congregation on the Lord's day, and being called up by the minister
and asked if she was guilty of witchcraft, she confessed freely that
she was, and had entered expressly into covenant with Satan, and
renounced her baptism, the devil putting one hand on the crown of her
head, and the other under the soles of her feet, and she gave over
all to the devil that was betwixt his two hands, and she was come
hither to confess her sins, and to get her renounced baptism back
again. She also desired all that had power with God to pray for her;
to this the minister and elders, and whole congregation, were
witnesses.
It being reported, that Agnes Currie should have delated Bessie
Callander and Mary Wilson, guilty of witchcraft; Agnes being called,
compeared and declared, that Robert Currie told her Elspeth
Williamson told him that Bessie Callander and Mary Wilson, were
witches.
George Stewart, solemnly sworn, purged of malice and partial counsel,
aged 27 years, married, deponed, that Agnes Currie said to him, I'll
tell you, but you must not let any of your folk know of it; he
replied, I believe in Christ, I hope the devil hath no power over me.
Ha, ha, said she, the devil hath done wrong to many, and he may wrong
your friends or goods. Elspeth Williamson told Robert Currie, and
Robert Currie told me, that Bessie Callander and Mary Wilson, are
guilty of witchcraft. And this is truth, as he shall answer.--_Causa
scientia._
_Sic subscribitur_, G. S.
James Paton, solemnly sworn, purged of malice and partial counsel,
aged between 22 and 23 years, depones, he was not requiring any thing
of her by way of confession of persons names to which she assented in
the mean time, but Agnes Currie said to him, there are two witches in
Newmilne, and one of them is at the Bridgend; upon which I replied,
you must tell me, for I have a sister there. Agnes replied, her name
begins with a B, George Marshall replied, is that our Bessie, she
answered, you are right enough, it's Bessie Callander. As to the
other person, she would not tell her name at first, but said, she is
be-east your house, but after owned the person to be Mary Wilson, but
desired him not to divulge it to your mother or sister, least these
persons do you ill. This is the truth, as he shall answer.--_Causa
scientia._
_Sic subscribitur_, JA. PATON.
George Marshall, sworn, purged, &c. _ut supra_, aged 39 years,
married, declared, _ut supra_, and added, that she said, ye are
husbandmen, devulge it not, least your beasts get wrang; and said to
Alexander Drysdale, you go to sea, you have need to take head; and
she said, the other lived be-east James Paton's house, but he going
away, heard not her name. And this is the truth, as he shall answer.
_Causa scientia._
_Sic subscribitur_, G. M.
Agnes Currie assented to this in session; and that Robert Currie told
her, that Elspeth Williamson told him these things; and that Mary
Carmichael in Linlithgow, is a witch.
Robert Currie called, compeared, and declared that Elspeth Williamson
delated to him Bessie Callander, Mary Wilson, and Mary Carmichael, as
witches, which the said Elspeth referred to the probation of the
witch.
The foresaid day, Lillias Adie said to the minister, that the devil
was angry that she went to church, and said, that she might do as
well at home. Being interrogate if he was angry like, she said, that
he never looked pleasant like.--And closed with prayer.
_August 29th, 1704._
Lillias Adie declared, some hours before her death, in audience of
the minister, precentor, George Pringle, and John Paterson, that what
she had said of Elspeth Williamson and Agnes Currie, was as true as
the Gospel; and added, it is as true as the sun shines on that floor,
and dim as my eyes are, I see that.
It being reported that William Wilson knew something of Agnes Currie
that was witchcraft, as also Janet Glass, they were called, and the
said William declared, that about 24 years ago, Helen Johnston having
overlaid her child the night after it was baptized, and the next day
he was lamenting the woman's case, Agnes Currie said to him, if I had
been her cummer, I could have advised her to take heed to her child;
and also, that the said William was desired some time ago to bring
some _slyk_[15] to a house that belonged to Agnes, and he answered,
that his mare was in the yoke all day and could not; Agnes said she
could not help it, and that same day his mare died in a stank.
[15] Thin clay or mud.
Janet Glass declared, that she came once into Agnes Currie's house,
having something to do with Agnes, who in the time was baking bread,
and broke three several bannocks, lying in three several places, and
gave it to the said Janet, and she with eating the same fell in a
fever.
_Torryburn, 3d of September, 1704.--After Prayer, Sederunt,
Minister and Elders, except Robert Baxter, John Weir and John
Wardlaw._
Agnes Currie being called, compeared, and confronted with Janet
Glass; Janet declared, that about twelve years ago, she brought her
cloth to her house, and Agnes was baking bread, and she broke three
several bannocks that were in three several places, and gave her a
piece of every bannock, and immediately she took the fever; and she
adds, that she gave her a little piece of every bannock, and it was
all one sort of bread. Janet declares that she is ready to swear it;
also adds, Helen Lawson was so used.
Helen Lawson being called, declared, that a long time ago, Agnes
Currie broke three several bannocks, and gave her a piece of every
one, but she would not take the third piece; and adds, that she is
ready to swear it.
Elspeth Williamson being brought in, and interrogate if she was a
witch, she answered, that she would not deny that.
N. B.--Lillias Adie was buried within the seamark at Torryburn.[16]
[16] Her grave is still to be seen at the west end of the town,
marked with a large stone.--ED.
* * * * *
William Cose being called, compeared, and owned, that on Sabbath
morning, anno 1704, it being moon-light, he saw Bessie Micklejohn, or
the devil in her stead, in James Chalmers's bark, then lying in
Leith, and he doubts not but she saw him; and adds, that she had a
green plaid about her head, as he offered to depone. The session
considering that the devil appeared in her likeness, it was no proof
against her, they judged it not necessary to regard that matter, and
thought William Cose should not be troubled, it appearing he had not
spoken it from malice, nor accused her of witchcraft formerly.
_March 30th, 1709._
Margaret Humble called, declared, that Helen Key said, that when she
heard Mr Logan[17] speak against the witches, she thought that he was
daft, and she had up her stool to go out of the kirk: Also declared,
that Helen Key threatened to strike Mary Neilson.
[17] The Reverend Allan Logan, the minister, is still famous all over
the country for his skill in discovering witches; and used, when
administering the Sacrament, to say, "You witch wife get up from the
table of the Lord," when some unhappy old woman would have risen,
imagining she was pointed at, and it was well if it did not
afterwards cost her her life. _Daft_ or not, he was certainly a most
wretched fanatic of the worst description.--ED.
Jean Pearson declared, that she heard Helen Key say, that she would
strike Mary Neilson. The said Helen Key confessed what all the
witnesses declared.
As to the affair of Helen Key, Mary Neilson called, declared, that
she heard Helen Key say, that she thought Mr Logan was not wise when
he was speaking against the witches; and she had one unseemly
expression that is not decent to be put on the records; and when
Margaret Humble rebuked her, she answered, it was not Margaret
Humble's part to speak in Mr Logan's favours, but she would not
express what Mr. Logan said of Margaret Humble to her.
The session having found her convicted of prophane irreverent
language against the minister and his doctrine, without any shadow of
provocation, and of gross lying and prevaricating, both in private
and before the session, and of threatening to strike a person because
she had reported her impudent, Godless, and scandalous
language,--therefore, they appoint her to sit before the congregation
the next Lord's day, and to be rebuked after the afternoon's sermon.
THE END.
ΔΕΤΤΕΡΟΣΚΟΠΙΑ;
OR A
BRIEF DISCOURSE
CONCERNING THE
SECOND SIGHT;
_COMMONLY SO CALLED._
By the Reverend Mr John Frazer, Deceased,
late Minister of Teree and Coll, and Dean
of the Isles;
AND
_Published by Mr ANDREW SYMSON, with a Short
Account of the Author._
EDINBURGH:
Printed by Mr ANDREW SYMSON, Anno Domini
MDCCVII.
TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
_Universally Learned, and my very Singular Good
Lord GEORGE, Earl of Cromartie, Viscount
of Tarbat, Lord Macleod and Castlehaven,
&c. Lord Justice General of the Kingdom
of Scotland, and one of her
Majesty's most Honourable
Privy Council_,
This following Discourse, entituled ΔάτεροσκοπιαΔάτεροσκοπια, &c.
written by the Reverend Mr John Frazer, late Minister of Teree and
Coll, and Dean of the Isles, is, with all due respect and reverence,
dedicated by the printer and publisher hereof, his
Lordship's most humble
And obedient servant in all duty,
ANDREW SYMSON.
THE
PUBLISHER TO THE READER.
The Reverend author of the ensuing Discourse having married my near
kinswoman, and being in this city in November 1700, in order to the
settling of some of his affairs. As we were discoursing of several
things relating to the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland, we
came to speak of the Second Sight, reported to be so common in these
parts; he told me, that as to the thing itself, it was most certain
and undeniable, and that he could give many instances of it; as also,
that he had written a short Discourse upon that subject. This he
promised to transmit to me; accordingly, on his return home, after a
tedious and troublesome voyage, both by sea and land, he sent me that
Discourse, written with his own hand, desiring me to publish the same
after some of his friends here had perused it: which being done, I,
at my own conveniency, put it to the press, but before it was
finished, I received an account that the author was dead, whereupon I
forbore the publishing of it, till I should get an account of several
passages concerning himself and family, designing to prefix the same
to the Discourse itself, which I conceived would be acceptable to
his friends, and not displeasing to the reader. And therefore I
dispatched a letter to one of his nearest relations, and that was
best acquainted with him, and with the passages of his life, that so
I might thereby be the better informed. In answer whereunto, I
received a paper containing several memoirs, from which I have
collected the following account.
Mr John Frazer, the author of this Discourse, was born in the Isle of
Mull, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and
forty-seven.
His father, Mr Ferchard Frazer, was born in the north of Scotland,
near Stratharig, about the year 1606, and lineally descended of the
family of my Lord Lovat, but mediately of the family of Tober, one of
the Lairds of the name of Frazer.
After he had taken his degrees at the University, and applied himself
to the study of Divinity, he was called by the bishop of the isles
(there being then few learned men able to preach in the Irish tongue)
to be minister of the Isles of Teree and Coll, (to which charge the
deanry of the Isles was annext.) He was the first master of arts that
preached constantly there as minister of the parish, there being then
there one Ewen M'Lean, who was appointed to catechise and convene the
people, there being few or none, as said is, able to serve the cure;
but being there, he was very diligent in his ministerial function in
teaching and instructing them, leaving them far better than he found
them; for at his first coming, there were but three heritable
gentlemen of the name of M'Lean that could subscribe their own
names, the time Mr Ferchard Frazer served as minister of the Isles of
Teree and Coll, which were conjoined in one parish, may be collected
from his epitaph, written by his son, our author, which is--
Epitaphium Magistri Ferchardi Frazer Decani Insularum; qui obiit 14
die Februarii Anno Domini 1680. Aetatis 74.
Pervigil et blandus; mitis, gravis atq. benignus;
Doctus et Eloquii deterritate fluens:
Pavicoves Christi pandens mysteria verbi;
Exemplum vitæ præbuit ipse gregi.
Luxfuerat populi lustris bis quinq. peractis,
Sacradocens, sancto munere functus obit.
Hic requiem tumulo corpus capit, inde regressus
Spiritus ad Dominum, qui dedit ante, volat.
Mr Johannes Frazerus, decanus insularum.
His mother's name was Janet M'Lean, daughter to Lauchlan M'Lean of
Coll, an ancient family of that name and clan. His father, as he was
careful to instruct others, so he did not neglect his son, our
author, but having fitted him for the University, he sent him to the
College of Glasgow, and committed him to the care of Mr William
Blair, one of the regents there, who advanced him to the degree of
master of arts, between the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth year of
his age. From thence he went to the Isle of Mull, and was chaplain to
Sir Allan M'Lean of Duart. Thereafter, viz. March 4th 1677, he was
married to Mary Symson, the only surviving daughter of Mr Matthias
Symson, some time minister of Stirling, who died November 1664. Two
or three years before his father's death, (being canonically ordained
presbyter,) he was admitted to his father's charge, in regard his
father, partly by age, and partly by sickness, was rendered very
unfit to serve the cure of these two islands, Teree and Coll, as also
of Icolmkiln, which was also annext to it, and at a greater distance;
however, such was his care and diligence in the work of the ministry,
that, by the blessing of God upon his endeavours, he converted to the
true Protestant faith 24 families in the Isle of Coll, (the laird
himself being then ring-leader), that were deluded by Father O'Donald
and others, his father not being able to oversee his flock, by reason
of his foresaid condition.
His father dying in the year 1680, he served the cure thereafter, by
constant and diligent preaching, baptizing, marrying, visiting the
sick, and exercising all other duties incumbent on him; but at
length, because his principles would not allow all the demands of the
Synod of Argyle, his charge was declared vacant, and his stipend
taken from him; notwithstanding whereof, there being no minister sent
to oversee these islands, he went about the exercise of his ministry
as formerly, being supplied by the charity and benevolence of his
parishioners, who had an entire kindness for him; but his stipend, as
said is, was taken from him and bestowed some other way. And thus he
continued till about a month before his death, which was on the 25th
day of August 1702, in which he changed this troublesome life for a
better, leaving behind him a desolate poor widow, with several
children, both sons and daughters, as also a sorrowful people, who
were now wholly deprived of a spiritual pastor, and of such a one as
was every way qualified for that charge; for he was not only a good
and learned man, but was master of their language, being born and
bred up in the Isles, understood their humours, conditions, and
manners of life, and being a wise and sagacious person, complaisant,
and of a winning deportment; all which good qualifications he was
endowed with, as all which were acquainted with him, can sufficiently
testify.
As for the subject of the following Discourse, (commonly called the
Second Sight) though I think it might be more fitly called the First
Sight, (because it for the most part sees things before they are), I
shall not undertake to defend all the notions that he has of it, and
whether they will agree with true philosophy, but shall refer that to
others of a higher reach and deeper understanding than I ever durst
pretend to; but this I will say in his defence, that, considering the
place where it was written, even among the remote Isles, _vervecum in
patria_, where he wanted the converse of learned men, and the benefit
of books, two necessary qualifications for one that writes on such an
abstruse subject; I humbly conceive, that the great clerks of this
age, who have the benefit of books and converse, should not
superciliously undervalue him that wants them. However, although I
shall not pretend to maintain all that he writes, as to the causes,
&c. of this Second Sight, nor do I believe all the stories that I
have heard concerning it, yet the thing itself, or that there is such
a thing as is commonly called the Second Sight, I do firmly believe,
being induced thereto by the relations that I have received from
persons of known integrity, and such as I suppose are wiser than to
be imposed upon, and honester than to impose fables instead of
truths, upon others. Among the relations that I have been told
concerning this subject, I shall only single out one or two, and then
I shall conclude.
A noble peer of this nation being one morning in his bed-chamber, and
attended by several persons, when his servant had put a new coat upon
his Lord, a gentleman standing by, presently cry'd out, for God's
sake, my Lord, put off that coat; and being asked the reason, he
replied, that he saw a whinger or poinard, stick in the breast of it.
The noble peer esteeming this as a mere fancy, replied, 'this coat is
honestly come by, and I see no reason why I may not wear it.' The
gentleman still entreated, and earnestly craved, that it might be put
off: upon which debate, the noble peer's lady being not far off, came
in, and being informed of the whole affair, intreated her Lord to
comply with the gentleman's desire, which he did; mean time one of
the servants standing by, desired the lady to give it him, and he
would wear it. She granted his request, who put it on, and ere night
he was stabbed by a poniard, in that very place which the gentleman
had pointed to in the morning. This relation I had from a very
ingenuous and understanding gentleman, who was grand-child to the
said noble peer.
I shall add another strange story, which I had from a reverend
minister of the gospel, and my intimate acquaintance. 'Tis thus--In
the year 1665, Alexander Wood, eldest son to the Laird of Nether
Benholm, in Angus, having ended his prentiship with a merchant in
Edinburgh, told Mr James Walker, that (in the year 1662 or 1663), he
had been employed by his master to go to the Lewis to make up
herring; and being there, and having a good tack of herring, their
salt and casks were all made use of, and then they being idle, he
began to fret that his master had delayed so long to supply them; and
being one day drinking in a country house, and complaining, he went
to the door of the house, and there followed him a country man, who
said to him, If you will give me a small hire, I'll tell you what is
become of the ship you are looking for; and without more ado, he set
his foot upon the gentleman's foot, in which time he saw the ship in
a great storm, ready to perish, and the seamen casting out their
lading to lighten the ship; but when the country man's foot was off
his he saw nothing. The ship at that time was about 100 miles from
them, and about 48 hours thereafter, she came into the same harbour,
and had been in the same condition he saw her in at that time the
country man's foot was on his foot. It would be tedious to add any
more stories that I have had from persons of undoubted veracity; and
therefore, Reader, I shall only subscribe myself
Your humble servant in all duty,
ANDREW SYMSON.
A
SHORT ADVERTISEMENT
TO THE
READER.
COURTEOUS READER,
You may be surprised to meet with such an abstruse theme (handled in
specie by few or none), from the pen of a person in my circumstances,
lying at a great distance from the Universities and centre of the
kingdom, and consequently may be justly supposed to want that
ordinary help of books and conference with the learned, that others
may enjoy.
In the _first_ place, believe that I am so far from affecting vain
singularity, (a hateful vice in the schools as well as the pulpit),
that nothing of that kind moved me to treat of the subject of the
following Discourses. But for my own satisfaction I drew up the
following heads, and did not resolve at the first to expose them to
public view, (justly fearing the censure of presumption); but I was,
by the persuasion of some serious friends, prevailed with to commit
myself to the favourable judgment of the learned, (who might sooner
commend my endeavours than censure my failings), rather than suppress
such a fine subject, which probably might be more fully and largely
treated of by others after the perusal of this Discourse. Take this
pamphlet then in the rude dress that I could give; at least it may
excite thy thoughts, if not to approve of what is here deduced, yet
to propone of thine own a more satisfying method of explaining this
remarkable phenomenon, which is the genuine design and wish of,
SIR,
Your humble servant,
The AUTHOR.
ΔΕΤΤΕΡΟΣΚΟΠΙΑ;
OR,
A BRIEF DISCOURSE
CONCERNING THE
SECOND SIGHT,
_Commonly so Called_.
Many have undertaken to treat of the nature and operation of Spirits;
as also of the various manners of divination among the Gentiles, (and
but too much used among Christians,) likewise of the perturbation and
deception of the fancy, caused by melancholy; and very many speak in
ordinary discourses of this called the Second Sight, and the
consequences of it, but none that I know handle it _in titulo_.
That such representations are made to the eyes of men and women, is
to me out of all doubt, and that effects follow answerable thereto,
as little questionable. But I have found so many doubt the matter of
fact; which I take to be the reason that so little has been written
of it, that I think it necessary to say something briefly, that may
put the existency of it beyond all scruple. If I should insert all
the clear instances that I have had of this matter, it would be
tedious and unnecessary, therefore I will content myself, and I hope
will satisfy the reader, with four or five instances, as follows.
The first instance is by a servant of my own, who had the trust of my
barn, and nightly lay in the same. One day he told me he would not
any longer lie there, because nightly he had seen a dead corps in his
winding sheets straighted beside him, particularly at the south side
of the barn. About an half year thereafter, a young man that had
formerly been my servant, fell dangerously sick, and expecting death,
would needs be carried near my house; and shortly thereafter he died,
and was laid up a night before he was buried in the same individual
barn and place that was foretold; and immediately the servant that
foretold this came to me and minded me of the prediction, which was
clearly out of my mind till he spoke of it.