Transcriptions of Depositions/Witness Statements

Table of Contents

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Island Magee Witches, 1710. Depositions in the case of the Island Magee Witches, 1710/1711.

Introduction

In 1896, Robert Magill Young (1851-1925), Belfast-based architect and antiquarian published the ‘Depositions in the case of the Island Magee Witches’.1 These statements were taken before the trial, in early March 1711, from key witnesses by Edward Clements (d. 1733), Mayor and Justice of the Peace of Carrickfergus. Young based his publication on transcriptions made in the 1860s by Belfast-born antiquarian, William Pinkerton, from manuscripts held in Trinity College, Dublin (TCD),2 where they are still stored.3 Young’s version has been compared to the original TCD manuscript and it is an exact copy. The depositions are dated 1710 because they were recorded by Clements on or before the start of the new year, which according to the Julian calendar began on 25 March. After the official switch to the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the new calendar year begun on 1 January. If this date is taken as the start of the new year, then the depositions were collected in 1711 and not in 1710 as stated in the manuscript.

 

The deponents were men of higher social status, excluding of course Mary Dunbar, and all except Dunbar and James Blythe appeared as witnesses for the prosecution at the trial before trial Judges, Justices Anthony Upton and James MacCartney: Dunbar was unable to testify as she claimed to have been robbed of speech just before proceedings began by the witchcraft of William Sellor and his accomplices. Before the trial took place, the depositions supplied by Mayor Clements were passed to the clerks of the court who used them to draft bills of indictment for the consideration of the Grand Jury. Irish Grand juries were composed of between 12 and 23 men from the higher reaches of county society and often represented specific factions or family groups. Unlike their English counterparts, Irish Grand Juries did not interview witnesses and based their judgement on whether there was enough evidence to warrant a trial on draft bills of indictment. If this was judged to be the case, then a Billa Vera, or True Bill, was issued and the accused were arraigned. The new Bill of Indictment was then read out by the clerk of the court and the defendants entered a plea, which in this case, as in most trials involving serious charges, was not guilty. After a final check was made to see if the prosecutors were present, the petty jury was sworn in under oath and the defendants brought into court. The trial started at six o’clock in the morning, an hour or two earlier than most criminal trials in Ireland at that time. 

 

The depositions thus played an important administrative role in the prosecution of the Islandmagee witches. From the distance of some 300 years however we cannot say how accurately they reflect what deponents said as the recorder could have refashioned their testimony into a more coherent narrative, or silently added or deleted words, phrases or details. However, if Clements or someone else did indeed rework them, this is not readily apparent from the text and they remain the sole surviving example of pre-trial depositions for an Irish witchcraft case. The digital images and transcription given below have been taken from Young’s edition.

Dr Andrew Sneddon © 2022. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license.

1 R.M. Young (ed.), Historical Notices of Old Belfast and its Vicinity … (Belfast, 1896), pp. 161–4.
2 Pinkerton to Benn, 16 March 1868 (Public Records of Northern Ireland, D3113/7/149).
3‘Examinations and Depositions taken in the County Antrim Respecting Witches’, March 1711 (Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Philosophical Society Papers, Ms 883/2, pp. 273–85)..

[p. 161] Island Magee Witches, 1710. Depositions in the case of the Island Magee Witches, 1710.

COUNTY ANTRIM. THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN SMITH, OF LAIRNE, IN YE SD COUNTY, TAKEN AT CARRICKFERGUS, 21 MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that Mrs. Mary Dunbar, who has for this Long time been in a most unusual manner tormented and afflicted (as shee Saith, and as by all that see her do verily believe) by witches and Witchcraft, having since the Confinement of Jannet Liston, Janett Meane, and Jane Miller, whom she affirms to be her Tormentors, declared that she was troubled only with one young woman, whom the aforesaid women, when about her And tormenting her, did call Mrs. Ann, but that the young woman told her that she should never be discovered by her name as the rest were, shee, the Said Mary Dunbar, having given Exact marks and Description of one Margret Mitchell, whom she, this Ex4t doth verily believe, the Said Mary never had seen before the Said Margt5 Mitchell was brought to her, and that the Said Mary afflict her, And that she never saw her before but when she was tormenting her; and that after the Said Marget6 was set at Liberty, the Said Mary fell into a most violent fit, in which the Said Ext heard her say—“For Christ Sake, Let me alone, and I won’t discover you.” And after being Recoverd out of the Said Fitt, was asked to whom she spoke, The Said Mary told them that the Said Margt Mitchell was then afflicting her, and told her she would have this Examt James Blithe’s Picture made & roast it like a Lark, and that they should not Catch her, for she wou’d turn herself into a Hare,7 and further Saith that the Said Mary did remit Several Pins, buttons, and horse Hair, and further Said not.

4Examinant. The person who is being examined.
5Margaret.
6Margaret.
7This could be a reference to the belief that witches could transmogrify into hares to steal milk from cows. This witchcraft trope was more prominent in early modern, Gaelic-Irish culture than in its Presbyterian, Ulster-Scots counterpart. See Andrew Sneddon, Witchcraft and Magic in Ireland (Palgrave, 2015).

THE EXAMINATION OF MARY DUNBAR, TAKEN 12TH MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that during these Severall weeks she has been in a most grievous and violent manner tormented and afflicted with Witches; that Several whom she never had known, or to her knowledge seen before, did frequently appear to her (tho’ invisible to her keepers and attenders), who make her fall very often into fainting and tormenting fitts, take the Power of Tongue from her, and afflicts her to that Degree that she often thinks she is pierced to the heart, and that her breasts are cut off; that she heard the Said women (when about her) name one another, and that called one Jannet Liston, another Eliz.8 Cellor, another Kate McCamont, another Jannet Carson, another Jannet Mean, another Latimore, and another Mrs. Anne, and the Said Jannet Liston, Eliz. Cellar, Kate McCamont, and Jannet Carson being brought to her, att their first appearance she knew them to be four of her Tormentors, and that after they were taken into Custody the aforesaid Latimore and Mean did very much Torment her, especially when Mr. Sinclare, the Dissenting Minister, was praying with and for her, and told her they would hinder her of hearing his prayers; but if she would do as they would have her, she soon would be well, and that Jannet Latimore and Jannet Mean being brought to her, she likewise knew them to be other two of her Tormentors, and that since the confinement of the said Jannet Liston, Eliz. Cellor, Kate McCamont, Jannet Carson, Jannet Mean, and Jannet Latimor, none of the them has troubled her, neither has been so much tormented as when they were at Liberty, and that there do now only two appear to her (vizt), the aforesaid Mrs. Ann, as they called her, and another woman, blind of an eye, who told her when Mr. Robb, the curate, was going to pray with and for her, that she should be little the better for his prayers, for they would hinder her from hearing them, which they accordingly did.

8Elizabeth.

THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN SMITH, TAKEN 14TH MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, saith that, upon the within-mentioned Mary Dunbar giving an acco9 that there was a woman blind of an eye that did torment her, three several women blind of an eye were brought to her, but she, the Said Mary, declared they never troubled her, and that she had nothing to say against them or Lay to their Charge; and one Jane Miller, of Carrickfergus, who is blind of an eye, being likewise sent for to come to the Said Mary, that as soon as she drew nigh the house where the Said Mary was (the Said Mary did not know of her coming), she became very much afraid, faintish, and Sweat, and as soon as shee came into the Roome where the Said Mary lay, she, the Said Mary, fell into Such a violent fitt of pains that three men were Scarce able to hold her—cryed out, “For Christ’s Sake, take the Devil out of the Room;” and being asked, Said the blind woman, meaning the Jane Miller, for she was the woman that did Torment her, and shee had seen her too often in her fitts, and the Said Miller being taken from the House, the Said Mary came to her Right Senses, and Declared that she Said Jane Miller was the woman blind of an eye that did afflict her, tho’ she did not know her name, nor never had seen her before, but when in her fitts aforesaid, and the Said Jane Miller being brought into her again, shee assured them that shee was the woman that did afflict her, and being brought in the third time into the room unknown and unseen to the Said Mary, as she does verily believe, the Said Mary fell into her violent fitts, and begged of the People to take her, the said Jane Miller, out of the Room. 

[p.162] Bryce Blan, Constable, Deposeth that after the said Jane Miller was delivered to him and brought from the said House, he privately, and unknown to the Said Mary, brought her into the Room where she was again, and before the Said Mary saw her, shee fell very ill in violent fitts, and prayed them to take the Devil out of the Roome. 

9 Account.

THE EXAMINATION OF H.10 WILSON (ISLAND MAGEE), TAKEN 10TH MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, saith that on the 6th Instant he was in the house of Ja.11 Haltridge, in the Said Island, Gent, and Saw Mary Dunbar in a very ill condition, being, as is supposed, tormented with witches, and one Jannet Latimore, who being often Said by the person grieved to be one of her Tormentors, tho’ she never had seen her in her life, but when shee appeared, as she Said, to her in her affliction, came near the House, became very uneasie and faintish, and much disordered, and became worse and worse, notwithstanding the Said Mary Dunbar, nor none of her keepers or attendants knew of the Said Latimor’s coming or being there, and being desired by some there in the House to go in and see the Said Mary, which she did, amongst several others, and when she appeared to her, the Said Mary fell into Desperate violent fitts, and when she got the Liberty of her Tongue (which was often taken from her), Said that woman Latimore was one of her Tormentors, and that she knew her face full well, tho’ shee had never Seen her before, but in her tormented fitts appeared to her. And further saith that one Jannet Mean, wife to one Andrew ffergusson, near Billycarry,12 in the Said County, was brought by a Warrant, but privately and unknown to ye Said Mary Dunbar, and among very many more came to see her, and at her first appearance Shee, the said Mary, became as before, in her most desperate fitts, and both the Said Mean and Latimore being taken apart from the said Haltridge’s house to another house, to be Examd: that after Examination the Said Mean’s Husband would not be Satisfied that the sick person would anyway alter at the appearance of his wife. It was agreed that shee Should appear to the Sick person again, and that as Soon as she entered the Roome Doore where the Said Mary lay, she became distracted, tho’ Sober ere her entrance: and further saith that ye said Mary is most tormented when prayed with or for, Save when they personally appear to her, and she Saith that since the Confinement of Jannet Liston and her Daughter Cat: McCamont and Jannet Carson, none appeared to her but the Said Jannet Mean and Jannet Latimore, and appears most to her when prayed for as aforesaid, the Said Mary being, when out of her fitts, very sensible.

10Hugh.
11James.
12Ballycarry, a village in the parish of Broadisland, County Antrim.

THE EXAMINATION OF CHARLES LENNAN, GENT., TAKE YE 10TH OF MARCH, 1710.

Who, being Duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that the 5th and 6th Instant he was in the House of James Haltridge, of Island Magee, Gent., where lies in the most Desperate Condition Mary Dunbar, of or about the age of 17 or 18 years, being, as Concluded by all that See her, tormented with Witches and Witchcraft, and his Examination agreeth word for word with the 10th in Examination, and further Saith that when Mr. Sinclare, the Minister, was praying with the said Mary Dunbar, that the Said Mary Said Jennet Latimore and Jannet Mean told her that they would hinder her of hearing his prayers; but both Said to her if she would do as they would have her to do, she would soon be well. The Ext. further Saith that when the Said Mary was taken or helped out of the Roome she lay in that she fell as dead on the Threshold, and at her Desire the Threshold and floor about was dug up, And in so doing there was a strong Smell as (as was Concluded) of Brimstone, and when done the Said Mary went out of ye Said Roome without any trouble, and in Some hours after, when Mr. Sinclare prayed with her, shee fell into violent fitts, and said she Saw the Said Mean and Latimore, who Said to her that shee should not get so well out of the Door again, whereupon it was agreed that she should try; accordingly she did, and fell into more violent fitts than before, both at her going out and Returning to the Said Roome.

THE EXAMINATION OF WM.13 FENTON, OF ISLAND MAGEE, 3D OF MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that for sometime past the House of James Haltridge, of Island Magee aforesaid, hath been haunted with Evil Spirits (as he is credibly Informed), and that Mary Dunbar, being now in the Said house, is in great Disorder, and very much tormented both day and night by Witches; And by the description the said Mary Dunbar gave this Ext and others of the Witches, they did verily believe that Jannet Liston and Eliz. Cellar were persons Guilty of the Same, upon which, on Friday Last, they Sent for the Said persons, and when the said Jannet Liston and Eliz. Cellar came into the Roome where ye Said Mary Dunbar was, Shee the Said Mary fell into a violent fit of Pains, and Said that as Soon as she Saw them she was Stung to ye heart, and declared that the Said Jannet and Elizabeth were Devils, and continually with Several other women about her bed troubling her, and further Saith that there were a great many more of other women present when the Said Mary Challenged the Said Jannet and Elizabeth, whom she never Saw in her Lifetime before her trouble aforesaid. 

JOHN WILLSON, OF ISLAND MAGEE AFORESAID,
agreeth with the above, word for word.

12Ballycarry, a village in the parish of Broadisland, County Antrim.

JAMES BLYTH, OF BANK, IN THE COUNTY OF ANTRIM,

Who, being duely Sworn and Examd., agreeth Verbatim with the aforesaid Examns., and further Saith that the Said Mary Dunbar Said she heard her Tormentors name one Katty among them, upon which one Katherine McCamont was sent for; and as Soon as She came into the Said

[p.163] Mary’s Roome, the Said Mary Dunbar fell into such violent fit of pains that three persons were not able to hold her, and that the Said Mary Dunbar Declared that the Said Katherine was one of her tormentors, and further Saith that as soon as the Said Katherine entered the House, tho’ unseen to the Said Mary, her pains Seized on her with a great Sweat.

James Hill Desposeth that the first Instant, he being in the House of Wm. Cellar of Island Magee, one Mary Twmain (sic) came into the Said House and called out Jannet Liston to speak to her, and that after the Said Jannet came in again shee fell a trembling, and told this Depont that the Said Mary had been desiring her to go to Mr. Haltridge to see Mary Dunbar, but declared she would not goe for all Island Magee, except Mr. Sinclare wou’d come for her (and Said)—If the plague of God was on her, the Said Mary Dunbar, ye Plague of God be on them altogether; the Devil be with them, if he was among them. If God had taken her health from her, God give her health. If the Devil had taken it from her, the Devil give her it. And then said—O, misbelieving ones, eating and drinking Damnation to themselves, Crucifying Christ afresh, and taking all out of the hands of the Devil. Capt et Jurat vo Die Martij, 1710.

William Hatley deposeth that after the aforesaid Mary Dunbar was recovered out of one of her fitts, and in her Right Senses, she declared that Jane Carson was one of the tormentors.

COUNTY ANTRIM.
THE EXAMINATION OF HUGH DONALDSON OF ISLAND MAGEE, IN THE SAID COUNTY, TAKEN THE 5TH MARCH, 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that the 28th of February, he being in the house of James Haltridge of Island Magee aforesd, he Saw Mrs. Mary Dunbar afflicted in an unusual manner, falling into fitts as if she had been dead, and did not know what any about her said, in one of which fitts he heard her say So and So after she was recovered, and very Sensible was asked what it was She Said in the Said fitt, shee answered, there was a woman came to the bed side, and asked her, Molly Dunbar, how do you do, and the Said Mary, giving the marks of one Jannet Liston, whom shee never had seen in her life, as shee said when out of her fitts, upon which the Said Liston was sent for, and at her approach the Said Mary affirmed that was the woman, and fell into extream torment during the Said Liston’s aboad in the Roome, so that Scarce two or three men were able to hold her. She likewise, in her other fits, said shee heard her Tormentors name one another, and that they called one of them Jannet Carson, another Katty, another Jannet Mean, and another McAlexander, all who threatned to kill her if she told their names, upon [p. 164] which the Said Janet Carson was Sent for about the first Instant, and as soon as shee appeared, the Said Mary fell into a great agony during her stay, as also during the abode of one Eliz: Cellar, whom she had given a Description of, and declared to be one of her Tormentors, and that the aforesaid Mary Dunbar declared she never Saw any of the aforesaid women before her affliction aforesaid, and further Saith that about thirty other women were Severally brought into the Roome where she was, and that she never was disturbed in the Least during their Continuance, and Said they were none of her afflictors, still averring that the aforesaid women were her tormentors.

COUNTY ANTRIM.
THE EXAMINATION OF JAMES HALTRIDGE, OF ISLAND MAGEE, GENT., 24TH MAR., 1710.

Who, being duly Sworn and Examined, Saith that his house, situate in Island Magee aforesaid, which for this considerable time past has been haunted with Evil Spirits and Witches, and in which house one Mrs. Mary Dunbar (who is now removed from them to bank in the said County) was afflicted and tormented by witches, as she Saith, whom she discovered by giving Exact marks and account of the most of their names, tho she never had Seen of them in her life before (as she declares) but when by them tormented; since ye Confinement of Margt. Mitchell, whom the Said Mary affirm to be the only one that did afflict her since the Confinement of Jannet Liston, Eliz. Cellar, Kate McCamont, Jannet Carson, Jannet Mean, Jannet Latimore, and Jane Miller, who were all sent to and still do Remain in Gaoll, upon her discovering them as aforesaid to be her tormentors, hath never been troubled or molested in the Least, and that the Said Mary Dunbar told this Examt. that Since the Confinement of the Said Margaret Mitchell, whome she assured him that she was very Certain was her only tormentor after the Confinement of ye aforesaid persons, she the said Mary has not been tormented or afflicted, and that none of them has appeared to her, but she has been very easie ever Since, Save Some things she thought was in her Stomack, which she would be glad to Vomit, and further Saith not.

Capt et Jurat cor me
dic Annoque Supradict. 

Edward Clements, Copia Vera. 

(Pinkerton MSS.) (MS. 1. 1-3, T.C.D)

Samuel Molyneux, Armagh, to [his uncle], Thomas Molyneux, Dublin, 14 May 1711, Trinity College Dublin, MS 889, ff 31r-31v.

“Dr uncle, you judge very rightly of my design in sending you the examinations you lately recieved which I do assure you was for to satisfy you as much as I could rather than to convince you of ye truth of those accusations, I must however assure you the Judges related to me severall much more convincing circumstances which appeared on ye triall and which I shall endeavour to keep in my mind till I see you, thus for is certain that many supernaturall appearances did happen to that Mrs Dunbarr and therefore I think ye question should not be of ye reality of ye witchcraft (if we are pleas’d to call it so) but where to place it. Whether in ye accuser or ye accused and this question by many circumstances of ye good character & education & sense [31v] of ye young woman and her family, by severall previous disturbances that severall others alleged to have suffer and by these accused persons frequent vaunts and threats of their own revenge & power I am really inclinable to determine in her favour…”

I am yr affte nephew, S. Molyneux.

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