Joan
Peterson of Shadwell, Middlesex, inhabited a hazy area occupied by
many in the 17th century. On the one hand, she was a cunning woman or "white" witch, her charms and powers used to help
those who were ill or to recover missing or stolen goods. On the other, she was
capable of causing the very suffering she was called upon to relieve,
a vengeful and dangerous woman to those who crossed her.
In
Joan's case, this blurring of roles would prove to be fatal, and in 1652 she found herself in court on two indictments. The first that:
“She
had conspired with another Gentlewoman to administer a potion or
posset, to the Lady Powell (living at Chelsea) who soon after the
drinking thereof died.”
The second involved a Christopher Wilson with whom she had quarrelled. Calling upon Joan in desperation when taken ill, Wilson had agreed to pay her fee
but, once cured, went back on the deal. Joan had been blunt when
telling the man just what she thought of him, vowing vengeance if he did
not pay her what he had said. Sure enough, Wilson received his comeuppance:
“...and very
suddenly after he fell into very strange fits, and for twelve hours
together would rage and rave like a mad man, and afterwards for
twelve hours more would flabber out his tongue; and walk up and down
like a meer changeling.”
Whether she had indeed spoken the words against Christopher Wilson could be contested, but it appears that, in the matter of Lady Powell's death, Joan was innocent. The lady in question had been in possession of a great fortune when she died, and there was a bitter battle taking place between her niece, Anne Levingstone, and one Thomas Crompton.
Crompton had inveigled his way into Lady Powell's
affections, splitting her from her husband before hiding the older woman away in
Chelsea. In so doing, Crompton had gained control over Lady Powell's estates and finances,
and was set to inherit a great deal when she died. Things did not go as planned, however, and through the machinations of concerned family
members, Lady Powell was reconciled with her husband before his
death, and went on to leave her money and estates to Anne Levingstone instead.
Already in possession of a great deal of her wealth however, Crompton was not to give up without a fight. In
January 1562, Joan Peterson was approached and offered one
hundred pounds to say that she had provided Anne Levingstone with
“certain powders, and bags of seeds, to help her in her law suits,
and to provoke unlawful love.” The implication was that Lady
Powell's affections had been gained by unfair means, but Joan refused,
leaving those who plotted in a dangerous situation.
Deciding Joan knew too much, Crompton and his "confederates" decided upon a new and deadly plan. On 7th March they went to Wapping, where they obtained a
warrant from a Justice of the Peace. The
substance of the warrant was the arrest of Joan, and also permitted
the searching of her house. Nothing was found, but, not to be dissuaded, Joan was taken before the magistrate and examined regarding whether she had
used witchcraft against Lady Powell. Joan was adamant that she had not, and that she had not even heard of this Lady
Powell, though she admitted that Crompton's woman had been to see her and
asked her to swear against Anne Levingstone.
Dockside, Wapping
Joan's
body was searched for signs that would confirm her status as a witch,
but nothing incriminating was discovered, and Joan was released on bail. This was not the end of the matter, as on 14th March she was taken in again for
further questioning. Everything was tried to get her to confess,
including the promise that they wished only to catch Anne Levingstone for her crime, and it was not Joan's life they were after.
Joan
remained steadfast in her reply, and repeated that she had never
heard of Lady Powell and did not know her, and as for Anne
Levingstone, she had not seen or heard from her in about a year. This
then led to more searching, in a “most unnatural and barbarous
manner.” This time, it was told to the Justice that there had been
found “a teat of flesh in her secret parts more than other women
usually had.” This was enough for Joan to be taken to New prison and
then on to Newgate.
Her case was heard at the Old Bailey on 7th April, taking up the majority of the day. Evidence was heard from many against Joan, whilst those who might have spoken in her favour were forcibly dissuaded from entering the building to give their testimony in her defence.
Some of the evidence given against Joan survives on record. When a neighbour's child fell sick, it was thought Joan was to blame. There was
such fear for it's life that the child was watched both day and
night, and while neighbours were watching so the exhausted parents
could rest, something strange occurred. Around midnight, a large
black cat approached the cradle and began to rock it. The animal
vanished when threatened with the fork for the fire, only to return
again an hour later. This time, the other woman in attendance kicked
the creature, only for it to disappear again, leaving the woman with
a leg that was swollen and sore.
Frightened,
both left soon after, and on their way home met a baker who shared a
strange tale. He had just seen a great black cat which had frightened
him enough to make his hair stand on end. On hearing this, the women
told him what they had witnessed, and the baker said he was certain
that Joan Peterson had bewitched the child.
Those
closer to Joan spoke against her; her own maid testified how she had
been lying with her mistress one night when Joan Joan told her that a
squirrel would come to her – it would do no harm, however, and the
girl was not to be afraid. As midnight approached, sure enough, a
creature that looked like a squirrel joined them on the bed, the girl
frozen with fright as the animal and Joan carried out a conversation
that, although overheard by the maid, could not be recorded as she
had been so bewitched as to not remember it afterwards. Joan's own
son who was around seven or eight, inadvertently confirmed this when,
quizzed by some friends from school about his mother and her strange
behaviour. The boy responded that Joan was able to do the things she
did because a squirrel taught her how to do things.
Despite evidence of a rigged jury and coerced witnesses, Joan was acquitted of aiding in the death of Lady Powell, but found guilty of harming Christopher Wilson, and was sentenced to hang on Monday
12th April, 1652.
The
Faithful Scout for 9th-16th April, 1562 tells the tale of
Joan's execution:
“This
day was execution day for London; three suffered, two men, and one
woman; the men were sentenced for horse-stealing; the woman was
condemned for witchcraft, and seemed to be very much dejected, having
a melancholy aspect: she seemed not to be much above 40 years of age,
and was not in the least outwardly deformed, as those kind of
creatures usually are Being brought to Tyburn, and the Rope put about
her neck, she was urged to discharge her conscience; whereupon she
replied, that they were but flesh and blood as she as, and therefore
should receive no satisfaction concerning her proceedings: Her end
was as miserable as her life abominable; for when the Minister
exhorted her to repentance, she cried out, away with this babbling
fellow.”
Joan was not the only one to cry out at her own fate; there were plenty afterwards who spoke of foul play in the matter. Anne Levingstone brought a case to court not long afterwards against Thomas Crompton and his conspirators, citing her damages at the grand sum of 20,000 pounds. The battle for Lady Powell's estate continued for the next decade, until matters were resolved by Act of Parliament on 19th May, 1662.
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