Mr. Pickering wrote a letter to his son, while the latter was a student
at Harvard College, requesting him not to play at cards, a practice
which he regarded as wicked. But the son (Colonel Timothy Pickering
afterwards), as Mr. Upham, his biographer, well remarks, was altogether
too busy with his studies to waste time over cards.
* * * * *
We do not observe in the old papers much that would indicate a belief in
modern Spiritualism; but it would seem from some accounts that "angels"
were occasionally seen. In the cases we quote, the kind of "angels" is
not stated. Whether they were real live beauties, or not, can only be
conjectured. Who would not now like to buy one of these books at "four
Coppers," so as to read all about these angels?
_THIS DAY PRINTED._
(And Sold by _Green & Russel_, in Queen-Street,)
A True & wounderful Relation of the Appearance of THREE
ANGELS, (cloathed in White Raiment) to a young Man at
_Medford_, near _Boston_, in _New-England_, on the 4th of
_February_ 1761, at Night. Together with the Substance of
the DISCOURSE, delivered by one of the Angels, from the 3d
Chapter of _Colossians_, and 4th Verse.
[Price only four Coppers.]
--> Good Allowance to those that purchase by the Dozen.
_Boston Gazette_, Feb. 18, 1761.
* * * * *
About this time, also, "angels" made their appearance "at home"
(England), as will be seen by another notice from the same paper.
* * * * *
This Day Published,
(_And Sold by_ Fowle & Draper, _in_ Marlboro'-Street.)
A full Relation of the surprizing Appearance of an Angel, in
the Parish-Church of Gainsbury in Lincolnshire, on
Christmas-Day last, in the Morning.--From whom was obtained
a Prophecy of many Things that should come to pass in
Europe; but more especially in England and France:--The
first of which Kingdoms is threatened with several Judgments
on Account of their great Misimprovement of peculiar
Priviledges: Whilst the latter, notwithstanding their
Endeavours to become great, shall be totally destroy'd by
Discord among themselves, &c. &c. The whole being a loud
Call to Repentance.--Published at the Request of the
Parishioners, and attested to by two Ministers, and three
Esquires.
1761.
* * * * *
In the "Boston Post-Boy" for Dec. 12, 1763, is an account of the
dedication of the Synagogue in Newport, R.I.
_NEWPORT, December 5._
_On Friday last, in the Afternoon, was the Dedication of the
new Synagogue, in this Town. It began by a handsome
Procession, in which were carried the Books of the Law, to
be deposited in the Ark. Several Portions of Scripture, and
of their Service, with a Prayer for the Royal Family, were
read, and finely sung by the Priest and People. There were
present many Gentlemen and Ladies. The Order and Decorum,
the Harmony and Solemnity of the Musick, together with a
handsome Assembly of People, in an Edifice the most perfect
of the Temple Kind perhaps in America, and splendidly
illuminated, could not but raise in the Mind a faint Idea of
the Majesty and Grandeur of the antient Jewish Worship
mentioned in Scripture._
* * * * *
We find by the "Salem Mercury" of March 30, 1789, that New Hackensack
was fifty or sixty years before Rochester in "rappings" and
"table-tippings." Who shall say that these manifestations, whatever they
are, are not as old as man himself? The best and wisest of us do not
know everything. There may be some science, yet in its infancy, which
will some day be explained, so that all these things will then be
perfectly understood. The account here given has no appearance of
deception. Had the girl lived a hundred years earlier, she would in all
probability have been hanged for a witch; but had she lived in these
days, she might have reaped a harvest from lectures and séances.
PHILADELPHIA, March 10.
_Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Fishkill, dated
March 3, 1789._
"Were I to relate the many extraordinary accounts of the
unfortunate girl at New-Hackensack, your belief might,
perhaps, be staggered. I shall therefore only inform you of
what I was an eyewitness to. Last Sunday afternoon myself
and wife went to Dr. Thorn's, and after sitting sometime, we
heard a knocking under the feet of a young woman that lives
in the family; I asked the Doctor what occasioned the
noise--he could not tell, but replied, that he, together
with several others had examined the house, but were unable
to discover the cause. I then took a candle, and went with
the girl into the cellar--there the knocking also continued;
but as we were ascending the stairs to return, I heard a
prodigious rapping on each side, which alarmed me very much.
I stood still some time looking around with amazement, when
I beheld some lumber, which lay at the head of the stairs,
shake considerably. About eight or ten days after, we
visited the girl again--the knocking still continued, though
much louder. Our curiosity induced us to pay the third
visit, when the phenomena were still more alarming. I then
saw the chairs move; a large dining table was thrown against
me, and a small stand on which stood a candle, was tossed
up, and thrown in my wife's lap; after which we left the
house, much surprised at what we had seen."
* * * * *
Advertisements for runaway slaves are very numerous, as well as offers
for the sale of single slaves. In some instances negro children are "to
be given away." The following notices are taken from the "Boston
Gazette" and the "Boston Post-Boy." The descriptions of dress, personal
appearance, etc., are very curious.
RAN away from _Thomas Poynton_ of _Salem_, a Negro Fellow,
about 25 Years of Age, a short thick-set Fellow, not very
black, something pitted with the Small-Pox, speaks bad
English: Had on when he went away, a dark colour'd Cloth
Coat, lined with red Shalloon, with Mettal Buttons, a blue
Sailor's Jacket, and a flowered German Serge Jacket, black
knit Breeches, a Pair grey Stockings newly stock'd, an old
Beaver Hatt, and an old Drab Great Coat: Any Person that
shall take up said Negro, and convey him to _Salem_, or
secure him in any Gaol shall be well rewarded, and all
necessary Charges paid.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels and others are cautioned against
harbouring, concealing or carrying off the said Negro, as
they would avoid the Rigour of the Law. THOMAS POYNTON.
_Gazette_, Feb. 4, 1766.
* * * * *
To be given away,
A Male Negro Child of a good Breed, and in good Health.
Inquire of Green and Russell.
_Post-Boy_, Feb. 28, 1763.
* * * * *