Part 29

MARY EASTY,

a woman of strong character, good common sense, and capable of comprehending both the dangers besetting any one then accused of witchcraft, and also the purport and bearings of such questions as the court was accustomed to ask, is presented in the following account.

"The examination of Mary Easty, at a court held at Salem Village, April 22, 1692, by the Wop. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin.

"At the bringing in of the accused, several fell into fits. 'Doth this woman hurt you?' Many mouths were stopt, and several other fits seized them. Abigail Williams said it was Goody Easty, and she had hurt her; the like said Mary Walcot and Ann Putnam. John Jackson said he saw her with Goody Hobbs.

"'What do you say; are you guilty?' Ans. 'I can say before Jesus Christ I am free.' Response. 'You see these accuse you.' Ans. 'There is a God.'

"'Hath she brought the book to you (the accusing girls)?' Their months were stopt.

"'What have you done to these children?' Ans. 'I know nothing.'

"'How can you say you know nothing, when you see these tormented and accuse you?' Ans. 'Would you have me accuse myself?' 'Yes, if you be guilty. How far have you complied with Satan whereby he takes this advantage of you?'

"'Sir, I never complied: but prayed against him all my days. I have no compliance with Satan in this. What would you have me do?'

"'Confess, if you be guilty.'

"'I will say it, if it was my last time: I am clear of this sin.'

"'Of what sin?'

"'Of witchcraft.'

"(To the children.) 'Are you certain this is the woman?'

"Never a one could speak for fits.

"By and by, Ann Putnam said that was the woman: it was like her; 'and she told me her name.'

"(The court.) 'It is marvelous to me that you should sometimes think they are bewitched and sometimes not, when several confess that they have been guilty of bewitching them.'

"'Well, sir, would you have me confess what I never knew?'

"Her hands were clenched together, and then the hands of Mercy Lewis were clenched.

"'Look: now your hands are open, her hands are open. Is this the woman?'

"They made signs, but could not speak. But Ann Putnam, (and) afterwards Betty Hubbard, cried out, 'Oh, Goody Easty, Goody Easty, you are the woman!'

"'Put up her head; for while her head is bound, the necks of these are broken.'

"'What do you say to this?'

"'Why, God will know.'

"'Nay, God knows now.'

"'I know he does.'

"'What did you think of the actions of others before your sisters came out? Did you think it was witchcraft?'

"'I cannot tell.'