door there was a bucket of ___ on the left hand side and
there was a drop of blood on the handle too, more upon the snow for
there was a little flight of snow and there were the print of her two
feet about a foot without the threshold, but no more footing did appear.
He further deposeth that some
time after this as he supposeth about 3 weeks after, the said Martin
desired this deponent to come and husk corn at her house the next Lord’s
Day night, say that if I did not come it were better that I did, but
this deponent did not go being then living with N___ Osgood of the said
Salisbury and that night lodged in the barn upon the hay and about an
hour or 2 in the night, the said Susanna Martin and another came towards
this deponent. He having a quarter staff made a blow at them but the
roof of the barn prevented it and they went away, but this deponent
followed them and as they were going toward the window made another blow
at them and struck them both down but away they went out at the shop
window and this deponent saw no more of them. And the rumor went that
the said Martin had a broken hand at that time but the deponent cannot
speak to that upon his own knowledge.
Sworn May the eleventh 1692
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
JARVIS RING TESTIMONY
13 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JARVIS RING v. SUSANNA MARTIN
Javis Ring of Salisbury maketh oath as followeth, That about seven or
eight years ago he had been several times afflicted in the night time by
somebody or something coming up upon him when he was in bed and did
sorely afflict by laying upon him and he could neither move nor speak
while it was upon him, but sometimes made a kind of noise that folks did
hear him and come up to him and as soon as anybody came, it would be
gone. This it did for a long time before and since but he did never see
anybody clearly, but one time in the night it came upon me as at othr
times and I did then see the person of Susanna Martin of Amesbury. This
deponent did perfectly see her and she came to this deponent and took
him by the hand and bit him by the finger by force and then came and lay
upon him awhile as formerly, and after a while went away. The print of
the bite is yet to be seen on the little finger of his right hand for it
was hard to heal (he further saith). That several times he was alseep
when it came, but at that time when bit his finger he was as fairly
awake as ever he was and plainly saw her shape and felt her tooth as
aforesaid.
Sworn by Jarvis Ring above said May the 13th 1692
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assit. at Salisbury
Jurat in Curia
JOSEPH RING TESTIMONY
13 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JOSEPH RING v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The deposition of Joseph Ring
at Salisbury aged 27 years being sworn saith, That about the latter end
of September last being int he wood with his brother Jarvis Ring hewing
of timber, his brother went home with his team and left this deponent
alone to finish the hewing of the piece for him, for his brother to
carry when he came again, but as soon as his brother was gone, there
came to this deponent the appearance of Thomas Hardy of the great Island
at Patascataway and by some impulse he was forced to follow him to the
house of ___ Tucker which was deserted and was about half a mile from
the place he was at work in, and in that house did appear Susanna Martin
of Amesbury and the aforesaid Hardy and another female person which the
deponent did not know. There they had a good fire and drink, it seemed
to be cider, there continued most part of the night, said Martin being
then in her natural shape and talking as she used to do, but toward the
morning the said Martin went from the fire, made a noise and turned into
the shape of a black hog and went away and so did the other two persons
go away and this deponent was strangely carried away also and the first
place he knew was by Samuel Wood’s house in Amesbury.
Sworn by Joseph Ring May the 13th 1692
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia
JOSEPH RING – 2ND TESTIMONY
13 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JOSEPH RING v. SUSANNA MARTIN
Joseph Ring of Salisbury aged 27 years having been strangely handled
for the space of almost two years maketh this Relation upon oath as
followeth, viz: That in the month of June next after Casco Bay fort was
taken this deponent coming between Sandy Beach and Hampton Town met with
Thomas Hardy of Great Island and a company of several other creatures
with him which said Hardy demanded of this deponent two shillings and
with that dreadful noise and hideous shapes of these creatures and
fireball, this deponent was almost frightened out of his wits and in
about a half an hour (or indeed he could not judge of the time) they
left him and he came to Hampton. About ten days after as the deponent
came from Boston this deponent was overtaken by a company of people on
horseback who passed by him and after they were passed by him, the
aforesaid Thomas Hardy turned about his horse, and ame back to this
deponent with his horse in hand and desired this deponent to go to Mrs.
White’s and drink with him, which being refused he turned away to the
Company and they all came up together such a weth (i.e. with so many
horses) that it seemed impossible to escape being trod down by them, but
they went all past and then appeared no more.
About October following coming
from Hampton in Salisbury Pine Plain a company of horses with men and
women upon them overtook this deponent and the aforesaid Hardy being one
of them came to this deponent as before and demanded his 2 s of him and
threatened to tear him in pieces to whom this deponent made no answer,
and so he and the rest went away and left this deponent. After this this
deponent had divers strange appearances which did force him away with
them into unknown places where he saw meetings and feastings and many
strange sights, and from August last he was dumb and could not speak
till this last April. He also relates that there did use to come to him a
man that did present him a book to which he would have him set his hand
with promise of anything that he would have and there were presented
all Delectable things, persons and places imaginable, but he refusing
it, would usually and with most dreadful shapes, noises and screeching
that almost scared him out of his wits, and this was the usual manner of
proceeding with him. And one time the book was brought and a pen
offered him to his apprehension there was blood in the ink horn, but he
never touched the pen. He further say that they never told him what he
should write nor he could not speak to ask them what he should write. He
farther in several of their merry meetings he have seen Susanna Martin
appear among them.
And that day that his speech
came to him again which was about the end of April alst as he was in bed
she did stand by his bed’s side and pinched him.
Joseph Ring abovesaid made oath of the truth of all that is above written this 13th day of May 1692.
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia the substance of it viva voce.
It is to be understood that the
matter about that two shillings demanded of said Ring was this, viz:
That when Casco was assaulted before it was taken, Capt. Cedric Walt was
going from Great Island in Patascataway with a party for their relief
of which party said Ring was one and said Hardy coming up into the room
where said Ring [was] before they sailed and played at shovelboard or
some such like game and urged said Ring play, said Ring told him he had
no money and said Hardy lent him 2 s and then said Ring played with him.
Said Hardy who won his money away from him again so he could not then
pay him this account was by said Ring given to me.
Robt. Pike Ast
JOHN ALLEN TESTIMONY
7 Jun 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
JOHN ALLEN v. SUSANNA MARTIN
The deposition of Lt. John Allen of Salisbury aged 45 years testifying
saith That in or about the year ____ this deponent was hauling timber
for Mr. George Carr for building a vessel at Amesbury at Mr. Goodwin’s
building place and having done and bout to go hom, Susanna Martin the
wife of George Martin desired this deponent to cart staves for them
which this deponent refused to do because of his oxen which were weak
and neede now to get flesh, but she seemed to be discontent (and as
James Freeze and others then present told this deponent) (that she said)
I had been as good I had (for my oxen should never do me much more
service) upon which this deponent said, dost threaten me thou old witch
or words to that effect resolving to throw her into a brook that was
fast by which to avoid she flew over the bridge and so escaped. But as
he was going home one of his oxen tired that he was forced to unyoke him
to get him home. And after they were come home, put the said oxen to
Salisbury beach where several othr oxen and cattle usually are put where
they had long range of meadow to feed on and where cattle did use to
get flesh, but in a few days all the oxen upon the beach we found by
their tracks were gone to the mouth of the River Merrimack but not
returned from whence we thought they were run into the said river, but
the next day sending to Plum Island found their tracks there to be come
ashore which tracks they followed to the other end of said island and a
considerable way back again and then sat down which being apprised by
those that sought them they did use all Imaginable Gentleness to them to
some acquaintance which some of them seemed to attend, but all on a
sudden away they all ran with such violence as if they their motion had
been diabolical till they came near the mouth of Merrimack River and
then turned to the right hand and ran right into the sea all but two old
oxen (which had before left their company) and all the rest went to sea
as far as they could see them, and then one of them came back again
with such swiftness as was amazing to the beholders who stood ready to
___ him and help his tired carcass up, but letting him loose away he ran
up into the Island and from there through the marshes up into Newbury
town and so up into their woods and there was after a while found about
Hartechok river over against Amesbury. So that of 14 good oxen only that
was saved, the rest were all cast up some at Cape Ann some in one place
and some in other of they only had their hides, he further saith that
the abovesaid James Freeze did often move the prosecuting of the said
Susanna Martin in the case being confident that she was a witch.
Lt. John Allen made oath to the truth of all that is above written June the 7th 1692.
Before Me
Robt. Pike Assist.
Jurat in Curia
BARNARD PEACHE TESTIMONY
20 May 1692 | Salem, Massachusetts
(never seemed to be translated)
