by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Babergh, Sudbury
According to John Stearne Anne Boreham was tempted by demons to forsake Christ, follow the devil, and do his work in return for various rewards. In all probability Sudbury provided many more women accused of witches than just Anne alone. The town accounts for 1645...
by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Babergh, Polstead
Joan Ruce was a widow who had been modestly well-off until 1640. She fell under the suspicion of her neighbors after several of their livestock died. Under interrogation by Stearne, she confessed to having ‘familiars’, three mice named Touch, Pluck, and Take. She...
by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Shelley
Stearne travelled to Shelley with Priscilla Briggs – one of the ‘Witch prickers’ who had accompanied Matthew Hopkins in Manningtree. The widow Thomasine Ratliff (or Ratcliffe) confessed to Abigail Briggs that she slept with the Devil in the shape of her recently...
by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Copdock
Mary Skipper was implicated by Nathaniel Bacon and after three days of interrogation confessed to having entered a pact with the devil and killing the child of one ‘Lane’ after three days. The Devil also told her to go to church ‘and make a greate...
by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Copdock
Jane Rivet was accused along with Susan Manners. Both were accused by Robert Hitchcock, Thomas Bull, Rebecca Ustwood, Mother [Mary] Phillips and Mother Mills (the latter both searchers) Jane (and Susan) was sent to Ipswich gaol before Bury St Edmunds, both were found...
by Liz Baalham | Feb 1, 2026 | Copdock
Susan Manners, along with Jane Rivet, was accused by Robert Hitchcock, Thomas Bull, Rebecca Ustwood, Mother [Mary] Phillips and Mother Mills (the latter both searchers) Susan Manners (and Jane) was sent to Ipswich gaol before Bury St Edmunds, both were found guilty...
