Trials (Witchcraft) -- England -- Devon; Witchcraft -- England -- Devon
persons that had tormented her by using some magical art or witchcraft
upon her body as aforesaid.
The Information of William Edwards, of Biddiford, blacksmith, taken the
18th of July, Anno Dom. 1682.
The said Informant upon his oath saith, that upon the 17th of July
inst. this informant did hear Susanna Edwards confess, that the Devil
had carnal knowledge of her body; and that he had suck'd her in her
breast. And further saith that he did hear the said Susanna to say,
that she and one Mary Trembles of Biddiford did appear hand in hand
invisible in John Barnes' house of Biddiford, where Grace the wife of
the said John Barnes did lie in a very sad condition. And further saith
that he did then also hear the said Susanna to say, that she and the
said Mary Trembles were at that time come to make an end of the said
Grace Barnes.
The Information of Joane Jones, the wife of Anthony Jones of Biddiford,
husbandman, taken the 18th of July, Anno Dom. 1682. The said informant
upon her oath, saith that upon the 18th of July she this informant
being present with Susanna Edwards of Biddiford, widow, there came to
see the said Susanna one John Dunning, of Great Torrington, which said
John Dunning this Informant did hear him to demand of the said Susanna
how and by what means she became a witch. Unto which question the said
Susanna did answer, that she did never confess afore now, but now she
would. And further saith, that she did hear the said Susanna confess
unto the said John Dunning that she was on a time out gathering of
wood, at which time the said Susanna did see a gentleman to draw nigh
unto her: whereupon she was in good hopes to have a piece of money
of him. This Informant further saith that the said John Dunning did
demand of the said Susanna where she did meet with the said gentleman;
she did answer that it was in Parsonage Close. And further saith, that
after the said John Dunning was gone, this Informant did hear the said
Susanna confess, that on Sunday the 16th inst. she with Mary Trembles
and by the help of the Devil, did prick and torment Grace the wife of
John Barnes of Biddiford, and this informant further saith that she
did hear the said Susanna Edwards and Mary Trembles say and confess
that they did this present day torment and prick her the said Grace
Barnes: and further saith that she did hear the said Mary Trembles say
unto the said Susanna Edwards "O thou Rogue, I will now confess all:
for 'tis thou that hast made me to be a witch and thou art one thyself
and my conscience must swear it." Unto which the said Susanna replied,
"I did not think thou would have been such a Rogue to discover it."
And further saith that the said Susanna did confess that the Devil
did oftentimes carry about her spirit. And further saith that she did
hear the said Susanna say and confess that she did prick and torment
Dorcas Coleman the wife of John Coleman of Biddiford, mariner. And
further saith that she did hear the said Susanna Edwards to confess
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