The Information of Anthony Jones of Biddiford, Husbandman, taken the 19th of July A.D. 1682. The said informant upon his oath saith, that yesterday whilst the said Susanna Edwards was in the Town-hall of Biddiford concerning the said Grace Barnes he did observe the said Susanna to gripe and twinkle her hands upon her own body, in an unusual manner: whereupon the said Susanna was displeased with this informant, and said, "Well enough I will fit thee." And at that present time the said Grace Barnes was in great pains with prickings and stabbings unto her heart as the said Grace did afterwards affirm. This Informant further saith that one of the constables etc. with some others being sent by order of Mr. Mayor, to bring the said Grace unto the Town-hall of Biddiford, immediately, as soon as they had brought the said Grace unto the Town-hall, the said Susanna turned about and looked upon this informant, and forthwith the Informant was taken in a very sad condition as he was coming up the stairs of the said Town-hall, before the Mayor and Justices, insomuch that he cried out, "Wife, I am now bewitched by this Devil Susanna Edwards."

The Examination of Mary Trembles of Biddiford, single woman, taken July 18th, 1682. The said Examinant being brought before us and accused for practising of witchcraft upon the body of Grace Barnes, wife of George Barnes, of Biddiford, yeoman, was demanded by as how long she had practised witchcraft, said and confessed, that about three years last past, one Susanna Edwards of Biddiford, widow, did inform her, that if she would do as the said Susanna did, that this Examinant should do very well. Whereupon this Examinant did yield unto the said Susanna Edwards, and said that she would do as the said Susanna did; and this Examinant further confesseth that the said Susanna Edwards did promise that this Examinant should neither want for money, drink, nor clothes. And further confesseth that after she had made this bargain with Susanna Edwards, that the Devil in the shape of a Lyon (as she conceived) did come to this Examinant--and that he did suck her, and that his sucking was so hard as to cause her to cry out for the pain thereof. And further confesseth that on Tuesday in Easter week, which was 18th of May last, she, this Examinant did go about the town of Biddiford, to beg some bread, and in her walk, she did meet with the said Susanna Edwards, who asked this Examinant where she had been. Unto whom this Examinant answered, that she had been about the town, and had begged some meat, but could get none. Whereupon this Examinant, together with the said Susanna, did go to the said John Barnes' house, in hope that there they should have some meat. But the said John Barnes not being within his house, they could get no meat or bread, being denied by the said Grace Barnes and her servants, who would not give them any meat. Whereupon the said Susanna Edwards did bid this Examinant to go to the said John Barnes' house again, for a farthing's worth of tobacco. Whereupon this Examinant did go, but could not have any: whereof this Examinant did acquaint the said Susanna, who then said that it should be better for the said Grace if she had let this Examinant have had some tobacco. And further confesseth, that on the 16th of this instant, she the said Susanna, did go to the said John Barnes house, and went into the fore door, invisibly into the room, where they did pinch and prick the said Grace Barnes almost unto death; and that she saw the said John Barnes in bed with his wife, on the inner side of the bed. And saith and confesseth, that on the 16th inst. as she was going towards the common bakehouse, she, with the help of the Devil, would have killed the said Grace Barnes, if that she, this examinant, had not spilt some of the meat she was then carrying to the bakehouse.

Devonshire Witches — Part 17