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Below are excerpts from the Trial Transcripts. As you read through these, look for the type of evidence presented, both "spectral" evidence from the possessed and evidence of "maleficium" (harm-doing). Think about what branded these people as witches.
The examination of Susanna Martin. 2 May 1692 The examinant was questioned by Judges Hawtorne and Corwin, she was allowed no defense attorney. As soon as she came in many had fits.
Do you know this woman?
Abigail Williams saith it is Goody Martin she hath hurt me often. Others by fits were hindered from speaking. Elizabeth Hubbard said she hath not been hurt by her. John Indian said he hath not seen her. Mercy Lewis pointed to her and fell into a little fit. Ann Putnam threw her glove in a fit at her. The examinant laughed.
What, do you laugh at it?
Susanna: Well I may at such folly.
Is this folly? The hurt of these persons?
Susanna: I never hurt man woman or child.
Mercy Lewis cried out she hath hurt me a great many times and pulls me down
Then Martin Laughed again.
Mary Walcot saith this woman hath hurt me a great many times Susanna Sheldon also accused her of afflicting her.
What do you say to this?
Susanna: I have no hand in witchcraft.
What did you do? Did not you give your consent?
Susanna: No never in my life.
What ails this people?
Susanna: I do not know.
But what do you think?
Susanna: I do not desire to spend my judgment upon it.
Do not you think they are Bewitched?
Susanna: No I do not think they are.
Tell me your thoughts about them?
Susanna: Why? my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they are out they are anothers.
You said their Master - who do you think is their master?
Susanna: If they be dealing in the black art you may know as well as I.
Well what have you done towards this?
Susanna: Nothing.
Why it is you or your appearance.
Susanna: I cannot help it.
That may be your master.
Susanna: I desire to lead my life according to the word of God.
Is this according to God's word?
Susanna: If I were such a person I would tell you the truth.
How comes your appearance just now to hurt these?
Susanna: How do I know?
Are not you willing to tell the truth?
Susanna: I cannot tell: He that appeared in Sam: shape a glorified saint can appear in any one's shape.
Do you believe these do not say true?
Susanna: They may lye for ought I know.
May not you lye?
Susanna: I dare not tell a lye if it would safe my life.
Then you will speak the Truth.
Susanna: I have spoke nothing else. I would do them any good
I do not think you have such affections for them whom just now you insinuated had the devil for their Master.
Elizabeth Hubbard was afflicted and then the Marshall who was by her said she pinched her hand.
Several of the afflicted cried out they saw her upon the beam.
Pray God discover you, if you be guilty.
Susanna: Amen! Amen! A false tongue will never make a guilty person.
You have been a long time coming to the Court to day you can come fast enough in the night said Mercy Lewis.
No, Sweetheart, said the examinant, and then Mercy Lewis and all or many of the rest were afflicted. John Indian fell into a violent fit and said it was that woman, she bites, she bites, and then she was biting her lips.
Have you not compassion for these afflicted?
Susanna: No I have none.
Some cried out there was the black man with her and Goody Bibber who had not accused her before confirmed it.
Abigail Williams upon trial could not come near her. Nor Goody Bibber. Nor Mary Walcot, John Indian cried he would kill her if he came near her but he was flung down in his approach to her.
What is the reason these cannot come near you?
Susanna: I cannot tell: It may be the Devil bears me more malice than another.
Do not you see how God evidently discovers you?
Susanna: No. not a bit for that.
All the congregation think so.
Susanna: Let them think what they will.
What is the reason these cannot come near you ?
Susanna: I do not know but they can if they will, or else if you please I will come to them.
What is the black man whispering to you?
Susanna: There was none whispered to me.
John Pressy & Mary Pressy Versus Susanna Martin The deposition of John Pressy aged 53 and Mary his wife aged 46 or there abouts testifying saith
That some years after that the said John Pressy had given his evidence against the said Susanna Martin she the said Martin came and took these deponents to do about it and reviled them with many foul words saying we had took a false oath and that we should never prosper and that we should never prosper for our so doing particularly that we should never have but two cows and that if we were never so likely to have more yet we should never obtain it.
We do further testify that from that time to this day we have never exceeded that number but some thing or other has prevented it, though never so likely (to obtain it) though they had used all ordinary means for obtaining it by luring cows of others that were not their own. This for twenty years space .
BRIDGET BISHOP Samuel Shattuck V. Bridget Bishop. Samuel Shattuck aged 41 years testifieth yet in ye year 1680. Bridget Oliver formerly wife to old Goodman Oliver, now wife to Edward Bishop did Come to my house pretending to buy an old hhd wch [sic] though I asked very little for and for all her pretended want, she went away without it. And sundry other times she came in a smooth flattering manner in very slightly errands; we have thought since on purpose to work mischief. At or very near this time Our Eldest Child who promised as much and under standing, both by countenance and actions as any other children of his years: was taken in a very drooping condition, and as she came oftener to the house he grew worse and worse. As he would be standing at ye door would fall out and bruise his face upon a great step stone as if he had been thrust out by an invisible hand often times falling and hitting his face against ye sides of ye house, bruising his face in a very miserable manner. After this ye abovesaid Oliver brought me a pair of sleeves to dye and after yet sundry pieces of lace, some of which were so short yet I could not judge them fit for any use. She paid me 2d for dying them which 2d I gave to Henry Williams which lived with me he told me put it in a purse among some other money which he locked up in a box and yet ye purse and money was gone out of ye box he could not tell how: and never found it after. Just after the dying of these things this child ... grew worse in his fits ... And ever since this child hath bin followed with grevious fits... always running to and fro acting so strange yet I cannot judge otherwise but yet he is bewitchedand by these circumstances do believe yet ye aforesaid Bridge Oliver now called Bishop is ye cause of it.
JOHN PROCTOR Petition in favor of John Proctor & Elisabeth Proctor. We whose names are underwritten having several years known John Proctor and his wife do testify that we never heard or understood that they were ever suspected to be guilty of the crime now charged upon them and several of us being their near neighbors do testify that to our apprehension they lived Christian life in their family and were ever ready to help such as stood in need of their help.
Nathaniel Holton Sen. and Mary his wife
Samuel Marsh and Preicilla his wife
James Houlton and Ruthy his wife
John Holton
Nathaniel Holton jun
Samuel Sraytt and Ann his wife
Zachriah Marsh and Mary his wife
Samuel Endecott and Hannah his wife
Samuel Stone
George Locker
Samuel Gaskill & his wife
George Smith
Edward GaskillMary Warren v. John Proctor The deposition of Mary Warren aged 20 years, she testifieth. I have seen the apparition of John Proctor Senior among the witches and he hath often tortured me by pinching me and biting me and choking me, and pressing me on my Stomach till the blood came out of my mouth and also I saw him torture Miss Pope and Mercy Lewis and John Indian upon the day of his examination and he hath also tempted me to write in his book. and to eat bread which he brought to me, which I refusing to do, John Proctor did most grievously torture me with variety of tortures, almost ready to kill me.
Mary Warren owned the above written upon her oath before and unto ye Grand Inquest on ye 30 Day of June 1692.
Elizabeth Booth v John Proctor The deposition of Elizabeth Booth age 18 years who testifieth and saith that, "since I have been afflicted I have been most greviously tormented by my neighbor John Proctor Senior or his appearance. Also I have seen John Proctor Senior or his appearance most greviously torment and afflict Mary."
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