8-His sister by coming over lost the value of twenty-five pounds beside what her mother would have given her at her decease. 9-My brother having one of their relations with him already, viz., Noah Fisk, whom he brought up from a little one, was unwilling to take Sarah Gott, but was importuned and prevailed with to take her, not upon loose terms, as he did the other, but as his own, so that her father might not have power to take her away from him when she might grow up to be servicable, as is oft done in such cases. As for her calling them father and mother it is no more but what is ordinarily done to nurses, or servants; and what another whom he had brought up before was used to doe, who went away from them when she might have been serviceable to them. 10-My sister brought no estate with her, as 1 ever heard of, hath no charge, her husband by her own confessions gave her none of the land to dispose of as her own.” "Left. William Dixie's Deposition :-He saith that coming to Capt. Lawthrope in the time of his last sickness, Mrs. Lawthrope and Mrs. Got did goe out of the room and Capt. Lawthrope said to him I am glad you are come, for I would have you to take notice that I give unto my wife all my estate so long as she liveth, and after her decease I give unto the Ministry of Beverly my tenn acre lott at home and my house upon the same; whereupon he asked the Capt. if he had acquainted his wife with it, and his answer was he had and she aproved well of it, and the ground in the woods he did give unto his Sister Cheever's children; and soe they had no further discourse about at that time or since. Sworne in Court at Salem 22: 10, '75. Attest, HILLIARD VEREN, Clerk. Richard Prince, 10th mo., 1675. The Will of Richard Prince of Salem, aged 67 years, dated 21st of 7th month, 1675, mentions to son Joseph Prince of ten acre lott bot of William Lord Sen'r, acre of Marsh lying the further side of South field, of Salem, boundVOL. II. 24 ed by marsh of Goody Lemmans that was and George Gardner. Son Samuel Prince "1⁄2 acre of marsh that lyeth by the bars that goeth out of ye South field;" son Richard Prince "a lot in South field near Joseph Hardye's five acre lott;" son Jonathan Prince a half acre of marsh known by the name of Walker's Half acre,also my dwelling house that standeth in the North part of my Orchard, my daughter Mary Daniel to my two grandchildren Stephen and Mary Daniel. I appoint my son Joseph Prince sole executor; mentions his wife -. I appoint my friends Mr. Henry Bartholmew and Mr. Joseph Grafton Sen'r overseers; witnesses, Stephen Daniell and Edward Norrice. Probated 22 10 mo., '75. An Inventory of the above estate taken 21 of October, 1675, by Joseph Grafton and Francis Skerry. Amount £386, 188, Od. Sam'l Crompton, 9th mo., 1675. An Inventory of the estate of Samuel Crumpton, whoe was slaine in the warrs against the Indians, taken this 29 9 mo., 1675, by Hilliard Veren Sen'r and Henry West. Amount 46, 38, 00d. Allowed 21 10 mo., 1675, and administration granted to Jane relict. ye Richard Bishop, 9th mo., 1675. An Inventory of the estate of Richard Bishop of Salem, taken 8th March, 1674–5, by Nathaniel Felton and Richard Croade. Amount £145 09s 11d. Allowed 29 March, 1675; presented by Mary ye late wife of the deceased and John Durlan, one of the administrators of ye estate. "The Deposition of Thomas Robbins, aged about 55 years, saith that he being in the chamber with Richard Bishop the night before he died, did heare him say that he did thank God he was then of perfect memory and would have him and the rest of the company take notice what was his mind and will, iu case it pleased God he should then die; which was this he would give his son Thomas Bishop his house and home lott where he lived, being m the whole about two acres, out of which he would give his grandchild Mary Durlan half Fisherman, dated 22d day of May, 1675; witnesses, Samuel Williams and Hilliard Viren Sen'r. an acre at the upper end of the lott, because he said he did not know but shee might marry a traidesman or a seaman and so that part might be most convenient ffor her; also he said Thomas Bishop should not sell this but leave it to his (Thomas's) son Richard Bishop after him; and being pressed upon to know what he would give his sons at Long Island, he said he would give them nothing for they had no need of it, and for his son Nathaniel if he had not bin a churle he might have sent his father something, but never did send him so much as a side of pork though he killed 20 fatt hogs in a yeare; and further this deponent saith that goodman Bishop hath severall tymes told him that he would give his Thomas after his wife's decease all the upland that he had in the northfield and the half acre of salt marsh he had there, only Thomas should not sell it but leave it to his son Richard after him, ffor he had an affection to that granchild and was minded the for the name sake should enjoy it after him, and this he hath said to this depondent at severall tymes. Saying take notice of it in case I should make no other will, that Thomas Bishop shall have all my land and this said he thou art able to swear to when I am dead. Taken upon oath 29 1 mo., '75. WM. HATHORNe, Assist. "The deposition of John Bligh, aged about 36 years, saith that ye night before his father Bishop died he heard him say," (in substance to the above déposition.)* "The deposition of Mary Bishop, aged about 64 years, testifieth," (in substance to the above deposition concerning the estate of her husband.) "The deposition of Richard Croade, aged about 46 years," saith in the house of goodman Bishop with goodman Robbins he heard him say in substance what was testified to by Thomas Robbins, (all of the above depositions are of the same date.) A Power of Attorney from John Bishop of South Hampton, in Long Island, to my brother "The 12th day of the 5 mo., 1660. Wheras Richard Bishop and Mary Goult intend by the permission of God in some tyme to joyne to gether in marriage and for the mutuall good of them both doe agree unto these articles and couenants hereafter exprest, viz., Impr. the John Dorlan of Salem, in the county of Essex, said Richard Bishop doth covenant to and with the said Mary Goult that in case God please to leave ye said Marie a widow then shee shall during yer natural life have and enjoy the dwelling house of the said Richard Bishop with garden and orchard and the remayner of the 2 acre lott the said house standeth upon with a lott of upland oppossit to the said house over the river with all timber and fyre wood wch she may nessessaralie use for and during her life tyme but not two gyue nor make sale of any of it; as alsoe one half acre of salt marsh lying upon the North River over against the house of the said Bishop to the said Richard Bishop doth couenant to and with the said Marie Goult that if the said Richard Bishop doe dye before the said Marie and then leave her a widow that the said Richard Bishop shall grant half of the estate he dyes possessed of vnto the said Marie viz: of his cattell corne hay houshould goods and money as her own proper 3. It is agreed mutugoods for ever for ever. allie betwixed the said pties that the house wherein the said Marie Goult at present lyuth in and shall be sould by Henerie Skerrie senior and Jefferie Massey for the paymt of the debts William Goult left unpaid at the tyme of his death. 4. The said Marie doth promis and grant to and with the said Richard Bishop that he the said Bishop shall have the best bed that no hath with all the furniture there unto unto belonging, and to the performance wherof I the said Richard Bishop have hereunto put my hand the day and year above written. RICHARD BISHOP. Witnesses thereto, Jefferie Massey, Henry Skerry." George Ropes, 10th mo., 1675. An Inventory of the estate of George Ropes taken by Edward Norris and Benjamin Gerrish. Amount $29 0s 09d. Allowed 22 10, 75. Administration granted to Wm. Ropes, and after the debts are paid Mary the mother of the deceased, to have the rest. Peter Wolfe, 9th mo., 1675. An Inventory of the estate of Peter Woalfe of Beverly, who died the 6th of 10 mo., '75, taken by Humphrey Woodbury and John Hill. Amount £112 11s 10d; presented by John Black ye executor 21 10, '72. The widow is by the will to have £10. The Will of George Cooll dated 8th November, 1675, mentions "I give to Mary Davis whome I used to call mother;" "I give to my Master John Davis,” "my sisters Mary Tuck and Elizabeth Cooll." I appoint my friend Daniell Johnson and my master John Davis overseers and executors; witnesses, Thomas Ferman and Samuel ffoster; probated the 30 9 mo., '75. An Inventory of the above estate taken by Samuel Hurtt and Eleazer Linzy. Amount 25, 168 Od. John Bachelor, 9th mo., 1675. my salt marsh up to a place commonly called the Rocks where they cart downe wood. I give my son Joseph Batchelor all my land in the field together with the orchard and barne and the salt marsh lying beyond said Rocks commonly called Duck Cove and half an acre of marsh yt I bought of Joseph Root and halfe an acre of Jeoffry Massey." "Also I give my daughter Hannah Corning ten pounds to be paide by my loving wife before her decease." "I give my grandchild John Cressy six acres of land lying within my sonne John's land as aforesaid along Royals neck and five pounds to be paid by my loving wife before her decease. I appoint Henry Bartholmew and Deacon Prince overseers; witnesses, John Swinnerton and Berthiah Archard, 22 10, '75." An Inventory of the estate of John Batchelor of Salem, who dyed the 13 day of November, 1675, taken the 4th of December, 1675, by us John Raiment and Andrew Eliott. Amount 230 00 3d. Samuel Stevens, 10th mo., 1675. An Inventory of the estate of Samuell Stevens taken 30th of Nov., 1675, by Henry West ond Nathaniel Puttnam. Amount £62 28 Od. Allowed 22 10, '75. Administration granted unto Rebecca ye relict of the deccased. "£10 to be paid to Sarah the child of the deceased "I John Batchelor, aged 63, being in pfect memory, do make this my last will and testaAllen Perley, Feb., 1675-6. ment in the year of our Lord 1673 and the 25 Will of Allen Perley of Ipswich, dated 23d year of the Reigne of or Soveraigne Lord June, 1670, mentions "my three elder sons, Charlse the Second King of England." "I viz., John Perley, Samuel Perley and Thomas appoint my wife Elizabeth Executrix." "I Perley takeing their liberty at the age of one give my son John Bachelor my house I dwell and twenty to leave me and yet I have given in after my decease, and twenty acres of land which I bought of John Scuder, (except six Bachelours Brook and all that part of land unto them three parts of the land beyond acres more or less as it is now bounded, which which was Nathaniel deceased." Two daughI give to John Cressy, as is hereafter expressed) ters Sarah and Martha Perley, son Timothy and takes it beginning at Abram Warren's when 23 years; wife Susanna extx. Well, so down to the brook to the Common, dated 16th November, 1671. the brook being the bound between his land and Thos. Small, 1st mo., 1676. his brother Joseph's, and allso a piece of land that lyes at the uper end of the said twenty "To ye honored Court now held at Ipswich. acres without the fence, with the hither end of The humble petition of Ruth Small late wife A codicil Abel Osier, 4th mo., 1676. of Thomas Small deceased, her husband dying | who was slaine with Capt. Lawthrop in the intestate without making a will, shee having wars against the Indians, taken this 13 4 mo., taken the advice of several of her friends as '76, by" by Hilliard Veren senr and John her ffather Small and her Unkell Grove her Burke senr. Amount £11 02 08d. Allowed brother John Buxton and Mr. John Putnam, 30 4, '76, and administratrion granted John do humbly request yt her estate may bee set- Ruck. tled on herself and fouer children as folioweth, 1, yt ye Court would be pleased to make administration of ye whole estate; 2, yt shee may have ye liberty to bring up ther children herselfe and yt they may continue with her tei they cum of aig; 3, that her son William as soon as he becomes of aig to have halfe of the farme adjoining Mr. Nathaniel Putnams not medling with the houseing; 4, yt as soone as my dafter Lidia and my dafter Ilannah and my dafter Ann comes of eaige I paying them as legacies forty pounds apiece out of ye estate left in my hands for yt end; 5, yt her father John Small and her Unkel! Edward Grove and her Brother John Buxton and Mr. John Put nam be overseers." On the above petition, that was dated Salem, 25th March, 1676, and signed by Ruth Small, John Small, Edward Grove, John Putnam and John Buxton, the Court doth order that the above be granted, only the £40 designed for the child deceased shall be equally divided between the mother and three children. Allowed Salem 30 9 m., '76. George Gittings, 4th mo., 1676. An Inventory of the estate of George Giddings, late of Ipswich deceased, taken 19th of June, 1676, by John Whipple senr, Henry Benet and Nathaniel Wills. Amount 1021 12 6. Allowed 27 4, '76, and administration granted to Jane the relict of the deceased. Henry Coleburn, 4th mo., 1676. An Inventory of the estate of Henry Coleburn taken 26 June, 1676, by Richard Croade nd Henry West. Amount £10 2 6; mentions hat he carried the most of his estate with him o Virginia. Allowed 30 4, '76, and administration granted to Sarah the relict. Joseph King, 4th mo., 1676. An Inventory of the estate of Abel Osier, slayne in fight with the Indians, taken by Simon Horne and William Ross. Amount 3 1 10; returned by Edmond Batter the administrator, who is ordered to pay the balance to brother of the deceased, 28 4, '75. Richard Sibly, 4th mo., 1676. An Inventory of ye estate of Richard Sibley. Allowed 30 4, '76, and adAmount 94 1 Od ministration granted to Hannah relict of the deceased, who is ordered to pay to the 7 children of the deceased, viz: Samuell the eldest £6 and to the rest £3 each, viz: Hana, Sara, Damaris, John, Mary and Elizabeth, to the sons when 21 years of age and the daughter at 18 years. John Silsby, 4th mo., 1676. An Inventory of the estate of John Silsby, taken 26 June, 1676, by Hilliard Veren senr and Edmond ffoueryeare. Amount £74 168 00d, Allowed 30 4, '76, and administration granted to Bethiah the relict, she to pay £20 to her son child of the deceased when 21 y. John Kitchen, 4th mo., 1676. The Will of John Kitchen, dated the 20 December, 1675, mentions my dwelling house and land belonging to it and about an acre of salt marsh by Castill Hill to my wife during her life and at her decease to my son Robert Kitchen; mentions the rest of my children. I appoint my wife and son Robert exrs; witneses, Samuel Shattocke and Abraham Cole. Allowed 30 4, '76. An Inventory of the above estate taken 30th May, 1676, by Edward Flint and Richard "An Inventory of the estate of Joseph King, Croade. Amount £398 04 00. PHILIP ENGLISH. PART SECOND. to which he was subjected. When his wife Martha was arrested, April 12, (an event happening before his own arrest, April 19,) and The Prosecution of Philip English and his wife for examined, Giles Cory seems to have been more Witchcraft. BY GEORGE F. CHEVER. than half persuaded that she had some familiarity with evil powers, as he appears in evidence against her, and relates some trifling (though then thought strange) accidents or incidents happening in, or around his house, which might bear the construction of witchcraft. The drift of events, however, made him sensible, resolute and bold; and finally he preferred to be pressed to death rather than put himself on trial; and is said to have asked his executioners to put more weight upon him, the more quickly to end his misery. If he was overborne by the popular prejudice of that day in the beginning, he defied it the more sturdily at the end. Continued from Vol. II, Page 144. Another of the victims, with whose misdoings Mr. and Mrs. English were implicated, was Giles Cory or Corey, an octogenarian, whose barbarous fate stands on our records, as it ought to stand, in solitary cruelty. In his case, as was usual in these witchcraft cases, after the original accusation had been made,and the examination held before the magistrates,various witnesses were found, in addition to the original accusers,* to charge him before the Grand Jury with acts of witchcraft. He appears to have been rather a simple-minded The testimony against Giles Cory before the man, whose character, however, acquired firm-Grand Jury, or the Court, (probably both) ness and decision, perhaps, through the ordeal We have stated previously in the text, that the main body of the accusers, and as against those who were condemned and executed came from the village. We would here state, that by the term accusers, the complainants-those who began the persecution legally-are the rather intended, and not those witnesses who afterwards came in to swell the tide of testimony against the accused. The persecutions usually began by complaints before the magistrates from a comparatively small circle of afflicted ones, and then the cases went to the Grand Jury and trial; by which latter periods no lack of other witnesses was found, if needed. The original complainants or accusers we thus consider the legal cause of the persecutions, and the subsequent witnesses as only subordinate assistants-the result rather of the moving cause. The accusers began the complaints, and the other witneses helped to confirm them. We state this, that we may not be misapprehended historically. It is, however, more than probable, that the small circle of accusers at Salem Village indirectly caused the major number of all the witchcraft prosecutions, since some of that circle appear to have been freely sought and used as witch-detectors, and all may have been. They appeared as original accusers in very many cases, and thereby, as it were, set the fashion of so accusing. appears to have been taken by Depositions on Sept. 9. Ann Putnam appeared, and deposed that, on the 13th April, his apparition* came and afflicted her, urged her to write in his *This apparition was, of course, the airy spectro shape or image of the accused in question, sent to represent them, and could do great mischief, being Satanic. It was considered a very detestable device on the part of the persons practicing this kind of witchcraft, as they themselves in the body could be absent, or be perhaps professing and practising kindness to their victims, and so use a diabolical treachery. Thus when Rebecca Nurse was examined, the magistrate said to her, "When this witchcraft came upon the stage there was no suspicion of Tituba(Mr. Parris's Indian woman)-she professed much love to that child Betty Paris, but it was her apparition did the mischief, and why should not you also be guilty, for your apparition doth hurt also." In some of the examinations, the accusers charged the accused of tormenting them in their own shape, which means in their own personal shape, and not in their spectral shape, which was rather a diabolical substitute, very often used and sent instead. It will be remembered that all covenant witches or wizards, by their compact with the Devil, became owners of evil spectres or apparitions. |