A True and impartial relation of the informations against three witches, viz., Temperance Lloyd, Mary Trembles, and Susanna Edwards, who were indicted, arraigned and convicted at the assizes holden for the county of Devon, at the castle of Exon, Aug. 14, 1682 with their several confessions, taken before Thomas Gist, Mayor, and John Davie, alderman, of Biddiford, in the said county, where they were inhabitants : as also, their speeches, confessions and behaviour at the time and place of execution on the twenty fifth of the said month.

The Information of Thomas East∣church of Biddiford in the County aforesaid Gent. taken upon his Oath before us, Thomas Gist Mayor of the Burrough, Town, and Mannor of Biddiford aforesaid, & John Davie Alderman, two of his Majesties Ju∣stices of the Peace within the same Burrough, &c. the 3d day of July, Anno Dom. 1682.

Devon. ss.
Biddiford ss.

THe said Informant upon his Oath saith, That upon yesterday, which was the second day of July, he did hear the said Temperance Lloyd to say and confess, that about the 30th day of September last past, as she was returning from the Bakehouse with a Loaf of Bread under her Arm, towards her own House, she the said Temperance Lloyd did meet with something in the like∣ness

of a black Man, in a Street called Higher Gunstone∣Lane within this Town, and then and there the said black man did tempt and perswade her to go to this In∣formant's house to torment one Grace Thomas, who is this Informant's Sister-in law.

That the said Temperance did first refuse the Tempta∣tion, saying that the said Grace Thomas had done her no harm. But afterwards, by the further perswasion and temptation of the said black Man, she did go to this Informant's house; and that she went up the Stairs after the black Man: And confessed that both of them went into the Chamber where this Informant's said Sister-in-law was, and that there they found one Anne Wakely, the Wife of William Wakely of Biddiford, rubbing of one of the Arms and one of the Legs of the said Grace Thomas.

And this Informant further saith, That the said Tem∣perance did also confess, that the black Man did per∣swade the said Temperance to pinch the said Grace Tho∣mas in the Knees, Arms, and Shoulders; intimating with her Fingers how she did it. And that when she came down the Stairs again into the Street, she saw a Braget Cat go into this Informant's Shop; and that she believed it to be the Devil.

And this Informant did hear the said Temperance to say and confess, that on Friday-night last (which was the 30th day of June) the black Man did meet with her neer her own Door, about ten of the clock of that same night, and there did again tempt her to go to this Informant's house, and to make an end of the said Grace Thomas.

Whereupon the said Temperance did go to this Infor∣mant's house with the said black Man, and that she went into the Chamber where the said Grace Thomas lay.

And further did confess, that she did pinch and prick the said Grace Thomas again in several parts of her Bo∣dy, (declaring with both of her Hands dow she did do it). And that thereupon the said Grace Thomas did cry out terribly. And confessed that the said black man told her that she should make an end of her the said Grace Thomas.

And further she the said Temperance did say and con∣fess, that the said black Man did promise her the said Temperance that no one should discover her or see her.

And she also confessed, that about twelve of the clock of that same night the black Man did suck her in the Street in her Secret parts, she kneeling down to him. That he had blackish Clothes, and was about the length of her Arm. That he had broad Eyes, and a Mouth like a Toad, and afterwards vanisht clear away out of her sight.

This Informant further saith, That he heard the said Temperance to confess, that about the first day of June last past the said black Man was with her again, and told her, that on that night she the said Temperance should make an end of the said Grace Thomas; and confessed that she the said Temperance had that night griped the said Grace Thomas in her Belly, Stomach, and Breast, and clipt her to the Heart.

And that the said Grace Thomas did cry out pitifully. And that the said Temperance was about the space of two hours tormenting of her. And that one Anne Wake∣ly (with several other Women) were then present in the Chamber, but could not see her the said Temperance; and that the black Man stood by her in the same Room also.

This Informant further saith, That he supposed that the said Grace Thomas in her Sickness had been afflicted thorough a Distemper arising from a natural cause, did repair unto several Physicians, but that she the said Grace could never receive any benefit prescribed by them.

Thomas Gist Mayor. John Davie Alderman.