At the time appointed for her Tryal, she had an Imposthume in her head,
which was her Escape.[282]
September 9. Six more were tried, and
received Sentance of Death, viz. Martha Cory of
Salem-Village, Mary Easty of Topsfield, Alice Parker and Ann Pudeater of
Salem, Dorcas Hoar of Beverly, and Mary Bradberry of Salisbury.[283] September 16, Giles Cory was prest to Death.
September 17. Nine more received Sentance
of Death, viz.
Margaret Scot of Rowly, Goodwife Redd of Marblehead, Samuel
Wardwell, and Mary Parker of Andover, also Abigail Falkner of Andover, who
pleaded Pregnancy, Rebecka Eames of Boxford, Mary Lacy, and Ann Foster of
Andover, and Abigail Hobbs of Topsfield.[284] Of these Eight were Executed,
September 22,
viz.
Martha Cory, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeater, Margaret Scot, Willmet
Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Mary Parker.
Giles Cory pleaded not Guilty to his Indictment, but would not put himself
upon Tryal by the Jury (they having cleared none upon Tryal) and knowing there
would be the same Witnesses against him, rather chose to undergo what Death
they would put him to. In pressing his Tongue being prest out of his Mouth, the
Sheriff with his Cane forced it in again, when he was dying. He was the first in
New-England, that was ever prest to Death.[285]
The Cart going up the Hill with these Eight to Execution, was for some
time at a sett; the afflicted and others said, that the Devil hindred it, etc.
Martha Cory, Wife to Giles Cory, protesting her Innocency, concluded her
Life with an Eminent Prayer upon the Ladder.
Wardwell having formerly confessed himself Guilty, and after denied it,
was soon brought upon his Tryal; his former Confession and Spectre Testimony
was all that appeared against him. At Execution while he was speaking to the
People, protesting his Innocency, the Executioner being at the same time
smoaking Tobacco, the smoak coming in his Face, interrupted his Discourse,
those Accusers said, the Devil hindred him with smoak.
Mary Easty, Sister also to Rebecka Nurse, when she took
her last farewell of her Husband, Children and Friends, was, as is reported by
them present, as Serious, Religious, Distinct, and Affectionate as could well be
exprest, drawing Tears from the Eyes of almost all present. It seems besides the
Testimony of the Accusers and Confessors, another proof, as it was counted,
appeared against her, it having been usual to search the Accused for Tets; upon
some parts of her Body, not here to be named, was found an Excrescence, which
they called a Tet. Before her Death she put up the following Petition:
To the Honorable Judge and Bench now sitting in Judicature in Salem and
the Reverend Ministers, humbly sheweth, That whereas your humble poor
Petitioner being Condemned to die, doth humbly beg of you, to take it into your
Judicious and Pious Consideration, that your poor and humble Petitioner knowing
my own Innocency (blessed be the Lord for it) and seeing plainly the Wiles and
Subtilty of my Accusers, by my self, cannot but judge charitably of others, that
are going the same way with my self, if the Lord step not mightily in. I was
confined a whole Month on the same account that I am now condemned for, and
then cleared by the Afflicted persons, as some of your Honours know, and in two
days time I was cried out upon by them, and have been confined, and now am
condemned to die. The Lord above knows my Innocency then, and likewise doth
now, as at the great day will be known to Men and Angels. I Petition to your
Honours not for my own Life, for I know I must die, and my appointed time is
set; but the Lord he knows it is, if it be possible, that no more Innocent Blood
be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in the way and course you go in.
I question not, but your Honours do to the utmost of your powers, in the
discovery and detecting of Witchcraft and Witches, and would not be guilty of
Innocent Blood for the World; but by my own Innocency I know you are in the
wrong way. The Lord in his infinite Mercy direct you in this great work, if it be
his blessed will, that Innocent Blood be not shed; I would humbly beg of you,
that your Honours would be pleased to Examine some of those confessing
Witches, I being confident there are several of them have belyed themselves and
others, as will appear, if not in this World, I am sure in the World to come,
whither I am going; and I question not, but your selves will see an alteration in
these things: They say, my self and others have made a league with the Devil, we
cannot confess. I know and the Lord he knows (as will shortly appear) they belye
me, and so I question not but they do others; the Lord alone, who is the searcher
of all hearts, knows that as I shall answer it at the
Tribunal Seat, that I know not the least thing of Witchcraft, therefore I cannot,
I durst not belye my own Soul. I beg your Honours not to deny this my humble
Petition, from a poor dying Innocent person, and I question not but the Lord will
give a blessing to your Endeavours.
