(Examination of Bridget Bishop, as Recorded by Samuel Parris)

[April 19, 1692]

The Examination of Bridget
Byshop at Salem village
19. Apr. 1692 ["2" written over "3"]
By John Hauthorn & Jonath: Corwin Esq'rs

As soon as she came near all fell into fits

Bridget Byshop, You are now brought before Authority to give acc'o of what witchcrafts you are conversant in

I take all this people (turning her head & eyes about) to witness that I am clear.

Hath this woman hurt you speaking to the afflicted.

Eliz: Hubbard, Ann Putman, Abigail Williams, & Mercy Lewes affirmed she had hurt them.

You are here accused by 4. or .5. for hurting them, what do you say to it?

I never saw these persons before; nor I never was in this place before.

Mary Walcot sais that her brother Jonathan stroke her appearance & she saw that #[ha] he had tore her coat in striking, & she heard it tare.

Upon #[sea] some search in the Court, a rent that seems to answere what was alledged was found.

They say you bewitcht your first husband to death.

If it please your worship I know nothing of it.

She shake her head & the afflicted were tortured.

The like again upon the motion of her head.

Sam: Braybrook affirmed that she told him to day that she had been accounted a Witch these .10. years, but she was no Witch, the Devil cannot hurt her.

I am no Witch.

Why if you have not wrote in the book, yet tell me how far you have gone? Have you not to do with familiar Spirits?

I have no familiarity with the Devil.

How is it then, that your appearance doth hurt these?

I am innocent.

Why you seem to act Witchcraft before us, by the motion of your body, which #[hasin] seems to have influence fluence upon the afflicted.

I know nothing of it. I am innocent to a Witch. I know not what a Witch is.

How do you know then that you are not a witch? #[and yet know not what a Witch is?]

I do not #[understand] know what you say.

How can you know, you are no Witch, & yet not know what a Witch is:

I am clear: if I were any such person you should know it.

You may threaten, but you can do no more than you are permitted.

I am innocent of a Witch.

What do you say of those murders you are charged with?

I hope, I am not guilty of Murder.

Then she turned up her eyes, & #[they] the eyes of the afflicted were turned up

It may be you do not know, that any have confessed to day, who have been examined before you, that they are Witches.

No, I know nothing of it.

John Hutchinson & John Hewes in open Court affirmed that they had told her

Why look you, you are taken now in a flat lye.

I did not hear them.

Note Sam: Gold saith that after this examination he
ask't s'd Bridget Byshop if she were not troubled to see
the afflicted persons so tormented, said Byshop answered
no, she was not troubled for them: Then he ask't her
whither she thought they were bewitcht, she said she could
not tell what to think about them. Will Good, & John
Buxton jun'r was by, & he supposeth they hear(d) her also.

Salem Village Aprill the .19'th 1692
m'r Sam'l Parris being desired to take into
Wrighting the Examination of Bridget Bishop,
hath delivered it as aforesaid
And upon hearing the same, and seeing
what wee did then see, togather wit[h]
the Charge of the affliced persons th[en]
present; Wee Committed s'd Bridg[] Olliver --
*John Hathorne

(Reverse) The Examocon of Bridget Byshop 19. Apr 1692

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, no. 125. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Examination of Bridget Bishop, as Recorded by Ezekiel Cheever.)

[April 19, 1692]

The examination of Bridget Bishop before the Worshipfull John Harthon and Jonathan Curren esq'rs

Bridget Bishop being now comeing in to be examined relating to her accusation of suspicon of sundry acts of witchcrafts the afflicted persons are now dreadfully afflicted by her as they doe say

Bishop what doe you say you here stand charged with sundry acts of witchcraft by you done or commited upon the bodyes of mercy Lews and An Putnum and others

I am innocent I know nothing of it I have done no witchcraft

Looke upon this woman and see if this be the woman that you have seen hurting you mercy Lewes and An Putnum and others doe doe now charge her to her face with hurting of them

M'r Harthon ) what doe you say now you see they charge you to your face

I never did hurt them in my life I did never see these persons before I am as innocent as the child unborn

is not your coate cut

answers no but her garment being Looked upon they find #[l] it cut or toren two wayes Jo#[h]nathan walcoa[]te saith that the sword that he strucke at [goo#o]de Bishop](/tag/bishop_bridget.html) with was not naked but was within the #[scab] scabberd so that the rent may very probablie be the very same that mary walcoate #[tell] did tell that shee had in her coate by Jonathans stricking at her apperance

The afflicted persons charge her, with having hurt them many wayes and by tempting them to sine to the devils Booke at which charge shee seemed to be very angrie and shaking her head at them saying it was false they are all greatly tormented (as I conceive) by the shaking of her head

good Bishop what contract have you made with the devill

I have made no contract with the devill I never saw him in my life. An Putnam sayeth that shee calls the devill her God

what say you to all this that you are charged with can you not find in your []art to tell the truth

I doe tell the truth I never hurt these persons in [ ]y life I never saw them before.

(Mercy Lewis) oh goode Bishop did you not come to our house the Last night and did you not tell me that your master made you tell more then you were willing to tell

(Mr H) tell us the truth in this matter how comes these persons to be thus tormented and to charge you with doing

(Bish) I am not come here to say I am a witch to take away my life

(Mr H) who is it that doth it if you doe not they say it is your likenes that comes and torments them and tempts them to write in the booke what Booke is that you tempt them with.

(Bish)I know nothing of it I am innocent.

doe you not see how they are tormented you are acting witchcraft before us what doe you say to this why have you not an heart to confese the truth

I am innocent I know nothing of it I am no witch I know not what a witch is.

have you not given consent that some evill spirit should doe this in your likenes.

no I am innocent of being a witch I know no man woman or child here

how came you into my bedchamber one morning then and asked me whither I had any curtains to sell shee is by some of the afflicted persons charged with murder

what doe you say to these murders you are charged with

(B) I am innocent I know nothing #[about] of it

now shee lifts up her eyes and they are greatly tormented #[again]

( m'r Har ) what doe you say to these things here horrible acts of witch craft

I know nothing of it I doe not know whither be any witches or no

no have you not heard that some have confessed.

no I did not. two men told her to her face that they had told her here shee is taken in a plain lie now shee is going away they are dreadfully afflicted 5 afflicted persons doe charge this woman to be the very #[w]woman that hurts them

[This] is a true account of what I have taken down at her examination according to best [un]derstanding and observation I have also in her examination taken notice that all her actions [ ]e great influence upon the afflicted persons and that have ben tortered by her
*Ezekiel Cheever

(Reverse) Examinacon ag't Bridget Bishop

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem Witchcraft, vol. 1, no. 137. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Indictment No. 1 of Bridget Bishop, for Afflicting Mercy Lewis )

[+ June 2, 1692]

Anno Regni Regis et Reginae W[ ] Mariae nunc Angliae &'c Quarto:
Essex ss

The Juro'r for our Sovereigne Lord & lady the King & Queen p'rsents that Bridgett Bishop als Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of Salem in the County of Essex Sawyer the Nyneteenth Day of April in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France & Ireland King & Queen Defenders of the faith &'c and Divers other Dayes & times a well before as after. certaine Detestable Arts #[of] called Witchcrafts & Sorceries. wickedly, and felloniously #[ag't]. hath used Practised & Exercised, at and within the Towneship of Salem #[ab] in the County of Essex afores'd in #[and] upon, and ag't one, Mercy Lewis of Salem Village in the County afores'd singlewoman

by which said wicked Arts the said Mercy Lewis -- the s'd Nyneteenth Day of April in the fourth Year aboves'd and divers other Dayes and times as well before as after, was & is hurt Tortured Afflicted. #[tormented] Pined, Consumed, wasted: & tormented, ag't the Peace of our said Sovereigne Lord And Lady the King & Queen and ag't the forme of the Statute in that Case made & provided/

wittnesses

Mercy. Lewis
Nathan'll Ingersoll
M'r Sam'll paris
Thomas puttnam Jun'r
Mary Walcott.
Ann puttnam Jun'r
Elizabeth Hubbard
Abigail Williams.

(Reverse) No (1) Bills ag't Bishop
Olliver Billa vera
*John Rucke foreman
in the name of the Rest of the Grand Jurie

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, no. 121. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Indictment No. 2 of Bridget Bishop, for Afflicting Abigail Williams)

[+ June 2, 1692]

Anno Regni Regis et Reginae Willim et Mariae nunc Angliae &'c Quarto./

Essex ss

The Juro'r for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen p'rsent#[s] that Bridgett Bishop als Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of Salem in the County of Essex Sawyer -- the #[Day] Nyneteenth Day of Aprill in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady William & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France & Ireland King & Queen Defend'r of the faith &'c and Divers other dayes & times as well before as after. certaine Detestable Arts #[of] called Witchcrafts & Sorceries. wickedly and felloniously hath used Practised & Exercised. at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd in upon and ag't one Abigail Williams of Salem Village in the County of Essex afores'd singlewoman by which said wicked Arts the said Abigail Williams the Nyneteenth Day of April afores'd in the fourth Year aboves'd and divers other Dayes and times as well before as after, was, and is tortured Afflicted. Pined Consumed wasted & tormented ag't the Peace of our said Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen and ag't the forme of the Statute in that Case made and Provided

Wittnesses
Abigail Williams
M'r Sam'll paris Sworne
Nathan'll Ingersoll Sworne
Thomas puttnam Sworne
Mercy Lewis
Ann puttnam Jun'r Sworne.
Mary #[Warren] Walcott Sworne
Elizabeth Hubbard Sworne.
Jn'o Bligh & Rebekah his wife Sworn
Samuel Shattock & Sarah his \wife Sworn
William Bligh Sworne
William Stacey Sworne
John Loader Sworne.

(Reverse) Billa vera
*John Ruck foreman in the name of the Rest

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, no. 122. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Indictment No. 4 of Bridget Bishop, for Afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard)

[+ June 2, 1692]

Anno Regni Regis et Reginae Willim et Mariae nunc Angliae &'c Quarto./.

Essex ss

The Juro'r for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen p'rsent#[s] that Bridgett Bishop als Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of Salem in the County of Essex Sawyer -- the Nyneteenth Day of April -- in the fourth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady William & Mary by the grace of God of England. Scottland France. & Ireland King and Queen Defend'r of the faith &'c and Divers other Dayes & times as well before, as after certaine Detestable Arts, called Witchcrafts & Sorceries, Wickedly and felloniously hath used Practised, & Exercised, at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd in and upon and ag't one Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem Village in the County afores'd singlewoman -- by which said wicked arts the said Elizabeth Hubbard the s'd Nyneteenth Day of April -- in the fourth year aboves'd and divers other dayes, and times as well before as after was & is hurt tortured Afflicted Pined Consumed, wasted, and tormented ag't the Peace of our s'd Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen, and ag't the forme of the Statute in that Case. made and Provided./.

Wittnesses
Elizabeth Hubbard
Mercy Lewis
M'r Sam'll paris
Nathan'll Ingersoll
Thomas puttnam
Ann puttnam Jun'r
Mary Walcott
abigail Williams,

(Reverse) (4) Billa vera:
*John Rucke formane in the name of the Rest

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem Witchcraft, vol. 1, no. 123. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Indictment No. 5 of Bridget Bishop, for Afflicting Ann Putnam )

[+ June 2, 1692]

Anno Regni Regis et Reginae Willim et Mariae nunc Angliae &'c Quarto:

Essex ss

The Juro'r for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen p'rsent#[s] that Bridgett Bishop als Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of Salem in the County of Essex Sawyer the Nyneteenth Day of April -- in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady William & Mary By the Grace of God of England Scottland France & Ireland King & Queen Defend'r of the faith &'c and divers other Dayes & times as well before as after. certaine Detestable Artes called Witchcrafts & Sorceries, Wickedly and felloniously hath used Practised & Exercised at and within the Towneship of Salem, afores'd in upon ag't one. Ann puttnam of Salem Village in the County afores'd singlewoman by which said wicked Arts the said Ann puttnam the s'd Nyneteenth Day of April in the fourth Year aboves'd and divers other Dayes & times as well before as after was & is hurt, tortured, Afflicted Pined Consumed wasted & Tormented ag't the Peace of our said Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen and against the forme of the Statute in that Case made & Provided./.

Wittnesses
Ann puttnam Jun'r
M'r Sam'll paris
Nathan'll Ingersoll
Thomas puttnam
Mercy Lewis
Mary Walcott
Abigail Williams
Elizabeth Hubbard

(Reverse) (5) 5. Bills ag't Brid't Bishop alias Olliver
found by the Grand Inquest
#[9]#[2] ["2" written over "9"]
folio 966

Billa vera *John Rucke foreman in the name of the Rest

( Essex County Court Archives, vol. 1, no. 124. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Deposition of William Stacy v. Bridget Bishop )

[May 30, 1692]

William Stacey Of the Towne of Salem Aged: Thirty Six Years or thereaboutes Deposeth and Saith:/.

That about fourteene years agone this Deponant was Visited with the Small Pox, then Bridget Bishop did give him a Visitt, and withall Professed a great Love for this Deponant in his Affliction. more then ordinary, at which this Deponant admired, some time after this Deponent was well, the said Bishop got him to do some work for her. for which she gave him three pence, which seemed to this Depo't as if it had been good Money,: but he had not gone not above 3 or 4 Rods before he Looked #[on the Said mone againe] in his Pockett where he put it. for it; but could not find any some time after this deponent met the said [ ] Bishop: in the Street agoeing to Mill; she askeing this Deponent whether his father would grind her grist: he put it to the said Bishop why she Asked: she answered because folks counted her a witch this Depo't made answear: he did not Question but that his fathe would grind it: but being gone about 6 Rod from her the said Bishop; with a small Load in his Cart: Suddenly the Off wheele Slumped or Sunk downe into a hole upon Plain grownd, that this Depon't was forced to gett one to help him gett the wheele out afterwards this Depon't went Back to look for said hole where his wheele sunk in but could not find any hole Some time after in the winter about midnight #[being awake] this Deponent felt something betweene his lips Pressing hard ag't his teeth: and withall was very Cold: insomuch that it did awake him so that he gott up and sat upon his beed: he at the same time seeing the said Bridgett Bishop sitting at the foot of his bed: being tozz his seeming, it was then as light as if it had been day: or one in the said Bishops shape: she haveing then a black cap, & a black hat, and a Red Coat with two Eakes of two Coulers. then she the said Bishop or her shape clapt her coate close to her Leggs. & hopt upon the bed and about the Roome and then went out: and then it was Dark: againe some time after the s'd Bishop went to this Depon't and asked him whither that #[above written] which he had reported was true, that he had told to severall: he answered that was true & that it was she, and bid her denigh it if she dare, the said Bishop #[could] did not denigh it. and went away very Angry and said that this Dep't did her more Mischief: then any other body he asked Why: she answared because folks would beleive him before anybody Elce: some time after the said Bishop thretned this Deponent and told him he was the occasion of bringing her out about the brass she stole: some time after this Dep't in a dark night: was goeing to the Barn who was suddenly taken or hoisted from the Ground & threw ag't a stone wall after that taken up againe a throwed Down a Bank at the End of his howse: some time after this Deponent mett the said Bishop by Issaac Sternes Brick Kill [= kiln]: after he had Passed buy her: this Deponents Horse stood still with a small load goeing #[along] up the Hill so that the Horse striveing to draw All his Gears & tackeing flew in Peices. and the Cart fell downe afterward this Deponent went to lift a Bagg of Corne of about 2 bushells but could not budge it with all his might: This Deponent hath mett with severall other of her Pranks. at severall times: which would take up a great time to tell of: This Deponet doth veryly beleive that the said Bridget Bishop was Instumentall to his Daughter Prisillas Death: aboute two years agoe; the Child was a likely Thriveing Child. And sudenly Screaked out and soe continued in an unusuall Manner for aboute. a fortnight & soe dyed in that lamentable manner

Sworne Salem May the 30'th 1692 before us

*John Hathorne ) ) Assis'ts
*Jonathan. Corwin )

Jurat in Curia June. 2'd 1692/
William stacy

(Reverse) William Stacy
May 30/92

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, nos. 138 & 139. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Testimony of Samuel Gray v. Bridget Bishop )

[May 30, 1692 ]

Samuell Gray of Salem Aged aboute 42 yeares Testifieth and sayth that aboute fourteen yeare agoe, he goeing to bed well one Lords Day at night, and after he had benne asleep some time, he awakened & looking up, saw the house light as if a candle or candles were lighted in it and the dor locked & that little fire there, was Raked up he ["he" written over "I"] did then see a woman standing between the Cradle i[ ] Roome. and the Bed side and seemed to look upon him soe he ["he" written over "I"] did Rise up in his ["his" written over "my"] bed and it vanished or disapeared then he ["he" written over "I"] went to the dor and found it locked. & unlocking and Opening the dore he ["he" written over "I"] went to the Entry dore and looked out, and then againe did see the same Woman he ["he" written over "I"] had a ["a" written over "just"] little before seene in the Rome, and in the same garbe she was in before, then he ["he" written over "I"] said to her in the name of God what doe you Come for. then she vanished away soe he ["he" written over "I"] Locked the dore againe & went to bed and between sleepeing & wakeing he ["he" written over "I"] felt some thing Come to his ["his" written over "my"] mouth or lipes cold, & there upon started & looked up & againe did see the same woman with some thing betweene both her hands holding before his ["his" written over "my"] mouth upon which she moved. and the Child in the Cradle gave a great screech out as if it was greatly hurt and she disappeared, and takeing the child up could not quiett it in some howres from which tyme, the child that before was a very Likely thriveing Child #[before] did pine away and was never well, althow it Lived some moneths after, yet in a sad Condition and soe dyed; some tyme after within a weeke or less he did see the same Woman in the same Garb and Cloaths, that appeared to him as aforesaid, and althow he knew not her, nor her name before, Yett ["Yett" written over "her"] both by her Countenance & garb doth Testifie that it was the same Woman that thay now Call Bridget Bishop Alias Oliver. of Salem

*Samell Gray
Sworne Salem May 30'th 1692
Before mee *John Hathorne Assis't

(Reverse) Sam'll Grays Evedence
Bridgett Bishopp

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, no. 141.Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Testimony of Samuel Shattuck and Sarah Shattuck v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

Sam'll Shattock aged 41 years testifieth that in the year 1680 Bridged Oliver formerly wife to old Goodman Oliver: now wife to Edward Bishop did Come to my hous pretending to buy an old hh'd w'ch tho I asked verry little for: & for all her pretended want She went away w'th out it: & Sundry other tymes she came in a Smooth flattering maner in very Slighty Errants; wee have thought Since on purpos to work mischeif: at or very near this tyme o'r Eldest Child who promised as much health & understanding both by Countenance and actions as any other Children of his years: was taken in a very drooping Condition and as She Came oftener to the hous he grew wors & wors: as he would be standing at the door would fall #[and] out & b[]ruis his face upon a great Step Stone. #[i] as if he had bin thrust out bye an invissible hand: often tymes falling & hitting his face ag'st the Sides of the #[h?] hous: bruising his face in a very misserable maner: after this the abovesaid Oliver brought me a pair of Sleeves to dye & after that Sundry peeces of lace Som of w'ch were Soe Short that i could not judge them fit for any uce: she p'd me 2'd for dying them w'ch 2'd I #[a] gave to Henery Will'ms w'ch lived w'th me he told me put it in a purs among Som other mony w'ch he locked up in a box & that the purs & money was gon out of the Box he Could not tell how; & never found it after just after the dying of these things this child was taken in a terrible fit; his mouth & Eyes drawne aside and gasped in Such a maner as if he was upon the point of death; after this he grew wors in his fits: and out of them would be allmost allways crying that for many months he would be crying till natures strenght was Spent & then would fall asleep and then awake & fall to crying & moaning; that his very Countenance did bespeak Compassion; and at lenght wee p'rceived his understanding decayed Soe that wee feared (as it has Since proved) that he would be quite bereaft of his witts; for Ever Since he has bin Stupified and voide of reason his fitts Still following of him; after he had bin in this kind of Sicknes Som tyme he has gon into the garden & has got upon a board of an inch thick w'ch lay flat upon the ground & wee have Called him; he would Com to the Edge of the board & hold out his hand & make as if he would Com but Could not till he was helped of the board; other tymes when he has got upon a board as aforesaide my wife has Said She has ofered him a Cake & mony to Com to her and he has held out his #[reach] hand & reach't after it but Could not Com till he has bin help't of the board; by w'ch i Judge Som inchantm kep't him on about 17 or 18 months after, the first of this Ilnes there Came a Stranger #[Came] to my hous & pittyed this Child and Said among other word's wee are all borne Som to one thing & Som to another; I asked him & w't doe you Say this Child is borne too he replyed he is born to be bewitched and is bewitched I told him he did not know; he said, he did know & Said to me you have a neighbo'r that lives not far of that is a witch: I told him wee had noe neighb'r but w't was honest folke; he replyed you have a neighb'r that is a witch & She has had a falling out w'th yo'r wife. & Said in her hart y'r wife is a proud #[proud] woman & She#[ld] would bring downe her pride in this Childe: I paused in my Selfe & did rememb'r that my wif

(Reverse) [mye] wife had told me that goodwife Oliver had bin at the hous & spoke to her to beat Henry Will'ms that lived w'th us & that She went away muttering & She thought threatning; but little before o'r child was taken ill; I told the aforesaid Stranger that there was Such a woman as he Spoke of; he asked where She lived for he would goe & See her if he knew how: I gave him mony & bid him ask her for a pot of Syd'r; away he went & i Sent my boy w'th him who afte'r a short tyme: both returned; the boys face bleeding & i asked w't was the matter they told me the man #[kn] knock't at the door & goody oliver Came to the door & asked the Stranger w't he would have he told her a pot of Syd'r she Saide he Shewld have none & bid him get out & took up a Spade & made him goe out She followed him & when She came w'thout the poarch She Saw mye boy & run to him & Scratched his face & made it bleed; Saying to him thou roague w't dost thou bring this fellow here to plague me; now this man did Say before he went; that he would fetch blood of her And Ever Since this Child hath bin followed w'th grevious fitts as if he would never rcover moor: his hed & Eyes drawne aside Soe as if they would never Come to rights moor lying as if he were in a maner dead falling any where Either into fier or water if he be not Constantly looked too, and generally in Such an uneasie and restles frame allmost allways runing too & fro acting Soe Strange that I cannot judge otherwise but that he is bewitched and by these circumstances doe beleive that the aforesaid Bridged Oliver now Called Bishop is the Caus of it and it has bin the Judgem't of Docters Such as lived here & forreigners: that he is under an Evill hand of witchcraft

Eved. Against
Bridget Bishop. 9
per Sam'l Shadock & wife

Sam'll Shattock &
Sarah Shattock
affirmeth upon the oath they have taken to the truth of
w't is above written

Jurat in Curia June 2'd 92
attest *Steph: Sewall Cler

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft, vol. 1, no. 144.)

( Testimony of John Louder v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

John Louder of Salem Aged aboute thurtey two Yeares, Testifieth and sayth that aboute seaven or Eight yeares since I then Liveing w'th M'r John Gedney in Salem and haveing had some Controversy with Bridgett Bushop the wife of Edw'd Bushop of Salem Sawyer aboate her fowles that used to Come into our orchard or garden. Some little tyme after which, I goeing well to bed; aboute the dead of the night felt a great weight upon my Breast and awakening looked and it being bright moon: light did clearely see s'd Bridget Bushop -- or her likeness sitting upon my stomake and puting my Armes of of the bed to free myselfe from that great oppression she presently layd hold of my throat and almost Choa[ked ] mee and I had noe strenth or power in my hands to resist or help my selfe, and in this Condittion she held mee to almost day, some tyme after this, my Mistress Susannah Gedney was in our orchard and I was then with her. and s'd #[s'd]Bridget Bushop being then in her Orchard w'ch was next ad- joyneing to ours my Mistress told s'd Bridget. that I said or afirmed that she cume one night & satt upon my brest as afores'd which she denyed and I Afirmed to her face to be tru and that I did plainely see her. upon w'ch discourse with her she Threatened mee. And some tyme after that I being not very well stayed at #[w]home on a Lords day and on the after noon of s'd day the dores being shutt I did see a black pig in the Roome Comeing towards mee soe I went towards itt to kick it and it vanished away Immediately after I satt down in a Narrow Bar and did see a black thing Jump into the window and came & stood Just before my face, upon the bar the body of itt looked like a Munky only the feete ware like a Cocks feete w'th Claws and the face somewhat more like a mans than a Munkies. and I being greatly affrighted not being able to speake or help my selfe by Reason of feare I suppose, soe the thing spake to mee and said I am a Messenger sent to y'u for I understand you are trobled in mind, and if you will be Ruled by mee you shall want for Nothing in this world upon which I Endeavered to clap my hands upon itt, and sayd You devill I will Kill you. but could feale noe substance and itt Jumped out of the window againe. and Imediatly Came in by the porch althow the dores ware shutt. and sayd you had Better take my Councill, where upon I strook at it with a stick butt strook the Groundsill and broak the stick,

(Reverse) but felt noe Substance, and that arme with which I strook was presently disenabled, then it vanished away and I opened the back dore and Went out and goeing towards the house End I Espied s'd Bridget Bushop in her orchard goeing towards her house, and seing her had not power to set one foote forward but returned in againe and goeing to shutt the dore. I Againe did see that or the like creture that I before did see within dores, in such a posture as it seemed to be agoeing to fly at mee, up- on which I cryed. out; the whole armor of god be between mee and You. soe itt sprang back and flew over the apple tree flinging the dust w'th its feet against my stomake, upon which I was struck dumb and soe Continued for aboute three days tyme and also shook many of the apples of, from the tree w'ch it flu over:

John louder apearid before us this 2. dy of June 1692 and one the oath that he had taken did owne this testimony to be the truth before us the Jarris of Inquest
Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Evidences ag't Br. Bishop.
Jn'o Loader
+ On her Tryall Bridget Bishop alias Olliver denied that she knew this deponent though #[their] the orchard of this depon't & the orchard of s'd Bishop Joined & they often had difference for Some yeares together

John Loader

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, no. 145. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Testimony of John Bly, Sr., and William Bly v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

June 2'th 1692 Jn'o Blye Senio'r aged about 57 yeers & William Blye aged about 15 years both of Salem Testifieth and saith that being Imployed by Bridgitt Bushup Alies Oliver of Salem To help take downe the Celler wall of The owld house she formerly Lived in wee the s'd Deponants in holes of the s'd owld wall Belonging To the s'd sellar found severall popitts made up of Raggs And ["And" written over "w'th"] hoggs Brusells w'th headles pins in Them w'th the points outward & This was about seaven years Last past

Jurat Curia

(Reverse) papers ag't B: B: n'o 16: 10
John Bly and W'm Bly
Court Oy'r & Term'r held at Salem
2'd June 92
poppets.
Olliver

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 147. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Testimony of Richard Coman v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

Richard Coman aged aboute 32 years Testifieth that sometime aboute Eight yeares Since: I then being in bed with my wife at Salem. one fift day of the Weeke at night Either. in the Latter end of May or the Begining of June. and a light burneing in our Roome I being awake, did then see Bridget Bishop of Salem Alias Olliver come into the Roome wee Lay in and two Women more with her. w'ch Two Women ware strangers to mee I knew them not. but s'd Bishop came in her Red paragon Bodys and the rest of her cloathing that she then usually did ware, and I knowing of her well also the garb she did use to goe in. did clearely & plainely know her, and Testifieth that as he locked the dore of the house when he went to bed soe he found it after wards w'n he did Rise, and quickly after thay appeared the light was out, and the Curtaines at the foote of the bed opened where I did see her and presently came #[and as I] And lay upon my Brest or body and soe oppressed him that he could not speake nor stur noe not soe much as to awake his wife althow he Endeavered much soe to do itt; the next night thay all appeared againe in like manner and she s'd Bishop Alias Oliver tooke hold of him by the throate and almost haled him out of the bed the Satterday night followeing; I haveing benne that day telling of what I had seene and how I suffered the two nights before, my Kinsman W'm Coman told mee he would stay with mee & Lodg with mee and see if thay would come againe and advised mee to lay my Sword on thurt my body. quickly after Wee Went to bed that s'd night and both well awake and discoursing togather in came all the three women againe and s'd Bishop was the first as she had benne the Other two nights, soe I told him; W'm heere thay be all Come againe & he #[he] was Immediatly strook speechless & could not move hand or foote and Immediatly they gott hold of my sword & strived to take it from mee but I held soe fast as thay did not gett it away; and I had then Liberty of sp[ee]ch and called W'm. also my wife & Sarah phillips that [lay w]ith my wife. who all told mee af[terwards they heard ] mee, but had not power to Speak [or stur]

(Reverse) afterwards And the first that spake was Sarah phillips. and said in the name of god Goodm Coman w't is the Matter with you, soe thay all vanished away

Sworne Salem June 2'd 1692
Before mee *John Hathorn[ ] Jurat in Curia

Richard C[ ]
als Olliver.

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 146. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Testimony of John Bly, Sr and Rebecca Bly v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692]

John Bly sen'r and Rebecka Bly his wife of Salem, bothe Testifie and say that s'd Jn'o Bly Bought a Sow of Edw'd Bushop of Salem #[Labourer] Sawyer and by agreement with s'd Bushop was to pay the price agreed upon, unto L't Jeremiah Neale of Salem, and Bridgett the wife of said Edward Bushop because she could not have the mony or vallue agreed for, payd unto her, she [ ] to the house of the deponents in Salem and Quarrelled w'th t[hem ] aboute it. #[and also then Threatened them sayeing]

soon after which the Sow haveing piged she was taken with Strainge fitts Jumping up. and knocking hir head against the fence and seemed blind and deafe and would not Eat neither Lett her pigs suck but foamed at the mouth, which goody hinderson heareing of sayd she beleived she was over-looked, and that thay had theire cattle ill in such a manner at the Eastward when she lived there, and used to cure them by giveing of them Red Okar & Milk. which wee also gave the Sow. Quickly after eating of which she grew Better. and then for the Space of Neere Two howre[] togather she getting into the street did sett of Jumping & runing betweene the house of s'd deponents and s'd Bushops as if she ware stark mad; and after that was well againe and wee did then Apprehend. or Judge & doe still that s'd Bishop had bewitched s'd Sow

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) John Bly and wife
Jn'o Bligh
W'm Bligh
Rob. Bligh

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft Vol. 1, No. 150. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Testimony of Sarah Churchill v. Goody Pudeator & Testimony of Mary Warren v. Bridget Bishop, Elizabeth Cary, George Jacobs. & Ann Pudeator

[June 1, 1692]

Sarah Churchwell confesseth that Goody pudeator brought the book to this Examin't and she signed it, but did not know her at that tyme but when she saw her she knew her to be the same and that Goody Bishop also Olliver appeared to this Examinant & told her she had killed John Trask's Child, (whose Child dyed about that tyme) & said Bishop alias Olliver afflicted her as alsoe did old George Jacobs , and before that time this Examin't being afflicted could not doe her service as formerly and her s'd Master Jacobs called her bitch witch & ill names & then afflicted her as #[before] above and that pudEater brought 3: Images like Mercy Lewis, Ann putnam , Eliza' Hubbard & they brought her thornes & she stuck them in the Images & told her the persons whose likeness they were, would be afflected & the other day saw Goody Olliver #[sitt] sate upon her knee,

This Confession was taken before John Hathorne
and Jonathan Corwin Esq'rs 1' o[f] June 1692, as attests

*Tho Newton

Jurat in Curia
by Sarah Churchill

(Reverse) Mary Warren aged 20: yeares or thereabouts testifyeth & saith That severall times after the Nyneteenth day of April last when Bridgett Bishop als Olliver who was in the Gaol at Salem she did appear to this depon't tempting her to signe the book & oft times during her being there as afores'd the s'd Bridgett did torture & afflict this depon't & being in Chaines said tho: she could not do it, she would bring one that #[m's Cary to] should doe it which now she knowes to be m's Cary that then came & afflicted her,
Sworne before us the 1. day of June 1692
*John Hathorne
*Jonathan. Corwin { Assis'ts

Sarah Churchw[Lost] [= Churchwell]
agt pudeater

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 262.)

( Deposition of Susannah Sheldon v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

The Deposistion of Susannah Shelldin aged about 18 years who testife and saith that on this 2 June 1692 I saw the Apperishtion of Bridgit Bishop. and Immediatly appered to little children and said that they ware Thomas Greens two tiwins and tould Bridget Bishop to hir face that she had murthered them in seting them into fits wherof they dyed

(Reverse) Susanna Sheldon Evid's
ag't Bridgett Bishop

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft Vol. 1, No. 149 )

( Testimony of John Cook v. Bridget Bishop )

[June 2, 1692 ]

John Cooke aged about 18 yeares Testifieth
that about five or Six yeares agoe One Morning about Sun rising as I was in bed before I rose I Saw goodwife Bishop alias Olliver Stand in the Chamber by the window and she looked On me & Grinn'd On me & presently Struck me on the Side of the head w'ch did very much hurt me & Then I Saw her goe Out under the End #[of] window at a little Creviss about So bigg as I Could thrust my hand into [ ] I Saw her again the Same day w'ch was the Sabath day about noon walke across the room & having at that time an apple in my hand it flew Out of my hand into my mothers lapp who Sate Six or Eight foot distance from me & then She disapeard & though my mother & Severall others were in the Same room yet they afirmed they Saw her not John Cooke apearid before us the Jarris of inquest and did owne this to be his testimony one the oath that he hath taken: this 2: dy of June 92.

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) John Cooke Witnis

2'nd June 92

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 148. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

( Statement of Susannah Sheldon v. Bridget Bishop, Mary English, Phillip English, Giles Corey, and Martha Corey )

[++ May 17, 1692 ]

The complaint of SSusanna Shelden against phillip english for the sd Susanah
Shelden being at meetting on the sabboth day being the 24 of aprill shee
beeing aflicted in a very sad manner she saw phillip english step over his pew and pinshed
her and a womand which Came from boston wich saith her name is good wy when shee were
coming home againt william shaws house their met her phillip english and a black man with
a hy crouned hatt on his head and a book in hish hand houlding the book to her and phillip
english told her that black man were her god and if shee would thouch touch that boock hee
would not pinsh her no more nor no bodie els should on the next day phillip english came
again and pinshed her and told her that if shee would not toutch the book hee would kill her

on the second day at night apered to her two women and a man and brought their books and
bid her touct them she told them shee would not she did not know wher they
lived on of them told her they lived at the villadge and held the book to her again and bid
her touch it shee told her shee did not know their nams on of them told her shee was old
good man bucklyes wife and the other woman was her daughter mary and bid her touch the
book she told no shee had not told her hou long shee had beene a witch then shee told her
shee had been a witch ten years and then shee opened her brest and the black man gau her
two litl things like yong cats and she pit them to her brest and suckled them they had no
hair on them and had ears like a man then they ofered her their books and shee refused
then then they pinsh her and the man struck her on the head and went away

on the third day their apeared a woman without the dore sat lafeing at her and came into the house and hop_ed upandoun and profered her the book and told her if shee would touch it
shee would not pinsh her shee told her s[he] wud. not she did not kno [w]her s[he]
liueed s told her she lieved at boston shee held her book to he her again shee told her shee
did not know her name shee told her her name was good wife whits

the same day came goody buckly_ and her daughter and brought books i[n] with
them and told her if shee would touch their books they would not pinsh her but shee refused
then they pinshed her and went away

then i was siting on the inside of the dore sill and goody buckly came and stopeed my mouth
and Caried mee awai i know not how an near a mile and told mee that now shee had mee at
her Command if i would not set my hand to her booke shee would kil mee then
she did bit mee william shaw beeing plowing in his fathers feild heard a fearfull Cry in a
thicket of yong wod went to it and found her in a terribl maner screaming and breacking of
sticks and fighting in a uiolent manner

Susanah Shelden goody bucklie and her daughter

on the foarth #[aa] day at night Came goody olliver and m'rs english and good man Cor[ ] and a blak man with a hicrouned hatt with books in their hands goody olliver bad mee touch her booke i would not i did not know her name shee told me her name was goody olliver and bid me touch her booke now i bid her tel mee how long shee had been a witch shee told mee shee told mee s[ ] had been a witch above twenti years then their Came a streked snake creeping over her shoulder and crep into her bosom mrs english had a yelo bird in her bosom and good man Core had two tircels hang to his Coat and hee opened his bosom and put his turcls to his brest and gave them suck then good man core and goody olliver kneeled doune beefoar the blak man and went to prayer and then the blak man told mee goody olliver had been a witch twenti years and a #[ ] half then they all set to biteing mee and so went away the next day Came good man Core mrs english in the morning and told mee i should not eat no vittals i took a spoon and put on spoonful in my mouth and good man Core gave mee a blow on the ear and allmoast choaked mee then he laughed at mee and told mee i would eat when he told mee i should not then he Clenched my hands that they Could not bee opened for more then a quarter of an our then Came phillip english and and told mee if i would touch his book hee would not bit mee but i refusid then hee did bite mee and went away

the sixth day at night Came goody olliver and mrs english good man Core and his wife goodwy Core s profered mee a book i refused it and asked her whear she lived she told mee she lived in boston prisson then shee puled out her brest and the blak man gave her a thing like a blake pig it had no haire on it and she put it to her brest and gave it suck and when it had sucked on brest shee put it the other and gave it suck their then shee gave it to the blak man then they went to praier to the blak man then goody olliver told me that shee had kiled foar women two of them wear the fosters wifes and john trasks wife and did not name the other then they did all bitt mee and went away

then the next day Cam goody Core Choaked mee and told mee i would not eat when my dame bid mee but now i should eat none

(Reverse) Susanna Sheldon ag't oliver Englis & his wife Core & his wife good bucklie & her daughter & boston woman

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, nos. 153, 154 & 168. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

Testimony of (Elizabeth Hubbard v. Bridget Bishop and Mary Warren)

[++ April 19, 1692]

mary waring brought the book to elisibath houbard and would haue hur sat hur hand to the book which she brought unto hur and she said i wont i wont i wont [a?] if you sat your hand to the book you shall be well for i did so and i am well and i told hir i would not then she told me i should never be well [then] told hur i would not if i am never well o you wicked wich mary waring why will you du so

now whilest i was righting thes lines thar came in mary waring and another woman with hur whch woman mary waring shap said was goodey oliver and that woman came in hur sheft

(Reverse) Elizab Hubbard ag'st Mary Warrin

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft. vol. 1, nos. 117 & 152. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Physical Examination of Bridget Bishop , Rebecca Nurse , Elizabeth Proctor , Alice Parker , Susannah Martin , and Sarah Good , No. 1.)

[June 2, 1692 ]

1692 Salem June 2'd aboute 10 in Morning

Wee whose names are under written being Comanded by Capt George Corwine Esq'r Sherriffe of the County of Essex this 2'd day of June 1692 for to vew the bodyes of Bridgett Bishop alias Oliver

Rebecah Nurse
Elizabeth procter
Alice parker
Susanna Martine
Sara Good

The first three, Namely: Bishop : Nurse: procter , by dilligent search have discovered apreternathurall Excresence of flesh between the pudendum and Anus much like to Tetts & not usuall in women & much unlike to the other three that hath been searched by us & that they were in all the three women neer the same place

*J Barton Chyrurgen
Alice picering her marke
Jane Woolings her marke
Marjery Williams her marke
Anna Stephens her marke
Elizabeth Hill her marke
Elanor Henderson her marke
Rebecah Sharpe her marke
Lydia Pickman
*Hannah Kezere

(Reverse) Salem aboute 4 afternoon June 2'd 1692 .

We whose names are Subscribed to the w'th in mentioned, upon a second search about 3 or 4 houres distance, did find the said Brigett Bishop alias Oliver , in a clear & free state from any p'eternaturall Excresence, as formerly seen by us alsoe Rebecah Nurse in stead of that Excresence w'thin Mentioned it appears only as a dry skin without sense, & as for Elizabeth procter which Excresence like a tett red & fresh, not any thing appears, but only a proper procedeulia cedeulia Ani, & as for Susanna Martine whose breast in the Morning search appeared to us very full; the Nibbs fresh & starting, now at this searching all lancke & pendant which is all at pr'sent from the w'th in Memtioned subscribers and that that piece of flesh of Goodwife Nursess' formerly seen is gone & only a dry skin nearer to the anus in another place
Rebecah Sharpe marke
the marke of Eli zabeth Hill
Lidia pickman
Elanor Henderson her marke
*J Barton Chyrurgen
Alice pickring marke
*Hannah Kezer
Marjery Williams marke
Anna Stephens
Jane Wollings marke

Sworne in Court June 2'd 1692

(Reverse) Jury of Womens Return

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 136. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA )

(Warrant for the Execution of Bridget Bishop Bridget Bishop, and Officer's Return)

[June 8,1692 ]

To George Corwin Gent'm high Sherriffe of the County of Essex Greeting

Whereas Bridgett Bishop alias Olliver the wife of Edward Bishop of [Salem] in the County of Essex Sawyer at a speciall Court of Oyer and Termin[er held at] Salem the second Day of this instant month of June for the Countyes of Esse[x] Middlesex and Suffolk before William Stoughton Esq'r and his Associates J[ustices] of the said Court was Indicted and arraigned upon five severall Ind[ictments] for useing practiseing and exercisein[g] [on] the Nyneteenth day of April] last past and divers other dayes and times [before and after certain acts of] Witchcraft in and upon the bodyes of Abigial Williams , Ann puttnam J[un'r] Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem village singlewomen, whereby their bodyes were hurt, afflicted pined, consu[med] Wasted and tormented contrary to the forme of the Statute in that Case [made and] provided To which Indictm'ts the said Bridgett Bishop pleaded no[t guilty] and for Tryall thereof put her selfe upon God and her Country, where[upon] she was found guilty of the felonyes and Witchcrafts whereof she stood Indicted and sentence of Death accordingly passed ag't her as the Law directs, Execution whereof yet remaines to be done These are theref[ore] in the Name of their Maj'ties William and Mary now King & Queen [over] England &c to will and Comand you That upon fryday next being the Tenth day of this instant month of June between the houres of Eight and twelve in the afternoon of the same day You safely conduct the s'd Bridgett Bishop alias Olliver from their Maj'ties Gaol in Salem afores'd to the place of Execution and there cause her to be hanged by the neck untill she be de[ad] and of your doings herein make returne to the Clerk of the s'd Court and pr'cept And here of you are not to faile at your peril

And this shall be [your] Sufficient Warrant Given under my hand & Seal at Boston. the Eig[hth day] of June in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and [Lady] William & mary now King & Queen over England &c Annoq'e D[omi]ni : 1692;

*Wm Stoughton

June 10th -- 1692
According to the Within Written precept I have taken the body of the within named Brigett Bishop of their Majes'ts Goale in Salem and Safely Conveighd her to the place provided for her Execution and Caused the s'd Brigett to be hanged by the neck untill Shee was dead # [and buried in the pla] all which was according to the time within Required and So I make Returne by me
George Corwin Sheriff

(Reverse) Brigett Bishop
Death Warrant

(Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft vol. 1, no. 71.)