Longburton

An extract from “Sadducismus Trimphatus: or a full and plain evidence concerning witches and appartions” by Joseph Glanvill, pg. 372.

Transcribed by Luke Mouland

This which follows is the Relation of Jone WINSOR of Long Burton, she being there three nights, taken the third day of July, 1677.

She heard or saw nothing as long as the candle did burn, but as soon as it was out, there was something which did seem to fall down by the bed-side, and by and by it began to lay on the bed’s-head with a staff, and did strike Jone Winsor on the head. She put forth her hand and caught it, but was not able to hold it fast. She got out of bed to light a candle, and there was a great stone thrown after her, but it missed her. When the candle was lighted, they arose and went down to the fire. One of them went up to fetch the bed-clothes to make a bed by the fire, and there lay a heap of stones on the bed whereon they lay just before.

As soon as the bed was made, and they lay down to take their rest, there was a scratching on the form that stood by them in an extreme manner. Then it came, and did heave up the bolster whereon they laid their heads, and did endeavour to throw them out. At least it got hold on one end of the pillow, and set it quite on end, and there it stood for some considerable time; at last falling down in its place, they fell fast asleep, and so continued all that night.

The staff that was spoken of before was Jone WINSOR’s, and she says, she left it below in the kitchen. She says, that which troubled, did endeavour to kill the people, if it had power. She put them to it, to know the reason why they were so troubled, and they said they knew nothing, unless it was about the business of old WARREN. She was there three nights, and the trouble was much after the same manner, nothing that was more remarkable.

This is the truth of what I heard them speak from their own mouths, and they will attest it if called thereunto.

Note from the OPC: A burial record for a ‘Jone Wenzor’ can be found in the register of Longburton, dated 14 December 1691, which describes her as ‘a wold vergen’. This is presumably the same ‘Joane Winzor’ that was baptised there on 25 April 1621 (the daughter of ‘John Winzor’) and who features in this tale.

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