Hell Opened, Examination 3 – Examination 14
The Examination of Anne Evans, taken before the Right Worſhipful. William Weeks Major, and William Jennings Merchant, two Juſtices, &c. the Firſt day of September 1675.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that there hath been a continual difference between the ſaid Nurſe Philip Cary, and her Miſtris Elizabeth Weeks, and the ſaid Philip Cary did ſay ſeveral times, that ſhe would fit the ſaid Miſtris Weeks. And this Examinant further ſaith, that yeſterday was Fourtnight, ſhe being in the Herb Garden, there were ſome Stones thrown into the Herb Garden by ſome Children which were out in the Lane, and ſhe looking out over the Wall, ſaw the ſaid Philip Cary and the Child out in the Lane. And this Examinant further ſaith, that ſhe then took up a Paper, in which was a yellow Stone, which ſhe thought was yellow Painting, but now ſhe doth think that it was Rats-bane, ſo this Examinant carried it in, and put it in a Salt-Sellar, and the Saturday following, this Examinant cleanſing of the Shelves, ſhe took it down, and put it in her Pocket, and in the Evening ſhe ſhewed it to the Nurſe, and asked her what it was, who ſeeming not to take notice of it, ſhe (this Examinant) put it again in the Salt-Sellar, ſo ſhe went out unto the Conduit to fetch ſome Water, and when ſhe came in again, this Examinant further ſaith, that ſhe doth believe, that the ſaid Nurſe did take down the ſaid Rats-bane, for that when ſhe came in, ſhe ſaw the ſaid Nurſe breaking of it between two Tiles into Powder, and this Examinant asking her what ſhe would do with it when ſhe had broken it, ſhe replied, ſhe was going to fit a Medicine for the old Woman, meaning the ſaid Miſtris Weeks, and then the ſaid Nurſe, when ſhe had broken the ſame ſmall, ſhe took ſome of the ſame Rats bane and put it in a Cloam-Diſh, and then drew about a quarter of a Pint of Small Beer to it, and ſo let it ſteep all night long: And then the ſaid Nurſe gave ſome of the ſaid Rats-bane to this Informant, and told her that ſhe ſhould put the ſame into the Old womans Diſh, when ſhe did take up ſome Pottage for her, and you ſhall ſee, as ſhe ſaid, what ſport we ſhall have with her to Morrow, and that which this Examinant ſhould give her, would do her no hurt, but that which ſhe had fitted would do her work, and that it would make her die within half an hour, and ſaid, when the Old woman was gone, that we ſhould live ſo merry as the days were long. And this Examinant further ſaith, that the ſaid Nurſe did charge this Examinant upon her life, that ſhe ſhould not tell of it, for unleſs that ſhe this Examinant did not declare it, it would never come to light: And withal, told this Examinant, that if ſhe did tell of it, ſhe would deny it, and lay it all upon this Examinant. And this Examinant further ſaith, that the next day being Sunday, having Boiled a piece of Beef, and part of a Neck of Veal and Cabbidge, and Carrots, and made Pottage; And then about Eleven of the Clock, the ſaid Miſtris Weeks asked for a Diſh of Pottage, and bid this Examinant lade up a Diſh, which this Examinant did, and then put in the ſaid Rats-bane into the Diſh, according as the Nurſe had ordered, thinking of no hurt; and this Examinant ſaith, that the ſaid Miſtris Weeks did eat up all the Pottage, and left the Bread in the Diſh, and then ſhe laded up more Pottage to the Bread in the ſame Diſh, and the ſaid Maſter Weeks did eat up all the Pottage, and very little Bread: and then Miſtris Marry Pengelley laded up ſome more Pottage to the ſame Bread, in the ſame Diſh, which ſhe did then eat up all, Pottage and Bread. And this Examinant ſaith, that about three hours after the ſaid Miſtris Weeks was taken with Purging and Vomiting, and being very dry, they gave this Examinant order to fetch a Pot of Strong Beer in a Silver Tankard, and the mean while the ſaid Nurſe made a Toſt to put in it, which ſhe accordingly fetcht, and when ſhe came into the Kitchin, where the ſaid Nurſe was making of a Toaſt, ſhe gave the Tankard with the Beer unto the Nurſe: And this Examinant ſaith, that ſhe did ſee the ſaid Nurſe Drink a little of the Beer, which was in the ſaid Tankard, and then preſently filled it up again with the ſame Beer, in which the ſaid Rats-bane was ſteeped in the night before, and then the ſaid Nurſe carried the ſame Beer up in the Chamber unto the ſaid Maſter Weeks and Miſtris Weeks: And this Examinant going up after her with a Swab to take up the Vomiting. This Examinant ſaw the ſaid Miſtris Weeks Drink firſt of the ſaid Beer, and then ſhe delivered it to Maſter Weeks, and he did Drink, ſo he delivered it to Miſtris Pengelley, and ſhe found fault with it, and ſaid, that the Beer was keamy, and that if they had no better, they ſhould fetch it at ſome other place. But this Examinant did ſee the ſaid Miſtris Pengelley eat ſome of the ſaid Toaſt: And this Examinant further ſaith, having the next day an occaſion to make uſe of the ſaid Tankard, found the inſide thereof in the bottom, black, yellow, and diſcolored, as though it was Cankered, and the Nurſe bad her Scour it out with Sand, whereas before when ſhe fetcht the Beer it was clean.
And this Examinant further ſaith, that ſhe being troubled to ſee her Maſter and Miſtris ſo Sick; ſhe ſaid, Alas! Nurſe, what have you done, that our Maſter and Miſtris are ſo very Sick? She replied, what ſhe had done as to Miſtris Weeks, ſhe had done God good Service in it, to rid her out of the way, and hoped that ſhe had done her buſineſs, and did look upon it, that ſhe had done no ſin in it; and ſaith, as to the Girts that ſhe can ſay no farther, but what ſhe hath ſaid in her former Examination; to which for more certainty ſhe referreth her ſelf.
The Mark of the ſaid Anne A. E. Evans.
The Examination of the ſaid Philip Cary, taken as aforeſaid.
THe ſaid Examinant being demanded whether the ſaid Anne Evans did not ſhow her the ſaid yellow Stone, on Saturday laſt was Sevennight, and whether ſhe did not break it abroad in Powder between two Tiles, and whether ſhe did not ſteep part of it in a Diſh in Small Beer, and whether ſhe did not give ſome of the ſame Rats-bane which ſhe had broken unto the ſaid Anne Evans, and told her that ſhe ſhould put it into the Old womans Diſh, meaning the Old Miſtris Weeks, or uſed any words to that effect, anſwered, No. And being demanded alſo, whether ſhe had any dicourſe with the ſaid Anne Evans, concerning the Poyſon mentioned in the aforeſaid Examination of the ſaid Anne Evans, or any words to that effect, denies the ſame; but ſaith, that ſhe doth believe that they ſhall both die for it, becauſe ſhe hath concealed the Counſel of the ſaid Anne Evans.
The Mark of Philip † Cary.
ANd now they are in ſafe Cuſtody, in the Priſon joyning to the Town-Hall in Plymouth, where they have time and leiſure to ruminate upon their foul and odious Crime, to conſider of the horrible danger to which theſe pretious Souls are expoſed, and to make their Peace with God, if it be well husbanded and improved. But I fear me, that though the Lord wait graciouſly Six Months together for their Repentance, and cry aloud by this terrible diſpenſation to convert, reform and give Glory to him before they come to Judgment, we ſhall even after their Condemnation at the Aſſizes, meet with other and worſe news from them. Before we talk with theſe Malefactors any further, it will not be unneceſſary to make a little digreſſion, and ſee what evidence the Righteous Providence of God doth Adminiſter towards a fuller detection of their Sin and Guilt.
Miſtris Weeks being deceaſed, and Doctor Holland a Phyſitian of the Town having averred it to be by Poyſon; the Coronor was ſent for, to inquire into the cauſes of her death; who having impannel'd his Jury, and examined Witneſſes, do all Unanimouſly concurre in their Verdict, that ſhe was murdered, and that by Poyſon.
The ſame Verdict alſo was given in by another Jury, that ſate upon the death of Miſtris Pengelley. The obſtinacy of the Nurſe to the very inſtant of her going off the Ladder, in denying her ſelf either principal or acceſſary to this bloody fact, will excuſe the relator, if he ſubjoyn the reſpective depoſitions of ſeveral Witneſſes upon their Oath concerning it, that ſo the Juſtice of God may be glorified, and no Siniſter thoughts of the Judge, Grand or Petty Juries that condemned her be entertained.
The Examination of Chriſtopher Scibbow of Plymouth in the County of Devon Dyer, had and taken at Plymouth aforeſaid, by and before Thomas Payne Gentleman, Coronor for our Soveraign Lord the King, within the Liberty of the Burrough of Plymouth aforeſaid, on the Corporal Oath of the ſaid Examinant, this 27th. day of Auguſt, Anno Domini, 1675.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that on Wedneſday night laſt, he was at the Priſon window in Plymouth, where Anne Evans Spinſter was committed on Suſpition, for poyſoning Elizabeth the wife of William Weeks Dyer, when and where this Examinant heard the ſaid Anne Evans to ſay, that the Nurſe (meaning Philip the wife of Richard Cary) did ask of her about a month before to buy ſome Rats-bane, and that ſhe gave anſwer to the ſaid Nurſe, that ſhe would not do it, becauſe the Apothecary would put her name upon the Book.
Chriſtopher Scibbow.
The Examination of Suſanna, the Wife of Brian Canſfield of Plymouth aforeſaid Planter, taken before the ſaid Coronor, on the Corporal Oath of the ſaid Examinant, the day and year aforeſaid.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that on Munday laſt; ſhe went and ſaw Elizabeth, the Wife of William Weeks Dyer, and found her very Sick, and this Examinant, and other Perſons that were preſent, did believe that ſhe had been poyſoned, upon which there was ſome new Broth made, and made with ſome of the ſame*Oatmeal. Girts, that had been put into the old Broth, and when it was made, ſhe gave it to a great Dog, who preſently Vomited it up again. She alſo ſaith, that Anne Evans, Maſter Weeks his Servant, ſhewed this Examinant the bottom of the new Broth, where was ſound a Yellow Gravel, and one ſhewing of it to Miſtris Hurd and others, they did believe that it was Rats-bane.
Suſanna Cansfield.
The Examination of Alice, the Wife of Anthony Windeit of Plymouth, aforeſaid Clothier, taken as aforeſaid before the ſaid Coronor on her Oath.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that on Wedneſday laſt, ſhe went and ſaw Maſter William Weeks Dyer, and Mary Pengelley, being very Sick, it being reported that they and Miſtris Weeks had been poyſoned, on which it was ſaid, that the*Oatmeal. Girts which were in the houſe and had not been uſed, ſhould be waſhed, and the ſame were accordingly waſhed by Anne Evans, the ſaid Maſter Weeks his Servant, and in the bottom there was found ſome Yellow, like Gravel, part whereof was about the bigneſs of a ſmall Pins head, upon which this Examinant blamed the ſaid Anne Evans for waſhing the ſame without order, who confeſſed that ſhe had done it without Order.
Alice Windeit.
The Examination and Information of Mary Pengelley of Plymouth, in the County of Devon Widow, taken before the ſaid Coronor on her Corporal Oath, the thirtieth day of Auguſt, Anno Domini 1675.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that yeſterday laſt was Sevennight in the Morning, Anne Evans the Apprentice of Maſter William Weeks Dyer, fetched a Tankard of Strong Beer, on which there ſeemed unto this Examinant that there was Keam, for which ſhe was blamed, of which this Examinant drank hearty: And now this Examinant doth verily believe by what hath happened ſince, that that which ſhe took to be Keam on the ſaid Beer, was Poyſon: And this Examinant further ſaith, that afterwards yeſterday was Sevennight ſhe being come down over the Staires in the Kitchin, about Noon the ſaid Anne Evans asked this Examinant if ſhe would eat any Pottage, (the ſaid William Weeks and Elizabeth his Wife, this Examinants Father and Mother having eaten Pottage a little before,) and this Examinant told her that ſhe would, and accordingly ſhe did eat a Diſh of Pottage, (being out of the ſame Diſh that her ſaid Father and Mother did ſo eat Pottage a little before,) and that preſently after this Examinant and her ſaid Father and Mother were taken exceeding Sick, of which her ſaid Mother died the next day after. And this Examinant doth verily believe in her Conſcience, that the ſaid Anne Evans with the contrivance of Philip the Wife of Richard Cary, who alſo lived in the ſaid Maſter Weeks his Houſe, did put Poyſon in the ſaid Pottage, and ſo poyſoned her ſaid Mother, whereof ſhe died, and alſo poyſoned her ſaid Father and this Examinant. And this Examinant doth alſo believe that the ſaid Richard Cary, who fetched his Diet in the ſaid houſe, had alſo ſome hand in the ſaid contrivance.
Signum praedictae Mariae Pengelley.
The Examination of William Weeks of Plymouth aforeſaid Dyer, on his Corporal Oath before the ſaid Coronor, the Thirtieth day of Auguſt, 1675.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that there have been often ſeveral differences between Elizabeth the Examinants Wife, and Anne Evans his Apprentice, and Philip the Wife of Richard Cary his Servant; and that yeſterday was Sevennight laſt, about Noon, the ſaid Anne Evans took up a Diſh of Pottage, and gave the ſame to this Examinants Wife, who did eat up moſt part of the Broth, but did eat up little or nothing of the Bread, ſhe not liking the ſame; and one looking into the Diſh, this Examinant found ſome Yellow Gravel (and by what this Examinant doth underſtand ſince, he verily believes that it was Yellow Arſenick.) And he demanding what it was, there was no one there would or could make any diſcovery. And preſently afterwards the ſaid Anne Evans took up ſome more Pottage in the ſaid Diſh; to the Bread which his Wife had left, a…d he did eat up the Broth thereof, and ſome of the ſaid Gravel which cruſhed in his Teeth, but did not eat any of the Fleſh which was boiled in the ſaid Pottage, for that it did look black: And preſently after Mary Pengelley Widow, this Examinants Daughter did eat ſome of the ſame Pottage, and all Three were preſently taken very Sick by great Swellings and Vomitings, and that his ſaid Wife continued ſo till the next day and died. And this Examinant doth verily believe in his Conſcience, that the ſaid Anne Evans, together with the ſaid Philip Cary, did wittingly and willingly put Arſenick into the ſaid Pottage, and ſo poyſoned his ſaid Wife, whereof ſhe died. And this Examinant alſo doth verily believe in his Conſcience, that the ſaid Anne Evans and Philip Cary, did by the ſame means and procurement as aforeſaid, Poyſon this Examinant and the ſaid Mary Pengelley. And he doth alſo verily believe, that the ſaid Richard Cary was privy and had a hand therein.
Per me William Weeks.
The Examination of Philip Sendy of Plymouth aforeſaid, Widow, taken before the ſaid Coronor on her Corporal Oath, the Two and twentieth day of September, Anno Domini 1675.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that the day on which Miſtris Elizabeth Weeks was Buried, Philip the Wife of Richard Cary being then in Plymouth Priſon on Suſpition, for poyſoning of the ſaid Miſtris Weeks; ſhe the ſaid Philip ſent for this Examinant, to whom this Examinant went, and ſpoke with her, and demanded of her what ſhe would have, who made anſwer, that this Examinant ſhould remember her Service to her Maſter and Miſtris, and to tell them that ſhe was troubled that ſhe had not acquainted her, what ſhe (meaning as this Examinant believeth one Anne Evans) had an intent to do the Saturday was Sevennight before.
Signum praedictae P Philip Sendy.
The Examination of Joane the Wife of Richard Scannel of Plymouth aforeſaid Cooper, taken before the ſaid Coronor on her Corporal Oath, the day and year laſt mentioned.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that the Munday Evening that Elizabeth the Wife of William Weeks died, being the Three and twentieth day of Auguſt laſt, this Examinant coming into the Kitchin of the ſaid Maſter Weeks, where was Anne Evans, Richard Cary, and Philip his wife, unto whom this Examinant ſpoke, that it was very ſad there ſhould be ſo many Sick, upon which the ſaid Anne Evans ſaid, that ſhe was forry for her Miſtris (meaning Mary Pengelley,) but was glad that the Old Devil was gone (meaning that the ſaid Miſtris Weeks was dead) and ſaid that ſhe would ſing the day that ſhe was Buried, but would not lye one night in the houſe after ſhe was Buried, for that ſhe was ſure ſhe would appear again as a Spirit, and that the Devil had been a long time building of a Pallace for her, and that the yeſterday before he had laid the laſt Stone, and that that very day he placed her in. All which was ſpoken by the ſaid Anne Evans, in the preſence and hearing of the ſaid Richard Cary, and Philip his wife, and although this Examinant did blame the ſaid Anne Evans, yet they, nor either of them did any way reprove the ſaid Anne Evans for what ſhe did ſay.
Joane Scannel.
The Examination of Joane the Wiſe of William How of Plymouth aforeſaid Beer-Brewer, taken before the ſaid Coronor on her Corporal Oath, the day and year laſt mentioned.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that the very day that Elizabeth the wife of William Weeks Dyer died, being the Three and twentieth day of Auguſt laſt paſt, this Examinant being at the houſe of the ſaid William Weeks, and diſcourſing with Philip the wife of Richard Cary, the ſaid Philip Cary went away from this Examinant, and ſaid, Oh that ſhe ſhould ever go out the Saturday before (to the beſt of this Examinants remembrance) to ruine this Family (meaning the ſaid Maſter Weeks his Family.
Joane How.
The Examination of Arabella the Wife of Thomas Moore of Plymouth, aforeſaid Merchant, taken before the ſaid Coronor on her Corporal Oath, the day and year laſt mentioned.
THe ſaid Examinant ſaith, that the day that Elizabeth the wife of William Weeks died, or the day after, ſhe being at the houſe of the ſaid William Weeks, Philip the wife of Richard Cary wept, and wrung her hands, and ſaid to this Examinant, Oh Miſtris Moore, that ever ſhe ſhould go out of Doors to ruine this Family! (Meaning the ſaid Maſter Weeks his Family.)
Arabella Moore.
Marian Cook worthy of Plymouth Spinſter, being then ſworn, depoſeth the ſame.
The Examination of Philip the Wiſe of Richard Cary of Plymouth, aforeſaid Husbandman, taken before the ſaid Coronor, the day and year aforeſaid, laſt mentioned.
THe ſaid Examinant being demanded whether ſhe were a Servant at Wages to Mary Pengelley, late of Plymouth, aforeſaid Widow deceaſed, at the time of the death of Elizabeth the wife of William Weeks; she ſaith that she was then a Servant to the ſaid Miſtris Pengelley at Wages, and continued in the ſame Service until ſhe was committed to Priſon; she alſo ſaith, that when ſhe was a Nurſe unto the ſaid Miſtris Pengelley, she had Three Pound and Ten Shillings per annum, and that the ſame was continued to her ever ſince, and she believeth that there is Money now due to her.
Signum praedictae, Philip † Cary.