Executed, August 19, 1692
(Complaint v. Martha Carrier, Elizabeth Fosdick,
Wilmott Reed, Sarah Rice, Elizabeth How, John Alden,
William Proctor, John Flood, Mary Toothaker and
daughter, and Arthur Abbott)
Salem May the 28'th 1692
Joseph Houlton and John Walcot both of Salem village Yeomen made
Complaint in behalfe of theire Majes'ts against [] Carrier
of Andover the wife of Thomas Carrier of s'd Towne husbandman
[] fosdick of Maulden or charlstown [] Reed of Marble-
head the wife of Samull Reed of s'd place [] Rice of Reding
the wife of Nicholas Rice of s'd Towne [] How the wife of
James How of Topsfeild Capt John Alden of Boston Mariner, William
procter of Salem farmes, Capt John flood of Rowley marsh on
boston Mary Toothaker, the wife of Roger toothaker of Belrica,
and [] Toothaker the daughter of s'd Roger Toothaker []
Abott that lives between Ips. Topsfeild & wenham for sundry acts
of Witchcraft by them and Every one of them Committed on the
Bodys of Mary Walcot, Abigail Williams Marcy Lewis Ann putnam
and Others belonging to Salem Village or farmes Lately, to the hurt
and Injury of theire bodys therefore Craves Justice.
*Joseph houlton
*John Walcutt
Carrier of Andover -- -Marshall Essex
Reed of Marblehead -- Const --
Rice of Reding -- Const -- -
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How of Topsfeild -- -Const
Wm procter -- -Const --
( Essex County Archives, Salem )
(Warrant for Arrest of Martha Carrier)
To the Marshall of Essex or his dept or to the Constables of Andover
You are in theire Majests names hereby required [to] apprehend
and forthwith secure, and bring before [us] martha Carrier the wife
of Thomas Currier of An[dover] on Tuesday next being the 31't
day of this Instant mo[nth] of May about ten of the clock in the
forenoon or as soon as may be afterwards at [the] house of L't
Nathaniell Ingersalls in Salem Village who stands charged with have-
ing Committed Sundry [acts] of Witchcraft on the Bodys of Mary
Walcot and abi[gail] williams of Salem Village to theire great hurt
& [injury] in order to her Examination Relateing to the prem[ises]
abovesaid faile not
Dated Salem May 28'th 1692.
P us
*John Hathorne
*Jonathan.Corwin
Assis'ts
(Reverse) I have apprehend the w'tin named parson and brought her
to the place appinted --
by me *John Ballard. const andover
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 135 )
(Examination of Martha Carrier)
The Examination of Martha Carrier . 31. May. 1692
Abigail Williams w'o hurts you?
Goody Carrier of Andover.
Eliz: Hubbard who hurts you?
Goody Carrier
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Susan:Sheldon, who hurts you?
Goody Carrier, she bites me, pinches me, & tells me she would cut
my throat, if I did not signe her book
Mary Walcot said she afflicted her & brought the book to her.
What do you say to this you are charged with?
I have not done it.
Sus:Sheldon cried she looks upon the black man.
Ann Putman complained of a pin stuck in her.
What black man is that?
I know none
Ann Putman testifyed there was.
Mary Warrin cryed out she was prickt.
What black man did you see?
I saw no black man but your own presence.
Can you look upon these & not knock them down?
They will dissemble if I look upon them.
You see you look upon them & they fall down
It is false the Devil is a liar.
I lookt upon none since I came into the room but you
Susan:Sheldon cryed out in a Trance I wonder what could you
murder. 13. persons?
Mary Walcot testifyed the same that there lay.13. Ghosts.
All the afflicted fell into most intollerable out-cries & agonies.
Eliz: Hubbard & Ann Putman testifyed the same that she had killed
13. at Andover.
It is a shamefull thing that you should mind these folks that are out
of their wits.
Do not you see them?
If I do speak you will not believe me?
You do see them, said the accusers.
You lye, I am wronged.
There is the black man wispering in her ear said many of the afflicted.
Mercy Lewes in a violent fit, was well upon the examinants grasping
her arm.
The Tortures of the afflicted was so great that there was no enduring
of it, so that she was ordered away & to be bound hand & foot with
all expedition the afflicted in the mean while almost killed to the
great trouble of all spectators Magistrates & others.
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Note. As soon as she was well bound they all had strange & sodain
ease.
Mary Walcot told the Magistrates that this woman told her she
had been a witch this. 40. yeares.
(Reverse) Martha Carriers Carrier Examinacion
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 136 )
(Indictment v. Martha Carrier, No. 1)
Anno Regis et Reginae Willm
et Mariae Nunc Angliae &c Quarto./
Essex ss The Jurors: for our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and
Queen pr'sents that #[Bridgett] Martha Carrier wife of #[Richard]
Thomas Carrier of Andover in the County of Essex husbandman the
thirty first Day of May -- in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our
Sovereigne Lord and Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God of
England Scottland france and Ireland King, and Queen Defenders
of the faith &c and divers other Dayes and times as well before, as
after, certaine Detestable Arts called Witchcrafts and Sorceries,
Wickedly and feloniously hath Used. Practised. and Exercised, at
and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex afore-
s'd in, Upon, and against, one Mary Walcott of Salem Village Single-
woman in the County of Essex afores'd by which said wicked Arts
the said Mary Walcott the thirty first Day of May -- in the fourth
year above said and divers other Dayes and times, as well before, as
after, was and is Tortured, Afflicted, Pined, Consumed wasted
& Tromented ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King
and Queen and against the forme of the Statute in that case made
and Provided./
Witnesses
J't
Mary Walcott
Ju't
Elizabeth
Hubbard
Ann Putman
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
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(Indictment v. Martha Carier, No. 2)
Anno Regis et Reginae Willm et
Mariae nunc Angliae &c Quarto:
Essex ss The Jurors of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King
and Queen: pr'sents That Martha Carrier wife of #[Richard] Thomas
Carier of Andover in the county of Essex husbandman the 31 Day of
May in the forth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady
William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland france
and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith: &c And Divers
other Dayes and Times as well before as after, certaine Detestable
Arts called Witchcrafts: and Sorceries, Wickedly and felloniously
hath used Practised and Excercised at and within the Towneship
of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd in and upon and ag't
one Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd
by which said Wicked Arts. the said Elizabeth Hubbard the thirty
first Day of May in the forth Year aboves'd and Divers other Dayes,
and times, as well before as after was and is Tortured Afflicted Pined
Consumed Wasted and Tormented ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne
Lord and Lady the King and Queen: and ag't the forme of the Stat-
ute in that case made and Provided
Witnesses
Elizabeth Hubbard Jurat.
Mary Walcutt Jurat.
Ann Putnam
Mary Warren Jurat.
(Reverse) bila vera No 2 Martha Carier
( Essex County Archives Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 137 )
(Summons for Witnesses)
Wm & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland France
& Ireland
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King & Queen defend'rs of the faith &ca
To the Constable or Constables of Andover Greeting
L.S. Wee Comand you to Warn & give Notice unto Allen Toothaker
Ralph farnum Jun'r John farnum son of Ralph farnum sen'r
Benjamin Abbot & his wife Andrew foster Phebe Chandler daughter
of Wm Chandler: Sam'l Holt Sen'r Samuel Preston Jun'r that they
& Every of them be and personaly appear at the Court of Oyer & Ter-
miner to be held by adjournment on Tuesday Next at Ten of the
Clock in the Morning there to testifye the truth to the best of their
knowledge on certain Indictments to be Exhibited against Marth Car-
rier of Andover hereof fail not at your utmost perill & make return
of your doings herein
Dated in Salem July 30'th 1692
*Stephen Sewall Cler.
(Reverse) In obedenc to this writ I have timely warned the persons
hose names are herein writen and every one of them this I day of
august 1692
By mee *John Ballard constable of Andover
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 138 )
(Summons for Witnesses)
William & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scotland France
& Ireland King & Queen defend'rs of the faith &ca
To the Constable of Billrica Greeting. --
Wee Comand you to Warn & give Notice unto Capt Danforth -- John
Rogers & that they & Every of them be and personaly appear at the
Court of Oyer & Terminer to be held by Adjurnment Att Salem on
Tuesday Next at Ten of the Clock in the Morning there to testify the
L.S. truth to the best of their knowledge on Certaine Indict-
ments to be Exhibited against Martha Carrier of Andover and hereof
they Nor you are to fail at your utmost perill making return hereof
under your hand. --
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Dated in Salem July 30'th 1692 & in the fourth year of Our Reign
*Stephen Sewall Cler.
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
(Benjamin Abbott v. Martha Carrier)
The teastymony of Benjamin Abbutt aged about 31 years Saith:
last march was twelfe months: then haveing Some land granted to
me by the Touwne of Andover Near to good man Carriers his land,
& when this land Came to be laied out goodwiffe Carrier was very
Angery, & said that she would stick as Closs to Benjamin Abbut as
the bark stooke to the Tree & that I should Repent of it afore Seven
years Came to an Eand & that doctor prescott Could Never Cure
me: These words were heard by Allin Toothaker She also Said to
Ralph farnam Jun'r that she would hold my noss so Closs to the
grindstone as Ever it was held since my Name was Benjamin Abbut:
presently after I was taken with a swelling in my foott & then was
taken with a payne in my side Ecksidiengly Tormented, wich bred
to a sore: which was lancit by docter prescott & severall gallons of
Corruption did Run out as was Judged & so Continued about six
weeks Very bad, & then one other sore did breed in my grine wich
was lancit by doct.prescott also: & Continued very bad a while
& then on other sore breedin my grine which was also Cutt: & putt me
to very great missery, so that it brough me almost to Deaths doore,
& Continued, untill goodwiffe Carrier was Taken & Carried a waye
by the Constable & that very day I begun to grow better, my soers
grew well & I grew better Every day: & so have been well Ever since:
& have great cause to think that the s'd Carrier had a great hand in
my sickness & misery
*benjamen Abbut
Jurat in Curia Aug't 3'd. 1692.
Attest *Step. Sewall Cler.
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 138 )
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(Sarah Abbott v. Martha Carrier)
The deposition of Sarah Abbott aged about 32 years testifieth
that since my husband had a parcell of land granted by the Towne,
lying near the land of Thomas Carrier, (Which as I have heard) his
wife Martha Carrier was greatly troubled att & gave out Threatening
words) that my husband Benjamin Abbott has not been only afflic-
ted in his body, as he testifies, but alsoe that strange & unusuall
things has happened to his Cattle, for some have died suddenly
& strangely, which we could not tell any naturall reason for, & one
Cowe Cleaned a fourthnight before she Calved, but the Cowe died
afterwards strangely though she calved well soe far as we Could
prceive, & some of the Cattle would Come out of the woods w'th
their tounges hanging out of their mouths in a strange & affright-
ing manner, & many such things, which we can give noe account of
the reason of, unless it should be the effects, of martha Carriers
threatnings
Juriat: in Curia
Aug't 3'd 1692 attest
her mark.
Sarah Abbott
*Steph:Sewall Cler
(Reverse) Ben Abbott & wife
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 138 )
(John Roger v. Martha Carrier)
The deposition of John Rogger of Billreca aged 50 yeares or
Thereabouts Saith
That about Seven yeares since Martha Carrier being a Nigh Neig-
bour unto this depon't and there hapening some difference betwixt
us she gave forth severall threatning words as she often used to doe
and in a short time after this deponent had two large lusty Sowes
w'ch frequented home daily that were lost & this deponent: found
one of them dead Nigh the s'd Carriers house w'th both Eares cut
of & the other sow I Never heard of to this day; & the same summer
to the best of my rembrance I had a Cow w'ch used to give a good
Mess of milke twice a day & of a sudden she would give little or
None Every Morning though a Nights she gave as formerly and
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this Continued above the space of a month in w'ch time I had three
Meals milke on three severall Mornings not successively: and no
more though One Night three of us Watched the Cow all night
#[one night] yet I could have no milke in the morning of her
& about the monthes End she gave milke as formerly she used, by all
w'ch. I did in my Conscience beleive then in the day of it & have so
done Ever since & doe yet beleive that Martha Carrier was the occa-
sion of those Ill accidents. by Meanes of Witchcraft she being a very
Malicous Woman & further Saith Not
marke of
John Rogger
Inq'd Sam Holt Andover about M.C. Capt Danforth Billerica
(Reverse) Jno Rogger of Billrica Ver: Marth: Carrier Court O.
& Ter. by Adjt Aug't 2.92 Carrier
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 139 )
(Phoebe Chandler v. Martha Carrier)
The deposition of Phoebe Chandl'r aged about 12 years:
Testifieth That about a fourthnight before Martha Carrier, was
sent for to Salem to be examined, upon the Sabbath day when the
psalm was singing, s'd Martha Carrier took me s'd deponent by the
shoulder & shaked me, in the meeting house & asked me where I
lived: but I made her no answere, (not doubting but that she knew
me, having lived some time the next door to my fathers house, on
one side of the way) & that day that s'd Martha Carrier was ceased,
my mother sent me to Carry some bear to the folks that were att
work in the lott, & when I came within the fence there was a voice
in the bushes(which I thought was Martha Carriers voice, which I
knowe well) but saw noe body, & the voice asked me, what I did
there & whether I was going: which greatly frighted me, soe that
I run as fast as I could to those att work, & told them what I had
heard, about an hour & half, or two hours after, my mother sent me
again upon the same occasion, to the workmen aboves'd Coming
home, near the place aboves'd where I heard that voice before, I
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heard the same voice, as I judged, over my head, saying I should be
poysoned within two or three days, which accordingly happened, as
I Conceive, for I went to my sister Allens farm the same day, and on
friday following, about one half of my right hand was greatly swolen
& exceeding painfull, & allsoe part of my face, which I can give noe ac-
count how it Came & Continued very bad some days, & severall
times since I have been troubled with a great weight upon my breast,
& upon my leggs, when I have been going about, soe that I could
hardly goe, which I have told my mother of: And the last sabbath
day was seaven night, I went to meeting very well in the morning,
& went to my place where I used to sitt (the ministers not being Come)
& Richard Carrier son of aboves'd Martha looked very earnestly
upon me, & imediately my hand which had formerly been poy-
soned as aboves'd, began to pain me greatly, & I had a strange burn-
ing att my stomake, & then was struck deaf that I could not hear
any of the prayer, nor singing, tell the two or three last words of
the singing:
Jurat in Curia
her mark
Phoebe Chandler
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 140 )
(Bridget Chandler v. Martha Carrier)
Bridget Chandler aged 40 years Mother to the s'd Phoebe Testi-
fieth that in the day of it her daughter Complained as above is Ex-
pressed .
Jurat in Curia
(Reverse) Phebe Chandler
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 140 )
(Allen Toothaker v. Martha Carrier)
The deposition of Allin Toothaker aged about 22 years Saith
I heard Martha Carrier Say that Benjamin Abbutt would wish he
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had not medled with that land so Near our houwse for she would
stick as Cols to him as the barck to the tree, afore seaven years Com
a bout, & that doctor prescott should Never Cure him, & a bout last
march Richard Carrier & my selfe had som difference, & said Rich-
ard pulled me downe by the haer of my head to the ground for to
beat me: I desired him to lett me Risse, when I was up I went to
strick at him, but I fell downe flate upon my back to the ground
& had not power to ster hand Nor foote, then I toold sayd Richard
I would yeald to him & owne him the best man & then I saw Martha
Carrier goe of from my brest, butt when I was Rissen up I saw non of
her, I was Wounded in the Warre, Martha Carrier tould me I Would
Never be Cured, afore she was Aprehended I Could thrust in my
Wound a knitting Nedle four Inches deep but, since she have been
Taken I am thorowly healed: and have had more Ease then I have
had in halfe a year before Sometimes when Martha Carrier & I had
some difference she would Clap her hand at me & say I should gett.
Nothing by it: & #[still] with in a day, or two: I lost a three year
old heffer: Next a yealin: & then a Couw; & then had som litle dif-
ference a gaine & lost a yearlin, #[ -- -- these aboves'd Creatures
which died, I could not Learn of any reason for their -- -- ] And I
knowe not of any naturall Causes of the death of the abovs'd Crea-
tures , but have always feared it hath been the effect of my Aunt
Martha Carrier her malice:
Jurat in Curia
his mark
Allen Toothaker
(Reverse) Allen Toothaker
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 141 )
(Samuel Preston v. Martha Carrier)
Samuel Preston aged about 41: years Saith that about 2 yeares
since I had some difference w'th Martha Carrier w'ch also had
hapened sever'll times before and soon after I lost a Cow in a strange
manner being Cast upon her back w'th her heels up in firm ground
when she was very Lusty it being in June & within abo't month after
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- 194-
this the s'd Martha & I had some difference again at which Time she
told me I had lost a Cow lately & it Would not or should not be
long before I should loose Another w'ch accordingly came to pass.
for I had a Cow that was well kept w'th English Hay & I could not
pceive that she aild any thing & yet she pined & quickley lay downe
as if she was asleep & dyed
Jurat in Curia
(Reverse) Sam. Preston ag't Martha Carrier
( Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 141 )
(Elizabeth Hubbard v. Martha Carrier)
The deposistion of Eliz: Hubburd agged about 17 years who testi-
fieth and saith that I have been along time afflected by a woman that
tould me hir name was Carrier and that she came from Andevore but
on the 31:may 1692 martha Carrier did most greviously tortor. me
dureing the time of hir Examination for if she did but look upon me
she would strick me down or almost choak me and also I saw martha
Carrier most greviously torment mary walcott, mercy lewes, Abigail
williams and ann putnam jun'r with such dreadfull tortor as no tongue
can express: that had not the Honr'd Majestrats Commanded hir to
be fast bound I beleve she would have quickly kiled sume of us: and
I verily beleve in my hart that martha Carrier is a most dreadful
wicth for severall times sence martha Carrier #[or hir Apperance]
has been in prison she hath or hir Apperance com to me and most
greviously tortored me by pinching pricking and [and] almost choak-
ing me to death: which I beleve she could not doe if she ware not a
witch/
Elizabeth Hubburd: owned: the above written evidence: to be the
truth: to the Jury of Inquest: upon: the oath: she hath taken:
July: 1: 1692
Jurat in Curia
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
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(Mary Walcott v. Martha Carrier)
The deposistion of mary walcott agged about 18 years who testifi-
eth and saith that I have ben a long time afflected by a woman
which tould me hir name was Carrier and that she came from Ande-
vor but on the 31'th may 1692 : martha Carrier of Andever did most
greviously torment me dureing the time of hir Examination by
biting pricking pinching and all most Choaking me to death for if
she did but look upon me she would strik me down or allmost
Choak me to death also on the day of hir Examination I saw martha
Carrier most greviously torment and afflect mercy lewes Elizabeth
Hubburd abigail williams and ann putnam jun'r by most dreadfully
pricking and claping hir hand on their throats and allmost choaking
them to death and with such cruell tortors as no toung can Express:
that had not the Hon'rd Majestrats Command hir to be bound fast
#[heart I beleve] she would have quickly kild sum of us: and I
beleve in my heart that Martha carrier is a most dreadfull wicth and
that she hath tormented me and the parsons affore named by hir
acts of wicthcraf
Mary Walcot: owned: to: the Jury of inquest that the above written
evidence: is the truth. upon the oath she hath taken: July 1: 1692
Jurat in Curia
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
(Thomas Putnam and John Putnam, Jr. v. Martha Carrier)
The Deposistion of Thomas putnam agged 40 years and Jno putnam
aged 36 years -- who testifie and saith that we haveing ben conversant
with divers of the afflected parsons as namely mary walcott mercy
lewes Abigail williams Eliz. Hubburt and Ann putnam and we have
seen tham often most greviously tormented by biting pinching and
being almost Choak to death often Complaining of one goody
Carrier for hirting them: but on the 31: may 1692 being the day of
the Examination of martha Carrier the afforementioned parsons
ware most dreadfully tormented dureing the time of hir exami-
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nation that had not the Hon'd Majestrats commanded hir to be
bound we ware redy to think she would quickly have kiled sum of
them: also severall times sence we have seen the affore mentioned
most dreadfully affleted and tormented as if all their bones would
have been disjoyned or [their] bodyes twisted all to peces com-
plaining most dreadfully of Martha Carrier for hurting them and we
beleve in our hearts that Martha Carrier the prizsoner att the barr
has most dreadfully tormented and most greviously afflected the
affore mentioned parsons by acts of wicthcraft
*Thomas putnam
*Jno putnam
Jurat in Curia
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
(Andrew Foster v. Martha Carrier,
Mary Toothaker, and -- Toothaker)
The tistimony of Andrew foster aged about 55 who saith that some
time Last may I being at the hous of Thomas Carrier I was saieing
that I hard that when Timothy oosgood and his Brother Samuell
want to Salam the other day thay goeing to Let Engerson one of the
afflicted maides lucked out and asked what thay brought them three
woman behind them fore thay asked what woman the maid sayd
Goodwife Carrier goodwife Touthacor and hir dughter and thay goe-
ing into Engerson hous thay askeed the maide where goodwife car-
rier was shee Answared thar shee sits by you upon the table upon
which the maide had a fitt: which #[almost] twisted her nick
almost round of. then goodwife carrier Answared no it is no matter
if hir nicke had ben quite of if shee sayd I was thiere
Jurat in Curia
( Massachusetts Historical Society )
|
