The Witch, Grace Pitt

[My Good Babushka]

Suffolk lore, from Ipswich circa 1830: The witch, Grace Pitt, was burned to death in her home from the sacrifice of a sheep that had been bewitched. The only parts of the witch remaining were her hands and feet, which coincided with the four feet of the sheep which did not burn because they were tied together, and the sheep had burned suspended over the fire by its feet. Did Grace Pitt, the fishmonger’s wife and thirsty soul, die from sympathetic magic or spontaneous human combustion?

[frogmarch]

1. One online source says it happened in 1744

Citing the 1744 case of Grace Pitt, an Ipswich fishmonger’s wife, Booth states Grace was said to be a witch, adding it was well-known witchcraft could only destroy certain parts of bodies and some members could be protected against such spells. That Grace’s hands and feet were not consumed when she caught fire was attributed by country people to just such a spell—did he mean dueling witches were involved? He further opines old ladies said to be witches were so-called from “…their excessive devotion to spirituous liquors, which…[in every case has] been found to predispose to spontaneous combustion…”

http://www.suzanneadair.net/2014/03/18/fiery-death-spontaneous-combustion-in-literature-and-life/

However it happened, Grace deserved it for burning the sheep.

A half century before in Salem, some dogs were hanged for being bewitched.

Stupid people.