630

APP. X.

APPENDIX X.

all which is contrary to the peace of our Soveraigne Lord the Kinge his Crowne & dignitie.

Uppon which Indictment hee put himselfe uppon God and the Countrie, which being a Jurie of twelve Sworne men, the Sayd sworne men ffound him (according to his own plea) not guiltie. And theruppon he was acquitted by Proclamation."

18. Christian North.

Presentment of Christian North Assizes 15th Decem' 1668.

Christian North Widdoe, of Hogg Bay in Sandis Tribe, accused for wichcraft by Meriam Ward of Pagetts Tribe, according to an Attestation taken the 12th day of September 1668. By Capt Samuell Whalley Gover".

Uppon the Grand Inquests examination of the aforesaid Meriam Ward and her said Attestation, They returned Ignoramus. Whereuppon the said Christian was quitted by proclamation.

19. Susan Cole.

Presentment and Trial of Susan Cole Assizes 12th June 1671.

Bee it Inquired for our Soveraigne Lord the Kinge, Whether Susan Bailey, now Susan Cole, the wife of Robert Cole of Devonshire Tribe plant, Since the Tenth daie of January in the yeare of our Lord 1670, hath severall times used practiced the detestable Sirne of Witchcraft. As likewise whether shee the said Susan Cole hath not malitiously, diabollically, wickedly & ffeloniously against Thomas Holt of St Georges, Taylor, put in practice the words, or the effects of the words of the aforesaid Susan Cole by her spoken (videlzt) By God, that shee would terrifie or torment him the said Thomas Holt. The which Thomas Holt, since the speaking of the aforesaid words, hath severall daies bin in a languishing Condition. By reason of a paine in his left Shoulder and Arme. Insomuch that the said Holt could not follow his aforesaid trade of a Tailor, But could doe any other work whatsoever, untill or from the time of his Complaint unto Goverment against the said Susan Cole. And hath bin for the aforesaid practice Secured in the Marshallsie. Therefore you are to Inquire whether the said Susan hath malitiously and ffeloniously by the helpe of the Divell, terrified or tormented him the said Thomas Holt Contrary to the peace of of Soveraigne Lord the Kinge, his Crowne and Dignitie And wholesome Lawes provided in such cases.

To which Indictment the said Susan Cole hath pleaded, not Guilty, And hath put herselfe uppon God and the Country; which being a Jury of Twelve Sworne men, they found her Guilty. Whereuppon the sentence of death was pronounced against her, the 17th daie of June 1671. And upon the 21st daie of the aforesaid Month was carried to the place of Execution, But upon weighty considerations was, By Sir John Heydon Governo', then reprieved and carryed back to the Goale untill further Order.

WITCHCRAFT-SUSAN COLE.

631

The Information and Attestation of Thomas Holt of St Georges, APP. X. Tailor, taken before Sir John Heydon Governor the 18th daie of May 1671, Sworne.

Saith, That the daie before Henry Scott appeared at St Georges about Mr Shephards Businis, he the said Holt, and Susan Bailey Widdow, were together in the house of David Minge, and a discorse being at that time about her intention of Mariage, the said Holt tould her, That hee had heard Roger Waightman saie, and tell him the said Holt in his owne house som time before hee went away to New Providence. That hee was goeing thither for two yeares time. And afterwards was to be Marryed to the aforesaid Widdow Bayly. Shee thereupon made answer at the aforesaid time & place. And swore by God, that she would terrifie (or torment) him the said Holt for his soe saying. Whereunto Holt replyed, that hee did not feare what shee and all the witches in the world could doe. And withall said, Beare witness, (being then present Elizabeth the wife of Edward Middleton, John Colson, Cooper, and David Minge the Mast' of the house aforesaid) ffurthermore the said Holt affirmeth. That hee did then warne the said Susan to have a care for if any thing did befall him or any of his, hee would have her fast enough. Shee the said Susan thereupon replyed. That if shee were in another place, shee would set her fist in his iawes: hee made answer, hee would sett his foote in her back, if she were a better woman than shee is. Afterwards the said Holt went to Alexander Smiths house, and from thence to John Colsons, being Constable, intending to speake with him about the aforesaid Bailies words, but could not speake with Colson, the which, together with the said Susan was in the house of Edward Middleton, it being in the night, but hee the said Colson could not be spoken withal. Because (as the said Edward Middleton tould the said Holt the next morning) if hee should have come in, shee would be gon. Not long after the said Holt and Susan Baily mett together in Smiths house aforesaid, but noe words passed betweene them at that tyme. But about a fortnight after they had been together in David Mings house, hee was taken ill in his left Shoulder and his left Arme. Since which tyme he hath bin, and often times is in extreme paine. And cannot follow his Tailery calling, though he be capable of doeing any worke in the grounds or without doors without any paine or misery.

THOMAS HOLT.

HENRY TUCKER Secretaire.

Warrant by Sir John Heydon Knight & Governor 21 June

1671.

Whereas Susan Coale (lately Susan Bailey) hath bin legally conuicted for the Sinne of Witchcraft at the late Assizes, and the Sentence of death hath bin pronounced against her. Uppon waighty considerations I have thought fitt to reprieve her, and hereby require you not to Execute her, but to returne her person to the prison untill shall receive further Order from this Government you

632

APPENDIX X.

APP. X. to put her to death according to the Sentence aforesaid. Whereof fail you not, and for your soe doeing this my Warrant shall be your discharge. Given under my hand at St Georges the 21st day of

June 1671.

To Mr Anthony Jenour.

20. Martha Franklin.

Presentment and trial of Martha Ffranklin Assizes 27th May 1672.

Bee it inquired for our Sovereigne Lord the King Whether Martha ffranklin, the wife of Richard ffranklin of Pagetts Tribe, in the aforesaid Island bee not guilty of the Detestable sin of witchcraft whether she the said Martha hath not malitiously, wickedly & diabollically, on or about the Moneth of January or ffebruary in the yeare of our Lord one thousand Six hundred Seaventy & one, put in practice the Killing, wounding & waste and pineing away of the Cattle of the said Humphrey Coverlie, to witt in his the said Humphrey Hoggs, Sheepe, Cattle, ffowles, &c. And also whether the said Martha be not guilty of the burning downe of a house of William Duck about five yeares last past, And whether she be not guilty of speaking daingerous words wch: causes her to be suspected for witchcrayft, Malitiously and ffeloniously against the peace of our Sovereigne Lord the King, his Crowne & Dignity & wholesome Lawes in such cases made & provided.

To weh Indictment the said Martha ffranklin hath pleaded Not Guilty, And hath put herselfe upon God & the Country, wch: being a Jury of twelve Sworne men, they found her not Guilty. And thereupon she was quitted by Proclamation.

21-22. Gillian Abbot and Elizabeth Ward.

At a Council Table held in the Gouernmt Hall march 12 1683, then present

The Hon Colonell Richard Coney Gouern'

Capt Henry Durham 1

Capt John Hubbard, Sheriffe

Mr Richard Stafford

And others of the Council.

(1) Gillian Abbot accused by Mr Edwin Mallory for suspition of witchcraft His daughter Jane being strangely taken sick and lame Hee suspects she is bewitcht by the said Gillian Abbot.

(2) Elizabeth Ward accused by Captain John Hubbard Sheriffe for suspicion of witchcraft Hee having a negro girle strangely taken sick, wasting and pining away in such an unusual manner that he suspects she is bewitched by the said Elizabeth Ward.

Ordered that there shalbe women Impannelled and sworn to search the bodies of the said Gillian Abbot and Elizabeth Ward which accordingly was done, and they made a returne upon oath to the Gouernor and Council (MS. vii. p. 127). The return is not entered.

Ex-Governor.

SARAH SPENCER: SARAH BASSETT.

633

23. The following entry, for which the editor is indebted to APP. X. Provost Marshal J. Trott, occurs in the Quarter Court records for the year 1696 (p. 55), and completes the actual indictments for witchcraft in Bermuda. The very curious case of Sarah Bassett, an old negress burnt in June 1730 for attempting to poison her master's family, although popularly referred to that category, was really a case of petit treason, and her trial and sentence are perfectly regular in form.1

Sarah Spencer.

The daughter of Mrs Harmon late of Somerset, deceased upon Oath declaring That Sarah Spencer widd did afflict ye body of y said Sarah Harmon and it was she ye sd Sarah Spencer or ye devil in Her likeness. The said Sarah Spencer was by Court committed to prison till y' next Assise & General Gaol delivery, or till she be delivered by due Course of Law; on an accusation of witchcraft.

It does not appear what became of this unfortunate woman. There is a locality called Harmon's Bay in Somerset Island.

The sentence was delivered by Chief Justice Outerbridge on 5th June, in these terms: It is the judgement and sentance of this Court. That you Sarah Basset the prisoner at the Barr, be returned to the prison from whence you came, and from thence you are to be conveyed to the place of execution, where a Pile of wood is to be made and provided, and you are there to be fastened to a sufficient stake, and there to be burnt with fire until your body be dead. And the LORD have mercy on your soul.'

Tradition records the locality of this tragedy, at the head of Hamilton Harbour, and remembers that the day of the poor woman's execution was one of extraordinary heat, whence a broiling summer day in Bermuda is often described by the coloured people as a regular Sarey or Sally Bassett day.'

634

APPENDIX XI.

APP. XI.

XI.

The following letter from Sir John Heydon and his Council to the Company, the first which bears his signature, was accidentally omitted from its proper place. It should have followed par. 8, p. 291. It is a good example of such communications, of which there are 14 preserved, extending in date from 1668 to 1677, and it shows the usage of the Council when they were not unanimous.

The Governor and Council Bermuda to the Company London 22 June 1669.

Honoble Companie

(1) Your Gen'all Letter from Armerers Hall London Dated the 9th of March 1668 in a Box sealed with others of publique and private concernment transmitted per your Magazeene Shipp. Capt. John Jenkins, Comand' through Gods blessing came safely to hand, we wish seasonably, the 15th of May last past. A time of ycare when our best fruites are not mature nor any convenient fraight of good Tobacco canbe expected-yet wee hope our honored friends and members of the company will take in good part what may be sent.

(2) Upon p'rusall of your letters wee meet in the first place with a reprehension for mistaking y' Hon" comands about shipping twentie tunns of whale oyle aboard Captain Morlie, not directing sic to the produce of that yeare or of the fishe of the yeare before, but of such a quantitie of oyle. And if the masters comands be soe uncertaine how shall the seruant render due obedience. Wee are hartilie sorry that mistake should proue soe much to your detriment in sending the dreggs for the Port of London and reseruing the best oyle for ourselues. Wee beseech you search this wound to the bottom otherwise noe cure. The two first yeares if remembered your vndertakinge receiued encouragement, ever since obstructed possibly by some that minded themselues more than the publique. By orders the fishinge when intermitted, and the Husbands and Agents left to consider their losses and debts and how to recover them. A noble and hopefull enterprize become ineffectuall by miscarriages, whether here or there wee leave to y' better judgements. Wee find upon y' Husbands accompts 1664, 44 hhds of whale oyle with blubber and 400 wt of ffinns sent for London by Elias H--.' By Thomas Leach 117 hhds of oyle an° 1666, By John Faulkner 1667 47 Tunns and a half of oyle. By Capt" Thomas Morlie 17 Tunns of Oyle 1668. The commissioners began here to order in the yeare 1666, since when with the two former yeares have been sent The ship was the 'Elias of' London, Captain Elias Holmes.