Joan Searle: Almost a Witch

So today I learned two things: 1. There's a much cooler version of the DAR called Associated Daughters of Early American Witches and 2. In the entirety of recorded Bucks County history, exactly one woman was accused of being a witch, kind of.

Unfortunately (for sheer curiosity's sake) the actual recorded case isn't very Cruciblesque. In June 1690, one Thomas King was charged with defamation for claiming that a woman named Joan Searle was a witch.

From the Quarter Sessions and Common Pleas minutes book: "Hugh Marsh attested doth say that in or about the 3 month last past says he heard Thomas King say there was a witch neare by. Being asked who it was said he suspected Francis Searls wife for she was an ugly ill favored woman & he did believe her to be one. Robert Marsh attested says he heard Tho King say that there was a witch hard by."

The jury found King guilty. "It is adjudged that Thomas King shall pay costs of suite & be bound to keep the peace & appeare at the next Court of Quarter Sessions. Recognizance Thomas King acknowledges him self indebted to the propryetor & governor in the sum of ten pounds to be levied on his lands & chattles & that upon condition that he shall appeare at the next Court of Quarter Sessions & to keepe the king & Queens peace in the meane time."