(Examination of Dorcas Hoar )

[May 2, 1692]

The Examination of Dorcas Hoar . 2. May. 1692 .

Severall of the afflicted fell into fits as soon as she was brought in
Eliz: Hubbar d: said this woman hath afflicted me ever since last Sab: was seven night, & hurt me ever since, & she choakt her own husband.
Mary Walcot said she told me the same
Abig: Willi ams saith this is the woman that she saw first before Tituba Indian or any else.
Ann Put man said this is the woman that hurts her & the first time she was hurt by her was the Sab: was seven night.
Susan: Shel don accused her of hurting her last moonday night.
Abig: Willi ams & An n Putm an said she told them that she had choakt a woman lately at Boston
Eliz: Hubbard cryed why do you pinch me the mark was visible to the standers by. The Marshall said she pincht her fingers at that time.
Dorcas Hoar why do you hurt these?
I never hurt any child in my life.
It is you, or your appearance
How can I help it?
What is it from you that hurts these?
I never saw worse than my self
You need not see worse. They charge you with killing your huband
I never did, nor never saw you before
You sent for Goody Gale to cut your head off What do you say to that?
I never sent for her upon that account.
What do you say about killing your husband.
Susan: Sheldon also charged her that she came in with two cats, & brought me the book, & fell into a fit & told me your name was Goody Bukly .
No, I never did, I never saw thee before.
What black cats were those you had?
I had none.
Mary Walcot , Susan: Sheldon, & Abigail Williams said they saw a black man whispering in her ears.
Oh! you are liars, & God will stop the mouth of liars
You are not to speak after this manner in the Court.
I will speak the Truth as long as I live.
Mary Walcot & Susan: Sheldon & Eliz: Hubbard said again there was a man whispering in her ear, & said she should never confess.
Good y Bibb er free from fits hitherto said there was a black man with her & fell into a fit.
What do you say to those cats that suckt your breast, what are they?
I had no cats.
You do not call them cats, what are they that suck you?
I never suckt none, but my child.
What do you say, you never saw Goody Bukly ?
I never knew her.
Goodm: Bukly testifyed that she had been at the house often.
I know you but not the woman
You said you did not know the Name.
Many by-standers testifyed she disowned that she knew the name
I did not know the name so as to goe to the woman
Susan: Sheldon & Abig: Williams cryed there was a blew bird bird gone into her back.
The Marshall struck, & several of the by-standers testifyed that they saw a fly like a Millar.
What did you see goddy Bibber. who was looking up Goody Bibber was taken #[up]dumb.
What can you have no heart to confess.
I have nothing to do with witchcraft
They say the Devil is whispering in your ear.
I cannot help it if they do se it.
Cannot you confess what you think of these things?
Why should I confess that I do not know.
Susan: Sheldon cryed O Goody Hoar do not kill me, & fell into a fit, & when she came to her self she said, she saw a black man whispering in her ear, & she brought me the book.
I have no book, but the Lords book.
What Lords book.
The Lords book.
Oh said some of the afflicted there is one whispering in her ears. There is some body will rub your ears shortly, said the examinant Immediately they were afflicted, and among others Mercy Lewes. Why do you threaten they should be Rubb'd?
I did not speak a word of Rubbing.
Many testifyed she did.
My meaning was God would bring things to light.
Your meaning for God to bring the thing to light would be to deliver these poor afflicted ones, that would not Rubb them.

(Reverse side)
This is unusual impudence to threaten before Authority. Who hurts them now.
I know not.
They were rubbed after you had threatened them.
Mary Walcot, Abigail Williams, & Eliz: Hubbard were carried towards her, but they could not come near her
What is the reason these cannot come near you
I can not help it, I do them no wrong, they may come if they will Why you see, they cannot come near you
I do them no wrong

Note. The afflicted were much distressed
during her examination.

This is true account of the Examination
of Dorcas Hoar without wrong to any party
according to my original Characters from themselves
at the moments thereof
Witness my hand *Sam Paris

Dorcas Hoar Examination

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft, Vol. 1, no. 206, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Indictment No. 1 of Dorcas Hoar for Afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard )

[+ July 2, 1692 ]

Province of the Massashusetts Bay in New England
Anno Regni Regis et Reginae Willm et Mariae Nunc Angliae &c. Quarto
Essex ss

The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen p'esents That Dorcas Hoar of Beverly in the County of Essex Widow the Second Day of May in the forth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France & Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c: and Divers other Dayes and times as well before as after certaine Detestable Arts called Witchcrafts and Sorceries Wickedly and felloniously hath used Practised: and Exercised, at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex aforesaid, in and upon and ag't: one Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem Singlewoman - by which said Wicked Arts the said Elizabeth Hubbard the Second Day of May in the forth year abovesed.. and Divers other Days and times as well before.as after, was and is Tortured Afflicted Pined Consumed wasted & Tormented ag't. the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen, and ag't: the forme of the Statute, in that case made and provided

Witnesses

Elizabeth Hubbard
Mary Wolcott.
Ann Putman

(Reverse) No (1) Dorcas Hoar
bill a vera

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 205.)

(Indictment No. 2 of Dorcas Hoar for Afflicting Mary Walcott )

[+ July 2, 1692 ]

Province of the Massashts Bay in New England Essex

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

The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen: [pbar ]'sents That Dorcas Hoar of Beverly in the County of Essex Widow -- the Second Day of May in the forth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c: And Divers other Dayes and times as well before as affter, certaine Detestable Arts called witchcraft and Sorceries: wickedly and felloniously hath used Practised, and Exercised, at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex aforesaid in and upon and ag't: one Mary Wolcott of Salem Village Singlewoman - by which said wicked arts the said Mary Wolcott the Second Day of May in the fourth year as aboves'd: and Divers other Dayes and times, as well before as after was and is Tortured Afflicted Pined Consumed wasted and Tormented ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen: and ag't the forme of the Statute in that case made and Provided:

Witnesses

Mary Walcott
Elizabeth Hubbard
Ann Putman

(Reverse)
Dorcas HoarNo (2)
billa vera
Hoar](/tag/hoar_dorcas.html)

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem - Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 204, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Deposition of Rachel Tuck and Hannah Cox v. Dorcas Hoar )

[May 14, 1692 ]

14:3 mo: 1692

The deposition of Rachell Tuck aged about 45 years and Hannah Cox. aged about 30 years these deponants testifie and saith about three years before the date above:named: that Darkis Hoar the wife of William Hoar se'n now deceased/ being very sick in hir bed and severall being at that time to watch with hir: namely Christipher Read son in law and his wife and hir daughter Jone Hoard I with severall others: these severall persons being there with said darkes Hoar to look after hir: and after some time went to the bede side to look after theyr mother and they found hir gon out of the: bead they knew not how and being affrighted they run out of dor and the last person that went out goodde Hoar seat upon the stayrs or lador and held her fast and the person that was held fast Cried out-farther Hannah Cox one of the deponants before mentioned saith that the persons: that rune out of the hous in afright weare affraid for some time to goe into the hows but after a while did go in and made lite to se who it was that held the person that said shee was held fast and they found it to be goodde Hoar sitting pon the stayers or lador dressed with hir clothes and hat & cloke on

note: this above written was decleard to the two above said deponants at the hows of
Thomas Cox by Jone Hoar doughter to dorkes: and farther saith not --
Jurat in Curia.

(Reverse) Rachele Tuck and Hannah Cox Contra G. Hoare

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 207, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Deposition of John Richards and Jos. Morgan v. Dorcas Hoar )

[May 23, 1692 ]

The deposition of John Richards aged about 46 yeares saith that some time this last winter past I being required by the constabell of Beverly as one of the Jorores to understand the Reason of the untimely death of William Hoar beeing at the house of william hoar the rest of the Jury beeing their I the said Richards said to the Rest of the Jury that it was nesesary that the naked body of the deceaced shoold bee veiued and darcus hoar the wife of the decaced brake out in a very greate pashtion wringing of her hands and stamping on the floore with her feete and said you wiked wretch or wiked wretches what doe you think I have murdered my husband: and the Rest of the Jury blaming her for beeing in such a pashon and then shee was something pasified
Joseph Morgan
Sworn by the same
Jurat in Curia
Sworne-Salem Village May 23: 1692
before us. *John Hathorne ] Assists
*Jonathan Corwin ] Assists

(Reverse) Jno. Richard
Con. Hoar &
Jos. Morgan

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 208, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Sarah Bibber v. Dorcas Hoar )

[July 2, 1692 ]

The Deposistion of Sarah Viber agged about 36 years who testifieth and saith that darcas Hoar of Bevrly has most greviously tomentd me a grat many times with variety of tortors: also on the 2 May 1692 being the day of hir Examination I saw Dorcas Hoar or hir Appearanc most greviously torment mary walcot Elizabeth hubbrd Abigaill williams ann putnam jur and Susannah shelden by biting pinching and almost choaking them: and I verily beleve in my heart that Darcas Hoar is wicth for sence she went to prison she has most dreadfully tortred me with variety of tortors: which I beleve if she want a wicth she could not doe

Jurat in Curia

Sarah Vibber: owned to the Jury of inquest that the above written evidene is truth: upon the oath she hath taken: #[Jly.] July 2: 92

Mary Warin: testifieth before the Jury of inquest: that: she saw. Dorcas Hoare: of Beverly hurt and afflict: Susanah: Sheldon: then in the presence of the s'd Jury July: 2: 1692

(Reverse)Sara. Viber ag:
Dorcas hoar
Sarah Viber

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 209, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard v. Dorcas Hoar )

[July 2, 1692 ]

The deposistion of Eliz: Hubburd agged about 17 years who testifieth and saith I have been along time afflected by a woman that tould me hir name was Hoar but one the: 2: May 1692 Darcas Hoar of Beverly did most greviously torment me dureing the time of hir examination and then I saw that it was the very same woman that tould me hir name was Hoar and if she did but look upon me she would strick me down or allmost choak me allso on the day of hir Examination I saw Darcas Hoar or hir Apperance most greviously torment and Afflect the bodys of mary walcott Abigaill williams Ann putnam #[and Susannah Sheldon] by biting pinching and al most choaking them to death also severall times senc Darcas Hoar or hir Apperance has most greviously tormented me with variety of tortors and I verily beleve that Darcas hoar the prisoner att the barr is a wicth for sence she has been in prison she or hir Appearance has com to me and most dreadfully tormented with veriety or tortors: which I beleve she could not doe with out she ware a wicth

Eliz: Hubbard: owned to the Jury of inquest: that the above written evidence: is
the truth July:2: 1692 Jurat in Curia

(Reverse)Elizabeth Hubart ag: hoar

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 210, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Deposition of Mary Walcott v. Dorcas Hoar )

[July 2, 1692 ]

The deposistion of mary walcott agged about 17 years who testifieth and saith I have been a long time afflected by a woman that tould me hir name was Hoar: but on the: 2 May 1692 . Darcas Hoar of Beverly did most greviously torment me dureing the time of hir Examination for if she did but look parsonally upon me she would strick me down or allmost choak me to death: allso on the day of the examination of darcas Hoar . I saw hir: or hir Apperanc most greviously torment and afflect the bodyes of Eliz: Hubburd Abigaill williams Ann putnam and Susannah Shelding also severall times senc the afforesaid darcas hoar or hir Apperance has most greviously tormented me by biting pineching and allmost choaking me to death and I verily beleve in my heart that Darcas Hoar is a most dreadfull wicth, for she or hir Appearance has come and most dreadfully tormented me sence she was put in prison which I beleve she could not doe if she ware not a wicth.

Mary Walcot: owned: to the Jury of inquest: the above written evidence: to
be the truth: upon: oath: July: 2: 92

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Mary Walcot ag: hoar

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 212, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Deposition of Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Dorcas Hoar )

[July 2, 1692 ]

The deposistion of Ann putnam Jun'r who testifieth and saith that on the latter end of April 1692 ther came an old woman and did most greviously torment me and tould me hir name was Hoar: but on the 2 May 1692 Darcas Hoar did most dreadfully torment me during the time of hir Examination and then I saw that it was the very same woman that tould me her name was Hoar: allso on the day of hir Examination I saw Darcas Hoar or hir Apperance most greviously torment and afflect mary wallcott Eliz: HubbredSarah vibber Abigail williams a#[Susannah Sheldon] and I verily beleve in my heart that Darcas Hoar is a wicth for sence she went to prison she or hir Apperanc has com to me and most greviously tormented me by biting pinching and almost choaking me to death

ann putman ownid this har tistimony to be the truth one har oath before the Juriars of Inques: this 2. day of July: 1692

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) ann putman ag hoar

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 213, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

(Testimony of the John Hale v. Dorcas Hoar )

[September 6, 1692 ]

John Hale aged 56 yeares Testifieth 6. 7. 1692

That for severall yeares agoe formerly were storys told concerning Dorcas Hoar her beeing a fortune teller. And that shee had told her owne fortune, viz that she should live poorely so long as her husband willm Hoar did live, but the said will should dye before her, & after that shee should live better. Allso the fortune of Ens: Corning & his wife who should dye.first & that shee had had a book of fortune telling. About twenty two yeares agoe the s'd Dorcas manifested to me great repentance for the sins of her former life & that she had borrowed a book of Palmstry, & there were rules to know what should come to pass. But I telling her that it was an evill book & evill art shee seemed to me to renounce, or reject all such practices; whereupon I had great charity for her severall yeares. But 14 yeares agoe last spring I discovered an evill practice had been between a servant of mine & some of sd Hoars children in conveying goods out of my house to the s'd Hoars . and I had a daughter Rebecca then between 11 & 12 years old, whome I asked if she knew of the Hoars stealing: she told me yea, But durst not reveale it to me, & one reason was, She was threatened that Goody Hoar was a witch & had a book by w'ch shee could tell what s'd Rebecca did tell me in my house & if the s'd Rebecca told me of the stealing, the said Hoar would raise the devill to kill her, or bewitch her, or words to that effect. (but whether she said that Dorcas her selfe or her chilldren told Rebecca those words I remember not) I asked Rebecca if she saw the book she said yea, she was shewed that book & their were many streaks & pictures in it by w'ch (as she was told) the said Hoar could reveale secretes & work witchcrafts. I asked her how big the book was, she said it was like a gramer, that lay on the table. And said shee now I have told you of the stealing Goody Hoar will bewitch me. I perswaded my daughter not to think so hardly of Goody Hoar. But she replyed I know Goody Hoar is a witch (or to the effect) & then told storys of strange things that had been acted in or about my house, when I & my wife were abroad to fright sd Rebecca into silence about the theft, w'ch sd Rebecca judged to be acts of s'd Hoars witchcraft the particulars I have now forgotten. I called to minde that the sd Hoar had told me of a book of palmstry she had, but not the bigness of it; therefore that I might be better satisfyed I asked Thomas Tuck if he knew Goody Hoar to have a book of fortune telling & he said yea shee had, such a kind of book w'ch he had seen w'th streaks & pictures in it and that it was about the bigness of such a book poynting to a gramer, or book of like magnitude. this confirmed me in the opinion that my daughter had seen such a book. And after my daughters death a freind told me that my daughter said to her shee went in fear of her life by the Hoars till quieted by the script'r. Fear not them w'ch can kill the boady &c.

(Reverse)
About those times other things were spoken of the sd Hoares suspicians of her witchcraft whereupon a frend of mine did as I was informed acquaint Maj'r Denison w'th them, for his consideration & as I was informed Maj'r Denison took an opportunity to examine sd W'm Hoare about a fortune book his wife had & W'm Hoar answered the book was John Samsons & his wife had returned the book long agoe & so the matter was left for that time. When discourses revived of Goody Hoars fortune telling of later times, & she beeing comited to Boston I did last may speak w'th her of may things that I had known & heard of her. Shee told me that he owne fortune that she spake of, She was told by a shipmaster when she was first marryed. & Ens: Corning fortune viz that his first wife should dye before him (w'ch is since come to pass) she sapke it from observing a certain streak under the eye of sd Corning or his wife: But as I take it it was his wife had the streak. And for seeing the devill, or any spirit but ones, & that was soon after old Thomas Tuck dyed (w'ch I take to be about ten yeare since) & that shee took it to be the Ghost of Thom: tuck coming to speak w'th her about some land sd Tuck had told her of before his death. But that shee fled from the Ghost & got away.
The fortune book she said was about the bigness of a childs Psalter (w'ch agrees w'th that of a gramer) But owned no other but that of John Samsons w'ch he had from her as she said above 20 years agoe & that shee had not told fortunes since the time I had layed before her the evill of it. w'ch is about 20 or 22 years since. I lately spake w'th John Samson & he told me that he had a book of Palmstry when he lived at Goody Hoars w'ch shee had seen: but that it was a book in quarto. & he sold it at Casco-Bay about 30 yeares since & had not seen it since

                                                          Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Mr. Jno. Hale

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 211. )

( Deposition of Edward Hooper v. Dorcas Hoar )

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The depersision of Edward hooper aged about. 15. years being with John neal at Dorkus hore's house when the s'd. neal brought a hin [= hen] of the s'd whors [Hoar's] which he had kiled doing damagee in his master whitredg's Corn the .s'd. #[w]hore did say then to the s'd. John: Neall #[I the sd deponant did then hear] that he should be never the beter for it before the weak was out

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Edward Hooper

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 215. )

( Deposition of Joseph Morgan & Debrough Morgan v. Dorcas Hoar )

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The depotion of #[Thomas] Joseph morgin aged abought 46 years or their aboughts Testifyeth and saith that gooday hoer being at my hous did pretend sum thing of forting [=fortune] telling and thair said that I shuld dy before my wife and that my oldest dauter shuld not Live to be a woman and further saith that oldest dauter shuld not live to be a woman. and further sayth that my self being caled to sit on the Jurey to sarch the body of goodman hore he dying very sudingly: that then on desiering to have his body stript thee; said Goody hoar did fly out in a great pation and said what do you think that I have kild my husband you retches you and

The depotion of Debrough morgin aged 43: years, or their aboughts testifyeth and sayth that goody hoer being at over hous said that my oldst dafter shuld nevr live to be a woman: and I asking her how shee knew: shee told me that shee observed sum veins abought her eys by which shee knew; and further saith not

Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Joseph & Deborah Morgan

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 214, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Deposition of Mary Gage v. Dorcas Hoar & Goody wiles)

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The deposition of Marie Gadge aged about 48 years this deponent testifieth & saith that about nine years agon s'd Deponent & her son Josiah Wood being at the house of John Giles in Beverly & Dorcas hoare being there alsoe; the s'd Hoare told her that her Child was not Long lived & sd Deponent asked her how she knew; the Child being well then: s'd Hoare replied it would not live Long & bade her: marke the end of it; & about a month after that time her sd Child was taken sick & died sudenly and about halfe a year after sd Deponent asked s'd Hoare how she could fortell the death of the Child her answer was she had acquaintance with a doctor that taught her to know & had a doctors booke by her And sd Deponent saith farther that about 2 year agon s'd Deponent being often Concerned at the house of Benjamin Balch sen'r w'th his son David being then sick: she heard s'd David Balch often Complaine that he was tormented by witches: s'd Deponent asked him whether he knew who they were & s'd David balch answered it was Goody wiles & her Daughter & Goody Hoare. & one of marblehead he knew not by name; saying alsoe there was a Confederacy of them & they were then whispering together at his beds feet, and desired Gabriell Hood to strike them: & when he did strike at the place where s'd. Balch said they sate: s'd Balch said that he had struck Goody wiles & she was Gone presently: and at severall other times s'd Balch Cried out of Good Hoares tormenting him & prayed earnestly to the Lord to bring them out & discover them & farther saith not
Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Mary Gage

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 217, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Deposition of John Lovett v. Dorcas Hoar )

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The depersision of John Lovet aged about 25 years this deponant destifi[eth] & say that he the s'd deponant sume time in June last past went into the prisan to see my gran mother then goodee hore asked me the .sd. deponant whether I knew of any #[of] witnesses that would Come in #[against] or be brought in against hear.&.I the s'd deponant told her I did not know of any and then the s'd. [w]hore](/tag/hoar_dorcas.html) asked me whether goodman witredg would not Come in against her about his Cow I the s'd debonant tould the s'd whore I did believe he Would the s'd [w]hore replyed she did not know that he had ara Cow, furder saith not

                                                  Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Jno. Lovett

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 219, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Deposition of Thomas Putnam and Edward Putnam v. Dorcas Hoar )

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The deposistion of Thos: putnam aged 40 years and Edward putnam aged 36 years who testifie and saith. that we haveing been conversant with Divers of the afflected parsons as mary Walcott Eliza Hubbrd Ann putnam and others: and we have seen them most greviously tortored by #[plaine] biting and pinching and their bones almost put out of joynt greviously complaineing of one gooddy Hore of beverly for hurting them but on the: 2: day of may 1692 being the day of the Examination of Darcass Hoar. of Beverly the above said afflected parsons ware most greviously tormented dureing the time of hir examination for upon the glance of hir eies thay ware strucken down or allmost choke also severall times sence we #[seen]have seen the above named parsons most greviously tormented and the markes of plaine bits on there flesh and complaining of gooddy Hoar for hurting them: and we beleve that Dorcas Hoare the prisoner att the barr has often hurt the affore named parsons by acts of wicthcraft

                                                    Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Tho: Putman &
Edward Putman

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 218, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Joseph Tuck v. Dorcas Hoar )

[+ September 6, 1692 ]

The depersision of John tuck aged about 18 years this deponant doth testif and say that I the .sd. deponant being at the hous of Dorkas [w]hore about.3 year agone with John neal which was then thomas whitredges servant then the. sd. neal brought a hin [=hen] of the said whors which he the. sd. neal had kiled doing damage in. his. s'd. masters Corn. & I the s'd deponant being thare when the. sd. neal presented the hen to hear: the sd [w]hore did then break out in grreat pashan and told the. sd. John neal that it should be the worst weaks work that Ever he did farder saith not
Jurat in Curia

Joseph tuck aged about.15.years doth say that he being with his brother John tuck doth say that he Can witness to the very same above writen.
Jurat in Curia

(Reverse) Jno Tuck
Joseph Tuck

( Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1, no. 216, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, Boston, MA. )

( Petition of John Hale , Nicholas Noyes, Daniel Epes , and John Emerson, Jr. )

[September 21, 1692 ]

To his Excellency S'r William Phips Governour of the Province of the Massachussetts Colony in New England or in his absence to the Honourable William Stoughton Esq'r. Leiftenant Govern'r

The Petition of the subsscribers humbly sheweth

That it hath pleased the Lord wee hope in mercy to the soule of Dorcas Hoar of Beverly to open her he[art] out of distress of conscience, as shee profesceth, to confess her selfe guilty of the heynous crime of witchcraft for w'ch shee is condemned, & how & when shee was taken in the snare of the Devill, & that she signed his book with the forefinger of her right hand &c.

Allso she gives account of some other persons that shee hath: known to be guilty of the same crime.

And beeing in grat distress of Conscience earnestly craves a little longer time of life to realize & perfect her repentance for the salvation of her soule.

These are therefore humbly to petition in her behalfe that their may be granted her one months time or more to prepare for death & eternity unless by her relapse, or afflicting others she shall give grounds to hasten her execution. And this wee conceive if the Lord sanctify it may tend to save a soule, & to give opportunity for her making some discovery of these mysterys of iniquity, & be profidentiall to the encouraging others to confess & give glory to God.

& the petitioners shall pray &c. the Humble servants
Salem. September 21: 1692.
*John Hale
*Nicholas Noyes
*Daniel Epes --
*John Emerson jun'r

Haveing Heard & taken the Conffession of dorcas Hoar doe ConSent that her Execution be Respited untill further ord'r
21. 7th 92

*Bartho Gedney

(Reverse)These for His Excellency S'r W'm Phips
Govern'r &c at Boston or to the Honourable W'm Stoughton Esq'r Leift Gov'r at Dorchest'r

Petition of John Hale
Nicho. Noyes](/tag/noyes_nicholas.html) &c 1692

( Salem Selections, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library)