(SP 16/269) (85)
On cover:
Dated: 15 June 1634
From: Bishop of Chester concerning the witches.
To the right honourable Sir John Cooke, and Sir Francis Windebank Knights
Principall Secretaries to his Majestie and Lords of his Majesties honourable
Privy Counsell --- or to either of them.
Margaret Johnson widow, aged 60 yeares or theraboutes
saide That shee hath beene a Witch
about 6 yeares last past; and that shee was brought therto, upon some
troubles
and vexations of her badd neighbours; And, about that time walking in
the
highway in Marsden in the parish of Whalley, there appeared to her a Man
in
blacke Attire trussed with blacke pointes, who said to her: If shee would
give
him her soule, shee should want nothinge, but should have power to hurt
whom
shee would both man and beast; but shee then refused and therupon hee
vanished.
In this manner hee oft times resorted to her, till at last shee yeilded
to him,
and hee gave her into her hand some silver and gold (as shee thought)
but it
vanished soone againe, and shee knowes not how: for shee was ever bare
and poore
though hee oft gave her the like. And shee asked his name and hee called
himselfe Mamilion:
And/
after this hee appeared to her in other shapes: as sometimes of a browne
coloured
Dogg; sometimes of a white Catt, and at other times like an hare; and
that these
did sucke her blood at 2 Duggs or papps in her privie partes; one wherof
is as bigg (shee saith) as her litle Finger, and halfe as long; the other
lesse:
But since shee lay in prison they have shrunke upp and growne lesse then
formerly.
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