WHY this Examination was not given by Dr. Mather, in his Account of the Witchcraft, cannot be certainly stated; while it may be conjectured that it was omitted for one of the two following Reasons: 1st, it may have been thought not sufficiently damning to the Accused; or, 2dly, it may have been rejected, as a great Part of the Proceedings was, for want of Room. It seems not now to be among the Copies of those Proceedings recently made, or Mr. Woodward would not have omitted it in his Work. It is given here, as transcribed by Mr. David Pulsifer, for the Edition of the More Wonders, &c., published in Salem by Cushing & Appleton, in 1823. The previous Edition, of course, does not contain it.[178]
The Examination of Giles Cory, at a Court at Salem Village, held by John Hathorn and Jonathan Curwin, Esqrs., April 19, 1692.
Giles Cory, you are brought before Authority upon high Suspicion of sundry Acts of Witchcraft. Now tell us the Truth in this Matter.
I hope, through the Goodness of God, I shall; for that Matter I never had no Hand in, in my Life.
Which of you have seen this Man hurt you?
Mary Wolcott, Mercy Lewis, Ann Putman, Jr., and Abigail Williams affirmed he had hurt them.
Hath he hurt you too? speaking to Elizabeth Hubbard. She going to answer was prevented by a Fit.
Benjamin Gold, Hath he hurt you?
I have seen him several Times, and been hurt after it, but cannot affirm that it was he.