During some alterations which are in progress at Messrs. Hart's, in King-street, workmen came upon an old "Witch Bottle," embedded about 18 inches below the floor of the shop, and about 12 inches from the fireplace. It contained some water, about 40 horsenails, and 20 thorns. It is supposed to be 200 years old. Some quaint old carvings on stone and oak were also discovered, supposed by antiquarians to date from the time of Elizabeth.
Chelmsford Chronicle, 22nd July 1870.
Towards the end of the last century, at Saffron Walden, Essex, there were discovered during alterations to buildings both a "witch jug" and a "witch bottle." The latter was buried in the floor of a house. It contained some water, about forty horse-shoe nails, and twenty thorns. It was supposed to be about two centuries old. It was customary in England in the early years of the seventeenth century to place under the entrance of a house a jug or bottle filled with horse-shoe nails to prevent the entrance of witches.
Framlingham Weekly News, 15th November 1930.
