In 1633 the recognizance of widow Bellett, of Stony Morton (?) was
taken, to appear at the next Sessions, to answer charges brought by
William Vaughan, of Inkberrow, and others. This document is in some
places scarcely legible, but it appears that the principal charge was
"for the evil artt that shee useth with the ---- wich, and she gives
---- to finde out goodes lost, and using the name of Peter and Paule
therein in profane manner, beinge sayde to be ---- of that sleight
----." I found no account of her trial.
In May, 1660, the examination of Elinor Burt was taken before Gervase
Bucke and William Collins, Esqrs., and "being examined whether she
hath not taken upon her to cure several persons afflicted with several
diseases and distempers in their bodyes, ansheareth and saith, that
shee did not take upon her soe to do, but confesseth that when diverse
had come to her that hath aches in their heads and other infirmities,
she had and hath a gifte from God, by good prayers and laying her
hands upon their heads or faces, oftentimes to recover and heal them
of their diseases; and being examined what other means she useth to
recover sick persons, saith, noe other means but good prayers; and
further doth not materially confess." As the Sessions order book does
not commence till 1693, there is no means of ascertaining the result
of this and other cases prior to that date which are mentioned in this
abstract of the records; but in the same year (1660) it is stated
that "Joane Bibbe was bound for good behaviour for beinge of evil
fame, and suspected for wychcrafte, butt not as yet charged." This is
undoubtedly Joan Bibb, of Rushock, who (as stated in a MS. note-book
of Mr. Townsend, of Elmley Lovett, who was a county justice at that
time) "was tyed and thrown into a poole, as a witch to see whether shee
could swim." But she brought her action against Mr. Shaw, the parson,
for his share in this transaction, and recovered £10 damages, and Mr.
Townsend compounded for her and others with Mr. Shaw for £20. The same
MS. records the bringing of four other persons from Kidderminster that
year, and ducking them in the Severn at Worcester, but the details of
their cases have already been published by Nash.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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