The Goody Garlic Case

These Records have been copied mostly by Joseph S. Osborne, verbatim et literatim, and are brought down, in this volume, to about A.D. 1680. The material is arranged chronologically, when dated, otherwise it has been disposed as circumstances indicated to be proper.

Nothing is now known of the ``Bodie of Laws,'' procured from Connecticut. The ``Combination,'' to which it was ``Ordered yt all men shal set their hands,'' a priceless page, was cut out, evidently, and stolen so long ago ne person remembers it. Great pains have been taken at all stages of the work which, in no small degree, has been a labor of love. Where any abstract has been made, it is so noted.

JONATHAN T. GARDINER,
JONATHAN BAKER,

JOSEPH S. OSBORNE,

Committee,

Book 2, page 56. -- Samuell parsons Deposed testifieth yet on ye last fourth Day, was a senita I goeinge to Arther Howells house Arthur howells wife sittinge by ye fire to my Apprehention she was well & in good health and I asked her how she did Doe and she said she thought she had gotten some could with leaving of an vnder waistcoate & puttinge a thiner on and she said her head aked, her husband not beinge in the house, I sate with her a prettie while and did but Just step over to william Mullfords to chang a word wth Barnard Collins and cume spedily againe & yn she had bound A cloath vpon her head & complained more of it wherevppon her husband and willm Russill came in & she said to her husband love I am very ill of my head & feare I shall have ye feaver & soe sitinge together by the fire ye space of an houre still complaininge more & more she yn Desired to goe to bed her husband was at her to goe to bed before but she was not willinge for she said she feared she should not rest & soe her husband got her to bed & went to bed to her & she still complained more & more saying lord have mercy vpon me & soe iteratinge ye words again & again: she said freinds pray for me & she turned to her husband & said I pray god it may not be with me as it was wth you wn you were at yor mother Howells & were senceles she said I pray god I may have my sences whereupon wee asked her if she would suckle ye child & she said yes soe I gave her the chil & she said ah my pore child it pitties me more for thee yn for my selfe for if I bee ill to be sure thou wilt be ill to soe haveinge Done sucklinge of it I tooke it from her and presently uppon it she turned a psalme & screked out severall times together very greviously & uppon yet cried out a witch a witch: now, you are come to torter me because I spoke 2 or 3 words against you & soe Iteratinge the expressions wth vehemencie: she said in ye morning you will cum fauninge wherevpon we were all afrighted at her being taken sudenly in soe strange a maner, I said to William Russell the lord be mercifull to her I wish all be well it is well if she bee not bewitcht but we all though it best to goe for Mr Gardiner wherevpon he came Down and I tellinge him in what manner she was taken: when Mr Gardiner was there present she cried out in the same manner of a witch nameing noe boddy but being asked wt she Did se she said a black thinge at the bedds fete and stretching forth her hands used some expressions as if she would strike at it. And being there again on ye last Day at night followinge she beinge yn soe sencles yet she knew noe boddie to my aprehention goody Simons lay by her yt night & there was her husband & I & boose & we heard a noyse on ye side of ye bed as if sumthing had scratched very hard: ye candle being yn out I spedily lighted it & her husband & I looked to see if we could se any thinge but nothing we could Diserne Goody Simous beinge yn fast a sleepe & she alsoe to my Apprehensions: lying both of ym close together with their hands Downe in ye bedd lying close together covered vpp, my seeing yt made me to marvell soe much the more at ye noise: William Russell Deposed testifieth yt same wch Samuel parsons hath testified after the time of her husbands and his coming in Arther Howell testifieth ye same wch William Russell and further yt after his father came: wn she was rageing against the witch she stroke uppon ye bed as if she had stroke at sumthinge & violently Book2, page 57.] striveing to get out of my armes I haveing her in my Armes kept her downe from gettinge away. William Russell farther Testifieth yt on the Sabbath Day in ye morninge before Day he heard a very Dolefull noyse on the back side of ye fire & hee asked Arther wt noyse yet was & he answered hee did not know but to the best of his Apprehentions hee thought ye noyse was like ye noyse of a great stone throwne Downe amonge a heape of stones, & kept a great rumblinge Arthur howell testifieth this allsoe & both of ym say yet they were affrighted at the noyse: all the three Deponants testifie yt wn she sent for her father she said she was not willing yt her mother should know how she was taken: ffebruarie ye 19th: 1657 Thease Depositions were taken before John Mullford & John Hand.
-- [Crossed in original.]

A true coppie pr me THOMAS TALLMAGE
Secretarie.

Book 2, page 60. -- Goodwife Simons Deposed before John Mullford John hand Thomas Backer.

The Depont Declareth yt on ye last Day of ye week wen Arthur Howells wife lay sick about 10 of the clock she being at arthur howells house his wif beinge sick he was on ye one side of ye bedd & she on ye other & she heard Arthurs wife say send for garlick & his wife & she Answered yt wn she went to call her husband from garlicke sn he was A threshinge yt he laughed and Jeared mee she said I went cryinge and because I cried Garlick laught and Jeared mee ah said she is a good one & yn she said send for goodie Garlick this she spake 3 times together. I asked wt would you have with her & she said I could teare her in peices and yn ye Depont saith she asked her whie she should send for goodie Garlick and she Answered yt she was a duble tounged woman and she asked saying did you not see her last night stand by the bed side readie to pull me in peeces and she prickt me with pins she prickt me with pins & soe a 3d time: the Depont also saith yt befor this ye first Day yt she was sick: yt she goeinge to see her she tould her yt she saw a black thinge, she said an ugly black thinge at ye feets of ye bedd Goodie Simons saith alsoe yt on yet friday at night she lay with her & yn she said Doe you see noe boddie at ye fete of yet bed & complained often saying ye prick me with pins.
-- [Crossed in original.]

A true Copie pr me THOMAS TALLMAGE Sec.

Book 2, page 61. -- The Deposition of Mrs. Gardiner taken febru. 24th, 1657 before Johm Mullford John Hand & Thomas Backer.

The Depont Declareth yt ye same night yt Samuell parsons came to call my husband he came whom againe before Day & she asked her husband how bettie Did & he said she had a feaver & yt hee went back againe to her and afterward wn it was day he came whom again & hee told me yt bettie was verie badd & I said wt shall I Doe for I cannot rise & wn I rose upp I fell back againe & I lay an houre after & yn I rose vpp & houldinge by Marie Stratton I went thither & presently went to ye bedd & asked bettie how she Did & she put out her hand oh mother & she cried & I cried & she said mother I am bewitcht & I not regarding it said you are a sleepe or a Dreamed & she tould me yt she was not asleepe & I asked her who she saw & she said Goodie Garlick in ye further corner & a black thing at ye hither corner both at feete of ye bedd & yn I charged her yet she should not tell her husband nor noe liveinge soule & I said your husband will tell:
-- [Crossed in original.]

A true Coppie pr me THOMAS TALLMAGE Sec:

Book 2, page 57. -- Goody Brookes Deposed testifieth yt she heard Mrs Gardiner say yet her Daughter was biwicht & yet it was a woman. This taken vppon oath febru: 27th 57 before vs John Mullford John Hand Thomas Backer.

Goody Edwards testifieth yt as goody Garlik owned she sent to her Daughter for a little brest mylke and she hd sum presenly after her Daughters mylke went away as she thought & yt as she remembered ye child sickned about yt time further she testifieth yt at yt time wn her Daughters child was sick goody Davis was there and she heard goody Davis say yt her Daughters child was taken much as hers was and said yt goody garlick sent to her for brest mylk & presently after her mylk Dried away as goody Strattens Did & her child fell sick after such a manner: and Died and saith yt goody Davis wisht yt hers & Goody Srrattns both were not bewicht for they were taken both much alike. This taken uppon oath febru: 27th 57 before vs John Mullford Thomas Backer John Hand. -- [Crossed in original.]

Goody bishopp Deposed testifieth yt at ye time wn goody Simons had her fitts she went to Goody Garlike for Dock week & yt she went from thence to Goody Simons & saith as she rfemembreth Goody Davis asked her wt she had in her lap & she said it was Dockweeds & goody Symons said she would have ym burnt she did not know wt myht follow & either goody Davis or goody Simons or both tooke the weeds & threw ym in ye fire & she said Goody Simons said there was one came into a house at lin in like manner & there came sumthing in after, the Deponant farther saith yt before this while Goody Simons had her fits she heard Goody Simons say yt ther came a black thing into the house & sum boddie of ye house Inquired who had a black catt & sumboddie sayd Goody Garlik & saith alsoe yt one time wn Goody Simons was in her fitt she heard her say yt she would not have Goody garlik nor Goody Edwards cum nere her: this taken uppon oath febru: 27th '57 before vs John Mulford Thomas Backer John Hand.
-- [Crossed in original.]

Book 2, page 58. -- Goody Hand Deposed saith yt before Goody Davis came to this towne to live she said to me I heare yt Goody Garlik is willing to have A lott in this towne but Goody Davis said that she could Desire yt she myght not for she feared yt the towne would repent it as well as they had done at the Iland & she said Goody Garlike was naught & yt there had many had things be-fallen ym at the Iland as about ye child & the oxe as Goody Burdsill have Declared as allsoe the neger child she said was taken away as I vunderstode by her words in a strange manner and alsoe of a man yt was Dead & this fell out quickly one after another as alsoe of a sow yet was fat & lustie & went to pigg & piggs & pigg bagg came out altogether & soe Died & to my best remembrance she said they Did burne yt sowes stale & presently Goody Garlicke Did come in & after Goody Davis was come to live in this towne I asked how she Darst to be soe famyliar with Goody Garlik as she was: since you have spoken soe of her formerly as you have Done her Answere was she brought many thinges to me as mault for one thing & is very kind to me & to my best remembrance she said she were as good please the Devill as anger him.

This taken vppon oath febru 27th 57 befor vs John Mulford Thomas Backer John Hand.
-- [Crossed in original.]

Goody Burdsill Declareth yt she was in the house of Goody Simons when Goody Bishopp came into the house wth ye Dockweede & between Goody Davis & Goody Simons they burned the herbs farther she saith yt formerly Dressinge flax at Goody Davises house Goody Davis said yt she had Dressed her child in cleane linnen at the Iland & Goody Garlike came in & said how pretty the child Doth looke & soe sone as she had spoken Goody Garlike said the child is not well for it groaneth & Goody Davis said her hart did rise & Goody Davis said wn she took the child from Goody Garlike she taid she saw Death in the face of it & her child sickned presently vpon it & lay 5 Daies & 5 night & never opened the eyes nor cried till it Died allso she saith as she Doth rembmer Goody Davis tould her vppon some Difference betwene Mr Gardiner or some of his famyly & Goodman Garlike Goodman Garlike gave out some threatninge speches & sudenly after Mr Gardiner had an oxe legg broke uppon ram Iland moreover goody Davis said yt Goody Garlik was a naughtie woman this taken vppon oath febru 27th: 57 before vs John Mulford Thomas Becker John Hand.
-- [crossed in original.]

Book 2, page 59. -- Goodman vaile & his wife Deposed: Declareth yt they heard by the Leiftenant not longe since at the Island yt Goody Davis should speake as if her child were bewicht leiftenant did replie yt Goody Davis had taken an Indian child to nurse & for lucre of A little wompom had merely starved her owne child. this taken uppon oath febru: 27th 57 before John Mulford Thomas Backer John Hand.
-- [Crossed in original.]

Book 2, page 59. -- The Testimony of Goody Burdsill taken March 11th 1657.

The Depont declareth yt when Mrs Howell lay sick on the last Day of the weeke in the forenone yt she heard Mrs Howell say she is a Duble tounged woman the Deponant asked her who she meant but she made me noe Answere to it and then she lay still a little space of time & then she said that she had spoken but 2 or 3 words against her & now she was cometo torment her. I asked her againe but she gave me noe Answere to it ye Deponant farther said that she heard Mrs Howell say Garlick you Jeared me did you wn I came to you house to have my husband come whom oh you are a prettie one- farther she saith that she saw A pin that was taken out of her mouth and yt it was a middling pin: this taken vpon oath before us John Mullford John Hand Thomas Backer
-- [Crossed in original]

Book 2, page 60. -- The Testimoney of Goody Edwards March 11th 1657.

The Depont saith that on the last Day of the week at night wn Mrs Howell lay sick she heard her say goodie Garlick is a Duble tounged Woman & farther the Depont saith she saw a pin pulled out of Mrs Howells mouth & it was given to goodie Simons & Goody Simons said she was sure there was noe such pin in the house & the Depont saith to her best Remembrance mary Gardiner said ther5e was noe such pin in the house & a little before this pin was taken out of her mouth this Depont saith yt she did put the handle of a knife into her mouth & gave her solitt oyle & suger and did loke into her mouth & she Did not see nor Diserne any pin there This Taken vppon oath before vs.
-- [Crossed in original.]

JOHN MULLFORD JOHN HAND

Book 2, page 80. -- It is ordered and by a maior voate of the Inhabitants of this Towne agreede vppon yt Thomas Backer and John Hand is to goe vnto keniticut for to bringe vs vnder their Government acordinge vnto the termes as Southampton is and alsoe to carie vpp Goodwife Garlick yet she may be delivered vp unto the Authoritie there for the triall of the cause of witchcraft which she is suspected for.

Book 2, page 59. -- Thomas Tallmage Deposed declareth yt haveing ocation to goe vinto the Iland & there beinge at the house of Goody Davis she there speaking vnto me about some acidents yt had falln out among ym at the Iland ascnserninge the Death of her child in wt manner it was taken away & of an oxe yt had his legg broke & haveinge reference in her speech conserninge Goody Garlik asif she were a wieh but it being since spoken by her in my hearinge I cannot afirme yt she Did positively say yt she was a wich if there were any in New England or whether she thought she was or waspswaided she was a wich is there were any in New England. This Deposition taken vppon oath March the first: 1658. before vs John Mullford Thomas Backer John Hand.
-- [Crossed in original.]

Book 2, page 59. -- Richard Stratton Deposed saith yt he heard goody Davis say yt her child Died strangly at the Iland & she thought it was bewicht & she said she did not know of any one on ye Iland yt could Doe it unles it were goody Garlick this taken uppon oath March ye 8 1658 before vs John Mullford Thomas Backer John Hand:
-- [Crossed in original.]

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