Quarter Sessions Examination Book

f 391 (11 February) (Examination of John Primmer)

Thexaminacion of Iohn Primmer aged Twenty yeares or thereabout, sonne of Richard Primmer of Wootton in the Countie of Southampton husbandman taken before Peter Pryaulx Esquier Mayor; Edward Exton; and Nathaniell Mill Aldermen Iustices &c. the Eleaventh day of ffebruarie Anno Regni Regis Caroli Vndecimo Annoque Domini .1635./

Who saith that hee this Examinate being in the prison called the Bargate of this Towne on the third of this instant ffebruarie, committed thither by Mr Mayor: assoone as hee came into prison, Robert Keyes one of the prisoners there, began to question this Examinate, whither hee had not hear of certaine sights in the prison and that hee this Examinate annswered, that hee had heard of such thinges, wherevpon hee told this Examinate, (willing him to bee afraid) that hee should see straunge sights, and that hee the said Keyes could cause them to appeare, when hee pleased, and further told this Examinate, that yf hee had had that which hee sent for, hee would make them all rue the time that putt him into prison./ And this Examinate further saith that betweene the houres of xj. and xij. at midnight the said Keyes blew out his Candle, and spake Certaine words which this Examinate vnderstood not, and that therevpon presently appeared (as it seemed to this Examinate) five strange things in sundrye shapes, one like a bull, another in the forme of a white beare, and the other three like little puppie doggs without heads tumbling on the ground before him; whereat this Examinate being affrighted, began to rise vp where hee lay, and the said Keyes willed him not to bee afraid, for they should doe him noe harme; And that all the tyme theis Apparitions were in the prison (being about the space of a quarter of an houre) the Examinate Keyes spake certaine words to them which this Examinate vnderstood not, and that there was a greate light in the prison all that tyme; And that vpon the suddaine they all vanished away, but how this Examinate knoweth not; And further hee saith that when the thinges appeared, hee this Examinate was awaked, and in his perfect sense & remembrance; And that the said Keyes asked him the next morning whether hee were not afraid at the sights he sawe over night./.

(signed) Peter Pryaulx Mayor (signed) Nathaniell Mill (signed) Edward Exton