THO.  BRADBURY.”

The Rev. James Allin made oath before Robert Pike, an assistant and magistrate, as follows:—­

“I, having lived nine years at Salisbury in the work of the ministry, and now four years in the office of a pastor, to my best notice and observation of Mrs. Bradbury, she hath lived according to the rules of the gospel amongst us; was a constant attender upon the ministry of the word, and all the ordinances of the gospel; full of works of charity and mercy to the sick and poor:  neither have I seen or heard any thing of her unbecoming the profession of the gospel.”

Robert Pike also affirmed to the truth of Mr. Allin’s statement, from “upwards of fifty years’ experience,” as did John Pike also:  they both declared themselves ready and desirous to give their testimony before the Court.

One hundred and seventeen of her neighbors—­the larger part of them heads of families, and embracing the most respectable people of that vicinity—­signed their names to a paper, of which the following is a copy:—­

“Concerning Mrs. Bradbury’s life and conversation, we, the subscribers, do testify, that it was such as became the gospel:  she was a lover of the ministry, in all appearance, and a diligent attender upon God’s holy ordinances, being of a courteous and peaceable disposition and carriage.  Neither did any of us (some of whom have lived in the town with her above fifty years) ever hear or ever know that she ever had any difference or falling-out with any of her neighbors,—­man, woman, or child,—­but was always ready and willing to do for them what lay in her power night and day, though with hazard of her health, or other danger.  More might be spoken in her commendation, but this for the present.”

Although this aged matron and excellent Christian lady was convicted and sentenced to death, it is most satisfactory to find that she escaped from prison, and her life was saved.

The following facts show the weight which ought to have been attached to these statements.  The position, as well as character and age, of Mary [Perkins] Bradbury entitled her to the highest consideration, in the structure of society at that time.  This is recognized in the title “Mrs.,” uniformly given her.  She had been noted, through life, for business capacity, energy, and influence; and, in 1692, was probably seventy-five years of age, and somewhat infirm in health.  Her husband, Thomas Bradbury, had been a prominent character in the colony for more than fifty years.  In 1641, he was appointed, by the General Court, Clerk of the Writs for Salisbury, with the functions of a magistrate, to execute all sorts of legal processes in that place.  He was a deputy in 1651 and many subsequent years; a commissioner for Salisbury in 1657, empowered to act in all criminal cases, and bind over offenders, where it was proper, to higher courts, to take testimonies upon oath, and to join persons