Examination of Cloyce and Proctor
On 11 April 1692 Sarah Cloyce and Elizabeth Proctor were examined at Salem. Several accusers described being hurt by the two women.
A court sat at Salem on 11 April 1692 under Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth to examine Sarah Cloyce and Elizabeth Proctor. The record is held by the Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive at the University of Virginia.
The first accuser questioned was John Indian, an enslaved man owned by Parris, according to Wikipedia. He told the court that Goody Proctor and Goody Cloyse hurt him many times. He said Proctor choked him and brought him the book. He said Cloyse pinched and bit him until the blood came and had hurt him at meeting the day before. Cloyse answered him directly and called him a grievous liar.
Mary Walcot told the court she had seen a white man many times, a fine grave man who made all the witches tremble. Abigail Williams agreed with her. Williams also said the same sight appeared at Deacon Ingersoll's house too, and she named four women who were there: Cloyse, Nurse, Corey and Good. Wikipedia records that Cloyce maintained her innocence. She was sent to jail with bail refused, shortly afterwards moved to Boston prison, and on 19 June returned to a jail in Ipswich.
"On April 11, 1692, Sarah Cloys/Cloyce was interrogated in public and maintained her innocence. The first accuser questioned that day was an enslaved person owned by Parris and referred to as John Indian: "When did I hurt thee?" Sarah asked. "A great many times," he said."Oh you are a grievous liar", Sarah responded. Abigail Williams was also questioned. Sarah was committed to jail without bail and soon transferred to Boston prison until June 19 when she was transferred back to a jail in Ipswich. Another sister Mary Eastey was also accused and arrested."
- Examination of Sarah Cloyse and Elizabeth Proctor, 11 April 1692 (SWP No. 106.3), Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive, University of Virginia