"The evidence against them was very full and fanciful, but their own confessions exceeded it. They appeared not only weary of their lives, but to have a great deal of skill to convict themselves. Their description of the sucking devills with sawcer-eyes was as natural that the jury could not chuse but beleeve them. Sir, I find the country so fully possessed against them, that though some of the virtuosi may think these the effect of confederacy, melancholy, or delusion, and that young folkes are altogether as quick-sighted as they who are old and infirme; Yet wee cannot repreive them without appearing to denye the very being of witches, which, as it is contrary to law, so I think it would be ill for his Majesties service, for it may give the faction occasion to set afoot the old trade of witchfinding that may cost many innocent persons their lives, which the justice will not prevent."
Though this was the last execution for witchcraft in the West, it was not the last trial. In 1695 a woman named Mary Guy was tried before Chief Justice Holt, at Launceston Castle, for bewitching Philadelphia Row. In this case the victim vomited pins, straws, and feathers; but, owing to a successful appeal, by the judge to the jury, a verdict of acquittal was brought in.
In 1696 Elizabeth Horner was tried before this same judge at Exeter, and though evidence of a startling nature was given by the children of a Mr. William Bovet, the jury acquitted her; a result brought about no doubt by the exertions of the judge. This case of Elizabeth Horner was the last tried in Devonshire, and with her acquittal was heard the last of Devonshire witches in courts of justice.
APPENDIX.—No. I.
A True and Impartial Relation of the Information against Three Witches who were indicted, arraigned, and convicted at the Assizes holden for the county of Devon, at the Castle of Exon, August 14th, 1682, with their several Confessions, &c. &c.[1]
[1] It is easy to see that some of these depositions are placed out of order. The first three should be the last. Compare dates.
Devon.—The information of Dorcas Coleman, the wife of John Coleman, of Biddiford aforesaid, Mariner, taken upon her oath, before Thomas Gist, Mayor of the Burrough Town and Manor of Biddiford, and John Davies, Alderman, etc., on the 26th of July, Anno Domini 1682. The said informant upon her oath saith, That about the end of the month of August in the year 1680, she was taken in tormenting pains, by pricking in her arms, stomach, and heart, in such a manner as she never was taken before. Upon which she, this informant, did desire one Thomas Bremincom to repair unto Dr. Beare for some remedy for those pains. And shortly afterwards the said Dr. Beare did repair unto this informant. And upon view of her body, he did say that it was past his skill to ease her of her pains, for he told her that she was bewitched. And further saith, that at the time of her tormenting pains, she did see her, the said Susanna Edwards, in her chamber; and that she this informant would point with her finger at what place in the chamber the said Susanna Edwards would stand, and where she would go. And further saith, that she hath continued so ever since more or less every week. And saith that when the said Susanna was apprehended concerning Grace Barnes of Biddiford aforesaid, that this informant did go to see the said Susanna: and that when the said Susanna was in prison she did confess unto this informant, that she had bewitched her and done her some bodily harm by bewitching her. And thereupon she fell down on her knees and desired this informant to pray for her, the said Susanna Edwards.
The Information of Thomas Bremincom of Biddiford in the county aforesaid, gent., taken, etc., the 26th of July AD 1682. The said informant upon his oath saith, that about two years ago, Dorcas Coleman, the wife of John Coleman of Biddiford aforesaid, mariner, was taken very sick, and in her sickness this informant did repair unto one Dr. Beare for some remedy for these pains. The said Mr. Beare being come unto her, and upon view of her body, did say that it was past his skill to ease her, by reason that she was bewitched. And further saith that after the said Mr. Beare had left her, he this informant did see one Susanna Edwards, of Biddiford aforesaid widow, to come into her chamber to visit her the said Dorcas. This informant further saith, That as soon as the said Dorcas did see the said Susanna Edwards, she did strive to fly in her face; but was not able to get out of the chair wherein she sate. This informant and John Coleman, the said Dorcas' husband did strive to help her out of the chair: upon which the said Susanna began to go backwards to go out of the chamber. And further said, that when the said Susanna was almost gone out of the chamber the said Dorcas did slide out of the chair upon her back, and so strive to go after the said Susanna. But this informant and her said husband seeing her in such a sad condition did endeavour to take her up from the ground, but could not until the said Susanna was gone down over the stairs. This informant further saith, that at the same time of her tormenting pains, and when she could neither see nor speak, by reason that her pains were so violent upon her, this informant hath seen her the said Dorcas, to point with her hand which way the said Susanna was gone. And saith that immediately after he hath gone out at the fore door, and hath seen the said Susanna to go the same way that the said Dorcas did point with her hand.