The only clue we have to the kind of evidence bearing upon the charge of witchcraft that brought this recently bereaved widow to so cruel and shameful a death, is in a letter, written by a clergyman in Jamaica to Increase Mather in 1684, in which he says, “You may remember what I have sometimes told you your famous Mr. Norton once said at his own table,—­before Mr. Wilson, the pastor, elder Penn, and myself and wife, &c., who had the honor to be his guests,—­that one of your magistrate’s wives, as I remember, was hanged for a witch only for having more wit than her neighbors.  It was his very expression; she having, as he explained it, unhappily guessed that two of her persecutors, whom she saw talking in the street, were talking of her, which, proving true, cost her her life, notwithstanding all he could do to the contrary, as he himself told us.”  Nothing was more natural than for her to suppose, knowing the parties, witnessing their manner, considering their active co-operation in getting up the excitement against her, which was then the all-engrossing topic, that they were talking about her.  But, in the blind infatuation of the time, it was considered proof positive of her being possessed, by the aid of the Devil, of supernatural insight,—­precisely as, forty years afterwards, such evidence was brought to bear, with telling effect, against George Burroughs.—­The body of this unfortunate lady was searched for witchmarks, and her trunks and premises rummaged for puppets.

It is quite evident that means were used to get up a violent popular excitement against her, which became so formidable as to silence every voice that dared to speak in her favor.  Joshua Scottow, a citizen of great respectability and a selectman, ventured to give evidence in her favor, counter, in its bearings, to some testimony against her; and he was dealt with very severely, and compelled to write an humble apology to the Court, to disavow all friendly interest in Mrs. Hibbins, and to pray “that the sword of justice may be drawn forth against all wickedness.”  He says, “I am cordially sorry that any thing from me, either by word or writing, should give offence to the honored Court, my dear brethren in the church, or any others.”

Hutchinson states that there were, however, some persons then in Boston, who denounced the proceedings against Mrs. Hibbins, and regarded her, not merely as a persecuted woman, but as “a saint;” that a deep feeling of resentment against her persecutors long remained in their minds; and that they afterwards “observed solemn marks of Providence set upon those who were very forward to condemn her.”  It is evident that the Court of Magistrates were opposed to her conviction, and that Mr. Norton did what he could to save her.  He was one of the four “great Johns,” who were the first ministers of the church in Boston; and it is remarkable, as showing the violence of the people against her, that even his influence was of no avail in her favor.  But she had other friends,