(Warrant for Arrest of Esther Elwell, Abigail Roe,
and Rebecca Dike)
To the Sheriffe of Our County of Essex, his under Sheriffe or De-
puty . or Constable of Glocester, or Constable. Whereas Complaint
Is made by Leut. James Stevens & William Stevens & Nathaniel Coyt
all of Glocester, In the County of Essex In behalfe of their Majes-
ties , unto -- thair Majesties Justices. of the peace. against Esther
Ellwell the wife of Samuel Elwell, & Abigail Roe daughter of Hugh
Roe: & Rebecka Dike, the wife of Richard Dike. all of Gloster, af-
foresaid , for that they have Grounded suspicion that the Said Elwell
Dike & Roe have wickedly & felloniously Comitted Sundry acts of
witchcraft upon the body of Mrs. Mary fitch the wife of Mr. John
fitch of Gloaster afforesaid, unto the Wasteing pineing & Consume-
ing of her body Contrary to the peace of our sovereigne Lord & Lady
the King & Queen & Contrary to the forme of the statutes in that
Case made & Provided. & have Craved Justice & have Entered into
Recognisance, to prosecute the Said Complaint to Effect. the which
is therefore In their Majesties Names. William & Mary of England &c
King & Queen to Require you by vertue hereof forwith or as soon as
may be, to Apprehend Seize & Secure the Said Esther Ellwell Re-
becka Dike & Abigall Roe & them haveing So Secured You are the
first Convenient time to bring before their Majesties Justices of the
Peace for the County of Essex that thay may be Examined & Pro-
vided with as the Law Directs of which You are not to faile at your
Perrill & for So Doeing this shall be Your sufficient Warrant,
& make a true Returne under Your hand according to Law --
Ipswich Novemb'r. 5th 1692 Given under my hand
*Tho's. Wade. J: P.
( Suffolk Court Records Case No. 2689 No. 17 )
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- 306-
(Testimony of James Stevens)
James Stevens testifieth and saith that Mary Fitch did say that she
felt A woman upon the bed, and put forth hir hand, and felt the
hair and felt the hair of hir head and A peg in it, also testifieth
that she said she was squesed to pieces, whereas I saw no body
hurt hur.
Ipswich Nov'br: the 8th 1692 sworne
before us,
*Daniell Epps, J: P:
Tho's. Wade: J: P:
( Suffolk Court Records Case No. 2689 Page 17 ) |
