“We whose names are underwritten being desired to go to Goodman Nurse his house, to speak with his wife, and to tell her that several of the afflicted persons mentioned her; and accordingly we went, and we found her in a weak and low condition in body as she told us, and had been sick almost a week.  And we asked how it was otherwise with her:  and she said she blessed God for it, she had more of his presence in this sickness than sometime she have had, but not so much as she desired; but she would, with the apostle, press forward to the mark; and many other places of Scripture to the like purpose.  And then, of her own accord, she began to speak of the affliction that was amongst them, and in particular of Mr. Parris his family, and how she was grieved for them, though she had not been to see them, by reason of fits that she formerly used to have; for people said it was awful to behold:  but she pitied them with all her heart, and went to God for them.  But she said she heard that there was persons spoke of that were as innocent as she was, she believed; and, after much to this purpose, we told her we heard that she was spoken of also.  ‘Well,’ she said, ’if it be so, the will of the Lord be done:’  she sat still a while, being as it were amazed; and then she said, ’Well, as to this thing I am as innocent as the child unborn; but surely,’ she said, ’what sin hath God found out in me unrepented of, that he should lay such an affliction upon me in my old age?’ and, according to our best observation, we could not discern that she knew what we came for before we told her.

     ISRAEL PORTER,
     ELIZABETH PORTER.

     “To the substance of what is above, we, if called thereto,
     are ready to testify on oath.

     DANIEL ANDREW,
     PETER CLOYSE.”

Elizabeth Porter, who joins her husband in making this statement, was a sister of John Hathorne, the examining magistrate, and the mother-in-law of Joseph Putnam, who was among the very few that condemned the proceedings from the first.  She stood, therefore, between the two parties.  The character of each of the signers and indorsers of this interesting paper is sufficient proof that its statements are truthful.  It cannot but excite the most affecting sensibilities in every breast.  This venerable lady, whose conversation and bearing were so truly saint-like, was an invalid of extremely delicate condition and appearance, the mother of a large family, embracing sons, daughters, grandchildren, and one or more great-grandchildren.  She was a woman of piety, and simplicity of heart.  In all probability, she shared in the popular belief on the subject of witchcraft, and supposed that the sufferings of the children were real, and that they were afflicted by an “evil hand.”  At the very time that she was sorrowfully sympathizing with them and Mr. Parris’s family, and praying for them, they were circulating suspicions against her, and maturing their plans for her destruction.