ELIZABETH SEAGER

Daniell Gabbett and Margaret Garrett—­The mess of parsnips—­Hains’ “hodg podg”—­Satan’s interference

“The testimony of Daniell Garrett senior and the testimony of Margarett Garrett.  Goodwife Gaarrett saith that goodwife Seager said there was a day kept at Mr. Willis in reference to An Coale; and she further said she was in great trouble euen in agony of spirit, the ground as follows that she sent her owne daughtr Eliza Seager to goodwife Hosmer to carry her a mess a parsnips.  Goodwife Hosmer was not home.  She was at Mr. Willis at the fast.  Goodm Hosmer and his son was at home.  Goodm Hosmer bid the child carry the parsnips home againe he would not receiue them and if her mother desired a reason, bid her send her father and he would tell him the reason.  Goodwife Seager upon the return of the parsnips was much troubled and sent for her husband and sent him up to Goodm Hosmer to know the reason why he would not reciue the parsnips, and he told goodman Seager it was because An Coale at the fast at Mr. Willis cryed out against his wife as being a witch and he would not receiue the parsnips least he should be brought in hereaftr as a testimony against his wife.  Then goodwif Seager sd that Mr. Hains had writt a great deal of hodg podg that An Coale had sd that she was under suspicion for a witch, and then she went to prayer, and did adventure to bid Satan go and tell them she was no witch.  This deponent after she had a little paused said, who did you say, then goodw Seger sd againe she had sent Satan to tell them she was no witch.  This deponent asked her why she made use of Satan to tell them, why she did not besech God to tell them she was no witch.  She answered because Satan knew she was no witch.  Goodman Garrett testifies that before him and his wife, Goodwife Seager said that she sent Satan to tell them she was no witch.”

ROBERT STERNE, STEPHEN HART, JOSIAH WILLARD AND DANIEL PRATT—­Four women—­Two black creatures—­A kettle and a dance—­“That place in the Acts about the 7 sons"

“Robert Sterne testifieth as followeth.

“I saw this woman goodwife Seager in ye woods wth three more women and with them I saw two black creaures like two Indians but taller.  I saw likewise a kettle there over a fire.  I saw the women dance round these black creatures and whiles I looked upon them one of the women G:  Greensmith said looke who is yonder and then they ran away up the hill.  I stood still and ye black things came towards mee and then I turned to come away.  He further saith I knew the psons by their habits or clothes haueing observed such clothes on them not long before.”

“Wee underwritten do testifie, that goodwife Seager said, (upon the relateing of goodwife Garrett testimony, in reference to Seager sending Satan,) that the reason why she sent Satan, was because he knew she was no witch, we say Seager said Dame you can remember part of what I said, but you do not speak of the whole you say nothing of what I brought to prove that Satan knew that I was no witch.  I brought that place in the Acts, about the 7 sons that spake to the euill spirits in the name of Jesus whom Paul preacheth I have forgot there names.