Drowning Death of Lydia Pickering

From the New England Historic Genealogical Register, Volume 46, page 179. Daniel Epps, Jr. is my 11th great-granduncle. He was the son of Daniel and Martha (Reade) Epps. In 1702, he was the coroner who led the investigation into the death of Lydia Pickering.  Poor Lydia fell into a well and drowned. There's a lot to pick through before you get to the actual findings of the coroner's inquest (emphasis mine).

Inquest Upon the Body of Lydia Pickering of Salem, 1702. - (Communicated by Grenville H. Norcross, LL.B., of Boston) - Ess. sc. An Inquisition Indented Taken at Salem within ye said County of Essex ye 16th Day of October Anno 1702, In ye first year of ye Reigne of our Sovereign Lady Anne by ye grace of God of England, Scotland, France & Ireland Queen, defender of the Faith etc. Before Daniel Epes Gent. One of ye Coroners of our said Lady ye Queen within ye County of Essex aforesaid upon ye View of ye Body of Lydia Pickering Lying dead at ye house of mr. Jno Pickering of Salem aforesaid By ye Oaths of Edward Flint Samuel Phippen, Stephen Ingolls, Daniel Grant, Jno Orne Samuel Sibley Samuel West Jno Cook Samuel Shattock, Henry West Joseph Duglas Wm Reeves, Ephr. Kempton & Jno Priest, Good & Lawfull men of Salem aforesaid within ye County aforesaid, Who being charged & Sworne To Inquire for our said Lady ye Queen, when by what means & how, Lydia Pickering came to her death Upon their Oaths do say, That she came to her End or death by falling into a well & being drowned & so, came to her End by misfortune - In Witnes whereof, as well I ye Coroner aforesaid as ye Jurors aforesaid To this Inquisition have put our hands & seals ye Day & Year abovesaid -
Daniel Epes Coroner (Seal)
The mark of
Jno F Cook (Seal)                          Edward flint Foreman (Seal)
Samuel Shattock (Seal)                Samuel phippen (Seal)
Henry West (Seal)                        Stephen Ingalls (Seal)
Joseph Duglas (Seal)                    Daniel Grant (Seal)
William Reeves (Seal)                  John Orne (Seal)
Ephraim Kempton (Seal)            Samuell Sibley (Seal)
John Priest (Seal)                          Samuel West (Seal)