Trials (Witchcraft) -- England -- Devon; Witchcraft -- England -- Devon
Mary Trembles was a servant to her, this examinant, in like manner as
she this examinant was a servant to the Devil (whom she called by the
appellation of a gentleman).
_Examined with the original whereof this is a true copy._
Thomas Gist. _Mayor._
John Davies. _Alderman._
John Hill. _Town Clerk._
The substance of the last words and confession of Susanna Edwards,
Temperance Lloyd, and Mary Trembles, at the time and place of their
execution, Aug. 25, 1682, as fully as could be taken in a case liable
to be so much noise and confusion as is usual on such occasions.
_Mr. H._ Mary Trembles, what have you to say as to the crime you are to
die for?
_Mary._ I have spoken as much as I can speak already, and can speak no
more.
_H._ In what shape did the Devil come to you?
_Mary._ The Devil came to me once, I think like a Lyon.
_H._ Did he offer violence to you?
_Mary._ No, not at all: but did frighten me, and did nothing to me; and
I cried to God and asked what he would have, and he vanished.
_H._ Did he give thee any gift, or did'st thou make him any promises?
_Mary._ No.
_H._ Did he ever make use of thy body?
_M._ Never in my life.
_H._ Have you a secret teat?
_M._ None. (The grand inquest said it was sworn to them.)
_H._ Mary Trembles, was not the Devil there with Susan, when I was
once in prison with you, and under her coats? the other told me he was
there, but is now fled; and that the Devil was in the way when I was
going to Taunton with my son, who is a Minister? Thou speakest now as a
dying woman, and as the Psalmist says, "I will confess my iniquities,
and acknowledge all my sins." We find that Mary Magdalene had seven
Devils: and she came to Christ and had mercy, and if thou break thy
league with the Devil, and make a covenant with God, thou may'st also
obtain mercy. If thou hast anything to speak, speak thy mind?
_Mary._ I have spoken the very truth and can speak no more: Mr. H. I
would desire that they may come by me, and confess as I have done.
_H._ Temperance Lloyd. Have you made any contract with the Devil?
_T._ No.
_H._ Did he ever take any of thy blood?
_T._ No.
_H._ How did he appear to thee at the first, or where, in the street?
In what shape?
_T._ In a wonderful shape.
_H._ Had he ever any carnal knowledge of thee?
_T._ No, never.
_H._ What did he do when he came to thee?
_T._ He caused me to go and do harm.
_H._ And did you go?
_T._ I did hurt a woman sore against my conscience: he carried me up to
her door, which was open: The woman's name was Mrs. Grace Thomas.
_H._ What caused you to do harm? What Malice had you against her? and
did she do you any harm?
_T._ No, she never did me any harm: but the Devil beat me about the
head grievously, because I would not kill her: but I did bruise her
after this fashion (laying her two hands to her side).
_H._ Did you bruise her till the blood came out of her nose and mouth?
_T._ No.
_H._ How many did you destroy and hurt?
_T._ None but she.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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