And after Master Mayor’s death, the said Mistress Taylor did further say to this examinate, said that
It were no matter if the devil did fetch away his body for, or to be, an example for others, for she doubted that the devil had his soul already, for that he was an evil liver. For, she said, he had misused his other wife greatly, which she knew very well. And that this woman which he married last should set at meat with him, and his old wife should set in the kitchen and pick the bones that this woman left, and be glad of them, if she could get them.
And the said Mistress Taylor did further tell this examinate the day after Master Hamon being then Mayor had married his second last wife, that
He was married to his own grief, for he should never have any more joy in this world, and that she did think that his lewd life would bring him to his end. And that he did never any man good but such as was of his religion.
Also she sayeth that after Master Mayor’s death, Mistress Taylor did in this examinate’s death hearth
Pray unto God that his widow might die within one month next after her husband, that the right heirs might have the land.
And this examinate further sayeth that she was present when Mistress Taylor did speak these words following in the presence of Jeremy Talhurst following viz. that Master before Master Thomas Hamon, being then Mayor, fell sick, viz.
Master Mayor and his ------ repent it a[ll]--- t[h]e veins in their hearts, that he would not ------ husband to pass away his billets.
And as concerning Master Taylor’s children that died, whereas Mistress children Taylors did say that she doubted that this examinate had bewitched her children, this examinate sayeth that if any of them died by an evil means, they died by the evil dealings of herself the said Mistress Taylor.
For she this examinate sayeth that afore midsummer last past, when roses began first to bud out, the said Mistress Taylor did give unto her little son son which is dead, four roses, and did
Pray this examinate to carry up the child unto the spirits in the chamber, and let him deliver unto every one of the spirits, one. And that if he could not give them unto them, then he should lay them down.
And she named unto the child the spirits by their name, and willed him
To deliver unto every one of them, one, and that if he were afraid, he should lay them down, and then this examinate should bring her child away.
And this examinate did then carry the child up into the chamber, but the spirits were not there at that time. And the child played in the chamber a while, and then she this examinate did carry him home again.
And about two days after, she sent her son again with two roses, and willed this examinate to carry him up and ?R let him give them to the spirits Robert and Katherine. And this examinate did carry the child up into the chamber, and there was the said two spirits and no more. And when the child did see them, he cried out and ?squeaked and called to go down, and clung about this examinate’s neck, and then the 2 spirits went away into the other chamber.
[end of sheet 2]
[RYE 13/8]
