[113] Written in 1692.
[114] Notwithstanding the extraordinary Familiarity of our Author with
the Devil, he does not as yet pretend to have seen him, although he
must have been in Everybody's Way. About twenty Years later, according
to De Foe, he had become quite scarce, insomuch that few could pretend
to have seen him; and hence People became somewhat credulous about the
Existence of his Majesty, "as if nothing but seeing the Devil could
satisfie them there was such a Person; and nothing is more wonderful to
me, in the whole System of Spirits, than that Satan does not think fit
to justify the Reality of his Being, by appearing to such in some of
his worst Figures, and tell them in full Grimace who he is."--_Essay on
Apparitions._
[115] The appearing of the Devil in the Shape of a black Man, or a Man
in black is the old Story imported from England. See _Examination and
Confession of_ Christian Green, Wife of Robert Green _of Brewham, Co.
Somerset_, printed in _Sadducismus Triumphatus_, ed. 1726, P. 306.
[116] It is not so remarkable that some should have destroyed
themselves under such Circumstances, as that the greater Part of them
did not so perish.
[117] This is not a Whit behind the far-famed Story of "The Devil and
Dr. Faustus."
[118] Church Difficulties were so common, that it is not quite certain
to which the Author has Reference; though it seems likely he refers to
the Troubles in the Time of Mr. Nicholet.--See Felt, _History of_ ii,
_Salem_, 587-8.
[119] This was indeed a Dilemma; but it may now seem exceeding strange
that learned Judges had not adopted the only safe Course at such a
Time, and simply _to have done nothing_. They appear to have been as
much amazed and out of their Wits as the poor Sufferers; and to find
Relief proceeded to shed their Blood, and to shout thereupon that they
"_had been fairly executed!_"
[120] How the Judges could have read these Admissions of a "snarled
Business" into which no one could pretend to see, and to "declare their
singular Approbation thereof," it is difficult to comprehend, upon any
other Grounds than as expressed in the last Note. They were indeed as
blind as any in the "_Buffet_."
[121] By these "Ty-dogs" the Author probably had Reference to
_Cerberus_. Writers on Mythology do not mention, as I remember, that
their Monster was ever turned loose to worry Mankind.
[122] There was a Line of Swedish Monarchs of the Name of Biorn. The
first of the Name began to reign about 829 of the present era.
[123] When these _Wonders_ were written, the _Paradise Lost_ had been
published twenty-five Years. The Author must have been very familiar
with it, yet I have not met with any Reference to Milton in any of his
Writings.
[124] It may be Difficult for some to comprehend wherein the Devil
was blamed; for, according to the Text he goes no further than he
is commanded or permitted to go by a Power whereby he was fully and
completely controlled.
[125] "The pious Bishop of Norwich." He was a Cotemporary of the weak
King James, and his Companion on one of his Excursions into Scotland.
He was mild and temperate compared with Laud and others of his Time. He
was born in Leicester about 1574, and died in Norfolk in 1656, in the
82d Year of his Age. He appears not to have been much behind Dr. Mather
in speaking of the "damned Brood" of Witches. His Works are even now
held in much Repute by many, and were collected and published in three
heavy Folios, 1647-62.
[126] The Reader may perhaps find all he will care to know respecting
the Suffolk Witches in Hutchinson's _Historical Essay_, 79, _et
sequen._ second Edition. But Suffolk furnishes but a small Portion of
England infected by Witchcraft, and Mr. Hutchinson's Work has not the
hundredth Part of them.
[127] Witchcraft may be said to have been on the Wane in Old England
when this of 1692-3 began in New England. Indeed there is no
Comparison, as to the Extent of the Delusion between the two Countries.
[128] If he _is_ such a knowing Devil as was generally supposed, he
certainly must have known to a certainty the Success he was to meet
with before setting out.
[129] It is hardly to be inferred from the Sentiments here expressed,
that the Author was among the most earnest of his blind Advocates for
extreme Measures against those accused.
[130] Not a good Translation, but the Sense is sufficiently apparent.
Voltaire has the same in Substance in one of his "Letters concerning
the English Nation." A Condition not peculiar to any Country.
[131] The Time of Henry III was from 1574 to 1589.
[132] Those who are familiar with the Works of Erasmus may verify the
Story. He may have been, and probably was, like the Rest of the learned
World, a Believer in such Nonsense. The great Poet who has contributed
to his Immortality in the following Lines may not have heard of the
above Story:
"At length Erasmus, that great injured Name,
(The Glory of the Priesthood and the Shame!)
Stem'd the wild Torrent of a bar'brous Age,
And drove those holy Vandals off the Stage."
[133] There was about this Time a Society established in England
expressly for the "Reformation of Manners," and a small octavo Volume
was issued under its Auspices, setting forth the Objects and Necessity
for such a Society. In it the Plantations are remembered.
[134] The Author does not seem to remember that he has elsewhere said
with much Emphasis, that "this remote Part of the Earth" was the
Devil's own Territory, that he was undisturbed here before the white
People came and that he did not expect to be disturbed here.
[135] This was Mr. Samuel Clarke or Clark (as he indifferently wrote
his own Surname), and his Father's Name was Hugh Clark. The Life spoken
of is in the _Martyrology_ by the Son, a Work not now often referred
to, but one abounding with interesting and curious biographical and
historical Information, having intimate Connection with the Founders of
New England, and containing a good deal concerning many of them. See
his _Lives_, appended to the _Martyrology_, Page 127, _et seq._ Folio,
1677. I have often had Occasion to refer to his various Works.
[136] There appears to have been some Mystery about that Perfume
of Brimstone, if indeed "Metaphor" be left out of the Account, as
the Author says it is to be. One might be led to suppose that the
Circumstance which happened at Oxford in 1577, was of the Character of
that in the Text, as alluded to by Hutchinson, in his _Historical Essay
concerning Witchcraft_, Page 38, but on Reference to his Authority, a
Parallel is hardly warranted. The Story will be found fully related in
Camden's _Reign of Elizabeth_, 237, Ed. 1675.
[137] In that curious Poem entitled _The Sorceress_, are the following
Lines, among others, on "The Spell:"
"Rust of the Gibbet, and Bone of the Dead,
I mingle and into the Teakettle throw,
Root of Skunk-cabbage and Rattlesnakes Mead,
And Leaves pluck'd at Midnight from Juniper bough.
Charm break the Rest
Of the Parsun distrest,
From his Eyes let the Blessing of Slumber depart;
Lucifer aid me
And Night overshade me,
Spirit of Beelzebub, lend me thine Art." &c.
[138] A vast Number of Books had been published previous to our
Author's Time upon Magic, and Astrology. A principal Writer on these
Subjects was Dr. John Dee. His Diary was published by the _Camden
Society_ in 1842. See also William Lilley's _Hist. of his Life and
Times_.
[139] This most uncharitable Assertion is a complete Contradiction of
what has before been asserted. He had already made poor New England bad
enough, but this seems to place her in a perfectly hopeless Condition.
Not many Pages back the Author cautioned the World lest it should not
do Justice to New England, by believing her worse than Old England. A
disordered Brain will always drive a Pen at random.
[140] An Idea reminding one of the Case of the Jew in the _Merchant
of Venice_. Unfortunately for the poor accused Wretches, there was no
Daniel to sit in Judgment, and to see that no Blood was taken with the
Pound of Flesh.
[141] This certainly does not exhibit the Author as a "principal
Ringleader" in those Persecutions. A Remark similar has been made to a
previous Passage in the Text, of a like Purport. And frequent parallel
Passages may be found.
[142] This is the French Form of what we now write _Clucking_. The Verb
_to cluck_ is well known, and in frequent Use where Hens are raised,
but to employ it as the Doctor does cannot but excite Ridicule.
[143] Allowing this to be a just Conclusion it is remarkable that the
Devil did not set his Witches at Work in the Beginning in the Colony
of Plymouth; there were repeated Complaints to the Commissioners of
the United Colonies, that various Towns in that Colony had neglected
Ministers and Churches altogether; while from the County of Essex we
hear of no such Complaints.
[144] Additional Particulars respecting this Woman may be seen in Dr.
I. Mather's _Prevalency of Prayer_, published in Connection with his
_Relation_. See _Early Hist. New England_, 275.
[145] Many, no Doubt, will think it strange that the Author did not
count himself in. Had he done so he assuredly would have lost no Credit
with his Readers now, nor probably by those in future.
[146] This Mr. Beacon does not appear to have belonged to Boston. He
was probably a casual Resident at that Time.
[147] We are told by Bishop Burnet (the Father of our Governor Burnet),
that Judge Hale was born at Alderly in Gloucestershire, the first of
November, 1609, and died on the 25th of December, 1676. In the Life
of Sir Matthew, appended to his _Contemplations_, is given one of the
most interesting Pieces of Biography extant. In Accordance with one of
his Sayings he was buried in the Church-yard of Alderly, and not in
the Church, as was in his Time the prevailing Custom--that Saying was:
"The Churches were for the Living, and the Church-yards for the Dead."
In the Bishop's Life of him will be found a particular Account of his
Family. After the great Fire of London he was one of the principal
Judges that sat in Clifford's Inn, to regulate the Affairs between
Landlord and Tenant, growing out of that Desolation. And with Sir
Orlando Bridgman he rendered great Service in accommodating Differences
which otherwise would long have retarded the rebuilding of the City.
Whereas its "sudden and quiet building is justly reconed one of the
Wonders of the Age." He was made "Lord Chief Justice of England," May
18th, 1671, which Office he resigned but a few Months previous to his
Death, owing to his Infirmity. He lamented the rigorous Proceedings
against the Nonconformists, though the adherent to the established
Church; and used to say, "Those of the Separation were good Men, but
they had _narrow Souls_, who would break the Peace of the Church, about
such _inconsiderable Matters_, as the Points in Difference were." There
does not appear to be taken any Notice of the Trials of Witches by
Burnet in his Life of the Judge. It may be sufficient to say, that,
like our Judges, Sewall and Stoughton, he was a Believer in Witchcraft,
because there was Evidence of its Existence in the Bible! He was a
timid Man, and this Timidity would not allow him so much as "to sum up
the Evidence" in the Trial above given, and thus was the Case submitted
to the Jury, who speedily gave in their Verdict of Guilty. There can
be no Doubt but if Sir Matthew Hale had lived until the End of the
New England Trials, he would, like Judge Sewall, have repented of his
Course.
[148] Spelt Keyling in the _Life of Hale_, whom he (Hale) succeeded as
Lord Chief Justice, without taking his good Sense with him.
[149] There is different, and somewhat more of a common Sense Account
of this Trial in Hutchinson's _Essay_, Pp. 139-157, Chap. viii.
I.
THE TRYAL OF G. B.
_At a Court of_ OYER _and_ TERMINER,
HELD IN SALEM, 1692.
GLAD should I have been, if I had never known the Name of this Man; or
never had this occasion to mention so much as the first Letters of his
Name. But the Government requiring some Account of his [61] Trial to be
inserted in this Book, it becomes me with all Obedience to submit unto
the Order.
I. This _G. B._[150] was Indicted for Witch-craft, and in the
prosecution of the Charge against him, he was Accused by five or six
of the Bewitched, as the Author of their Miseries; he was Accused by
Eight of the Confessing Witches, as being an head Actor at some of
their Hellish Randezvouzes, and one who had the promise of being a King
in Satan's Kingdom, now going to be Erected: He was accused by Nine
Persons for extraordinary Lifting, and such feats of Strength, as could
not be done without a Diabolical Assistance. And for other such things
he was Accused, until about thirty Testimonies were brought in against
him; nor were these judg'd the half of what might have been considered
for his Conviction: However they were enough to fix the Character of a
Witch upon him according to the Rules of Reasoning, by the Judicious
_Gaule_, in that Case directed.
II. The Court being sensible, that the Testimonies of the Parties
Bewitched, use to have a Room among the _Suspicions_ or _Presumptions_,
brought in against one Indicted for Witchcraft; there were now
heard the Testimonies of several Persons, who were most notoriously
Bewitched, and every day Tortured by Invisible Hands, and these now all
charged the Spectres of _G. B._ to have a share in their Torments. At
the Examination of this _G. B._ the Bewitched People were grievously
harassed with Preternatural Mischiefs, which could not possibly be
dissembled; and they still ascribed it unto the endeavours of _G. B._
to Kill them. And now upon his Tryal of one of the Bewitched Persons,
testified, that in her Agonies, a little black Hair'd Man came to her,
saying his Name was _B._ and bidding her set her hand unto a Book which
he shewed unto her; and bragging that he was a _Conjurer_, above the
ordinary Rank of Witches; That he often Persecuted her with the offer
of that Book, saying, _She should be well, and need fear nobody, if
she would but Sign it;_ But he inflicted cruel Pains and Hurts upon
her, because of her denying so to do. The Testimonies of the other
Sufferers concurred with these; and it was remarkable, that whereas
_Biting_ was one of the ways which the Witches used for the vexing of
the Sufferers; when they cry'd out of _G. B._ Biting them, the print of
the Teeth would be seen on the Flesh of the Complainers, and just such
a Set of Teeth as _G. B's_ would then appear upon them, which could be
distinguished from those of some other Mens. Others of them testified,
That in their Torments, _G. B._ tempted them to go unto a Sacrament,
unto which they perceived him with a Sound of Trumpet, Summoning
of other Witches, who quickly after the Sound, would come from all
Quarters unto the Rendezvouz. One of them falling into a kind of
Trance, afterwards affirmed, that _G. B._ had carried her into a very
high Mountain, where he shewed her mighty and glorious Kingdoms, and
said, _He would give them all to her, if she would_ [62] _write in his
Book;_ but she told him, _They were none of his to give;_ and refused
the Motions; enduring of much Misery for that refusal.
It cost the Court a wonderful deal of Trouble, to hear the Testimonies
of the Sufferers; for when they were going to give in their
Depositions, they would for a long time be taken with Fits, that
made them uncapable of saying anything. The Chief Judg asked the
Prisoner, who he thought hindred these Witnesses from giving their
_Testimonies?_ And he answered, _He supposed it was the Devil_. That
Honourable Person, then repli'd, _How comes the Devil so loathe to
have any Testimony born against you?_ Which cast him into very great
Confusion.[151]
III. It has been a frequent thing for the Bewitched People to be
entertained with Apparitions of _Ghosts_ of Murdered People, at the
same time that the _Spectres_ of the Witches trouble them. These Ghosts
do always affright the Beholders more than all the other spectral
Representations; and when they exhibit themselves, they cry out, of
being Murdered by the Witchcrafts or other Violences of the Persons
who are then in Spectre present. It is further considerable, that
once or twice, these _Apparitions_ have been seen by others, at the
very same time that they have shewn themselves to the Bewitched; and
seldom have there been these _Apparitions_, but when something unusual
or suspected, have attended the Death of the Party thus Appearing.
Some that have been accused by these _Apparitions_ accosting of the
Bewitched People, who had never heard a word of any such Persons ever
being in the World, have upon a fair Examination, freely and fully
confessed the Murthers of those very Persons, altho these also did not
know how the Apparitions had complained of them. Accordingly several
of the Bewitched, had given in their Testimony, that they had been
troubled with the Apparitions of two Women, who said, that they were
_G. B's_ two Wives, and that he had been the Death of them; and that
the Magistrates must be told of it, before whom if _B._ upon his Tryal
denied it, they did not know but that they should appear again in the
Court. Now, _G. B._ had been Infamous for the Barbarous usage of his
two late Wifes, all the Country over. Moreover, it was testified, the
Spectre of _G. B._ threatning of the Sufferers, told them, he had
Killed (besides others) Mrs. _Lawson_ and her Daughter _Ann_.[152] And
it was noted, that these were the Vertuous Wife and Daughter of one
at whom this _G. B._ might have a prejudice for his being serviceable
at _Salem Village_, from whence himself had in ill Terms removed
some Years before: And that when they dy'd, which was long since,
there were some odd Circumstances about them, which made some of the
Attendents there suspect something of Witchcraft, tho none Imagined
from what Quarter it should come.
Well, _G. B._ being now upon his Tryal, one of the Bewitched Persons
was cast into Horror at the Ghost of _B's_ two Deceased Wives then
appearing before him, and crying for _Vengeance_ against him. Hereupon
seve[63]ral of the Bewitched Persons were successively called in, who
all not knowing what the former had seen and said, concurred in their
Horror of the Apparition, which they affirmed that he had before him.
But he, tho much appalled, utterly deny'd that he discerned any thing
of it; nor was it any part of his _Conviction_.
IV. Iudicious Writers have assigned it a great place in the Conviction
of _Witches, when Persons are Impeached by other notorious Witches,
to be as ill as themselves; especially, if the Persons have been much
noted for neglecting the Worship of God_. Now, as there might have been
Testimonies enough of _G. B's_ Antipathy to _Prayer_, and the other
Ordinances of God, tho by his Profession, singularly Obliged thereunto;
so, there now came in against the Prisoner, the Testimonies of several
Persons, who confessed their own having been horrible _Witches_, and
ever since their Confessions, had been themselves terribly Tortured
by the Devils and other Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and
therein undergone the Pains of many _Deaths_ for their Confessions.
These now testified, that _G. B._ had been at Witch-meetings with them;
and that he was the Person who had Seduc'd, and Compell'd them into the
snares of Witchcraft: That he promised them _Fine Cloaths_, for doing
it; that he brought Poppets to them, and Thorns to stick into those
Poppets, for the Afflicting of other People; and that he exhorted them
with the rest of the Crew, to Bewitch all _Salem Village_, but besure
to do it Gradually; if they would prevail in what they did.
When the _Lancashire Witches_ were Condemn'd I don't remember that
there was any considerable further Evidence, than that of the
Bewitched, and than that of some that confessed. We see so much already
against _G. B._ But this being indeed not enough, there were other
things to render what had already been produced _credible_.
V. A famous Divine recites this among the Convictions of a Witch; _The
Testimony of the party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together
with the joint Oaths of sufficient Persons that have seen certain
Prodigious Pranks or Feats wrought by the Party Accused_. Now, God had
been pleased so to leave this _G. B._ that he had ensnared himself
by several Instances, which he had formerly given of a Preternatural
Strength, and which were now produced against him. He was a very Puny
Man, yet he had often done things beyond the strength of a Giant. A
Gun of about seven foot Barrel, and so heavy that strong Men could not
steadily hold it out with both hands; there were several Testimonies,
given in by Persons of Credit and Honor, that he made nothing of taking
up such a Gun behind the Lock, with but one hand, and holding it out
like a Pistol, at Arms-end. _G. B._ in his Vindication, was so foolish
as to say, That _an_ Indian _was there, and held it out at the same
time:_ Whereas none of the Spectators ever saw any such _Indian;_
but they supposed the _Black Man_, (as the Witches call the Devil;
and they generally say he resembles an _Indian_) might [64] give him
that Assistance. There was Evidence likewise brought in, that he made
nothing of taking up whole Barrels fill'd with _Malasses_ or _Cider_,
in very disadvantageous Postures, and Carrying of them through the
difficultest Places out of a Canoo to the Shore.
[Yea, there were two Testimonies that _G. B._ with only putting the
Fore Finger of his Right hand into the Muzzle of an heavy Gun, a
Fowling-piece of about six or seven foot Barrel, did lift up the Gun,
and hold it out at Arms-end; a Gun which the Deponents though strong
Men could not with both hands lift up, and hold out at the But-end,
as is usual. Indeed, one of these Witnesses was over-perswaded by
some Persons to be out of the way upon _G. B's_ Tryal; but he came
afterwards with Sorrow for his withdraw, and gave in his Testimony: Nor
were either of these Witnesses made use of as Evidences in the Trial.]
VI. There came in several Testimonies relating to the Domestick Affairs
of _G. B._ which had a very hard Aspect upon him; and not only prov'd
him a very ill Man; but also confirmed the belief of the Character,
which had been already fastned on him.
'Twas testified, that keeping his two Successive Wives in a strange
kind of Slavery, he would when he came home from abroad, pretend to
tell the Talk which any had with them; That he has brought them to the
point of Death, by his harsh Dealings with his Wives, and then made
the People about him, to promise that in case Death should happen,
they would say nothing of it; That he used all means to make his Wives
Write, Sign, Seal, and Swear a Covenant, never to reveal any of his
Secrets; That his Wives had privately complained unto the Neighbours
about frightful Apparitions of Evil Spirits, with which their House
was sometimes infested; and that many such things have been whispered
among the Neighbourhood. There were also some other Testmonies relating
to the Death of People whereby the Consciences of an Impartial Jury
were convinced that _G. B._ had Bewitched the Persons mentioned in the
Complaints. But I am forced to omit several passages, in this, as well
as in all the succeeding Tryals, because the Scribes who took notice of
them, have not supplyed me.
VII. One Mr. _Ruck_, Brother-in-Law to this _G. B._ testified, that
_G. B._ and he himself, and his Sister, who was _G. B's_ Wife, going
out for two or three Miles to gather Straw-berries, _Ruck_ with his
Sister, the Wife of _G. B._ Rode home very Softly, with _G. B._ on
Foot in their Company, _G. B._ stept aside a little into the Bushes;
whereupon they halted and Halloo'd for him. He not answering, they went
away homewards, with a quickened pace, without expectation of seeing
him in a considerable while; and yet when they were got near home, to
their Astonishment, they found him on foot with them, having a Basket
of Straw-berries. _G. B._ immediately then fell to Chiding his Wife,
on the account of what she had been speaking to her [65] Brother, of
him, on the Road: which when they wondred at, he said, _He knew their
thoughts_. _Ruck_ being startled at that, made some Reply, intimating,
that the Devil himself did not know so far; but _G. B._ answered,
_My God makes known your Thoughts unto me_. The Prisoner now at the
Bar had nothing to answer, unto what was thus witnessed against him,
that was worth considering. Only he said, _Ruck, and his Wife left a
Man with him, when they left him_. Which _Ruck_ now affirm'd to be
false; and when the Court asked _G. B. What the Man's Name was?_
his Countenance was much altered; nor could he say, who 'twas. But
the Court began to think, that he then step'd aside, only that by the
assistance of the _Black Man_, he might put on his _Invisibility_,
and in that _Fascinating Mist_, gratifie his own Jealous Humour,
to hear what they said of him. Which trick of rendring themselves
_Invisible_, our Witches do in their Confessions pretend, that they
sometimes are Masters of; and it is the more credible, because there
is Demonstration, that they often render many other things utterly
_Invisible_.
VIII. _Faltring, faulty, unconstant, and contrary Answers upon judicial
and deliberate Examination_, are counted some unlucky Symptoms of
Guilt, in all Crimes, especially in Witchcrafts. Now there never was a
Prisoner more eminent for them, than _G. B._ both at his Examination
and on his Trial. His _Tergiversations_, _Contradictions_, and
_Falshoods_, were very sensible: he had little to say, but that he
had heard some things that he could not prove, Reflecting upon the
Reputation of some of the Witnesses. Only he gave in a Paper to the
Jury; wherein, altho' he had many times before, granted, not only that
there are _Witches_, but also, that the present Sufferings of the
Country are the effects of _horrible Witchcrafts_, yet he now goes to
evince it, _That there neither are, nor ever were Witches, that having
made a Compact with the Devil, can send a Devil to Torment other people
at a distance_. This Paper was Transcribed out of _Ady;_ which the
Court presently knew, as soon as they heard it. But he said, he had
taken none of it out of any Book; for which, his Evasion afterwards,
was, That a Gentleman gave him the Discourse in a Manuscript, from
whence he Transcribed it.
IX. The Jury brought him in _Guilty:_ But when he came to Dy, he
utterly deni'd the Fact, whereof he had been thus convicted.[153]
II. _The Tryal of_ BRIDGET BISHOP,[154] _alias Oliver, at the Court of
Oyer and Terminer, held at Salem, June 2. 1692._
I. SHE was Indicted for Bewitching of several Persons in the
Neighbourhood, the Indictment being drawn up, according to the _Form_
in [66] such Cases as usual. And pleading, _Not Guilty_, there were
brought in several persons, who had long undergone many kinds of
Miseries, which were preternaturally inflicted, and generally ascribed
unto an _horrible Witchcraft_. There was little occasion to prove the
_Witchcraft_, it being evident and notorious to all beholders. Now to
fix the _Witchcraft_ on the Prisoner at the Bar, the first thing used,
was the Testimony of the _Bewitched;_ whereof several testifi'd, That
the _Shape_ of the Prisoner did oftentimes very grivously Pinch them,
Choak them, Bite them, and Afflict them; urging them to write their
Names in a _Book_, which the said Spectre called, _Ours_. One of them
did further testifie, that it was the _Shape_ of this Prisoner, with
another, which one day took her from her Wheel, and carrying her to
the River-side, threatned there to Drown her, if she did not Sign to
the _Book_ mentioned: which yet she refused. Others of them did also
testifie, that the said Shape did in her Threats brag to them that she
had been the Death of sundry Persons, then by her named; that she had
_Ridden_ a Man then likewise named. Another testifi'd, the Apparition
of _Ghosts_ unto the Spectre of _Bishop_, crying out, _You Murdered
us!_ About the Truth whereof, there was in the Matter of Fact but too
much suspicion.
II. It was testifi'd, That at the Examination of the Prisoner before
the Magistrates, the Bewitched were extreamly tortured. If she did
but cast her Eyes on them, they were presently struck down; and this
in such a manner as there could be no Collusion in the Business. But
upon the Touch of her Hand upon them, when they lay in their Swoons,
they would immediately Revive; and not upon the Touch of any ones else.
Moreover, Upon some Special Actions of her Body, as the shaking of her
Head, or the turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell
into the like postures. And many of the like Accidents now fell out,
while she was at the Bar. One at the same time testifying, That she
said, _She could not be troubled to see the afflicted thus tormented_.
III. There was Testimony likewise brought in, that a Man striking
once at the place, where a bewitched person said, the _Shape_ of this
_Bishop_ stood, the bewitched cried out, _That he had tore her Coat_,
in the place then particularly specifi'd; and the Woman's Coat was
found to be Torn in that very place.
IV. One _Deliverance Hobbs_,[155] who had confessed her being a Witch,
was now tormented by the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now
testifi'd, That this _Bishop_ tempted her to Sign the _Book_ again,
and to deny what she had confess'd. She affirm'd, That it was the
Shape of this Prisoner, which whipped her with Iron Rods, to compel
her thereunto. And she affirmed, that this _Bishop_ was at a General
Meeting of the Witches, in a Field at _Salem_-Village, and there
partook of a Diabolical Sacrament in Bread and Wine then administred.
[67] V. To render it further unquestionable, that the Prisoner at the
Bar, was the Person truly charged in this _Witchcraft_, there were
produced many Evidences of OTHER _Witchcrafts_, by her perpetrated. For
Instance, _John Cook_ testifi'd, That about five or six Years ago, one
Morning, about Sun-Rise, he was in his Chamber assaulted by the _Shape_
of this Prisoner: which look'd on him, grinn'd at him, and very much
hurt him with a Blow on the side of the Head: and that on the same day,
about Noon, the same _Shape_ walked in the Room where he was, and an
Apple strangely flew out of his Hand, into the Lap of his Mother, six
or eight Foot from him.
VI. _Samuel Gray_[156] testifi'd, That about fourteen Years ago, he
wak'd on a Night, and saw the Room where he lay full of Light; and that
he then saw plainly a Woman between the Cradle, and the Bed-side, which
look'd upon him. He rose, and it vanished; tho' he found the Doors all
fast. Looking out at the Entry-door, he saw the same Woman, in the
same Garb again; and said, _In God's Name, what do you come for?_ He
went to Bed, and had the same Woman again assaulting him. The Child
in the Cradle gave a great Screech, and the Woman disappeared. It was
long before the Child could be quieted; and tho' it were a very likely
thriving Child, yet from this time it pined away, and after divers
Months, died in a sad Conditon. He knew not _Bishop_, nor her Name; but
when he saw her after this, he knew by her Countenance, and Apparel,
and all Circumstances, that it was the Apparition of this _Bishop_,
which had thus troubled him.
VII. _John Bly_[157] and his Wife testifi'd, That he bought a Sow
of _Edward Bishop_, the Husband of the Prisoner; and was to pay the
Price agreed, unto another person. This Prisoner being angry that she
was thus hindred from fingring the Mony, quarrell'd with _Bly_. Soon
after which, the Sow was taken with strange Fits; Jumping, Leaping,
and Knocking her Head against the Fence; she seem'd Blind and Deaf,
and would neither Eat nor be Suck'd. Whereupon a Neighbour said, she
believed the Creature was _Over-looked;_ and sundry other Circumstances
concurred, which made the Deponents believe that _Bishop_ had bewitched
it.
VIII. _Richard Coman_[158] testifi'd, That eight Years ago, as he lay
awake in his Bed, with a Light burning in the Room, he was annoy'd
with the Apparition of this _Bishop_, and of two more that were
strangers to him, who came and oppressed him so, that he could neither
stir himself, nor wake any one else, and that he was the Night after,
molested again in the like manner; the said _Bishop_, taking him by
the Throat, and pulling him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered
for this Cause to lodge with him; and that Night, as they were awake,
discoursing together, this _Coman_ was once more visited by the Guests
which had formerly been so troublesom; his Kinsman being at the same
time strook speechless, and unable to move Hand or [68] Foot. He had
laid his Sword by him, which these unhappy Spectres did strive much to
wrest from him; only he held too fast for them. He then grew able to
call the People of his House; but altho' they heard him, yet they had
not power to speak or stir; until at last, one of the People crying
out, _What's the matter?_ The Spectres all vanished.
IX. _Samuel Shattock_[159] testifi'd, That in the Year, 1680, this
_Bridget Bishop_, often came to his House upon such frivolous and
foolish Errands, that they suspected she came indeed with a purpose
of mischief. Presently, whereupon, his eldest Child, which was of as
promising Health and Sense, as any Child of its Age, began to droop
exceedingly; and the oftner that _Bishop_ came to the House, the worse
grew the Child. As the Child would be standing at the Door, he would
be thrown and bruised against the Stones, by an Invisible Hand, and in
like sort knock his Face against the sides of the House, and bruise it
after a miserable manner. After this _Bishop_ would bring him things
to Dy, whereof he could not imagin any use; and when she paid him a
piece of Mony, the Purse and Mony were unaccountably conveyed out of a
lock'd Box, and never seen more. The Child was immediately, hereupon,
taken with terrible Fits, whereof his Friends thought he would have
dyed: Indeed he did almost nothing but Cry and Sleep for several Months
together; and at length his Understanding was utterly taken away. Among
other Symptoms of an Inchantment upon him, one was, That there was a
Board in the Garden, whereon he would walk; and all the Invitations in
the World could never fetch him off. About 17 or 18 years after,[160]
there came a Stranger to _Shattock's_ House, who seeing the Child,
said, _This poor Child is Bewitched; and you have a Neighbour living
not far off, who is a Witch_. He added, _Your Neighbour has had a
falling out with your Wife; and she said, in her Heart, your Wife is a
proud Woman, and she would bring down her Pride in this Child_. He then
remembred, that _Bishop_ had parted from his Wife in muttering and
menacing Terms, a little before the Child was taken Ill. The abovesaid
Stranger would needs carry the bewitched Boy with him, to _Bishop's_
House, on pretence of buying a Pot of Cyder. The Woman entertained him
in a furious manner; and flew also upon the Boy, scratching his Face
till the Blood came; and saying, _Thou Rogue, what dost thou bring
this Fellow here to plague me?_ Now it seems the Man had said, before
he went, That he would fetch Blood of _her_. Ever after the Boy was
follow'd with grievous Fits, which the Doctors themselves generally
ascribed unto _Witchcraft;_ and wherein he would be thrown still into
the _Fire_ or the _Water_, if he were not constantly look'd after; and
it was verily believed that _Bishop_ was the cause of it.
X. _John Louder_[161] testifi'd, That upon some little Controversy
with _Bishop_ about her Fowls, going well to Bed, he did awake in
the Night by Moon[69]light, and did see clearly the likeness of this
Woman grievously oppressing him; in which miserable condition she held
him, unable to help himself, till near Day. He told _Bishop_ of this;
but she deny'd it, and threatned him very much. Quickly after this,
being at home on a Lords day, with the doors shut about him, he saw a
black Pig approach him; at which, he going to kick, it vanished away.
Immediately after, sitting down, he saw a black Thing jump in at the
Window, and come and stand before him. The Body was like that of a
Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, but the Face much like a Mans. He being
so extreamly affrighted, that he could not speak; this Monster spoke
to him, and said, _I am a Messenger sent unto you, for I understand
that you are in some Trouble of Mind, and if you will be ruled by me,
you shall want for nothing in this World_. Whereupon he endeavoured to
clap his Hands upon it; but he could feel no substance; and it jumped
out of the Window again; but immediately came in by the Porch, tho' the
Doors were shut, and said, _You had better take my Counsel!_ He then
struck at it with a Stick, but struck only the Ground-sel, and broke
the Stick: The Arm with which he struck was presently Disenabled, and
it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-door, and spied
this _Bishop_, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not
power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon, returning into the
House, he was immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before;
which Goblin was now going to fly at him; whereat he cry'd out, _The
whole Armour of God be between me and you!_ So it sprang back, and flew
over the Apple-tree; shaking many Apples off the Tree, in its flying
over. At its leap, it flung Dirt with its Feet against the Stomack of
the Man; whereon he was then struck Dumb, and so continued for three
Days together. Upon the producing of this Testimony, _Bishop_ deny'd
that she knew this Deponent: Yet their two Orchards joined; and they
had often had their little Quarrels for some years together.
XI. _William Stacy_[162] testify'd, That receiving Mony of this
_Bishop_, for work done by him; he was gone but a matter of three Rods
from her, and looking for his Mony, found it unaccountably gone from
him. Some time after, _Bishop_ asked him, whether her Father would
grind her Grist for her? He demanded why? She reply'd, _Because Folks
count me a Witch_. He answered, _No question but he will grind it for
you_. Being then gone about six Rods from her, with a small Load in
his Cart, suddenly the Off-wheel slump't; and sunk down into an hole,
upon plain Ground; so that the Deponent was forced to get help for
the recovering of the Wheel: But stepping back to look for the hole,
which might give him this Disaster, there was none at all to be found.
Some time after, he was waked in the Night; but it seem'd as light
as day; and he perfectly saw the shape of this _Bishop_ [70] in the
Room, troubling of him; but upon her going out, all was dark again.
He charg'd _Bishop_ afterwards with it, and she deny'd it not; but
was very angry. Quickly after, this Deponent having been threatned
by _Bishop_, as he was in a dark Night going to the Barn, he was
very suddenly taken or lifted from the Ground, and thrown against a
Stone-wall: After that, he was again hoisted up and thrown down a Bank,
at the end of his House. After this again, passing by this _Bishop_,
his Horse with a small Load, striving to draw, all his Gears flew to
pieces, and the Cart fell down; and this Deponent going then to lift
a Bag of Corn, of about two Bushels, could not budge it with all his
Might.
Many other Pranks of this _Bishop's_ this Deponent was ready to
testify. He also testify'd, That he verily believ'd, the said _Bishop_
was the Instrument of his Daughter _Priscilla's_ Death; of which
suspicion, pregnant Reasons were assigned.
XII. To crown all, _John Bly_ and _William Bly_ testify'd, That being
employ'd by _Bridget Bishop_, to help take down the Cellar-wall of the
old House wherein she formerly lived, they did in holes of the said old
Wall, find several _Poppets_, made up of Rags and Hogs-brussels, with
headless Pins in them, the Points being outward; whereof she could give
no Account to the Court, that was reasonable or tolerable.[163]
XIII. One thing that made against the Prisoner was, her being evidently
convicted of _gross Lying_ in the Court, several times, while she
was making her Plea; but besides this, a Jury of Women found a
preternatural Teat upon her Body: But upon a second search, within 3 or
4 hours, there was no such thing to be seen. There was also an Account
of other People whom this Woman had Afflicted; and there might have
been many more, if they had been enquired for; but there was no need of
them.
XIV. There was one very strange thing more, with which the Court
was newly entertained. As this Woman was under a Guard, passing by
the great and spacious Meeting-house of _Salem_, she gave a look
towards the House: and immediately a _Dæmon_ invisibly entring the
Meeting-house, tore down a part of it; so that tho' there was no Person
to be seen there, yet the People, at the noise, running in, found a
Board, which was strongly fastned with several Nails, transported unto
another quarter of the House.
III. _The Tryal of_ SUSANNA MARTIN,[164] _at the Court of Oyer and
Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem, June 29. 1692._
I. SUS_ANNA MARTIN_, pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of
_Witchcraft_, brought in against her, there were produced the Evidences
of ma[71]ny Persons very sensibly and grievously Bewitched; who all
complained of the Prisoner at the Bar, as the Person whom they believed
the cause of their Miseries. And now, as well as in the other Trials,
there was an extraordinary Endeavour by _Witchcrafts_, with Cruel
and frequent Fits, to hinder the poor Sufferers from giving in their
Complaints, which the Court was forced with much Patience to obtain, by
much waiting and watching for it.
II. There was now also an account given of what passed at he first
Examination before the Magistrates. The Cast of her _Eye_, then
striking the afflicted People to the Ground, whether they saw that Cast
or no; there were these among other Passages between the Magistrates
and the Examinate.
_Magistrate._ Pray, what ails these People?
_Martin._ I don't know.
_Magistrate._ But what do you think ails them?
_Martin._ I don't desire to spend my Judgment upon it.
_Magistrate._ Don't you think they are bewitch'd?
_Martin._ No, I do not think they are.
_Magistrate._ Tell us your Thoughts about them then.
_Martin._ No, my thoughts are my own, when they are in, but when they
are out they are anothers. Their Master.----
_Magistrate._ Their Master? who do you think is their Master?
_Martin._ If they be dealing in the Black Art, you may know as well as
I.
_Magistrate._ Well, what have you done towards this?
_Martin._ Nothing at all.
_Magistrate._ Why, 'tis you or your Appearance.
_Martin._ I cannot help it.
_Magistrate._ Is it not _your_ Master? How comes your Appearance to
hurt these?
_Martin._ How do I know? He that appeared in the Shape of _Samuel_, a
glorified Saint, may appear in any ones Shape.
It was then also noted in her, as in others like her, that if the
Afflicted went to approach her, they were flung down to the Ground.
And, when she was asked the reason of it, she said, _I cannot tell; it
may be the Devil bears me more Malice than another_.
III. The Court accounted themselves, alarum'd by these Things, to
enquire further into the Conversation of the Prisoner; and see what
there might occur, to render these Accusations further credible.
Whereupon, _John Allen_ of _Salisbury_, testify'd, That he refusing,
because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves at the request
of this _Martin_, she was displeased at it; and said, _It had been as
good that he had; for his Oxen should never do him much more Service_.
Whereupon this Deponent said, _Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch?
I'l throw thee into the Brook:_ Which [72] to avoid, she flew over the
Bridge, and escaped. But, as he was going home, one of his Oxen tired,
so that he was forced to Unyoke him, that he might get him home. He
then put his Oxen, with many more, upon _Salisbury_ Beach, where Cattle
did use to get _Flesh_. In a few days, all the Oxen upon the Beach were
found by their Tracks, to have run unto the Mouth of _Merrimack-River_,
and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore upon
_Plum-Island_. They that sought them, used all imaginable gentleness,
but they would still run away with a violence, that seemed wholly
Diabolical, till they came near the mouth of _Merrimack-River;_ when
they ran right into the Sea, swimming as far as they could be seen.
One of them then swam back again, with a swiftness, amazing to the
Beholders, who stood ready to receive him, and help up his tired
Carcass: But the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from
thence, through the Marshes, up into _Newbury_ Town, and so up into
the Woods; and there after a while found near _Amesbury_. So that, of
fourteen good Oxen, there was only this saved: The rest were all cast
up, some in one place, and some in another, Drowned.
IV. _John Atkinson_[165] testifi'd, That he exchanged a Cow with a
Son of _Susanna Martin's_ whereat she muttered, and was unwilling he
should have it. Going to receive this Cow, tho' he Hamstring'd her,
and Halter'd her, she, of a Tame Creature, grew so mad, that they
could scarce get her along. She broke all the Ropes that were fastned
unto her, and though she were ty'd fast unto a Tree, yet she made her
escape, and gave them such further trouble, as they could ascribe to no
cause but Witchcraft.
V. _Bernard Peache_[166] testifi'd, That being in Bed, on the
Lord's-day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then
saw _Susanna Martin_ come in, and jump down upon the Floor. She took
hold of this Deponent's Feet, and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she
lay upon him near Two Hours; in all which time he could neither speak
nor stir. At length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her
Hand, and pulling it up to his Mouth, he bit three of her Fingers, as
he judged, unto the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, down the
Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the People
of the House, to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow
her. The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand
of the Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; and several more
drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad: There was likewise
the print of her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; but no more sign of
any Footing further off.
At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto
an Husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, _If he did not come,
it were better that he did!_ He went not; but the Night following,
_Susanna_ [73] _Martin_, as he judged, and another came towards him.
One of them said, _Here he is!_ but he having a Quarter-staff, made a
Blow at them. The Roof of the Barn, broke his Blow; but following them
to the Window, he made another Blow at them, and struck them down; yet
they got up, and got out, and he saw no more of them.
About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that _Martin_ had a
Broken Head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that.
The said _Peache_ also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death,
upon _Martin's_ Discontents.
VI. _Robert Downer_[167] testifi'd, That this Prisoner being some
Years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, _He
believed she was a Witch_. Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, _That
some She-Devil would shortly fetch him away!_ Which words were heard by
others, as well as himself. The Night following, as he lay in his Bed,
there came in at the Window, the likeness of a _Cat_, which flew upon
him, took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while and
almost killed him. At length he remembered what _Susanna Martin_ had
threatned the Day before; and with much striving he cried out, _Avoid,
thou She-Devil! In the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost, Avoid!_ Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and flew out
at the Window.
And there also came in several Testimonies, that before ever _Downer_
spoke a word of this Accident, _Susanna Martin_ and her Family had
related, _How this_ Downer _had been handled!_
VII. _John Kembal_[168] testified, that _Susanna Martin_, upon a
Causeless Disgust, had threatned him, about a certain Cow of his,
_That she should never do him any more Good:_ and it came to pass
accordingly. For soon after the Cow was found stark dead on the dry
Ground, without any Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he
was followed with a strange Death upon more of his Cattle, whereof he
lost in one Spring to the Value of Thirty Pounds. But the said _John
Kembal_ had a further Testimony to give in against the Prisoner which
was truly admirable.
Being desirous to furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy
one of this _Martin_, who had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she
not letting him have his choice, he said, he would supply himself then
at one _Blezdels_. Having mark'd a Puppy, which he lik'd at _Blezdels_,
he met _George Martin_, the Husband of the Prisoner, going by, who
asked him, _Whether he would not have one of his Wife's Puppies?_
and he answered, _No_. The same Day, _one Edmond Eliot_, being at
_Martin's_ House, heard _George Martin_ relate, where this _Kembal_
had been, and what he had said. Whereupon _Susanna Martin_ replied,
_If I live, I'll give him Puppies enough!_ Within a few days after,
this _Kembal_, coming out of the Woods, there arose a little Black [74]
Cloud in the N.W. and _Kembal_ immediately felt a force upon him, which
made him not able to avoid running upon the stumps of Trees, that were
before him, albeit he had a broad, plain Cart-way, before him; but tho'
he had his Ax also on his Shoulder, to endanger him in his Falls, he
could not forbear going out of his way to tumble over them. When he
came below the Meeting House, there appeared unto him, a little thing
like a _Puppy_, of a Darkish Colour; and it shot backwards and forwards
between his Legs. He had the Courage to use all possible Endeavours of
Cutting it with his Ax; but he could not Hit it: the Puppy gave a jump
from him, and went, as to him it seem'd to him into the Ground. Going a
little further, there appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat bigger
than the first, but as Black as a Cole. Its Motions were quicker than
those of his Ax; it flew at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat;
so, over his Shoulder one way, and then over his Shoulder another way.
His Heart now began to fail him, and he thought the Dog would have
tore his Throat out. But he recovered himself, and called upon God in
his Distress; and naming the Name of Jesus Christ, it vanished away at
once. The Deponent spoke not one Word of these Accidents, for fear of
affrighting his Wife. But the next Morning, _Edmond Eliot_, going into
_Martin's_ House, this Woman asked him where _Kembal_ was? He replied,
_At home, a Bed, for ought he knew_. She returned, _They say, he was
frighted last Night._. _Eliot_ asked, _With what?_ She answered, _With
Puppies_. _Eliot_ asked, _Where she heard of it, for he had heard
nothing of it?_ She rejoined, _About the Town_. Altho' _Kembal_ had
mentioned the Matter to no Creature living.
VIII. _William Brown_[169] testifi'd, That Heaven having blessed
him with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day
met with _Susanna Martin:_ but when she approach'd just unto her,
_Martin_ vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted.
After which time, the said _Martin_ often appear'd unto her, giving her
no little trouble; and when she did come, she was visited with Birds,
that sorely peck'd and prick'd her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a
Pullet's Egg, would rise in her Throat, ready to choak her, till she
cry'd out, _Witch, you shan't choak me!_ While this good Woman was in
this extremity, the Church appointed a Day of Prayer, on her behalf;
whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; and she saw not _Martin_ as formerly; and
the Church, instead of their Fast, gave Thanks for her Deliverance.
But a considerable while after, she being Summoned to give in some
Evidence at the Court, against this _Martin_, quickly thereupon this
_Martin_ came behind her, while she was milking her Cow, and said unto
her, _For thy defaming me at Court, I'll make thee the miserablest
Creature in the World_. Soon after which, she fell into a strange
kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, and uncapable of any
reasonable Action; the Physicians de[75]claring, that her Distemper was
preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and in
that condition she now remained.
IX. _Sarah Atkinson_[170] testify'd, That _Susanna Martin_ came from
_Amesbury_ to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season,
when it was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she said, unto
_Atkinson_) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and shew'd how dry
she was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her
Shoes were wet. _Atkinson_ was amazed at it; and professed, that she
should her self have been wet up to the knees, if she had then came
so far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorn'd to be Drabbled!_ It was
noted, that this Testimony upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular
Confusion.
X. _John Pressy_[171] testify'd, That being one Evening very
unaccountably Bewildred, near a Field of _Martins_, and several times,
as one under an Enchantment, returning to the place he had left, at
length he saw a marvellous Light, about the bigness of an Half-bushel,
near two Rod out of the way. He went, and struck at it with a Stick,
and laid it on with all his might. He gave it near forty blows; and
felt it a palpable substance. But going from it, his Heels were
struck up, and he was laid with his Back on the Ground, sliding, as
he thought, into a Pit; from whence he recover'd by taking hold on
the Bush; altho' afterwards he could find no such Pit in the place.
Having, after his Recovery, gone five or six Rod, he saw _Susanna
Martin_ standing on his Left-hand, as the Light had done before; but
they changed no words with one another. He could scarce find his House
in his Return; but at length he got home extreamly affrighted. The next
day, it was upon Enquiry understood, that _Martin_ was in a miserable
condition by pains and hurts that were upon her.
It was further testify'd by this Deponent, That after he had given
in some Evidence against _Susanna Martin_, many years ago, she gave
him foul words about it; and said, _He should never prosper more;_
particularly, _That he should never have more than two Cows; that tho'
he was never so likely to have more, yet he should never have them_.
And that from that very day to this, namely for twenty years together,
he could never exceed that number; but some strange thing or other
still prevented his having of any more.
XI. _Jervis Ring_[172] testify'd, That about seven years ago, he was
oftentimes and grievously oppressed in the Night, but saw not who
troubled him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, plainly saw
_Susanna Martin_ approach him. She came to him, and forceably bit him
by the Finger; so that the Print of the bite is now, so long after, to
be seen upon him.
XII. But besides all of these Evidences, there was a most wonderful
Account of one _Joseph Ring_, produced on this occasion.
[76] This Man has been strangely carried about by _Dæmons_, from one
_Witch-meeting_ to another, for near two years together; and for one
quarter of this time, they have made him, and keep him Dumb, tho'
he is now again able to speak. There was one _T. H._ who having, as
'tis judged, a design of engaging this _Joseph Ring_ in a snare of
Devillism, contrived a while, to bring this _Ring_ two Shillings in
Debt unto him.
Afterwards, this poor Man would be visited with unknown shapes, and
this _T. H._ sometimes among them; which would force him away with
them, unto unknown Places, where he saw Meetings, Feastings, Dancings;
and after his return, wherein they hurried him along through the Air,
he gave Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that he had indeed been so
transported. When he was brought unto these hellish Meetings, one of
the first Things they still did unto him, was to give him a knock on
the Back, whereupon he was ever as if bound with Chains, uncapable of
stirring out of the place, till they should release him. He related,
that there often came to him a Man, who presented him a _Book_, whereto
he would have him set his Hand; promising to him, that he should then
have even what he would; and presenting him with all the delectable
Things, Persons, and Places, that he could imagin. But he refusing to
subscribe, the business would end with dreadful Shapes, Noises and
Screeches, which almost scared him out of his Wits. Once with the Book,
there was a Pen offered him, and an Ink-horn with Liquor in it, that
seemed like Blood: but he never toucht it.
This Man did now affirm, That he saw the Prisoner at several of those
hellish Randezvouzes.
Note, this Woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked
Creatures in the World; and she did now throughout her whole Tryal,
discover herself to be such an one. Yet when she was asked, what she
had to say for self? Her chief Plea was, _That she had led a most
virtuous and holy Life_.
IV. _The Tryal of_ ELIZABETH HOW,[173] _at the Court of Oyer and
Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem June 30, 1692_.
I. E_LIZABETH HOW_ pleading _Not Guilty_ to the Indictment of
Witchcrafts, then charged upon her; the Court, according to the
usual Proceedings of the Courts in _England_, in such Cases, began
with hearing the Depositions of several afflicted People, who were
grievously tortured by sensible and evident _Witchcrafts_, and all
complained of the Prisoner, as the cause of their Trouble. It was also
found that the Sufferers were not able [77] to bear her _Look_, as
likewise, that in their greatest Swoons, they distinguished her _Touch_
from other Peoples, being thereby raised out of them.
And there was other Testimony of People to whom the shape of this
_How_, gave trouble nine or ten years ago.
II. It has been a most usual thing for the bewitched Persons, at the
same time that the _Spectres_, representing the _Witches_, troubled
them, to be visited with Apparitions of _Ghosts_, pretending to have
been Murdered by the _Witches_ then represented. And sometimes the
Confessions of the Witches afterwards acknowledged those very Murders,
which these _Apparitions_ charged upon them; altho' they had never
heard what Informations had been given by the Sufferers.
There were such Apparitions of Ghosts testified by some of the present
Sufferers; and the Ghosts affirmed, that this _How_ had Murdered them:
Which things were _fear'd_ but not _prov'd._
III. This _How_ had made some Attempts of joyning to the Church at
_Ipswich_, several years ago; but she was denyed an admission into
that Holy Society, partly through a suspicion of Witchcraft, then
urged against her. And there now came in Testimony, of preternatural
Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been Instrumental to debar
her from the Communion whereupon she was intruding.
IV. There was a particular Deposition of _Joseph Safford_,[174] That
his Wife had conceived an extream Aversion to this _How_, on the
Reports of her Witchcrafts: But _How_ one day, taking her by the Hand,
and saying, _I believe you are not ignorant of the great Scandal that
I lye under, by an evil Report raised upon me_. She immediately,
unreasonably and unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began to take
this Woman's part. _How_ being soon after propounded, as desiring an
Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were
unsatisfy'd about her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters
objected against her; and no Arguments in the World could hinder
this Goodwife _Safford_ from going to the Lecture. She did indeed
promise, with much ado, that she would not go to the Church-meeting,
yet she could not refrain going thither also. _How's_ Affairs there
were so canvased, that she came off rather _Guilty_ than _Cleared;_
nevertheless Goodwife _Safford_ could not forbear taking her by the
Hand, and saying, _Tho' you are Condemned before Men, you are justify'd
before God_. She was quickly taken in a very strange manner, Frantick,
Raving, Raging and crying out, _Goody_ How _must come into the Church;
she is a precious Saint; and tho' she be condemned before Men, she is
Justify'd before God_. So she continued [78] for the space of two or
three Hours; and then fell into a Trance. But coming to her self, she
cry'd out, _Ha! I was mistaken;_ and afterwards again repeated, _Ha!
I was mistaken!_ Being asked by a stander by, _Wherein?_ she replyed,
_I thought Goody_ How _had been a precious Saint of God, but now I see
she is a Witch: She has bewitched me, and my Child, and we shall never
be well, till there be a Testimony for her, that she may be taken into
the Church_. And _How_ said afterwards, that she was very sorry to
see _Safford_ at the Church-meeting mentioned. _Safford_, after this,
declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of _How;_ and from that
Shape she endured many Miseries.
V. _John How_, Brother to the Husband of the Prisoner testified, that
he refusing to accompany the Prisoner unto her Examination, as was by
her desired, immediately some of his Cattle were Bewitched to Death,
leaping three or four foot high, turning about, speaking, falling,
and dying at once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use that might
as well perhaps have been omitted, the Hand wherein he held his Knife
was taken very numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, for several
Days, being not well at this very Time. And he suspected this Prisoner
for the Author of it.
VI. _Nehemiah Abbot_[175] testify'd, that unusual and mischievous
Accidents would befal his Cattle, whenever he had any Difference with
this Prisoner. Once, particularly, she wished his Ox choaked; and
within a little while that Ox was choaked with a Turnip in his Throat.
At another Time, refusing to lend his Horse, at the Request of her
Daughter, the Horse was in a preternatural manner abused. And several
other odd things of that kind were testified.
VII. There came in Testimony, that one Goodwife _Sherwin_, upon some
Difference with _How_, was Bewitched; and that she dyed, charging this
_How_ with having an Hand in her Death. And that other People had their
Barrels of Drink unaccountably mischieved, spoil'd and spilt, upon
their displeasing of her.
The things in themselves were trivial, but there being such a Course
of them, it made them the more to be considered. Among others, _Martha
Wood_, gave her Testimony, That a little after her Father had been
employed in gathering an account of _How's_ Conversation, they once and
again lost great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in such a
manner, as they could ascribe to nothing but Witchcraft. As also, That
_How_ giving her some Apples, when she had eaten of them, she was taken
with a very strange kind of Amaze, insomuch that she knew not what she
said or did.
VIII. There was likewise a Cluster of Depositions, That one _Isaac
Cummings_[176] refusing to lend his Mare unto the Husband of this
_How_, the Mare was within a Day or two taken in a strange condition:
The Beast [79] seemed much abused, being bruised as if she had been
running over the Rocks, and marked where the Bridle went, as if burnt
with a red hot Bridle. Moreover, one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the
Cure of the Beast, a blew Flame issued out of her, took hold of her
Hair, and not only spread and burnt on her, but it also flew upwards
towards the Roof of the Barn, and had like to have set the Barn on
Fire: And the Mare dyed very suddenly.
IX. _Timothy Perley_[177] and his Wife, testify'd, Not only
unaccountable Mischiefs befel their Cattle, upon their having of
Differences with this Prisoner: but also that they had a Daughter
destroyed by Witchcrafts; which Daughter still charged _How_ as the
Cause of her Affliction. And it was noted, that she would be struck
down whenever _How_ were spoken of. She was often endeavoured to be
thrown into the Fire, and into the Water, in her strange Fits: Tho'
her Father had corrected her for charging _How_ with bewitching her,
yet (as was testified by others also) she said, She was sure of it,
and must dye standing to it. Accordingly she charged _How_ to the very
Death; and said, _Tho'_ How _could afflict and torment her Body, yet
she could not hurt her Soul:_ And, _That the Truth of this matter would
appear when she should be dead and gone_.
X. _Francis Lane_[178] testified, That being hired by the Husband of
this _How_ to get him a parcel of Posts and Rails, this Lane hired
_John Pearly_ to assist him. This Prisoner then told _Lane_, That she
believed the Posts and Rails would not do, because _John Perly_ helped
him; but that if he had got them alone, without _John Pearlie's_ help,
they might have done well enough. When _James How_ came to receive his
Posts and Rails of _Lane_, _How_ taking them up by the Ends, they, tho'
good and sound, yet unaccountably broke off, so that _Lane_ was forced
to get thirty or forty more. And this Prisoner being informed of it,
she said, She told him so before, because _Pearly_ helped about them.
XI. Afterwards there came in the Confessions of several other
(penitent) Witches, which affirmed this _How_ to be one of those,
who with them had been baptized by the Devil in the River at
_Newbury_-Falls: before which he made them there kneel down by the
Brink of the River and worshiped him.
V. _The Trial of_ MARTHA CARRIER,[179] _at the Court of Oyer and
Terminer, held by Adjournment at Salem, August 2, 1692_.
I. M_ARTHA CARRIER_ was Indicted for the bewitching of certain Persons,
according to the Form usual in such Cases, pleading _Not Guilty_, [80]
to her Indictment; there were first brought in a considerable number
of the bewitched Persons; who not only made the Court sensible of
an horrid Witchcraft committed upon them, but also deposed, That it
was _Martha Carrier_, or her Shape, that grievously tormented them,
by Biting, Pricking, Pinching and Choaking of them. It was further
deposed, That while this _Carrier_ was on her Examination, before
the Magistrates, the Poor People were so tortured that every one
expected their Death upon the very spot, but that upon the binding of
_Carrier_ they were eased. Moreover the Look of _Carrier_ then laid the
Afflicted People for dead; and her Touch, if her Eye at the same time
were off them, raised them again: Which Things were also now seen upon
her Tryal. And it was testified, That upon the mention of some having
their Necks twisted almost round, by the Shape of this _Carrier_, she
replyed, _Its no matter though their Necks had been twisted quite off_.
II. Before the Trial of this Prisoner, several of her own Children
had frankly and fully confessed, not only that they were Witches
themselves, but that this their Mother had made them so. This
Confession they made with great Shews of Repentance, and with much
Demonstration of Truth. They related Place, Time, Occasion; they gave
an account of Journeys, Meetings and Mischiefs by them performed, and
were very credible in what they said. Nevertheless, this Evidence was
not produced against the Prisoner at the Bar, inasmuch as there was
other Evidence enough to proceed upon.
III. _Benjamin Abbot_[180] gave in his Testimony, That last _March_ was
a twelvemonth, this _Carrier_ was very angry with him, upon laying out
some Land, near her Husband's: Her Expressions in this Anger, were,
_That she would stick as close to Abbot as the Bark stuck to the Tree;
and that he should repent of it afore seven Years came to an End, so as
Doctor_ Prescot[181] _should never cure him_. These Words were heard
by others besides _Abbot_ himself; who also heard her say, _She would
hold his Nose as close to the Grindstone as ever it was held since his
Name was_ Abbot. Presently after this, he was taken with a Swelling in
his Foot, and then with a Pain in his Side, and exceedingly tormented.
It bred into a Sore, which was launced by Doctor _Prescot_, and several
Gallons of Corruption ran out of it. For six Weeks it continued very
bad, and then another Sore bred in the Groin, which was also lanced
by Doctor _Prescot_. Another Sore then bred in his Groin, which was
likewise cut, and put him to very great Misery: He was brought unto
Death's Door, and so remained until _Carrier_ was taken, and carried
away by the Constable, from which very Day he began to mend, and so
grew better every Day, and is well ever since.
_Sarah Abbot_ also, his Wife, testified, That her Hus[41]band was
not only all this while Afflicted in his Body, but also that strange
extraordinary and unaccountable Calamities befel his Cattel; their
Death being such as they could guess at no Natural Reason for.
IV. _Allin Toothaker_[182] testify'd, That _Richard_, the son of
_Martha Carrier_, having some difference with him, pull'd him down by
the Hair of the Head. When he Rose again, he was going to strike at
_Richard Carrier;_ but fell down flat on his Back to the ground, and
had not power to stir hand or foot, until he told _Carrier_ he yielded;
and then he saw the shape of _Martha Carrier_, go off his breast.
This _Toothaker_, had Received a wound in the _Wars;_ and he now
testify'd, that _Martha Carrier_ told him, He _should never be Cured_.
Just afore the Apprehending of _Carrier_, he could thrust a knitting
Needle into his wound, four inches deep; but presently after her being
siezed, he was thoroughly healed.
He further testify'd, that when _Carrier_ and he sometimes were at
variance, she would clap her hands at him, and say, _He should get
nothing by it;_ whereupon he several times lost his Cattle, by strange
Deaths, whereof no natural causes could be given.
V. _John Rogger_[183] also testifyed, That upon the threatning words of
this malicious _Carrier_, his Cattle would be strangely bewitched; as
was more particularly then described.
VI. _Samuel Preston_[184] testify'd, that about two years ago, having
some difference with _Martha Carrier_, he lost a _Cow_ in a strange
Preternatural unusual manner; and about a month after this, the said
_Carrier_, having again some difference with him, she told him; _He had
lately lost a Cow, and it should not be long before he lost another;_
which accordingly came to pass; for he had a thriving and well-kept
_Cow_, which without any known cause quickly fell down and dy'd.
VII. _Phebe Chandler_[185] testify'd, that about a Fortnight before the
apprehension of _Martha Carrier_, on a Lordsday, while the Psalm was
singing in the _Church_, this _Carrier_ then took her by the shoulder
and shaking her, asked her, _where she lived:_ she made her no Answer,
although as _Carrier_, who lived next door to her Fathers House, could
not in reason but know who she was. Quickly after this, as she was at
several times crossing the Fields, she heard a voice, that she took to
be _Martha Carriers_, and it seem'd as if it [42] was over her head.
The voice told her, _she should within two or three days be poisoned_.
Accordingly, within such a little time, one half of her right hand,
became greatly swollen, and very painful; as also part of her Face;
whereof she can give no account how it came. It continued very bad
for some dayes; and several times since, she has had a great pain in
her breast; and been so siezed on her leggs, that she has hardly been
able to go. She added, that lately, going well to the House of God,
_Richard_, the son of _Martha Carrier_, look'd very earnestly upon
her, and immediately her hand, which had formerly been poisoned, as is
abovesaid, began to pain her greatly, and she had a strange Burning
at her stomach; but was then struck deaf, so that she could not hear
any of the prayer, or singing, till the two or three last words of the
Psalm.
VIII. One _Foster_,[186] who confessed her own share in the Witchcraft
for which the Prisoner stood indicted, affirm'd, that she had seen
the prisoner at some of their _Witch-meetings_, and that it was this
_Carrier_, who perswaded her to be a Witch. She confessed, that the
Devil carry'd them on a pole, to a Witch-meeting; but the pole broke,
and she hanging about _Carriers_ neck, they both fell down, and she
then received an hurt by the Fall, whereof she was not at this very
time recovered.
IX. One _Lacy_,[187] who likewise confessed her share in this
Witchcraft, now testify'd, that she and the prisoner were once Bodily
present at a _Witch-meeting_ in _Salem Village;_ and that she knew the
prisoner to be a Witch, and to have been at a Diabolical sacrament, and
that the prisoner was the undoing of her, and her Children, by enticing
them into the snare of the Devil.
X. Another _Lacy_, who also confessed her share in this Witchcraft,
now testify'd, that the prisoner was at the _Witch-meeting_, in _Salem
Village_, where they had Bread and Wine Administred unto them.
XI. In the time of this prisoner's Trial, one _Susanna Sheldon_,[188]
in open Court had her hands Unaccountably ty'd together with a
Wheel-band, so fast that without cutting, it could not be loosed:
It was done by a _Spectre;_ and the Sufferer affirm'd, it was the
_Prisoners_.
_Memorandum._ This Rampant Hag, _Martha Carrier_, was the [43] person,
of whom the Confessions of the Witches, and of her own Children among
the rest, agreed, That the Devil had promised her, she should be _Queen
of Hell_.[189]
HAVING thus far done the Service imposed upon me; I will further pursue
it, by relating a few of those Matchless CURIOSITIES, with which
the _Witchcraft_ now upon us, has entertained us. And I shall Report
nothing but with Good Authority, and what I would invite all my Readers
to examine, while 'tis yet Fresh and New, that if there be found any
mistake, it may be as willingly _Retracted_, as it was unwillingly
_Committed_.
_The First_ CURIOSITIE.
I. 'Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious and Impudent _imitation_
of Divine Things, is Apishly affected by the Devil, in several of those
matters, whereof the Confessions of our _Witches_, and the Afflictions
of our _Sufferers_ have informed us.
That Reverend and Excellent Person, Mr. _John Higginson_, in my
Conversation with him, Once invited me to this Reflection; that the
Indians which came from far to settle about _Mexico_, were in their
Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct of the _Devil_, very
strangely Emulating what the Blessed God gave to _Israel_ in the
Wilderness.
_Acosta_,[190] is our Author for it, that the Devil in 'their Idol
_Vitzlipultzli_,[191] governed that mighty Nation. He commanded them
to leave their Country, promising to make them _Lords_ over all the
Provinces possessed by _Six_ other Nations of Indians, and give them
a Land abounding with all precious things. They went forth, carrying
their Idol with them, in a Coffer of _Reeds_, supported by Four of
their Principal _Priests;_ with whom he still _Discoursed_ in secret,
Revealing to them the Successes, and Accidents of their way. He advised
them, when to _March_, and where to _Stay_, and without his Commandment
they moved not. The first thing they did, wherever they came, was to
Erect a _Tabernacle_, for their false god; which they set always in the
midst of their Camp, and there placed the _Ark_ upon an _Alter_. When
they, Tired with pains, talked of, _proceeding no further_ in their
Journey, then a certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, this
Devil in one night, horribly kill'd them that [44] had started this
Talk, by pulling out their Hearts. And so they passed on till they came
to _Mexico._'
The Devil which _then_ thus imitated what was in the Church of the _Old
Testament_, now among _Us_ would Imitate the Affairs of the Church in
the _New_. The _Witches_ do say, that they form themselves much after
the manner of _Congregational Churches;_ and that they have a _Baptism_
and a _Supper_, and _Officers_ among them, abominably Resembling those
of our Lord.[192]
But there are many more of these Bloody _Imitations_, if the
Confessions of the _Witches_ are to be Received; which I confess, ought
to be but with very much of Caution.
What is their stricking down with a fierce _Look?_ What is their making
of the Afflicted _Rise_, with a touch of their _Hand?_ What is their
Transportation thro' the _Air?_ What is their Travelling _in Spirit_,
while their Body is cast into a Trance? What is their causing of
_Cattle_ to run mad and perish? What is their Entring their Names in a
_Book?_ What is their coming together from all parts at the Sound of
a _Trumpet?_ What is their Appearing sometimes Cloathed with _Light_
or _Fire_ upon them? What is their Covering of themselves and their
Instruments with _Invisibility?_ But a Blasphemous Imitation of certain
Things recorded about our Saviour or His Prophets, or the Saints in the
Kingdom of God.[193]
_A Second_ CURIOSITIE.
II. In all the _Witchcraft_ which now Grievously Vexes us, I know
not whether anything be more Unaccountable, than the Trick which
the Witches have to render themselves, and their Tools _Invisible_.
_Witchcraft_ seems to be the Skill of Applying the _Plastic Spirit_ of
the World, unto some unlawful purposes, by means of a Confederacy with
_Evil Spirits_. Yet one would wonder how the _Evil Spirits_ themselves
can do some things: especially at _Invisibilizing_ of the Grossest
Bodies. I can tell the Name of an Ancient Author, who pretends to show
the _way_, how a man may come to walk about _Invisible_, and I can tell
the Name of another Ancient Author, who pretends to Explode that way.
But I will not speak too plainly Lest I should unawares Poison some of
my _Readers_, as the pious _Hemingius_[194] did one of his _Pupils_,
when he only by way of Diversion recited a _Spell_, which, they had
said, would cure _Agues_. This much I will say; The notion of procuring
_Invisibility_, by any _Natural Expedient_, yet known, is, I Believe,
a meer PLINYISM;[195] How far it may be [45] obtained by a _Magical
Sacrament_, is best known to the Dangerous Knaves that have try'd it.
But our _Witches_ do seem to have got the knack: and this is one of the
Things, that make me think, _Witchcraft_ will not be fully understood,
until the day when there shall not be one Witch in the World.
There are certain people very _Dogmatical_ about these matters; but
I'll give them only these three Bones to pick.
First, One of our bewitched people, was cruelly assaulted by a
_Spectre_, that, she said, ran at her with a _spindle:_ tho' no body
else in the Room, could see either the _Spectre_ or the _spindle_. At
last, in her miseries, giving a snatch at the _Spectre_, she pull'd the
_spindle_ away, and it was no sooner got into her hand, but the other
people then present, beheld, that it was indeed a Real, Proper, Iron
_spindle_, belonging they knew to whom; which when they lock'd up very
safe, it was nevertheless by _Demons_ unaccountably stole away, to do
further mischief.[196]
Secondly, Another of our bewitched people, was haunted with a most
abusive _Spectre_, which came to her, she said, with a _sheet_ about
her. After she had undergone a deal of Teaze, from the Annoyance of
the _Spectre_, she gave a violent snatch at the sheet that was upon
it; wherefrom she tore a corner, which in her hand immediately became
_Visible_ to a Roomful of Spectators; a palpable Corner of a Sheet.
Her Father, who was now holding her, catch'd that he might keep what
his Daughter had so strangely seized, but the unseen _Spectre_ had like
to have pull'd his hand off, by endeavouring to wrest it from him;
however he still held it, and I suppose has it still to show; it being
but a few hours ago, namely about the beginning of this _October_,
that this Accident happened; in the family of one _Pitman_,[197] at
_Manchester_.
Thirdly, A young man, delaying to procure Testimonials, for his
Parents, who being under confinement on suspicion of _Witchcraft_,
required him to do that service for them, was quickly pursued with odd
Inconveniences. But once above the Rest, an Officer going to put his
_Brand_ on the Horns of some _Cows_, belonging to these people, which
tho' he had seiz'd for some of their debts, yet he was willing to leave
in their possession, for the subsistance of the poor Family; this young
man help'd in holding the Cows to be thus branded. The three first
_Cows_ he held well enough; but when the hot Brand was clap'd on the
Fourth, he _winc'd_ and _shrunk_ at such a Rate, as that he could hold
the Cow no longer. Being afterwards Examined about it, he confessed,
that at that very instant when the _Brand_ entered the _Cow's Horn_,
exactly the like [46] burning _Brand_ was clap'd upon his own Thigh;
where he has exposed the lasting marks of it, unto such as asked to see
them.
Unriddle these Things,--_Et Eris mihi magnus Apollo_.
_A Third_ CURIOSITIE.
III. If a Drop of _Innocent Blood_ should be shed, in the Prosecution
of the _Witchcrafts_ among us, how unhappy are we! For which cause,
I cannot express my self in better terms than those of a most Worthy
Person, who lives near the present Center of these things.[198] _The
Mind of_ God _in these matters, is to be carefully lookt into, with
due Circumspection, that Satan deceive us not with his Devices, who
transforms himself into an Angel of Light, and may pretend justice and
yet intend mischief_. But on the other side, if the storm of Justice
do now fall only on the Heads of those guilty _Witches_ and _Wretches_
which have defiled our Land, _How Happy!_
The Execution of some that have lately Dyed, has been immediately
attended, with a strange Deliverance of some, that had lain for many
years, in a most sad Condition, under, they knew not whose _evil
hands_. As I am abundantly satisfy'd, That many of the Self-Murders
committed here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody
_Witchcraft_, letting fly _Demons_ upon the miserable _Seneca's;_ thus
it has been admirable unto me to see, how a Devilish _Witchcraft_,
sending Devils upon them, has driven many poor people to _Despair_, and
persecuted their minds, with such Buzzes of _Atheism_ and _Blasphemy_,
as has made them even run _distracted with Terrors:_ And some long
_Bow'd_ down under such a _spirit of Infirmity_, have been marvellously
Recovered upon the death of the Witches.
One _Whetford_[199] particularly ten years ago, challenging of _Bridget
Bishop_ (whose Trial you have had) with steeling of a Spoon, _Bishop_
threatned her very direfully: presently after this, was _Whetford_ in
the Night, and in her Bed, visited by _Bishop_, with one _Parker_, who
making the Room light at their coming in, there discoursed of several
mischiefs they would inflict upon her. At last they pull'd her out, and
carried her unto the Sea-side, there to _drown_ her; but she calling
upon God, they left her, tho' not without Expressions of their Fury.
From that very time, this poor _Whetford_ was utterly spoilt, and grew
a Tempted, Froward, Crazed sort of a Woman; a vexation to her self,
and all about her; and many ways unreasonable. In this Distraction
she lay, till those women were Apprehended by the Authority; _then_
she be[47]gan to mend; and upon their Execution, was presently and
perfectly Recovered, from the ten years madness that had been upon her.
_A Fourth_ CURIOSITIE.
IV. 'Tis a thousand pitties, that we should permit our Eyes to be so
_Blood-shot_ with passions, as to loose the sight of many wonderful
things, wherein the Wisdom and Justice of God, would be Glorify'd. Some
of those things, are the frequent ==Apparitions== of Ghosts, whereby
many Old ==Murders== among us, come to be considered. And, among many
Instances of this kind, I will single out one, which concerned a poor
man, lately _Prest_ unto Death, because of his Refusing to _Plead_ for
his Life.[200] I shall make an Extract of a Letter, which was written
to my Honourable Friend, _Samuel Sewal_, Esq.; by Mr. _Putman_, to this
purpose;
'The Last Night my Daughter _Ann_, was grievously Tormented by Witches,
Threatning that she should be _Pressed_ to Death, before _Giles
Cory_. But thro' the Goodness of a Gracious God, she had at last a
little Respite. Whereupon there appeared unto her (she said) a man
in a Winding Sheet, who told her that _Giles Cory_ had Murdered him,
by _Pressing_ him to Death with his Feet; but that the Devil there
appeared unto him, and Covenanted with him, and promised him, _He
should not be Hanged_. The Apparition said, God Hardned his heart; that
he should not hearken to the Advice of the Court, and so Dy an easy
Death; because as it said, _It must be done to him as he has done to
me_. The Apparition also said, That _Giles Cory_, was carry'd to the
Court for this, and that the Jury had found the Murder, and that her
Father knew the man, and the thing was done before she was born. Now
Sir, This is not a little strange to us; that no body should Remember
these things, all the while that _Giles Cory_ was in Prison, and so
often before the Court. For all people now Remember very well, (and the
Records of the Court also mention it,) That about Seventeen Years ago,
_Giles Cory_ kept a man in his House, that was almost a Natural Fool:
which Man Dy'd suddenly. A Jury was impannel'd upon him, among whom was
Dr. _Zerobbabel Endicot;_[201] who found the man bruised to Death, and
having clodders of Blood about his Heart. The Jury whereof several are
yet alive brought in the man Murdered; but as if some Enchantment had
hindred the Prosecution of the Matter, the Court Proceeded not against
[48] _Giles Cory_, tho' it cost him a great deal of Mony to get off.
Thus the Story,'
_THE Reverend and Worthy Author, having at the Direction of His_
EXCELLENCY _the Governour, so far Obliged the Publick, as to give some
Account of the Sufferings brought upon the Countrey by_ Witchcraft;
_and of the Tryals which have passed upon several Executed for the
Same:_
_Upon Perusal thereof, We find the Matters of Fact and Evidence, Truly
reported. And a Prospect given, of the_ Methods of Conviction, _used in
the Proceedings of the Court at_ Salem.
Boston Octob. 11. 1692.
William Stoughton
Samuel Sewall.
BUT is _New-England_, the only Christian Countrey, that hath undergone
such Diabolical Molestations? No, there are other Good people, that
have in this way been harassed; but none in circumstances more like to
_Ours_, than the people of God, in _Sweedland_. The story is a very
Famous one; and it comes to Speak English by the Acute Pen of the
Excellent and Renowned Dr. _Horneck_.[202] I shall only single out a
few of the more Memorable passages therein Occurring; and where it
agrees with what happened among ourselves, my Reader shall understand,
by my inserting a Word of every such thing in ==Black Letter==.
I. It was in the Year 1669. and 1670. That at _Mohra_ in _Sweedland_,
the ==Devils== by the help of ==Witches==, committed a most horrible
outrage. Among other Instances of Hellish Tyranny there exercised,
one was, that Hundreds of their Children, were usually in the Night
fetcht from their Lodgings, to a Diabolical Rendezvouz, at a place
they called, _Blockula_, where the Monsters that so Spirited them,
==Tempted== them all manner of Ways to ==Associate== with them. Yea,
such was the perillous Growth of this _Witchcraft_, that Persons of
Quality began to send their Children into other Countries to avoid it.
II. The Inhabitants had earnestly sought God by ==Prayer==; and ==Yet==
their Affliction ==Continued==. Whereupon ==Judges== had a Special
==Commission== to find and root out the Hellish Crew; and the rather,
because another County in the Kingdom, which had been so molested, was
delivered upon the Execution of the _Witches_.
III. The ==Examination==, was begun with a Day of ==Humiliation==;
appointed by Authority.[203] Whereupon the Commissioners
==Consulting==, how they might resist such a Dangerous Flood, the
==Suffering Children==, were first Examined; and tho' they were [49]
Questioned ==One== by ==One== apart, yet their ==Declarations All
Agreed==. The ==Witches== Accus'd in these Declarations, were then
Examined; and tho' at first they obstinately ==Denied==, yet at length
many of them ingenuously ==Confessed== the Truth of what the children
had said; owning with Tears, that the ==Devil==, whom they call'd
_Loeyta_, had stopt their ==Mouths==; but he being now ==Gone== from
them, they could ==No Longer Conceal== the Business. The things by them
==Acknowledged==, most wonderfully ==Agreed== with what other Witches,
in other places had confessed.
IV. They confessed, that they did use to ==Call upon== the ==Devil==,
who thereupon would ==Carry== them away, over the Tops of Houses, to
a Green Meadow, where they gave themselves unto him. Only one of them
said, That sometimes the _Devil_ only took away her ==Strength==,
leaving her ==Body== on the ground; but she went at other times in
==Body== too.
V. Their manner was to come into the ==Chambers== of people, and fetch
away their children upon Beasts, of the Devils providing: promising
==Fine Clothes== and other Fine Things unto them, to inveagle them.
They said, they never had power to do thus, till of late; but now
the Devil did ==Plague== and ==Beat== them, if they did not gratifie
him, in this piece of Mischief. They said, they made use of all sorts
of ==Instruments== in their Journeys! Of ==Men==, of ==Beasts==, of
==Posts==; the _Men_ they commonly laid asleep at the place, whereto
they rode them; and if the children mentioned the ==Names== of them
that stole them away, =they= were miserably ==Scourged== for it, until
some of them were killed. The ==Judges== found the marks of the Lashes
on some of them; but the Witches said, ==They would Quickly vanish==.
Moreover the Children would be in ==Strange Fits==, after they were
brought Home from these Transportations.
VI. The ==First Thing==, they said, they were to do at _Blockula_,
was to give themselves unto the Devil, and ==Vow== that they would
serve him. Hereupon, they ==cut their Fingers==, and with ==Blood==
writ their ==Names== in his ==Book==. And he also caused them to be
==Baptised== by such ==Priests==, as he had, in this Horrid company. In
==some== of them, the ==Mark== of the ==cut Finger== was to be found;
they said, that the Devil gave ==Meat== and ==Drink==, as to _Them_, so
to the Children they brought with them: that afterwards their Custom
was to _Dance_ before him; and _swear_ and _curse_ most horribly; they
said, that the Devil show'd them a great Frightful, Cruel _Dragon_,
telling them, ==If they confessed any Thing==, he would let loose that
Great Devil upon them; they added, that the Devil had a ==Church==, and
that when the ==Judges== were coming, he told them ==he would== [50]
==kill them all==; and that some of them had ==Attempted to Murder the
Judges== but ==could not==.
VII. Some of the ==Children==, talked much of a ==White Angel==, which
did use to ==Forbid== them, what the Devil had bid them to do, and
==Assured== them that these doings would ==Not last long==; but that
what had been done was permitted for the wickedness of the People.
This ==White Angel==, would sometimes rescue the Children, from ==Going
in==, with the Witches.
VIII. The Witches confessed many mischiefs done by them, declaring with
what kind of ==Enchanted Tools==, they did their Mischiefs. They sought
especially to ==kill the Minister== of _Elfdale_, but could not. But
some of them said, that such as they wounded, would ==Be recovered==,
upon or before their Execution.
IX. The ==Judges== would fain have seen them show some of their
==Tricks==; but they Unanimously declared, that, ==Since they had
confessed==, all, they found all their ==Witchcraft== gone; and the
Devil then ==Appeared very Terrible== unto them, threatning with an
==Iron Fork==, to thrust them into a Burning Pit, if they persisted in
their Confession.
X. They were discovered no less than _three-score and ten_ Witches in
One Village, ==three and twenty== of which ==freely confessing== their
Crimes, were condemned to dy. The rest, (==One== pretending she was
with Child) were sent to _Fahluna_, where most of them were afterwards
executed. Fifteen Children, which confessed themselves engaged in this
Witchery, dyed as the rest. Six and Thirty of them between _nine_
and _sixteen_ years of Age, who had been less guilty, were forced
to run the Gantlet, and be lashed on their hands once a Week, for a
year together; twenty more who had less inclination to these Infernal
enterprises, were lashed with Rods upon their Hands for three Sundays
together, at the Church door; the number of the seduced Children,
was about three hundred. This course, together with ==Prayers== in
all the Churches thro' the Kingdom, issued in the deliverance of the
Country.[204]
XI. The most Accomplished Dr. _Horneck_ inserts a most wise caution, in
his preface to this Narrative, saies he, _there is no Public Calamity,
but some ill people, will serve themselves of the sad providence and
make use of it for their own ends; as_ Thieves _when an house or town
is on Fire, will steal what they can_. And he mentions a Remarkable
Story of a young Woman, at _Stockholm_, in the year 1676, Who accused
her own Mother of being a Witch; and swore positively, that she had
carried her away in the Night; the poor Woman was burnt upon it:
professing her innocency to the last. But tho' she had been an Ill
Woman, yet it afterwards prov'd that she was not _such_ an one; for her
Daughter came to the Judges [51] with hideous Lamentations, Confessing,
That she had wronged her Mother, out of a wicked spite against her;
whereupon the Judges gave order for her Execution too.
But, so much of these things; and, now, _Lord, make these Labours of
thy Servant, Profitable to thy People!_
[205]_Matter Omitted in the Trials._
NINETEEN Witches have been Executed at _New-England_, one of them
was a Minister, and two Ministers more are Accus'd. There is a
hundred Witches more in Prison, which broke Prison, and about two
Hundred more are Accus'd, some Men of great Estates in _Boston_,
have been accus'd for _Witchcraft_. Those Hundred now in Prison
accus'd for Witches, were Committed by fifty of themselves being
_Witches_, some of _Boston_, but most about _Salem_, and the Towns
Adjacent. Mr. _Increase Mather_ has published a Book[206] about
_Witchcraft_, occasioned by the late Trials of Witches, which will
be speedily printed in _London_ by _John Dunton_.