1 October 1655

The Session now being conveened in full number, Bessie Coal is called and compares. Because many people ar conveened to hear this cause examined, the Session thinkes good to site without in the left, that they all may hear the better. And then Henrie Stoby is asked , Whither this be true or not that [he] had lyen with her? Henry denieth: and for evidence her affirmeth that Bessie Coal had declared at two sundrie times before a notare and witnesses that he never lay with her; and she had declared the same before the Vredemakers, as he produceth severla writes to instruct the same. Bessie Coal is asked, What she can say against the attestation of the Notarie? Bessie answereth, the Notarie spake unto her in dutch, and she knew not what he spake or wrote. The notare Baltasar de Gruiter is present and being called depones, that both the dayes he spake unto her in English, and exponed unto her all that he had wrten, ere she did subscrive; yea she had spoken unto him what he had writen, as the witnesses will yet testify. Bessie confesses, that he sayth truth. The she is asked, What she can say against the attestation of the Vreedemakers? and whither she was befor them or not? Bessie answereth, I was before them, but I was compelled to goe before them. She is demanded, Who compelled her? She answereth, Henrie Stoby compelled me. Henrie Stobie is asked, Whither he did compell her? Henrie answereth, I saw her not that day till she came to the Stadhuise nor say Iher many dayes before. Bessie coal replyes, He sent Margaret Sutherland unto mee, and threatenen mee in his name. Margaret sutherland is called and compeares, and is asked, Whither she did threaten Bessie Coal to goe before the Vreedemakers, and deny that Henrie Stoby had lyen with her? and Whither Henrie Stoby had bidden her goe to Bessie Coal? Margaret Sutherland denyeth both, and she askes Bessie Coal, In what place spake I unto you in that manner? Bessie Coal answereth her not. Then Bessie is asked, In what place, and at what tyme Henrie Stoby had lyen with her? At the first answer, she nameth tyme and place and being further examined concerning particulare time and place, she contradicts herself: and at last falling down on her knies she cryeth out saying, I will die for Christ, I will swear and goe to death with this, He hath sinned with mee but I know nether time nor place...........