Modernized Spelling Transcription
Deposition 1
The information of Richard Weekes of Bridgewater in the county of Somerset,
husbandman,
taken before George Bawdon,
mayor, and Edward Sealy, one of the
aldermen, on the sixth day of September 1650.
Who informs and says upon oath that on Wednesday last, the fourth of this instant September, this informant says that he this
informant and one Robinson, the said Robinson and his two sons and one Henry Abbott went forth
to reap in the morning about five
of the clock. At which time it rained, whereupon they returned back again into the town of Bridgewater unto the house
of one William Wookey in Bridgewater aforesaid, where they drunk fifteen pence in beer. But afterwards, the weather seeming to be
fair, this informant, the said Thomas Robinson and William Robinson
went forth to reap again. And after, the said Abbott came
forth into the field where the parties abovesaid were at breakfast, during which time the said Abbott came forth
unto them and meeting with one Richard Glover, the said Abbott and the said Glover had some discourse.
Whereupon this informant asked the said Abbott what the discourse was, who answered that the said Glover
willed them to
cut the corn lower and further. The said Abbott told them that since their departure,
he had drunk a can of beer and part
of another and thereupon seeing a woman coming towards, the said Abbott said that he would go and kiss her. And went from them
with that resolution, as he supposed. And afterwards heard the said Abbott say unto the said woman that he would kiss,
for he had made a vow so to do, unto whom the said woman replied he should not. And afterwards he heard a certain boy say that the
man was in the river, which was seconded by the same woman. Whereupon this deponent and the rest that were with him, looking about saw the said Abbott
swimming in the river whereupon this deponent and the rest cried unto him and willed the said Abbott to make unto the shore. But as they conceived, he still was
carried further in the middle of the said river, where they perceived him to hold up his hands and afterwards saw him to sink and further says that he never made no
answer unto them. And more he informs not.
George Bawdon Mayor
Edw Sealy Aldr.
Deposition 2
On the same day before the same.
The information of Thomas Robinson of Bridgewater aforesaid,
husbandman.
Who informs and says upon oath that on Wednesday last, the 4th day of this instant September, this informant
being at
reaping
in the ground of one Richard Glover at which time came came [sic] one Henry Abbott into the field
likewise to reap. And having put off his
doublet with an intention, as this informant conceived, to go to work, seeing a
woman coming into the field, the said Abbott said that he would go and kiss her. And this informant saw the said Abbott
stop upon the bank, at which time heard him say unto the said woman that he must kiss her for he had made a vow so to
do. To whom the said woman replied he should not, but this informant tending his work did not see him kiss her, but heard
the woman say that he should pay dearly for his kiss. And immediately thereupon heard a little boy which was with
the said woman to cry out the man was in the river, and thereupon presently heard the said woman to say the same whereupon
this informant casting down his
hook ran upon the bank of the river and seeing the said Abbott in the river endeavoured
to have him by wading into the said river.
But could not because he was three times his length out in the river from him, at which
time this examintant cried unto him 'brother, make near unto me' but the more he cried unto him the further he seemed to go from him,
and shortly thereupon he saw him to sink and afterwards to rise again and
immediately to hold up his hands, he sunk again and
never saw him more. And more he informs not.
George Bawdon Mayor
Edw Sealy Alder
Deposition 3
On the same day before the same.
The examination of Joanne Symonds, the
wife of John Symonds of Dunwear,
husbandman.
Who confesses and says that on Wednesday last, she being at Bridgewater
to buy grain at that time brought there three pecks upon
her head in a pail and her son a peck and in returning homewards, there came a man unto her
having a knife in his hand. And told her
that he must kiss her for he had made a vow so to do, unto whom this examintant replied 'you shall not kiss me, Wherefore do
you trouble me?' and further said 'if you kiss me, you were better to let me alone for I will make you pay for it'. Whereunto he replied
whereunto he replied [sic] 'good woman, I intend you no harm' and withall threw away the his
knife out of his hand and then
did kiss her. And thereupon he said 'good woman, now it is ended'. And so went away laughing and having not gone above three of he lengths
heard her son to cry out, 'Mother the man is in the river'. Whereupon she called unto the workmen that were near unto her to have the
man, and taking a stake out of the stile delivered it unto one of the said workmen and with all desired them to
have him if they could. And shortly thereafter saw him sink in the river. And more she confesses not.
George Bawdon Mayor
Edw Sealy Aldr.
Deposition 4
On the same day before the same.
The examination of John Symonds,
the son of John Symonds of Dunwear aforesaid,
husbandman.
Who being examined says that on Wednesday last, being the fourth of this instant September, this examinant
and his mother having been at Bridgewater aforesaid
to buy grain and returning homewards, his mother having three pecks of grain
upon her head in a pail and this examinant
having likewise a peck and a half upon his head, saw a man coming towards his
mother. Who then said unto her that he must kiss her, for he had made a vow so to do. Unto whom, his mother replied 'go about
your business, why do you trouble me?' Whereupon struggling with her di[...] kiss her, the grain being still upon
her head. And after h^e^ had kissed her said unto her, 'good woman now it is ended' and afterwards going backwards, fell upon the sand near
the river and, lying there upon the sand laughing and afterwards endeavouring to rise, fell into the river. Whereupon this
examinant seeing the man in the river said 'Lord mother, the man is in the river' and presently after, his mother
cried out and said 'Help the man, for he is in the river'. And more he informs not.
George Bawdon Mayor
