Agnes Waterhouse was born in Warley England in 1503 but details of her early life are not well documented.
Agnes lived in Hatfield Peveral, Essex with her Grandmother- Mother Even. Her sister Elizabeth Francis her daughter Joan warehouse and her common-law husband John Bently.
Agnes was known as Mother Waterhouse which could suggest she is well known in the village.
Agnes was given a white spotted cat named Satan by her sister Elizabeth Francis who had the cat given to her by their grandmother ‘Mother Eve’ 15 or 16 years before she gave him to Agnes. Elizabeth was taught witchcraft at the age of twelve by their grandmother and she was instructed to teach Agnes witchcraft when she gave her Satan.
Agnes used Satan as a familiar, she first instructed him to kill one of her pigs because she wanted to see what he can do, she also instructed Satan to kill her neighbour’s cows and grade. Agnes kept Satan in a pot lined with wool but it is reported she turned her into a toad because it is said she wanted to repurpose the wool. Other reports claim that Satan turned herself into a toad.
Agnes said that she always prayed in Latin because Saten forbid her to pray in English.
Agnes was put on trial in Chelmsford after being accused of using witchcraft to kill livestock, bewitching and causing illness to her neighbour William Fynne who died on the 1st of November 1565. Agnes was also accused of using witchcraft to cause illness and bring about the death of her husband.
Elizabeth Francis is the one who accused Agnes Warehouse of witchcraft but The chief evidence came from neighbour Twelve-year-old Agnes Brown, she told the court of a large black demon dog came to her, she describes him as having a face like an ape, a short tail and silver whistle around his neck. Agnes told the court how the dog asked her for butter but she refused so the dog used the key he had to open the door to the milk house and got some butter. Agnes then went on to tell the court that the dog returned sometime later, he had a knife and threatened to kill her. When Agnes asked who he belonged to the dog the dog indicated Agnes Waterhouse.
Agnes Brown never saw the dog again.
Agnes Waterhouse’s daughter Joan Waterhouse was also put on trial for witchcraft but was later exonerated because she testified against her mother.
Agnes denied using witchcraft to kill anyone but was still executed.
Agnes was executed in Chelmsford on the 29th of July she was approx. 63 years old, she was executed where Shire Hall in Chelmsford High Street now stands.
Agnes is known as one the first women to be executed by hanging under The Witchcraft Act of 1562
A permanent memorial for Agnes Waterhouse and other women executed for witchcraft is being considered by Chelmsford City Council
Shire Hall now stands in the spot where Agnes Waterhouse was executed, it is located at the top of Chelmsford High Street.
Alex Valentine 