Physical Examination of Bridget Bishop, 1692

From Records of Salem Witchcraft, copied from the Original Documents. vol. I. Roxbury, Mass.: Privately Printed for W. Elliot Woodward, 1864. 146-148.

Examination of Bridget Bishop & als. No. I.

1692. Salem June 2^d aboute 10 in Morning.

Wee whose names are underwritten being commanded by Capt George Corwine Esq^r. Sheriffe of y^e County of Essex, this 2^d day of June 1692 for to vew y^e bodyes of Bridgett Bishop alias Oliver.

Nurse: Proctor by diligent search have discoured a preternatural Exresence of flesh between y^e pudendum and Anus much like to tetts and not usuall in women and mucn unlike to y^e other three that hath been searched by us and y^t they were in all y^e three women neer y^e same place

J Barton Chyrurg^en
Alice pickering [her marke]
Jane Woolings [her marke]
Margery Wettiams [her marke]
Anna Stephens [her marke]
Elizabeth Hill [her marke]
Elanor Henderson [her marke]
Rebecah Sharpe [her marke]
Lydia Peckman
Hannah Kezeir.
Sworne in Court June 2^d 1692

Attest Step Sewall Cle.

Examination No. 2.

Salem aboute 4 afternoon June 2^d 1692

We whose names are subscribed to y^e w^th in mentioned, upon a second search aboute 3 or 4 houres distance, did find y^e said Bridgett Bishop alias Oliver in a clear and free state from any p^eternaturall Excresence as formerly seen by us as alsoe Rebecah Nurse instead of that Excresence w^thin mentioned it appears only as a dry skin w^th out sense and as for Elizabeth proctor which Excresence like a tett red and fresh, not any thing appears, but only a proper procedeulia Ani and as for Susanna Martine whose breast in y^e morning search appeared to us very full : ye nibbs fresh and starting, now at this searching all lanche and pendant which is all at p^e sent from y^e w^thin mentioned subscribers and that that piece of flesh of Goodwife Nurseses formerly seen is gone and only a dry skin nearer to y^e anus in another place.

J. Barton Chyryrg^en