ORIGINAL NARRATIVES OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY REPRODUCED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION GENERAL EDITOR, J. FRANKLIN JAMESON, PH.D., LL.D. DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES 1648 — 1706 ORIGINAL NARRATIVES OF EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES 1648— 17O6 EDITED BY GEORGE LINCOLN BURR, LL.D., Lrrr.D. PROFESSOR OF MEDIEVAL HISTORY IN CORNELL UNIVERSITY WITH THREE FACSIMILES CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS NEW YORK ' ^ C1 r ; b COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS Printed in the United Sutes of Aroeric* BF CONTENTS NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES EDITED BY GEORGE L. BURR PAQB FROM "AN ESSAY FOR THE RECORDING OF ILLUSTRIOUS PROVIDENCES" (BETTER KNOWN AS "REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES"), BY INCREASE MATHER, 1684 ........... 1 INTRODUCTION ........... 3 The Preface ........... 8 \ Chapter V: Preternatural Happenings in New England ... 17 Case of Ann Cole, of Hartford, 1662 ....... 18 Case of Elizabeth Knap, of Groton, 1671 . ..... 21 \ § Case of the Morses, at Newbury, 1679-1681 .... The Tedworth Case, in England, 1661-1663 .... Case of Nicholas Desborough, of Hartford, 1683 ..... 33 Case of George Walton, at Portsmouth, 1682 ..... 34 Case of the Hortados, at Salmon Falls, 1682-1683 .... 37 NEW YORK CASES OF HALL AND HARRISON, 1665, 1670 . . 39 INTRODUCTION ........... 41 >^Case of Ralph and Mary Hall, of Setauket, 1665 .... 44 > Case of Katharine Harrison, 1670 ....... 48 "LlTHOBOLIA, OR THE STONE-THROWING DEVIL," BY RlCHARD CHAMBER- LAIN, 1698 ............ 53 INTRODUCTION ........... 55 Dedicatory Letter and Verses ........ 58 Why the Author relates this Stone throwing and why he believes it Witchcraft ...... ~ ~. : '. . 60 The Quaker George Walton and his Neighbors at Great Island (Ports- mouth) ............ 61 The Beginning of the Stone throwing (June, 1682) . . .62 The Author himself a Victim ........ 64 His Serenade and its Sequel; the Black Cat . . . . .66 The Deviltries at Great Bay ........ 67 Notable Witnesses ....... ... 69 The Author again an Object of Attack ...... 70 Injuries to Others, in House and Field ...... 72 The Lull in August; the Final Stone throwing in September . . 76 The Author's Conclusions .... • . - . . . .76 v vi CONTENTS PAOB THE PENNSYLVANIA CASES or MATTSON, HENDRICKSON, AND GUARD, 1684, 1701 79 INTRODUCTION 81 Case of Margaret Mattson and Gertrude Hendrickson, 1684 . . 85 Case of Robert Guard and his Wife, 1701 88 M MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES, RELATING TO WITCHCRAFTS AND POSSES- ^ SIGNS," BY COTTON MATHER, 1689 89 INTRODUCTION 91 Dedicatory Epistle to the Hon. Wait Winthrop 93 The Boston Ministers "to the Reader" 95 The Introduction 97 Case of the Goodwin Children, at Boston, 1688-1689 .... 99 3*8Tie Goodwin Family 99 The Trouble with the Laundress and her Mother . . . 100 The Strange Malady of the Children 101 The Appeal to the Ministers and to the Magistrates; Arrest and Trial of Goody Glover 103 Her Condemnation and Execution 105 The Continued Fits of the Children 107 Efforts of the Ministers to help them 109 The Author takes the Eldest Girl to his Home; her Behavior . .110 His Experiments with her 112 Her Imaginary Journeys . 114 Strange Power over her of the Author's Study 115 The Ministers' Day of Prayer and its Effect 118 The Author tests the Linguistic Powers of the Demons . . .119 And the Power of Scripture and Prayer to quell them . . .120 Their Gradual Departure 121 What the Author has learned from it all 122 Postscript: the Devils return, but are again dispelled by Prayer . 124 Goodwin's Account of his Children's Bewitchment .... 126 Case of Deacon Philip Smith, of Hadley, 1684 131 Case of Mary Johnson, of Hartford, 1648 135 Case of the Boy at Tocutt (Branford) 136 Other Bewitchments 141 "A BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE OF WITCHCRAFT AT SALEM VILLAGE," BY - -~-y DEODAT LAWSON^ 1692 ' 145 INTRODUCTION 147 - " The Bookseller to the Reader" 152 The Author's Visit to Salem Village 152 The Antics of "the Afflicted" 153 Examination of GoodwifeJCorey . . . . - . . .154 Goodwife Putnam's Afflictions 157 Examination of Goodwife Nurse 158 Tales told by Elizabeth Parris, Dorcas Good, Abigail Williams, Mercy Lewis 160 CONTENTS vii ! VAOB Goodwife Cloyse slams the Meeting-house Door 161 Extraordinary Things about the Afflicted 161 About the Accused 162 LETTER OF THOMAS BRATTLE, F.R.S., 1692 165 INTRODUCTION 167 His Reasons for writing frankly 169 The Procedure at Salem; the "Afflicted" and their Evidence . . 170 The "Confessors" 173 Indictment and Trial 174 "Spectre Evidence" (<33& The Executions 177 Things to wonder at . . . . . . . . . . 177 The Troubles at Andover 180 Zeal of the Judges 182 The Doubters and their Reasons 184 Extent of the Convictions; Hope from the impending General Court . 185 / Efforts of certain Ministers to check the Matter 186 Further Reasons for Hesitation 187 ' Why the Confessions cannot be trusted 189 S LETTERS OF GOVERNOR PHIPS TO THE HOME GOVERNMENT, 1692, 1693 . 191 INTRODUCTION 193 ^Letter of October 12, 1692: the Witch Panic as he found it, and what he did about it . . . . • . 196 Letter of February 21, 1693: Recapitulation of his Earlier Report; how the Panic was brought to an End 198 FROM "THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD," BY COTTON MATHER, , 1693 203 INTRODUCTION • . . . . 205 The Author's Defence 210 His Relation to the Salem Trials v 213 -^*The Trial of George Burroughs ^"'" 215 The Trial of Bridget Bishop v •"" 223 — The Trial of Susanna Martin v^ 229 -The Trial of Elizabeth How t - . . . . .. . . .237 The Trial of Martha Carrier ^ 241 "Curiosities": I. The Devil's Imitation of Divine Things . . . 245 II. The Witches' making themselves and their Tools invisible . . 246 III. The Bewitched delivered by the Execution of the Witches . . 248 IV. Apparitions reveal Old Murders by the Witches .... 249 Certificate of the Judges to the Truth of this Account . . . 250 "A BRAND PLUCK'D our OF THE BURNING," BY COTTON MATHER, 1693 . 253 INTRODUCTION 255 The Story of Mercy Short .259 Her Bewitchment 260 How the Devil and his Spectres appeared to her 261 viii CONTENTS How they tormented her 263 Her Discourses to them 267 How her Tortures were turned into Frolics 271 The Shapes worn by the Spectres 274 Her Remarkable Answers and Strange Knowledge of Scripture . . 275 The Methods used for her Deliverance 276 Her Deliverance on New Year's Eve 277 The Renewal of her Troubles after Seven Weeks .... 278 The Strange Books brought by the Spectres for her signing . . 280 The Books used at their Witch-meetings 282 The Helpful Spirit, and how he aided her against the Others . . 283 The Prayer-meetings and her Final Deliverance 285 FROM "MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD," BY ROBERT CALEF 289 INTRODUCTION ! '. . 291 The Epistle to the Reader: the Author's Reasons for his Book . . 296 His Materials 306 Cotton Mather's Letter of Enclosure 307 His ANOTHER BRAND PLUCKT our OF THE BURNING (the Story of Mar- garet Rule) 308 Introductory Anecdote of the Devil's Appearance to an Indian . . 308 Who Margaret Rule was; the Beginning of her Bewitchment . .310 How she was tortured by Spectres 311 And by the Devil 312 Her Remarkable Fastings; how she was further tormented '. . 313 Her Strange Revelations as to the Spectres 314 The White Spirit and his Comfortings 316 Her Pastor's Efforts for her 317 Her Tormentors' Attempt with Poppets 318 The Author's Reply to his Revilers 320 The Good that has come of the Affair 322 Part II : Calef 's Correspondence with Mather 324 His Letter of Jan. 11, 1694, enclosing his Journal of his Visit to Mar- garet Rule on Sept. 13 324 And on Sept. 19 327 And rehearsing his earlier Letters of Sept. 29 and Nov. 24 . . . 329 Mather's Reply (Jan. 15) 333 Enclosed Certificates of Witnesses to Margaret Rule's Levitation . 337 Calef's Rejoinder (Jan. 18) 338 V/Part V: The Salem Witchcraft . • 341 ] The Rev. Mr. Parris and the Divisions at Salem Village . . .341 The Strange Behavior of Divers Young Persons and its Ascription to Witchcraft 342 Mr. Lawson's Visit and his Account; the Examinations of the Accused 343 Mr. Lawson's Sermon; the Solemn Fast at Salem .... 345 The "White Man"; Goodwife Cloyse and the Slammed Door; the Public Examination of April 11 346 The Lord's Prayer as an Ordeal; Specimen of a Mittimu* , . , 347 CONTENTS ix PAOB Arrival of Governor Phips; the Political Events leading to it . . 348 Mrs. Gary's Commitment and Escape . . . . . . 349 Captain John Alden's Narrative 353 Opening of the Special Court at Salem (June 2) 355 Bridget Bishop's Fate; Advice of the Boston Ministers . . . 356 *-The Trials of June 30; Fate of Sarah Good; of Rebecca Nurse . . 357 The August Trials and Executions; George Burroughs, John Willard, the Procters 360 Procter's Letter to the Ministers 362 Old Jacobs and his Grand-daughter; her Confession and Retraction . 364 The September Trials 366 The Coreys; Wardwell; Mary Esty and her Letter .... 367 Mrs. Hale accused; Mr. Male's Change of View .... 369 Seizure of the Property of Fugitives 370 Flight of George Jacobs and Fate of his Family 371 •' The Andover Witchcraft 371 The Gloucester Witchcraft 373 End of the Special Court; Summary of its Work .... 373 How the Accused were brought to confess; Protestation of the An- dover Women 374 Criticism of Cotton Mather's Account of the Trials .... 378 ^ )2 enquire afterwards.3 Another thing which caused a noise in the Countrey, and wherein Satan had undoubtedly a great influence, was that which hapned at Groton.4 There was a Maid in that Town mentioned several as accomplices, among them Judith Varlet and Goodwife Ayres. The latter and her husband are believed to be the "Man and Woman" told of in the next paragraph. 1 Whether. * " With God," i. e., God willing. 3 This was, of course, the well known "water test" for witches. Its origin in witch procedure is obscure; but it gained vogue in thejater sixteenth century, finding its chief spokesman in the German schoolmaster Scribonius. As admin- istered on the Continent, the witch was "cross-bound," i. e., with right thumb made fast to left great-toe and left thumb to right great-toe, and then flung, or let down, supine into the water (usually thrice in succession), and was counted guilty on failure to sink wholly under the water. \ The theory was that the pure element refused to receive a witch into its bosom or that dealing with Satan made the witch too light to sink — reputed phenomena which found many explanations. Rejected by the majority, both of jurists and theologians, the practice eventually lived on only as an illegal procedure of the mob. In pages not here reprinted Increase Mather discusses it and sharply condemns it as superstitiousQ 4 This case was reported by the Rev. Samuel Willard (1640-1707), who had witnessed it as pastor at Groton, but who from 1678 to his death was the eminent 22 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1671 (one Elizabeth Knap)1 who in the Moneth of October, Anno 1671, was taken after a very strange manner, sometimes weep- ing, sometimes laughing, sometimes roaring hideously, with violent motions and agitations of her body, crying out Money, Money, etc. In November following, her Tongue for many hours together was drawn like a semicircle up to the roof of her Mouth, not to be removed, though some tried with their fingers to do it. Six Men were scarce able to hold her in some of her fits, but she would skip about the House yelling and looking with a most frightful Aspect. December 17, Her Tongue was drawn out of her mouth to an extraordinary length; and now a Daemon began manifestly to speak in her. Many words were uttered wherein are the Labial Letters, without any motion of her Lips, which was a clear demon- stration that the voice was not her own. Sometimes Words were spoken seeming to proceed out of her throat, when her Mouth was shut. Sometimes with her Mouth wide open, without the use of any of the Organs of speech. The things then uttered by the Devil were chiefly Railings and Revil- ings of Mr. Willard (who was at that time a Worthy and Faithful Pastor to the Church in Groton.) Also the Daemon belched forth most horrid and nefandous Blasphemies, exalt- ing himself above the most High. After this she was taken speechless for some tune. One thing more is worthy of Re- mark concerning this miserable creature. She cried out in some of her Fits, that a Woman, (one of her Neighbours) appeared to her, and was the cause of her Affliction. The Person thus accused was a very sincere, holy Woman, who did hereupon with the Advice of Friends visit the poor Wretch; and though she was in one of her Fits, having her Eyes shut, minister of the Old South Church in Boston. The exceedingly minute and exact account is not a letter to Mather, but an inclosure in one, and is clearly a contem- porary journal completed in January, 1672, when the episode was barely at an end. It is printed in full in the Mather Papers (Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, fourth series, VIII.) at pp. 555-570, and with yet greater care by Dr. S. A. Green, in his Groton in the Witchcraft Times (Groton, 1883), pp. 7-21. No document is more fundamental to the study of New England witchcraft. Mather's brief summary is but a hint of its contents; but he must have used other sources as well (perhaps a lost letter of inclosure and doubtless Willard 's sermon on the subject, printed in 1673 with others in his Useful Instructions). 1A. girl of sixteen — born April 21, 1655 (Green, Groton, p. 6). 1679] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 23 when the innocent person impeached by her came in; yet could she (so powerful were Satans Operations upon her) de- clare who was there, and could tell the touch of that Woman from any ones else. But the gracious Party thus accused and abused by a malicious Devil, Prayed earnestly with and for the Possessed creature; after which she confessed that Satan had deluded her, making her believe evil of her good Neigh- bour without any cause. Nor did she after that complain of any Apparition or Disturbance from such an one.1 Yea, she said, that the Devil had himself in the likeness and shape of divers tormented her, and then told her it was not he but they that did it. As there have been several Persons vexed with evil Spirits, so divers Houses have been wofully Haunted by them. In the Year 1679, the House of William Morse in Newberry2 in New-England, was strangely disquieted by a Daemon. After those troubles began, he did by the Advice of Friends write down the particulars of those unusual Accidents. And the Account which he giveth thereof is as followeth; On December 3, in the night time, he and his Wife heard a noise upon the roof of their House, as if Sticks and Stones had been thrown against it with great violence; whereupon he rose out of his Bed, but could see nothing. Locking the Doors fast, he returned to Bed again. About midnight they heard an Hog making a great noise in the House, so that the Man rose again, and found a great Hog in the house, the door being shut, but upon the opening of the door it ran out. On December 8, in the Morning, there were five great Stones and Bricks by an invisible hand thrown in at the west 1 Very different as to this kernel of the story is Willard's MS. : "She declared that if the party were apprehended shee should forthwith bee well, but never till then; whereupon her father went, and procured the coming of the woman im- peached by her, who came downe to her on Thursday night, where (being desired to be present) I observed that she was violently handled, and lamentably tor- mented by the adversarye, and uttered unusual shriekes at the instant of the per- sons coming in, though her eyes were fast closed : but having experience of such former actings, wee made nothing of it, but waited the issue : God therefore was sought to, to signifye something whereby the innocent might bee acquitted, or the guilty discovered, and hee answered our prayers, for by 2 evident and cleere mistakes she was cleered, and then all prejudices ceased, and she never more to this day hath impeached her of any apparition." z Newbury. iM NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1679 end of the house while the Mans Wife was making the Bed, the Bedstead was lifted up from the floor, and the Bedstaff l flung out of the Window, and a Cat was hurled at her; a long Staff danced up and down in the Chimney; a burnt Brick, and a piece of a weatherboard were thrown in at the Window: The Man at his going to Bed put out his Lamp, but in the Morning found that the Saveall of it was taken away, and yet it was unaccountably brought into its former place.2 On the same day, the long Staff but now spoken of, was hang'd up by a line, and swung to and fro, the Man's Wife laid it in the fire, but she could not hold it there, inas- much as it would forcibly fly out; yet after much ado with joynt strength they made it to burn. A shingle flew from the Window, though no body near it, many sticks came in at the same place, only one of these was so scragged that it could enter the hole but a little way, whereupon the Man pusht it out, a great Rail likewise was thrust in at the Window, so as to break the Glass. At another time an Iron Crook that was hanged on a Nail violently flew up and down, also a Chair flew about, and at last lighted on the Table where Victuals stood ready for them to eat, and was likely to spoil all, only by a nimble catching they saved some of their Meal with the loss of the rest, and the overturning of their Table. People were sometimes Barricado'd out of doors, when as yet there was no body to do it : and a Chest was removed from place to place, no hand touching it. Their Keys being tied together, one was taken from the rest, and the remain- ing two would fly about making a loud noise by knocking against each other. But the greatest part of this Devils feats were his mischievous ones, wherein indeed he was sometimes Antick enough too, and therein the chief sufferers were, the Man and his Wife, and his Grand-Son. The Man especially had his share in these Diabolical Molestations. For one while 1 A "bedstaff " was a stick used to help in making a bed which stood in a recess, and the same name was given to the stick then fixed to the side of a bed to keep the bed-clothes from falling off: doubtless the same staff served both purposes. Later in this account we shall find it called a "bed-board": at least Cotton Mather, repeating the tale in his Magnolia, identifies the two. 1 The "lamp" was of course a candle, and the "saveall" was a contrivance at the base enabling the wick to burn to the very bottom without waste. 1680] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 25 they could not eat their Suppers quietly, but had the Ashes on the Hearth before their eyes thrown into their Victuals; yea, and upon their heads and Clothes, insomuch that they were forced up into their Chamber, and yet they had no rest there; for one of the Man's Shoes being left below, 'twas filled with Ashes and Coals, and thrown up after them. Their Light was beaten out, and they being laid in their Bed with their little Boy between them, a great stone (from the Floor of the Loft) weighing above three pounds was thrown upon the mans stomach, and he turning it down upon the floor, it was once more thrown upon him. A Box and a Board were likewise thrown upon them all. And a Bag of Hops was taken out of their Chest, wherewith they were beaten, till some of the Hops were scattered on the floor, where the Bag was then laid, and left. In another Evening, when they sat by the fire, the Ashes were so whirled at them, that they could neither eat their Meat, nor endure the House. A Peel1 struck the Man in the face. An Apron hanging by the fire was flung upon it, and singed before they could snatch it off. The Man being at Prayer with his Family, a Beesom2 gave him a blow on his head behind, and fell down before his face. On another day, when they were Winnowing of Barley, some hard dirt was thrown in, hitting the Man on the Head, and both the Man and his Wife on the back; and when they had made themselves clean, they essayed to fill their half Bushel but the foul Corn was in spite of them often cast in amongst the clean, and the Man being divers times thus abused was forced to give over what he was about. On January 23 (in particular) the Man had an iron Pin twice thrown at him, and his Inkhorn was taken away from him while he was writing, and when by all his seeking it he could not find it, at last he saw it drop out of the Air, down by the fire: a piece of Leather was twice thrown at him; and a shoe was laid upon his shoulder, which he catching at, was suddenly rapt from him. An handful of Ashes was thrown at his face, and upon his clothes: and the shoe was 1 A fire-shovel; or a similar implement for getting things into an oven or »ut of it. 2 A broom. 26 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1680 then clapt upon his head, and upon it he clapt his hand, holding it so fast, that somewhat unseen pulled him with it backward on the floor. On the next day at night, as they were going to Bed, a lost Ladder was thrown against the Door, and their Light put out; and when the Man was a bed, he was beaten with an heavy pair of Leather Breeches, and pull'd by the Hair of his Head and Beard, Pinched and Scratched, and his Bed-board1 was taken away from him; yet more in the next night, when the Man was likewise a Bed; his Bed-board did rise out of its place, notwithstanding his putting forth all his strength to keep it in; one of his Awls2 was brought out of the next room into his Bed, and did prick him; the clothes wherewith he hoped to save his head from blows were violently pluckt from thence. Within a night or two after, the Man and his Wife received both of them a blow upon their heads, but it was so dark that they could not see the stone which gave it; the Man had his Cap pulled off from his head while he sat by the fire. The night following, they went to bed undressed, because of their late disturbances, and the Man, WTife, Boy, presently felt themselves pricked, and upon search found in the Bed a Bodkin, a knitting Needle, and two sticks picked3 at both ends. He received also a great blow, as on his Thigh, so on his Face, which fetched blood: and while he was writing a Candlestick was twice thrown at him, and a great piece of Bark fiercely smote him, and a pail of Water turned up with- out hands. |0n the 28 of the mentioned Moneth, frozen clods of Cow-dung were divers times thrown at the man out of the house in which they were; his Wife went to milk the Cow, and received a blow on her head, and sitting down at her Milking-work had Cow-dung divers times thrown into her Pail, the Man tried to save the Milk, by holding a Piggin4 side-wayes under the Cowes belly, but the Dung would in for all, and the Milk was only made fit for Hogs. On that night ashes were thrown into the porridge which they had made ready for their Supper, so as that they could not eat 1 See p. 24, note 1. * Morse was a shoemaker. 1 Pointed, sharpened. ' A small wooden pail, with one stave long, to serve as a handle. 1680] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 27 it; Ashes were likewise often thrown into the Man's Eyes, as he sat by the fire. And an iron Hammer flying at him, gave him a great blow on his back; the Man's Wife going into the Cellar for Beer, a great iron Peel1 flew and fell after her through the trap-door of the Cellar; and going after- wards on the same Errand to the same place, the door shut down upon her, and the Table came and lay upon the door, and the man was forced to remove it e're his Wife could be released from where she was; on the following day while he was Writing, a dish went out of its place, leapt into the pale, and cast Water upon the Man, his Paper, his Table, and dis- appointed his procedure in what he was about ; his Cap jumpt off from his head, and on again, and the Pot-lid leapt off from the Pot into the Kettle on the fire. February 2. While he and his Boy were eating of Cheese, the pieces which he cut were wrested from them, but they were afterwards found upon the Table under an Apron, and a pair of Breeches: And also from the fire arose little sticks and Ashes, which flying upon the Man and his Boy, brought them into an uncomfortable pickle; But as for the Boy, which the last passage spoke of, there remains much to be said concerning him, and a principal sufferer in these afflictions: For on the 18 of December, he sitting by his Grandfather, was hurried into great motions and the Man thereupon took him, and made him stand between his Legs, but the Chair danced up and down, and had like to have cast both Man and Boy into the fire: and the Child was afterwards flung about in such a manner, as that they feared that his Brains would have been beaten out; and in the evening he was tossed as afore, and the Man tried the project of holding him, but ineffectually. The Lad was soon put to Bed, and they presently heard an huge noise, and demanded what was the matter? and he answered that his Bed-stead leaped up and down : and they (i.¥e. the Man and his Wife) went upr and at first found all quiet, but before they had been there long, they saw the Board2 by his Bed trembling by him, and the Bed-clothes flying off him, the latter they laid on immediately, but they were no sooner on than off; so they took him out of his Bed for quietness. 1 See p. 25, note 1. 2 See p. 24, note 1. 28 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1679 December 29. The Boy was violently thrown to and fro, only they carried him to the house of a Doctor in the Town, and there he was free from disturbances, but returning home at night, his former trouble began, and the Man taking him by the hand, they were both of them almost tript into the fire. They put him to bed, and he was attended with the same iterated loss of his clothes, shaking off his Bed-board, and Noises, that he had in his last conflict; they took him up, designing to sit by the fire, but the doors clattered, and the Chair was thrown at him, wherefore they carried him to the Doctors house, and so for that night all was well. The next morning he came home quiet, but as they were doing somewhat, he cried out that he was prickt on the back, they looked, and found a three-tin'd Fork sticking strangely there; which being carried to the Doctors house, not only the Doc- tor himself said that it was his, but also the Doctors Servant affirmed it was seen at home after the Boy was gone. The Boys vexations continuing, they left him at the Doctors, where he remained well till awhile after, and then he com- plained he was pricked, they looked and found an iron Spindle sticking below his back; he complained he was pricked still, they looked, and found Pins in a Paper sticking to his skin; he once more complained of his Back, they looked, and found there a long Iron, a bowl of a Spoon, and a piece of a Pan- sheard. They lay down by him on the Bed, with the Light burning, but he was twice thrown from them, and the second time thrown quite under the Bed; in the Morning the Bed was tossed about with such a creaking noise, as was heard to the Neighbours; in the afternoon their knives were one after another brought, and put into his back, but pulled out by the Spectators; only one knife which was missing seemed to the standers by to come out of his Mouth : he was bidden to read his Book, was taken and thrown about several times, at last hitting the Boys Grandmother on the head. Another time he was thrust out of his Chair and rolled up and down with out cries, that all things were on fire; yea, he was three times very dangerously thrown into the fire, and preserved by his Friends with much ado. The Boy also made for a long time together a noise like a Dog, and like an Hen with her Chickens, and could not speak rationally. 1680] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 29 Particularly, on December 26. He barked like a Dog, and clock't like an Hen, and after long distraining to speak, said, there's Powel, I am pinched; his Tongue likewise hung out of his mouth, so as that it could by no means be forced in till his Fit was over, and then he said 'twas forced out by Powel.1 He and the house also after this had rest till the ninth of January : at which time because of his intolerable ravings, and because the Child King between the Man and his Wife, was pulled out of Bed, and knockt so vehemently against the Bed- stead Boards,2 in a manner very perillous and amazing. In the Day time he was carried away beyond all possibility of their finding him. His Grandmother at last saw him creep- ing on one side, and drag'd him in, where he lay miserable lame, but recovering his speech, he said, that he was carried above the Doctors house, and that Powel carried him, and that the said Powel had him into the Barn, throwing him against the Cart-wheel there, and then thrusting him out at an hole; and accordingly they found some of the Remainders of the Threshed Barley which was on the Barn-floor hanging to his Clothes. At another time he fell into a Swoon, they forced some- what Refreshing into his mouth, and it was turned out as fast as they put it in; e're long he came to himself, and expressed some willingness to eat; but the Meat would forcibly fly out of his mouth; and when he was able to speak, he said Powel would not let him eat : Having found the Boy to be best at a Neighbours house, the Man carried him to his Daughters, three miles from his own. The Boy was growing antick as he was on the Journey, but before the end of it he made a grievous hollowing, and when he lighted, he threw a great stone at a Maid in the house, and fell on eating of Ashes. Being at home afterwards, they had rest awhile, but on the 19 of January in the Morning he swooned, and coming to himself, he roared terribly, and did eat Ashes, Sticks, Rug- yarn. The Morning following, there was such a racket with 1This sentence is clearly of the nature of an interpolation; for the "rest" mentioned in the following clause must date from the events narrated in the preceding paragraph. The "Powel" meant was of course Caleb Powell — see p. 31, note 1. 1 See p. 24, note 1 ; yet head-board and foot-board may here be meant. 30 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1680 the Boy, that the Man and his Wife took him to Bed to them. A Bed-staff was thereupon thrown at them, and a Chamber pot with its Contents was thrown upon them, and they were severely pinched. The Man being about to rise, his Clothes were divers times pulled from them, himself thrust out of his Bed, and his Pillow thrown after him. The Lad also would have his clothes plucked off from him in these Winter Nights, and was wofully dogg'd with such fruits of Devilish spite, till it pleased God to shorten the Chain of the wicked Dae- mon. All this while the Devil did not use to appear in any visible shape, only they would think they had hold of the Hand that sometimes scratched them; but it would give them the slip. And once the Man was discernably beaten by a Fist, and an Hand got hold of his Wrist which he saw, but could not catch; and the likeness of a Blackmore1 Child did appear from under the Rugg and Blanket, where the Man lay, and it would rise up, fall down, nod and slip under the clothes when they en- deavoured to clasp it, never speaking any thing. Neither were there many Words spoken by Satan all this time, only once having put out their Light, they heard a scraping on the Boards, and then a Piping and Drumming on them, which was followed with a Voice, singing, Revenge! Revenge! Sweet is Revenge! And they being well terrified with it, called upon God ; the issue of which was, that suddenly with a mournful Note, there were six times over uttered such expressions as, Alas! Alas! me knock no more! me knock no more! and now all ceased. The Man does moreover affirm, that a Seaman (being a Mate of a Ship) coming often to visit him, told him that they wronged his Wife who suspected her to be guilty of Witch- craft; and that the Boy (his Grandchild) was the cause of this trouble; and that if he would let him have the Boy one day, he would warrant him his house should be no more troubled as it had been; to which motion he consented. The Mate came the next day betimes, and the Boy was with him until night; after which his house he saith was not for some time molested with evil Spirits. Thus far is the Relation concerning the Daemon at William 1 Blackamoor, negro. 1680] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 31 Morse his House in Newbery.1 The true Reason of these strange disturbances is as yet not certainly known : some (as has been hinted) did suspect Morse's Wife to be guilty of Witchcraft. One of the Neighbours took Apples which were brought out of that house and put them into the fire; upon which they say, their houses were much disturbed. Another of the Neigh- bours, caused an Horse-shoe to be nailed before the doors, and as long as it remained so, they could not perswade the suspected person to go into the house; but when the Horse- shoe was gone, she presently visited them. I shall not here_ inlarge upon the vanity and superstition of those Experiments, 1 This "relation" was undoubtedly received from the Rev. Joshua Moodey, then minister at Portsmouth, in a letter of August 23, 1683 (Mather Papers, pp. 361-362); for a postscript speaks of its enclosure and says that he had it from William Morse himself. That Morse was its author we know only from Mather. Happily, there exist also many documents of the two witch-trials arising from the affair — those of Caleb Powell and Mrs. Morse. Some of these, preserved in the court records at Salem, were printed by Joshua Coffin in his History of Newbury (Boston, 1845), at pp. 122-134; and again, more carefully, with others, by W. E. Woodward in his Records of Salem Witchcraft (Boston, 1864), II. 251-261. Others, which had strayed from public keeping, were published by S. G. Drake, then their owner, in an appendix (pp. 258-296) to his Annals of Witchcraft (Bosten, 1869), in which he summarizes the story (pp. 141-150). Two (her conviction at Boston and her release) have been printed in the Records of the Court of Assistants, I. (Boston, 1901), pp. 159, 189-190. Others still are in the Massachusetts archives (vol. CXXXV., fol. 11-19), where they have been used by Mr. W. F. Poole (see, in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXIV., his note, p. 386, to an unpublished draft of Governor Hutchinson's account). These documents supplement, and sometimes correct, the relation of Morse. Thus, from sworn statements of December, 1679 (Coffin, Newbury, pp. 124, 131-133), it is clear that the events above ascribed to December 3 belong to November 27, that the grandson's name was John Stiles, that the "seaman" who charged him with the mischief was Caleb Powell, that the day the boy was in his keeping was December 2, 1679, and that on the very next day Morse instituted proceedings against Powell, who was indicted for witchcraft on December 8 (the day on which the disturbances were resumed) and was tried at Ipswich in March. He succeeded in clearing himself, but at the cost of Goodwife Morse. She was a midwife, and had long been suspected of witchcraft by some of her neighbors. Indicted in March, she was tried at Boston in May before the magistrates of the colony, was found guilty and sentenced to death, but was reprieved by the magistrates, and in June, 1681, after more than a year's imprisonment, permitted, though without acquittal, to return to her home, "provided she goe not above sixteen rods from hir oune house and land at any time except to the meeting house." For the end of her pitiful story see p. 412, below. 32 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1662 reserving that for another place: All that I shall say at pres- ent is, that the Daemons whom the blind Gentiles of old wor- shipped, told their Servants, that such things as these would very much affect them; yea, and that certain Characters, Signs and Charms would render their power ineffectual; and accordingly they would become subject, when their own di- rections were obeyed. It is sport to the Devils when they see silly Men thus deluded and made fools of by them. Others were apt to think that a Seaman1 by some suspected to be a Conjurer, set the Devil on work thus to disquiet Morse's Family. Or it may be some other thing as yet kept hid in the secrets of providence might be the true original of all this Trouble. A Disturbance not much unlike to this hapned above twenty years ago, at an house in Tedworth, in the County of Wilts in England, which was by wise men judged to pro- ceed from Conjuration. Mr. Mompesson of Tedworth being in March 1661, at Lunger- shall,* and hearing a Drum beat there, he demanded of the Bailiff of the Town what it meant, who told him, they had for some dayes been troubled with an idle Drummer, pretending Authority, and a Pass under the hands of some Gentlemen. Mr. Mompesson reading his Pass, and knowing the hands of those Gentlemen, whose Names were pretended to be subscribed, discovered the Cheat, and com- manded the Vagrant to put off his Drum, and ordered a Constable to secure him : but not long after he got clear of the Constable. In April following, Mr Momposson's house was much disturbed with Knockings, and with Drummings; for an hour together a Daemon would beat Round-heads and Cuckolds, the Tattoo and several other points of War as well as any Drummer. On November 5, The Daemon made a great noise in the House, and caused some Boards therein to move to and fro in the day time when there was an whole room full of People present. At his departure, he left behind him a Sulphurous smell, which was very offensive. The next night, Chairs walked up and down the Room; the Childrens Shoes were hurled over their heads. The Minister of the Town being there, a Bed-staff was thrown at him, and hit him on the Leg, but without the least hurt. In the latter end of December, 1662, They heard a noise like the jingling of Money, the occasion of which was thought to be, some words spoken the night before, by one in the Family; 1 Caleb Powell. * Ludgershall. 1683] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 33 who said that Fairies used to leave money behind them, and they wished it might be so now. In January Lights were seen in the House, which seemed blue and glimmering, and caused a great stiff- ness in the eyes of them that saw them. One in the room (by what Authority I cannot tell) said, " Satan, if the Drummer set thee a work give three knocks and no more", which was done accordingly. Once when it was very sharp severe Weather, the room was suddenly filled with a Noisome smell, and was very hot though without fire. This Daemon would play some nasty and many ludicrous foolish tricks. It would empty Chamber-pots into the Beds; and fill Porringers with Ashes. Sometimes it would not suffer any light to be in the room, but would carry them away up the Chimney. Mr. Mompes- son coming one morning into his Stable, found his Horse on the ground, having one of his hinder legs in his mouth, and so fastened there, that it was difficult for several men with a Leaver to get it out. A Smith lodging in the House, heard a noise in the room, as if one had been shoeing an Horse, and somewhat come as it were with a Pincers snipping at the Smith's Nose, most part of the night. The Drummer was under vehement suspicion for a Conjurer. He was condemned to Transportation. All the time of his restraint and absence, the House was quiet. See Mr. Glanvil's Collection of Mod- ern Relations, P. 71, etc.1 But I proceed to give an account of some other things lately hapning in New-England, which were undoubtedly prse- ternatural, and not without Diabolical operation. The last year did afford several Instances, not unlike unto those which have been mentioned. For then Nicholas Desborough of Hartford in New-England was strangely molested by stones, pieces of earth, cobs of Indian Corn, etc., falling upon and about him, which sometimes came in through the door, some- times through the Window, sometimes down the Chimney, at other times they seemed to fall from the floor of the Cham- ber, which yet was very close; sometimes he met with them in his Shop, the Yard, the Barn, and in the Field at work. In the House, such things hapned frequently, not only in the night but in the day time, if the Man himself was at home, but never when his Wife was at home alone. There was no 1 This famous relation was first printed in 1668 as an appendix to the third edition of Glanvill's essay on witchcraft (see above, pp. 5-6), and was much enlarged in the edition of 1681. What is here printed is not the briefer original form but an abridgment of Mather's own. 34 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1683 great violence in the motion, though several persons of the Family and others also were struck with the things that were thrown by an invisible hand, yet they were not hurt thereby. Only the Man himself had once his Arm somewhat pained by a blow given him ; and at another time, blood was drawn from one of has Legs by a scratch given it. This molestation began soon after a Controversie arose between Desborough and an- other person, about a Chest of Clothes which the other said that Desberough did unrighteously retain: and so it con- tinued for some Moneths (though with several intermissions). In the latter end of the last year, when also the Man's Barn was burned with the Corn in it; but by what means it came to pass is not known. Not long after, some to whom the matter was referred, ordered Desberough to restore the Clothes to the Person who complained of wrong; since which he hath not been troubled as before. Some of the stones hurled were of considerable bigness; one of them weighed four pounds, but generally the stones were not great, but very small ones. One time a piece of Clay came down the Chimney, falling on the Table which stood at some distance from the Chimney. The People of the House threw it on the Hearth, where it lay a considerable time: they went to their Supper, and whilest at their Supper, the piece of Clay was lifted up by an invisible hand, and fell upon the Table; taking it up, they found it hot, having lain so long before the fire, as to cause it to be hot.1 Another Providence no less Remarkable than this last mentioned, hapned at Portsmouth in New-England, about the same time : concerning which I have received the follow- ing account from a Worthy hand.2 1 These experiences of Nicholas Desborough were reported by the Rev. John Russell, of Hadley, in a letter of August 2, 1683, which may be found in the Mather Papers (pp. 86-88). Russell says he received the account from "Capt. Allyn, a neer neighbour to Disborough." John Allyn, long secretary of the colony, was one of the foremost men in Connecticut. 1 The "worthy hand" was again that of the Rev. Joshua Moodey, of Ports- mouth. His earliest letter about the matter does not appear in the Mather Papers; but in a later one (July 14, 1683 — Mather Papers, pp. 359-360) he writes thus : "About that at G. Walton's; because my Interest runs low with the Secre- tary, I have desired Mr. Woodbridge to endeavour the obtaining it, and if I can get it shall send it per the first; Though if there should bee any difficulty there- 1682] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 35 On June 11, 1682, Being the Lords Day, at night showers of stones were thrown both against the sides and roof of the house of George Walton:1 some of the People went abroad, found the Gate at some distance from the house, wrung off the Hinges, and stones came thick about them: sometimes falling down by them, some- times touching them without any hurt done to them, though they seemed to come with great force, yet did no more but softly touch them; Stones flying about the room the Doors being shut. The Glass-Windows shattered to pieces by stones that seemed to come not from without but within; the Lead of the Glass Casements, Window-Bars, etc. being driven forcibly outwards, and so standing bent. While the Secretary2 was walking in the room a great Ham- mer came brushing along against the Chamber floor that was over his head, and fell down by him. A Candlestick beaten off the Table. They took up nine of the stones and marked them, and laid them on the Table, some of them being as hot as if they came out of the fire; but some of those mark't stones were found flying about again. In this manner, about four hours space that night : The Secretary then went to bed, but a stone came and broke up his Chamber-door, being put to (not lockt), a Brick was sent upon the like Errand. The abovesaid Stone the Secretary lockt up in his Chamber, but it was about, you may doe pretty well with what you have already." And writing again on August 23 (Mather Papers, pp. 360-361), he says his endeavors have not been wanting to obtain it, but he finds it difficult. "If more may bee gotten, you may expect when I come, or else must take up with what you had from mee at first, which was the summe of what was then worthy of notice, only many other particular actings of like nature had been then and since. It began of a Lord's day, June llth, 1682, and so continued for a long time, only there was some respite now and then. The last sight I have heard of was the carrying away of severall Axes in the night, notwithstanding they were laied up, yea, lockt up very safe, as the owner thought at least, which was done this spring." The "Secretary" (i. e., of the province) was that Richard Chamberlain from whose own pen we have the fuller account of the episode printed later in this volume (pp. 58-77) ; and there can be little doubt that what Mather gave to the press rests on the basis of his journal. As to "Mr. Woodbridge" see p. 65, note 1. 1 Walton (1615-1686) was a prosperous Quaker. "George Walton, and his wife Alice, and Daughter, Abishag . . . lived on the great Island in Piscataqua, and this Alice was one of the most accounted of the Women, for Profession in the Island, whom it troubled them to lose; but Truth took her, and overturned the Priest." (Bishop, New-England Judged, pp. 466-467.) Great Island (now New- castle), then a part of the township of Portsmouth, was often the seat of the provincial government, and the secretary lodged at Walton's house. As to Walton's family and estate see his will (Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, I. 299, and N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, IX. 57). 2 Richard Chamberlain, secretary of the province. See preceding notes. 36 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 fetched out, and carried with great noise into the next Chamber. The Spit was carried up Chimney, and came down with the point forward, and stuck in the Back-log, and being removed by one of the Company to one side of the Chimney, was by an unseen hand thrown out at Window. This trade was driven on the next day, and so from Day to Day, now and then there would be some inter- mission, and then to it again. The stones were most frequent where the Master of the house was, whether in the Field or Barn, etc. A black Cat was seen once while the Stones came and was shot at, but she was too nimble for them. Some of the Family say, that they once saw the appearance of an hand put forth at the Hall Window, throwing stones towards the Entry, though there was no body in the Hall the while : sometimes a dismal hollow whistling would be heard; sometimes the noise of the trotting of an horse, and snorting but nothing seen. The Man went up the great Bay in his Boat to a Farm he had there, and while haling Wood or Timber to the Boat he was disturbed by the Stones as before at home. He carried a stirrup iron from the house down to the Boat, and there left it; but while he was going up to the house, the iron came jingling after him through the Woods, and returned to the house, and so again, and at last went away, and was heard of no more. Their Anchor leapt over- board several times as they were going home and stopt the boat. A Cheese hath been taken out of the Press and crumbled all over the floor. A piece of Iron with which they weighed up the Cheese-press stuck into the Wall, and a Kittle hung up thereon. Several Cocks of English-hay1 mowed near the house were taken and hung upon Trees; and some made into small whisps, and put all up and down the Kitchin, Cum multis o/m,1 etc. After this manner, have they been treated ever since at times; it were endless to particularize. Of late they thought the bitterness of Death had been past, being quiet for sundry dayes and nights : but last week were some Return- ings again; and this week (Aug. 2, 1682) as bad^or worse than ever. The Man is sorely hurt with some of the Stones that came on him, and like to feel the effects of them for many dayes. Thus far is that Relation. I am moreover informed, that the Daemon was quiet all the last Winter, but in the Spring he began to play some ludi- crous tricks, carrying away some Axes that were locked up 1 Doubtless what is now known as "timothy." In 1807 Kendall found this still called "English grass" in Connecticut. *"With many other things." 1682] I. MATHER, REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES 37 safe. This last Slimmer he has not made such disturbances as formerly. But of this no more at present.1 There have been strange and true Reports concerning a Woman now living near the Salmon Falls in Barwick2 (for- merly called Kittery) unto whom Evil Spirits have sometimes visibly appeared; and she has sometimes been sorely tor- mented by invisible hands: Concerning all which, an Intelli- gent Person has sent me the following Narrative.3 A Brief Narrative of sundry Apparitions of Satan unto and Assaults at sundry times and places upon the Person of Mary the Wife of Antonio Hortado, dwelling near the Salmon Falls: Taken from her own mouth, Aug. 13, 1683. In June 1682 (the day forgotten) at Evening, the said Mary heard a voice at the door of her Dwelling, saying, What do you here? about an hour after, standing at the Door of her House, she had a blow on her Eye that settled her head near to the Door post, and two or three dayes after, a Stone, as she judged about half a pound or a pound weight, was thrown along the house within into the Chim- ney, and going to take it up it was gone; all the Family was in the house, and no hand appearing which might be instrumental in throw- ing the stone. About two hours after, a Frying-pan then hanging in the Chimney was heard to ring so loud, that not only those in the house heard it, but others also that lived on the other side of the River near an hundred Rods distant or more. Whereupon the said Mary and her Husband going in a Cannoo over the River, they 1 "As for Walton, the Quaker of Portsmouth, whose house has been so strangely troubled/' adds Mather in the following chapter, "he suspects that one of his neighbours has caused it by witchcraft; she (being a widow-woman) chargeth him with injustice in detaining some land from her. It is none of my work to re- flect upon the man, nor will I do it; only, if there be any late or old guilt upon his conscience, it concerns him by confession and repentance to give glory to that God who is able in strange wayes to discover the sins of men" — and see also p. 214. 2 Berwick, on the Maine side of the river. 3 This narrative too came from the Rev. Joshua Moodey (see his letters of July 14 and August 23, 1683— Mather Papers, pp. 359-361), but at Mather's instance. "I was very earnest with Mr. Emerson," writes Moodey, "and at length obtained the enclosed, which I transcribed from Mr. Tho. Broughton, who read to mee what he took from the mouth of the woman and her husband, and judge it credible, though it bee not the half of what is to be gotten. I expect from him a fuller and farther account before I come down to the Commence- ment." John Emerson, the schoolmaster, we shall meet again at Salem (see p. 377, note). Thomas Broughton was a well known Boston merchant, then so- journing in New Hampshire. 38 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1683 saw like the head of a man new-shorn, and the tail of a white Cat about two or three foot distance from each other, swimming over before the Cannoo, but no body appeared to joyn head and tail to- gether; and they returning over the River in less than an hours time, the said Apparition followed their Cannoo back again, but disap- peared at Landing. A day or two after, the said Mary was stricken on her head (as she judged) with a stone, which caused a Swelling and much soreness on her head, being then in the yard by her house, and she presently entring into her house was bitten on both Arms black and blue, and one of her Breasts scratched ; the impressions of the Teeth being like Mans Teeth, were plainly seen by many : Where- upon deserting their House to sojourn at a Neighbours on the other side of the River, there appeared to said Mary in the house of her sojourning, a Woman clothed with a green Safeguard, a short blue Cloak, and a white Cap, making a profer to strike her with a Fire- brand, but struck her not. The Day following the same shape ap- peared again to her, but now arrayed with a gray Gown, white Apron, and white Head-clothes, in appearance laughing several times, but no voice heard. Since when said Mary has been freed from those Satanical Molestations. But the said Antonio being returned in March last with his Family, to dwell again in his own house, and on his entrance there, hearing the noise of a Man walking in his Chamber, and seeing the boards buckle under his feet as he walked, though no man to be seen in the Chamber (for they went on purpose to look) he returned with his Family to dwell on the other side of the River; yet planting his Ground though he forsook his House, he hath had five Rods of good Log-fence thrown down at once, the feeting of Neat Cattle plainly to be seen almost between every Row of Corn in the Field yet no Cattle seen there, nor any damage done to his Corn, not so much as any of the Leaves of the Corn crept. Thus far is that Narrative. I am further informed, that some (who should have been wiser) advised the poor Woman to stick the House round with Bayes, as an effectual preservative against the power of Evil Spirits. This Counsel was followed. And as long as the Bayes continued green, she had quiet; but when they began to wither, they were all by an unseen hand carried away, and the Woman again tormented. It is observable, that at the same time three Houses in three several Towns should be molested by Daemons, as has now been related. THE NEW YORK CASES OF HALL AND HARRISON, 1665, 1670 INTRODUCTION IT is not strange that in the Dutch colony of New Nether- land we hear nothing of witches. The home land of the Dutch had, beyond all others, outgrown the panic. It was a physi- cian of Netherlandish birth, Johann Weyer, who in the later sixteenth century first wrote effectively against its cruelties. When his English pupil, Reginald Scot, protested yet more boldly, it was in Holland alone his book found reimpression. So far as is known, the seventeenth century saw there no executions for witchcraft, and after 1610 no trials. If the leaders of Dutch Calvinism were content with silence, the most eloquent spokesman of their Arminian rivals, Episcopius, was a frank disbeliever in the witch-pact and the witch-con- fessions. It was his fellow Arminian, Grevius, who first dem- onstrated the iniquity of torture, the fruitful source of such confessions throughout Christendom; and that other Dutch- man, Balthasar Bekker, who in 1691 struck at the root of the terror by doubting the Devil himself, was but the last of a long line of such bold thinkers. These were of course in ad- vance of their fellows; but that Holland was throughout the century a refuge for the victims and the foes of witch-perse- cution hi neighbor lands would seem to point to a general skepticism, and how cautious, with all their credulity, even Calvinist divines had grown in such an atmosphere, New England learned in 1692 when she asked an opinion from her New York neighbors.1 No wonder, then, that (as Mrs. Van Rensselaer tells us) "the one and only sign of the delusion . . . to be found in the 1 Mass. Hist. Soc., Proceedings, second ser., I. 348-358. See p. 195, below. 41 42 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES annals of the Dutch province is a fear expressed by Governor Kieft that the Indian medicine-men were directing their in- cantations against himself." l Accusations of witchcraft the New York jurisdiction did not wholly escape; but they fol- lowed the English occupation and were, in differing ways, a legacy from New England. Even the Dutch dominion had included towns peopled from New England; and it was to these that in 1662 (the same year in which, as we have seen, he was interceding with the Connecticut government for his young kinswoman Judith Varlet)2 Governor Stuyvesant found it wise, while granting them their own magistrates and their own courts, to prescribe that "in dark and dubious matters, especially in witchcrafts, the party aggrieved might appeal to the Governor and Council." 3 But when in 1664 the English king bestowed upon his brother, the Duke of York, the territory occupied by the Dutch colony and equipped him with the means to take it by force, he added to the gift that greater eastern half of Long Island which had not only been settled, but till now had been governed, by the New Englanders. There, from the first, witchcraft was in thought ; for the earliest settlement, at Southampton, had adopted for its code the law of Moses as codified by the Rev. John Cot- ton, with the death penalty both for witchcraft and for con- sulting a witch.4 Already in 1658 Elizabeth Garlick, of Easthampton, had been indicted for witchcraft and sent to Connecticut for trial.5 It is intelligible, therefore, that in 1 History of the City of New York in the Seventeenth Century, I. 203. 1 See p. 18, note 2. 1 Bolton, History of the County of Westchester (revised ed., New York, 1881), II. 280, quoting vol. XXL 233-238 of the "Albany Records." 4 Howell, Southampton, pp. 47, 465; The First Book of Records of the Town of Southampton (Sag Harbor, 1874), p. 18 ff. 1 The evidence against her may be found in the Records of the Town of East- Hampton (Sag Harbor, 1887 ff.), I. 128-140, 152-155, the record of the Connecti- cut court (she was acquitted) in the Historical Magazine, VI. 53, and a letter of Governor Winthrop to the Easthamptonians in the Public Records of Connecticut, INTRODUCTION 43 1665, the very first year of English control at New York, there came up from Seatalcott, or Setauket, the later Brook- haven, whose settlers had been drawn from the region of Boston, a case of witchcraft for trial by the supreme court of the colony, the " Court of Assizes." l The two documents which make up the extant record of this case, with those relating to a woman who crossed the border after trial for witchcraft in Connecticut, form, so far as is known, the entire witch-annals of the New York prov- ince. They must serve us here in lieu of a narrative. The documents of the Hall case, first printed perhaps in the New York National Advocate (August 2, 1821) and thence borrowed by Niles's Weekly Register (August 11), were in- cluded by Yates (with a part of the Harrison papers) in the appendix to his edition of Smith's History of New York (Al- bany, 1814), and more fully printed by O'Callaghan in his Documentary History of New York (quarto ed., IV. 85-88; octavo ed., IV. 133-138). Those of the Harrison case, more fully ferreted out by Mr. Paltsits, are printed by him with especial care and with valuable notes, in the Minutes of the Executive Council of New York (Albany, 1910), I. 390-395, II. 52-55. The originals of the Hall documents perished in the fire which befell the State Capitol at Albany on March 29, 1911; the Harrison documents were but slightly damaged. I. 572-573. That Mary Wright, of Oyster Bay, who in 1660 was punished for Quakerism in Boston, was sent thither on a charge of witchcraft, as has been stated, seems contradicted by what we know of her case (see Hutchinson, History of Massachusetts, L, ch. I., sub anno 1660; Bishop, New-England Judged, ed. of 1703, pp. 220, 340, 461; N. Y. Gen. and Biog. Record, III. 37 ff.) 1 This colonial "Court of Assizes" was made up of the governor and his council, with the sheriff of the colony and the justices of the three "ridings." It was a new creation, and, having come together on September 28 for its first annual session, it found this among its earliest cases. It was, however, with the aid of members of this court that in the preceding winter Governor Nicolls had drawn the code — "the Duke's Laws," as they were to be called — which now governed the colony. THE CASES OF HALL AND HARRISON At the Court of Assizes held in New Yorke the 2d day of October 1665 etc. The Tryall of Ralph Hall and Mary his wife, upon suspicion of Witchcraft.1 The names of the Persons who served on the Grand Jury* Thomas Baker, Foreman of the Jury, of East Hampton. Capt John Symonds of Hempsteed. Mr Hallet Anthony Waters fJamaica 1 Their troubles antedated the change in government, and it would seem that at first their neighbors were on their side; for, under date of June 9, 1664, the town records recite that "The magistrates haveing Considdered the Com- plaintes of Hall and his wife against mr. Smith, doo judge the sayde mr. Smith hath not suffitienly made good what he hath sd. of her, and therefore mr. Smith is orderred to pay the woman five markes." (Records, Town of Brookhaven, up to 1800, Patchogue, 1880, p. 38.) But they had made a dangerous foe, for at Setauket "Mr." Smith could then hardly have meant any other than that well- known Long Island character, Richard Smith, the founder of Smithtown, who had himself at Boston and at Southampton experienced imprisonment and banishment for Quakerism or Quakerly behavior, but was now a man of note in his region — the "Bull" Smith of local legend. (Bishop, New England Judged, ed. of 1703, p. 11; Howell, Early History of Southampton, L. I., second ed., Albany, 1887, p. 438; Early Long Island Wills, New York, 1897, p. 78 ff.) 1 Of this jury only the foreman was from the part of Long Island just gained from New England. The four next named, though English, were from those western townships which under Dutch rule had been a place of refuge for sectaries of every sort. "Mr. Hallet" was probably William Hallett, the sheriff who in 1656 had lost his place by opening his house to Baptist preaching. Most puzzling is "Mr. Nicolls of Stamford" — for Stamford was not even claimed by the New York province. Can it be that William Nicolls (son of Matthias Nicolls, now secretary of the province and a member of the court), who was later to have so large a place in New York history, had temporarily established himself at Stamford, on the border? Notable among the six New Yorkers is the name of Jacob Leisler, later to play so strange a r61e. 44 1665J NEW YORK CASES 45 Thomas Wandall of Marshpath1 Kills. Mr Nicolls of Stamford Balthazer de Haart John Garland Jacob Leisler f AT v T Anthonio de Mill J of New Yorke' Alexander Munro Thomas Searle The Prisoners being brought to the Barr by Allard An- thony, Sheriffe of New Yorke, This following Indictmt was read, first against Ralph Hall and then agst Mary his wife, vizt. The Constable and Overseers of the Towne of Seatallcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire2 upon Long Island, Do Pre- sent for our Soveraigne Lord the King, That Ralph Hall of Seatallcott aforesaid, upon the 25th day of December, being Christmas day last was Twelve Monthes,3 in the 15th yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc, and severall other dayes and times since that day, by some detestable and wicked Arts, commonly called Witchcraft and Sorcery, did (as is sus- pected) maliciously and feloniously, practice and Exercise at the said towne of Seatalcott in the East Riding of Yorkshire on Long Island aforesaid, on the Person of George Wood, late of the same place, by wch wicked and detestable Arts, the said George Wood (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally sickned and languished, And not long after by the aforesaid wicked and detestable Aits, the said George Wood (as is likewise suspected) dyed. Moreover, The Constable and overseers of the said Towne of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island aforesaid, do further Present for our Soveraigne Lord the King, That some while after the death of the aforesaid 1 Maspeth. 2 When, in honor of its new proprietor, New Amsterdam became New York, Long Island was for the same reason named "Yorkshire." Its "East Riding" was the portion, now Suffolk county, which had hitherto been New England's. 3 7. e., a year ago last Christmas — December 25, 1663 : the years of Charles II.'s reign were reckoned from the death of his father. 46 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1665 George Wood, The said Ralph Hall did (as is suspected) divers times by the like wicked and detestable Arts, commonly called Witchcraft and Sorcery, Maliciously and feloniously practise and Exercise at the said Towne of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island aforesaid, on the Person of an Infant Childe of Ann Rogers, widdow of the aforesaid George Wood deceased, by wh wicked and detest- able Arts, the said Infant Childe (as is suspected) most dan- gerously and mortally sickned and languished, and not long after by the said Wicked and detestable Arts (as is likewise suspected) dyed, And so the said Constable and Overseers do Present, That the said George Wood, and the sd Infante sd1 Childe by the wayes and meanes aforesaid, most wickedly maliciously and feloniously were (as is suspected) murdered by the said Ralph Hall at the times and places aforesaid, agst the Peace of Our Soveraigne Lord the King and against the Laws of this Government in such Cases Provided.2 The like Indictmt was read, against Mary the wife of Ralph Hall. There upon, several^ Depositions, accusing the Prisonrs of the fact for which they were endicted were read, but no witnesse appeared to give Testimony in Court viva wee. Then the Clarke3 calling upon Ralph Hall, bad him hold up his hand, and read as followes. Ralph Hall thou standest here indicted, for that having not the feare of God before thine eyes, Thou did'st upon the 25th day of December, being Christmas day last was 12 Moneths, and at sev'all other tunes since, as is suspected, by some wicked and detestable Arts, commonly called witchcraft and Sorcery, maliciously and feloniously practice and Exer- 1 This repetition of "sd" is clearly accidental. * "The Laws of this Government" — "the Duke's laws," as they were later called — had been drawn up in the preceding winter by Governor Nicolls himself, with the aid of other members of this court; and, though based on those of the New England colonies, they omitted all mention of witchcraft. That was sig- nificant; but it meant only that there was no provision for its punishment per »e, as insult to the majesty of Heaven : harm wrought by witchcraft, whether to person or property, was covered by the general statutes, and where, as in this case, the harm charged was death, the offense (as the indictment shows) was accounted murder. » The clerk. 1668] NEW YORK CASES 47 cise, upon the Bodyes of George Wood, and an Infant Childe of Ann Rogers, by which said Arts, the said George Wood and the Infant Childe (as is suspected) most dangerously and mor- tally fell sick, and languisht unto death. Ralph Hall, what dost thou say for thyselfe, art thou guilty, or not guilty? Mary the wife of Ralph Hall was called upon in like man- ner. They both Pleaded not guilty and threw themselves to bee Tryed by God and the Country. Where upon, their Case was referred to the Jury, who brought in to the Court, this following verdict vizt.1 Wee having seriously considered the Case committed to our Charge, against the Prisonrs at the Barr, and having well weighed the Evidence, wee finde that there are some suspi- tions by the Evidence, of what the woman is Charged with, but nothing considerable of value to take away her life. But in reference to the man wee finde nothing considerable to charge him with. The Court there upon, gave this sentence, That the man should bee bound Body and Goods for his wives Apperance, at the next Sessions, and so on from Sessions to Sessions as long as they stay wthin this Government, In the meane while, to bee of their good Behavior. So they were returned into the Sheriffs Custody, and upon Entring into a Recognizance, according to the Sentence of the Court, they were released. A Release to Ralph Hall and Mary his wife from the Recog- nizance they entred into at the Assizes. These Are to Certify all whom it may Concerne That Ralph Hall and Mary his wife (at present living upon Great Minifords Island)2 are hereby released and acquitted from any and all Recognizances, bonds of appearance or othr obli- gations— entred into by them or either of them for the peace or good behavior upon account of any accusation or Indic- temt upon suspition of Witch Craft brought into the Cort of Assizes against them in the year 1665. There haveving beene no direct proofes nor furthr prosecucion of them or 1 Videlicet, "to wit" : we now abbreviate it by "viz." *Now "City Island" — in Long Island Sound, at its western end. 48 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1670 eithr of them since. — Given undr my hand at Fort James in New Yorke this 21th day of August 1668. R. NICOLLS. At the Fort July 7th 1670. Before the Governor. Upon the Complaint of Thomas Hunt Sen'r and Edward Waters on behalfe of the Towne of West Chester against a Woman suspected for a Witch who they desire may not live in their Towne; The Woman appeares with Capt. Ponton1 to justify her selfe; her Name is Katharine Harryson.2 Their Peticion, as also another from Jamaica against her settling there were read. Shee saith shee hath lived at Wethersfield 19 yeares, and came from England thither; Shee was in Prison 12 Months. Shee was tryed for Witchcraft at Hartford in May last, found guilty by the Jury, but acquitted by the Bench, and released out of Prison, putting her in minde of her Promise to remove.8 1 Captain Richard Panton, of West Chester, in whose home she had found shelter. 'Katharine Harrison was the widow of John Harrison, of Wethersfield, who died in 1666, leaving her an ample estate and three daughters. Rebecca, the eldest (born February 10, 1654), became at some time before June 28, 1671, the wife of Josiah Hunt of West Chester, or Westchester, son of that Thomas Hunt who now (July 7) is named as a complainant against her on behalf of that town, but in a following document (August 24) appears on her behalf. It is possible that this marriage antedated her coming to West Chester and explains it, but more likely that it was a result of it and explains the changing attitude of Thomas Hunt. (See Adams and Stiles, History of Ancient Weihersfield, New York, 1904, 1. 682, II. 416; N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XVIII. 58; N. Y. Gen. and Biog. Record, XLIII. 117; N. Y. Executive Council Minutes, I. 53, note.) 1 There then follows a transcript, from the records of the Connecticut Court of Assistants, of this action in her case — in its session of May 20, 1670. The documents of her trial, still extant at Hartford in the records of the county court and in those of the Court of Assistants (I. 1-7), and in part printed in the Connecticut Colonial Records (II. 118, 132), in Adams and Stiles, Ancient Wethers- field (I. 682-684), and in Taylor, The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut (New York, 1908), pp. 47-61, show that she was imprisoned and indicted in May, 1669, tried in October and found guilty by a jury, but by a special Court of As- sistants, to which the General Assembly had referred the matter with power, was in May, 1670, dismissed, as stated above, with a reminder of her promise to leave Wethersfield. 1670] NEW YORK CASES . 49 An Ordr for Katherine Harrison to Remove from Westchestr. Whereas Complaint hath beene made unto me by the In- habitants of Westchestr agt Katherine Harrison late of Weth- ersfeild in his Ma'ties Colony of Conecticott widdow. That contrary to the consent and good liking of the Towne she would settle amongst them and she being reputed to be a person lyeing undr the Supposicion of Witchcraft hath given some cause of apprehension to the Inhabitants there, To the end their Jealousyes and feares as to this perticuler may be removed, I have thought fitt to ordr and appoint that the Constable and Overseers of the Towne of Westchestr do give warning to the said Katherine Harrison to remove out of their precincts in some short tyme after notice given, and they are likewise to admonish her to retorne to the place of her former abode, that they nor their neighbours may receive no furthr disturbance by her. Given undr my hand at Fort James in New Yorke this 7th day of July 1670. [FRANCIS LOVELACE]. An Ordr for Katherine Harrison and Captn Richard Panton to appeare at the Fort before the Governor. Whereas Complaint hath beene made unto me by the Inhabitants of Westchestr agt Katherine Harrison widdow That she doth neglect or refuse to obey my late Ordr con- cerning her removall out of the said Towne, These are to re- quire you that you give notice unto the said Katherine Har- rison as also unto Captn Richard Panton at whose house she resydeth, That they make their personall appearance before me in this place on Wednesday next being the 24th of this Instant month, when those of the Towne that have ought to object agt them doe likewise attend, where I shall endeavor a Composure of this difference betweene them. Given undr my hand at Fort James in New Yorke this 20th day of Au- gust 1670. [FRANCIS LOVELACE.] To the Constable of Westchestr, 50 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1670 Pres't At the Fort. Aug: 24th 1670. The Governour Mr. Delavall The Secretary The Matt'r to bee considered of is the Complaint of the Towne of West-chester against Katharine Harryson Widdow suspected of Witch-craft etc : They being all appointed to appeare before the Governour this day; There appeared for the Towne Edward Waters Constable and John Quinby; For the Woman Capt. Ponton, Thomas Hunt Senr, and Junr, Roger Townsend, and one More.1 Capt. Ponton produced a Lett'r from Capt. Talcott2 to him in Justification of the Womans Innocency, and another Letter from John Allen Secretary of Connecticott Governm't, in excuse of not sending the Womans Papers. Josiah Willard3 being desired to say what hee knew con- cerning the Woman, making Relation of what is certifyed by Mr. Allen, hee is one of that Governm't that knew of her Arraignment, and was spoken to (that hee would bee present) by the Constable, but hath nothing to say further. It being taken into Consideracion, It is Ordered that the Discussion of this Matter bee referrd to the next Gen[er]al Court of Assizes; In the meane time that shee give Security for her good Behaviour, during the time of her Abode amongst them at West-Chester. A warrant to the Constable of Westchestr to take an Account of the Goods of Katherine Harrison. These are to require you to take an Account of such Goods as have lately beene brought from out of his Ma'ties Colony of Conecticott unto Katherine Harrison, and having taken a 1 I. e.\ one more appeared. 1 Captain John Talcott, then treasurer of the Connecticut colony, was one of its foremost men. He was a member of the Court of Assistants, and was doubtless largely responsible for its action. He was well known at West Chester, for in 1663 at the head of a troop from Connecticut he had taken the place from the Dutch. 1 Of Wethersfield — a trader, and doubtless here on some mercantile errand. He was a brother of the Rev. Samuel Willard, whom we have met (pp. 21-22) and shall meet again. 1670] NEW YORK CASES 51 Note of the perticulers that you retorne the Same unto me for the doeing whereof this shall be yor warrant. Given undr my hand at Fort James in New Yorke this 25th day of August 1670. [FRANCIS LOVELACE.] To the present Constable of Westchester. An Ordr concerning Katherine Harrison. Whereas severall Adresses have beene made unto me by some of the Inhabitants of Westchestr on behalfe of the rest desiring that Katherine Harrison late of Wethersfeild in his Ma' ties Colony of Connecticott widdow at present residing in their Towne may be ordered to remove from thence and not permitted to stay wthin their Jurisdiction upon an apprehen- sion they have of her grounded upon some troubles she hath layne undr at Wethersfeild upon suspition of Witchcraft, the reasons whereof do not so clearly appeare unto me, Yett not- wthstanding to give as much satisfaction as may be to the Complts1 who pretend their feares to be of a publique Con- cerne, I have not thought fitt absolutely to determyne the mattr at present, but do suspend it untill the next Genrll Cort of Assizes, when there will be a full meeting of the Coun- cell and Justices of the peace to debate and conclude the same. In the meane tyme the said Katherine Harrison wth her Children may remaine in the Towne of Westchestr where she now is wthout disturbance or molestation, she having given sufficient security for her Civill carriage and good be- haviour. Given undr my hand at Fort James in New York this 25th day of August in the 22th yeare of his Ma'ties Raigne Annoq.* Domini 1670. [FRANCIS LOVELACEJ Anno 1670. Appeals, Actions, Presentmts etc. Entredfor Hearing and Tryall at the Gen[er]all Cort of Assizes to bee held in New Yorke be- ginning on the first Wednesday of Octobr 1670. Katherine Harryson bound over to appeare upon the Complt of the Inhabitants of Westchester upon suspicion of Witch-craft. 1 Complainants. 1 /. e., "and in the year of Our Lord" : the q stands for the enclitic que, and. 52 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1670 In the case of Katherine Harryson Widdow, who was bound to the good Behaviour upon Complt of some of the Inhabitants of Westchester untill the holding of this Court, It is Ordered, that in regard there is nothing appears against her deserving the continuance of that obligacion shee is to bee releast from it, and hath Liberty to remaine in the Towne of Westchester where shee now resides, or any where else in the Governmt during her pleasure.1 [FRANCIS LOVELACE.] 1 Alas, it is to be feared that her neighbors did not make her life happy. Certain documents as to her property (printed in the N. Y. Executive Council Minutes, II. 393-395) make it probable that she left Westchester in May; and an entry of May 9, 1672, in the records (yet unpublished) of the Connecticut Court of Assistants — "The court upon ace'* of work done by Katherin Harrison for Daniel Gerrad doe see cause to remit of the five pounds Katherin Harrison is to pay Dan'll Gerrad Twenty Shillings" — may mean that she was permitted to return to Hartford, though perhaps it refers to work done while she was in custody. In any case, she was in New York later, for, "during the temporary occupation of New York by the Dutch in 1673, an accusation was brought against her before Governor Colve, but was promptly and contemptuously dismissed" (Drake, Annals of Witchcraft, Boston, 1869, pp. 133-134; Levermore, "Witch- craft in Connecticut," in the New Englander, XLIV. 812). LITHOBOLIA, BY RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN, 1698 INTRODUCTION THAT the "R. C. Esq." who in 1698 published at London the following narrative was Richard Chamberlain, sometime secretary of the province of New Hampshire, is beyond all doubt. His own statement that he was in that province in His Majesty's service, and lodged at George Walton's, in a year easily recognized by internal evidence as 1682, would suffice to identify him; for not only was there no other "R. C." hi that well-known circle, but the Puritan pastor at Ports- mouth, writing at that very time of this very episode (see p. 35, above), makes the secretary a lodger at George Walton's and a source of information as to these happenings. Nor can this story be any bookseller's expansion of the narrative then published; for its mass of added detail squares not less per- fectly with every local tradition. If "the Contents hereof " are not now to be found in the records of His Majesty's "Council-Court held for that province," where Chamberlain himself doubtless inscribed them, it is amply explained by the mutilation and scattering of those records; and enough remains (see p. 31, note) to show the affair matter of record. There was reason, too, why precisely Richard Chamber- lain should have been one of the objects of such wrath, human or infernal, as found utterance in this "stonery." It was the very crisis of a dispute that for half a century had disturbed the peace of New Hampshire. John Mason, to whom in 1629 that region had been granted and who in 1631 had under- taken its settlement, had died in 1635 without making ade- quate provision for its administration. The multiplying col- 55 56 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES onists, who even before and during his personal control had occupied lands by other title than his grant, now ignored his claims; and the widow and infant grandchildren who were his heirs soon left them wholly to their own devices. The growing Puritan element leaned on the neighboring Massa- chusetts, and that colony discovered that its own charter could be interpreted to include the territory now settled in New Hampshire. Lands were thenceforward often granted by the Boston government, and oftener by the town authorities set up by it in New Hampshire; and the feeble protests of the Mason heirs found little hearing, the political changes in England making it impossible to enforce them. But with the Restoration, in 1660, matters changed, and by 1680 Robert Mason had not only won from a venal court the rejection of the Massachusetts claim and full recognition of his proprietor- ship hi New Hampshire, but was given a seat in the Council of the royal province into which the colony was now recon- stituted and was permitted to nominate its governor and sec- retary. A governor was not at once found; but as its secre- tary he named Richard Chamberlain. » Of Chamberlain's history we know little. The Lords of Trade had stipulated that the new secretary should be "well versed in the law," and there can be little doubt that he was that "Richard Chamberlayne, son and heir of William C., of London, gent.," who in May, 1651, was admitted to Gray's Inn (not six months after Mason's all-powerful kinsman and adviser, Edward Randolph), who was " called to the bar 11 Nov. 1659, ancient 17 April 1676," and whose daughter Elizabeth was in 1695 wedded to that "much Honoured Mart. Lumley, Esq.," to whom he dedicates this booklet. If so he was of a good family, whose pedigree can be traced for several genera- tions in the visitations of the heralds. Perhaps already an acquaintance of Mason, he soon became his intimate friend. They crossed the sea together, arriving in New Hampshire INTRODUCTION 57 in December, 1680, and at once entering on their functions in the government. Though outvoted in the Council, Mason proceeded to the enforcement of his territorial claims, and soon by his demands, however legal, earned fear and hate not only for himself but for Chamberlain, who was believed to have instigated them. The colonists were left their improved lands, on payment of a moderate quit-rent; but all wild lands, including their pastures and their woodlands, Mason counted his, to grant at will. But the colonists, except a few Quakers, stoutly held out, and Mason returned to England to urge his case, leaving Chamberlain to bear the brunt. The latter had his abode on Great Island, under the guns of the fort, at the house of the Quaker George Walton; and it is there, in the summer of 1682, that the following narrative has its scene. The booklet is now very rare, and this is probably the first complete reimpression of it. With the exception of the pref- atory matter it was, however, reprinted in 1861 in the His- torical Magazine, V. 321-327. LITHOBOLIA Lithobolia: or, the Stone-Throwing Devil. Being an Exact and True Account (by way of Journal) of the various Actions of Infernal Spirits, or (Devils Incarnate) Witches, or both; and the great Disturbance and Amazement they gave to George Waltons Family, at a place call'd Great Island in the Province of New-Hantshire in New-England, chiefly in Throwing about (by an Invisible hand) Stone, Bricks, and Brick-bats of all Sizes, with several other things, as Hammers, Mauls, Iron-Crows, Spits, and other Domestick Utensils, as came into their Hellish Minds, and this for the space of a Quarter of a Year. By R. C. Esq; who was a Sojourner in the same Family the whole time, and an Ocular Witness of these Diabolick Inventions. The Contents hereof being manifestly known to the Inhabitants of that Province, and Persons of other Provinces, and is upon Record in his Majesties Council-Court held for that Province. London, Printed, and are to be Sold by E. Whitlook near Stationers-Hall, 1698.1 To The much Honoured Mart. Lumley, Esq;z Sir, As the subsequent Script deserves not to be called a Book, so these precedent Lines presume not to a Dedication : But, Sir, it is an occasion that I am ambitious to lay hold on, to discover to You by this Epitome (as it were) the propension 1 Title-page of the original. 1 Martin Lumley, Esq. (1662-1710), son of Sir Martin Lumley, of Great Bardfield, Essex, himself succeeded to that baronetcy in 1702. When Lithobolia was written he had probably just become a kinsman of the author; for in 1695 he married for his second wife "Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Chamberlayn of Gray's Inn." (See article of J. W. Dean, in N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XLIII. 183-185.) 58 1698] LITHOBOLIA 59 and inclination I have to give a more full and perfect demon- stration of the Honour, Love, and Service, I own (as I think my self oblig'd) to have for You. To a Sober, Judicious, and well Principled Person, such as your Self, plain Truths are much more agreeable than the most charming and surprising Romance or Novel, with all the strange turns and events. That this is of the first sort, (as I have formerly upon Record attested) I do now aver and protest ; yet neither is it less strange than true, and so may be capable of giving you some Diver- sion for an hour : For this interruption of your more serious ones, I cannot doubt your candor and clemency, in pardoning it, that so well know (and do most sensibly acknowledg) your high Worth and Goodness; and that the Relation I am Digni- fied with, infers a mutual Patronization. ^ Sir, I am Your most Humble Servant, R. C. To the much Honoured R. F. Esq;1 To tell strange feats of Daemons, here I am; Strange, but most true they are, ev'n-to a Dram, Tho' Sadduceans cry, 'tis all a Sham.' Here's Stony Arg'uments of persuasive Dint, They'l not believe it, told, nor yet in Print : What should the Reason be? The Devil's in-'t. And yet they wish to be convinc'd by Sight, Assur'd by Apparition of a Sprite; But Learned Brown2 doth state the matter right : Satan will never Instrumental be Of so much Good, to' Appear to them ; for he Hath them sure by their Infidelity. But you, my Noble Friend, know better things; Your Faith, mounted on Religions Wings, Sets you above the Clouds whence Error springs. 1 "R. F., Esq.," has not been identified. 1 Sir Thomas Browne. See his Religio Medici, pt. I., § 30. 60 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 Your Soul reflecting on this lower Sphear, Of froth and vanity, joys oft to hear The Sacred Ora'cles, where all Truths appear, Which will Conduct out of this Labyrinth of Night, And lead you to the source of Intellect'ual Light. Which is the Hearty Prayer of Your most faithful Humble Servant, R. C. Lithobolia: or, the Stone-throwing Devil, etc. SUCH is the Sceptical Humour of this Age for Incredulity, (not to say Infidelity,) That I wonder they do not take up and profess, in terms, the Pyrrhonian Doctrine of disbelieving their very Senses. For that which I am going to relate hap- pening to cease in the Province of New-Hampshire in America, just upon that Governour's Arrival and Appearance at the Council there, who was informed by my self, and several other Gentlemen of the Council, and other considerable Persons, of the true and certain Reality hereof, yet he continued tenacious in the Opinion that we were all imposed upon by the waggery of some unlucky Boys;1 which, considering the Circumstances and Passages hereafter mentioned, was altogether impossible. I have a Wonder to relate; for such (I take it) is so to be termed whatsoever is Prseternatural, and not assignable to, or the effect of, Natural Causes : It is a Lithobolia,2 or Stone- throwing, which happened by Witchcraft (as was supposed) and maliciously perpetrated by an Elderly Woman, a Neigh- bour suspected, and (I think) formerly detected for such kind of Diabolical Tricks and Practises;3 and the wicked Instiga- 1 Edward Cranfield, first royal governor of New Hampshire. He arrived in October, 1682, and left in June, 1685. Though Mason's nominee, he for some time leaned to the side of the colonists against the methods of Mason and Cham- berlain. 2 "Lithobolia" is, of course, only Greek for "stone-throwing." 1 Who she was it is not hard to guess. On July 4, 1682, Hannah Jones begged the "advice and relief" of the President and Council "in regard of George Walton's dealing with her, who falsely accuseth her of what she is clear of, and hath so far prevailed that upon that account your humble petitioner is bound in a bond of the peace; since which said Walton's horse breaks into her pasture and 1682] LITHOBOLIA 61 tion did arise upon the account of some small quantity of Land in her Field, which she pretended was unjustly taken into the Land of the Person where the Scene of this Matter lay, and was her Right; she having been often very clamor- ous about that Affair, and heard to say, with much Bitterness, that her Neighbour (innuendo1 the fore-mentioned Person, his Name George Walton)2 should never quietly injoy that doth her damage." (Provincial Records, in New Hampshire Hist. Soc., Collec- tions, VIII. 99.) Of her being "formerly detected" in witchcraft there is no record; but she was a daughter of Thomas Walford, and her mother, Jane Wai- ford, had in 1656 been tried for witchcraft, and, though cleared, found it necessary in 1669 to bring an action for slander against a physician who again accused her. (N. H. Hist. Soc., Collections, I. 255-257; Documents and Records relating to the Province of New Hampshire, I. 217-219; Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, I. 87-92, 222-224.) Jane Walford was now dead (Probate Records, I. 92); but there was reason enough for George Walton to fear the malice of her daughter. For Thomas Walford, a blacksmith who in 1623 had come with Gorges toWeymouth,who had later become the earliest settler inCharlestown, and who in 1631, expelled from the Bay for his Anglican tenets, had found a refuge at Portsmouth, had prospered at last, and at his death in 1666 left to his heirs broad acres. But these lands were among those forfeit to the Mason claim, and Walton was a buyer. (Probate Records, I. 299, and cf. p. 37, above, note 1.) Now that the government was passing into the hands of the Mason party, what hope was there except from Heaven or Hell? "Your petitioner," prayed Hannah Jones, "being under bond, knows not what to do to help herself." It was doubtless Secretary Chamberlain who as a justice had put her under bond; but the planters still had a majority in the Council, and Goodwife Jones was ordered to complain to Captain Stileman "if she be at any time, during her being bound to the good behavior, injured by the said Geo. Walton." Her complaint came : on August 31 Elizabeth Clark, aged forty-two, made affidavit to Deputy-President Stileman "that she heard George Walton say that he believed in his heart and conscience that Grandma Jones was a witch, and would say so to his dying day." But Wal- ton, too, had evidence to offer: on September 4 Samuel Clark testified "that he was present when Goody Jones and Geo. Walton were talking together, and he heard the said Goody Jones call the said Walton a wizzard, and that she said, if he told her of her mother, she would throw stones at his head, and this was on Friday, the 25th of August, 1682." And other witnesses testified that on that day "they saw several stones to fly," though they "saw no hand or person to throw them," and that "the said George Walton was hit several times." (Pro- vincial Records, in N. H. Hist Soc., Collections, VIII. 99-100.) But this is to anticipate the relation. 1 "Hinting at." 2 As to Walton see introduction and p. 35, note 1, above. A letter from the Rev. Lucius Alden, of Newcastle, printed in 1862 in the Historical Magazine, VI. 159, describes his house and its site and identifies other people and places mentioned in this narrative. 62 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 piece of Ground. Which, as it has confirmed my self and others in the Opinion that there are such things as Witches, and the Effects of Witchcraft, or at least of the mischievous Actions of Evil Spirits; which some do as little give Credit to, as in the Case of Witches, utterly rejecting both their Operations and their Beings, we having been Eye- Witnesses of this Matter almost every Day for a quarter of a Year together; so it may be a means to rectifie the depraved Judgment and Sentiments of other disbelieving Persons, and absolutely convince them of their Error, if they please to hear, without prejudice, the plain, but most true Narration of it; which was thus. Some time ago being in America (in His then Majesty's Service) I was lodg'd in the said George Walton's House, a Planter there, and on a Sunday Night,1 about Ten a Clock, many Stones were heard by my self, and the rest of the Family, to be thrown, and (with Noise) hit against the top and all sides of the House, after he the said Walton had been at his Fence-Gate, which was between him and his Neighbour one John Amazeen an Italian,2 to view it; for it was again, as formerly it had been (the manner how being unknown) wrung off the Hinges, and cast upon the Ground; and in his being there, and return home with several Persons of (and frequent- ing) his family and House, about a flight shot distant from the Gate, they were all assaulted with a peal of Stones, (taken, we conceive, from the Rocks hard by the House) and this by unseen Hands or Agents. For by this time I was come down to them, having risen out of my Bed at this strange Alarm of all that were in the House, and do know that they all look'd out as narrowly as I did, or any Person could (it being a bright Moon-light Night), but cou'd make no Discovery. There- upon, and because there came many Stones, and those pretty great ones, some as big as my Fist, into the Entry or Porch of the House, we withdrew into the next Room to the Porch, 1 June 11, 1682. See p. 35, above, and Mather Papers, p. 361. * "John the Greek," as he was called, the illiterate constable of Great Island, was one of the most stubborn in refusing to pay dues to Mason. He had married the widow of Jeremiah Walford (Hannah Jones's brother) and was the guardian of his son and estate. (Probate Records, I. 222-224; Provincial Records, in N. H. Hist. Soc., Collection*, I. 71, 118.) 1682] LITHOBOLIA 63 no Person having receiv'd any Hurt, (praised be Almighty Providence, for certainly the infernal Agent, constant Enemy to Mankind, had he not been over-ruled, intended no less than Death or Maim) save only that two Youths were lightly hit, one on the Leg, the other on the Thigh, notwithstanding the Stones came so thick, and so forcibly against the sides of so narrow a Room. Whilst we stood amazed at this Accident, one of the Maidens imagined she saw them come from the Hall, next to that we were in, where searching, (and in the Cellar, down out of the Hall,) and finding no Body, another and my self observed two little Stones in a short space succes- sively to fall on the Floor, coming as from the Ceiling close by us, and we concluded it must necessarily be done by means extraordinary and preternatural. Coming again into the Room where we first were (next the Porch), we had many of these lapidary Salutations, but unfriendly ones; for, shutting the Door, it was no small Surprise to me to have a good big Stone come with great force and noise (just by my Head) against the Door on the inside; and then shutting the other Door, next the JIall, to have the like Accident; so going out again, upon a necessary Occasion, to have another very near my Body, clattering against the Board-wall of the House; but it was a much greater, to be so near the danger of having my Head broke with a Mall, or great Hammer brushing along the top or roof of the Room from the other end, as I was walk- ing in it, and lighting down by me; but it fell so, that my Landlord had the greatest damage, his Windows (especially those of the first mention'd Room) being with many Stones miserably and strangely batter'd, most of the Stones giving the Blow on the inside, and forcing the Bars, Lead, and hasps of the Casements outwards, and yet falling back (sometimes a Yard or two) into the Room; only one little Stone we took out of the glass of the Window, where it lodg'd its self in the breaking it, in a Hole exactly fit for the Stone. The Pewter and Brass were frequently pelted, and sometimes thrown down upon the Ground; for the Evil Spirit seemed then to affect variety of Mischief, and diverted himself at this end after he had done so much Execution at the other. So were two Candle- sticks, after many hittings, at last struck off the Table where they stood, and likewise a large Pewter Pot, with the force of 64 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 these Stones. Some of them were taken up hot, and (it seems) immediately coming out of the Fire; and some (which is not unremarkable) having been laid by me upon the Table along by couples, and numbred, were found missing; that is, two of them, as we return'd immediately to the Table, having turn'd our backs only to visit and view some new Stone-charge or Window-breach ; and this Experiment was four or five times repeated, and I still found one or two missing of the Number, which we all mark'd, when I did but just remove the Light from off the Table, and step to the Door, and back again. After this had continued in all the parts and sides of the first Room (and down the Chimney) for above four hours, I, weary of the Noise, and sleepy, went to Bed, and was no sooner fallen asleep, but was awakened with the unwelcome disturbance of another Battery of a different sort, it issuing with so prodigious a Noise against the thin Board-wall of my Chamber (which was within another) that I could not imagin it less than the fracture and downfall of great part of the Chamber, or at least of the Shelves, Books, Pictures, and other things, placed on that side, and on the Partition-Wall between the Anti-Chamber and the Door of mine. But the Noise immediately bringing up the Company below, they assured me no Mischief of that nature was done, and shewed me the biggest Stone that had as yet been made use of in this unac- countable Accident, weighing eight pound and an half, that had burst open my Chamber Door with a rebound from the Floor, as by the Dent and Bruise in it near the Door I found next Morning, done, probably, to make the greater Noise, and give the more Astonishment, which would sooner be effected by three Motions, and consequently three several Sounds, viz. one on the Ground, the next to and on the Door, and the last from it again to the Floor, then if it had been one single Blow upon the Door only; which ('tis probable) wou'd have split the Door, which was not permitted, nor so much as a square of the Glass-Window broken or crack'd (at that time) in all the Chamber. Glad thereof, and desiring them to leave me, and the Door shut, as it was before, I endeavoured once more to take my Rest, and was once more prevented by the like passage, with another like offensive Weapon, it being a whole Brick that lay in the anti-Chamber Chimney, and used 1682] LITHOBOLIA 65 again to the same malicious purpose as before, and in the same manner too, as by the mark in the Floor, whereon was some of the dust of the Brick, broken a little at the end, apparant next Morning, the Brick it self lying just at the Door. How- ever, after I had lain a while, harkning to their Adventures below, I drop'd asleep again, and receiv'd no further Moles- tation that Night. In the Morning (Monday Morning) I was inform'd by sev- eral of the Domesticks of more of the same kind of Trouble; among which the most signal was, the Vanishing of the Spit which stood in the Chimney Corner, and the sudden coming of it again down the same Chimney, sticking of it in a Log that lay in the Fireplace or Hearth; and then being by one of the Family set by on the other side of the Chimney, pres- ently cast out of the Window into the Back-side. Also a pressing-Iron lying on the ledge of the Chimney back, was convey'd invisibly into the Yard. I should think it (too) not unworthy the Relation, that, discoursing then with some of the Family, and others, about what had past, I said, I thought it necessary to take and keep the great Stone, as a Proof and Evidence, for they had taken it down from my Chambers; and so I carried it up, laid it on my Table in my Chamber, and lock'd my Door, and going out upon occasions, and soon returning, I was told by my Landlady that it was, a little while after my going forth, removed again, with a Noise, which they all below heard, and was thrown into the anti- Chamber, and there I found it lying in the middle of it ; there- upon I the second time carried it up, and laid it on the Table, and had it in my Custody a long time to show, for the Satis- faction of the Curious. There were many more Stones thrown about in the House that Morning, and more in the Fields that Day, where the Master of the House was, and the Men at Work. Some more Mr. Woodbridge,1 a Minister, and my self, in the Afternoon 1 The Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, who had begun in 1680 at Bristol, Rhode Island, his career as a preacher, but had dissatisfied a part of his flock (Matlier Papers, pp. 695-696), and seems to have been seeking a fresh one in the north. It was through him that Pastor Moodey of Portsmouth sought, for Increase Mather's Providences, an account of the happenings on Great Island. (See above, p. 34, note 2, and Mather Papers, p. 360.) 66 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 did see (but could not any Hand throwing them) lighting near, and jumping and tumbling on the Grass: So did one Mrs. Clark, and her Son, and several others; and some of them felt them too. One Person would not be perswaded but that the Boys at Work might throw them, and strait her little Boy standing by her was struck with a Stone on the Back, which caused him to fall a crying, and her (being convinc'd) to carry him away forth-with. In the Evening, as soon as I had sup'd in the outer Room before mine, I took a little Musical-Instrument, and began to touch it (the Door indeed was then set open for Air), and a good big Stone came rumbling in, and as it were to lead the Dance, but upon a much different account than in the days of Old, and of old fabulous Inchantments, my Musick being none of the best. The Noise of this brought up the Deputy- President's Wife,1 and many others of the Neighbourhood that were below, who wonder'd to see this Stone followed (as it were) by many others, and a Pewter Spoon among the rest, all which fell strangely into the Room in their Presence, and were taken up by the Company. And beside all this, there was seen by two Youths in the Orchard and Fields, as they said, a black Cat, at the time the Stones were toss'd about, and it was shot at, but missed, by its changing Places, and being immediately at some distance, and then out of sight, as they related : Agreeable to which, it may not be improper to insert, what was observed by two Maids, Grand-Children of Mr. Walton, on the Sunday Night, the beginning of this Lithoboly. They did affirm, that as they were standing in the Porch-Chamber Window, they saw, as it were, a Person putting out a Hand out of the Hall Window, as throwing Stones toward the Porch or Entry; and we all know no Person was in the Hall except, at that instant, my self and another, having search'd diligently there, and wondring whence those should come that were about the same time drop'd near us; so far we were from doing it our selves, or seeing any other there to do it. On Monday Night, about the Hour it first began, there were more Stones thrown in the Kitchin, and down the Chim- 1 Mrs. Ellas Stileman. Till the arrival of Governor Cranfield President Waldron and Deputy-President Stileman remained in power. 1682] LITHOBOLIA 67 ney, one Captain Barefoot,1 of the Council for that Province, being present, with others; and also (as I was going up to Bed) in an upper Chamber, and down those Stairs. Upon Tuesday Night, about Ten, some five or six Stones were severally thrown into the Maid's Chamber near the Kitchin, and the Glass-Windows broke in three new places, and one of the Maids hit as she lay. At the same time was heard by them, and two young Men in the House, an odd, dismal sort of Whistling, and thereupon the Youths ran out, with intent to take the suppos'd Thrower of Stones, if possi- ble; and on the back-side near the Window they heard the Noise (as they said) of something stepping a little way before them, as it were the trampling of a young Colt, as they fan- cied, but saw nothing; and going on, could discover nothing but that the Noise of the stepping or trampling was ceas'd, and then gone on a little before. On Saturday Morning I found two Stones more on the Stairs; and so some were on Sunday Night convey'd into the Room next the Kitchin. Upon Monday following Mr. Walton going (with his Men) by Water to some other Land, in a place called the Great Bay, and to a House where his Son was placed, they lay there that Night, and the next Morning had this Adventure. As the Men were all at work in the Woods, felling Wood, they were visited with another set of Stones, and they gathered up near upon a Hat-full, and put them between two Trees near adjoin- ing, and returning from carrying Wood, to the Boat, the Hat and its contents (the Stones) were gone, and the Stones were presently after thrown about again, as before; and after search, found the Hat press' d together, and lying under a square piece of Timber at some distance from thence. They had them again at young Walton's House, and half a Brick thrown into a Cradle, out of which his young Child was newly taken up. Here it may seem most proper to inform the Reader of a parallel passage, (viz,) what happened another time to my Landlord in his Boat; wherein going up to the same place 1 The bluff and jovial Walter Barefoot, physician, politician, speculator, rescuer of Quakers and horror of Puritans, soon to be commandant, judge, acting governor, and at this moment as deputy collector especially obnoxious to the Massachusetts party, is well known to all students of New Hampshire history. 68 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 (the Great Bay) and loading it with Hay for his use at his own House, about the mid- way in the River (Pascataqua)1 he found his Boat began to be in a sinking Condition, at which being much surpriz'd, upon search, he discover'd the cause to be the pulling out a Plug or Stopple in the bottom of the Boat, being fixed there for the more convenient letting out of the Rain-Water that might fall into it; a Contrivance and Com- bination of the old Serpent and the old Woman, or some other Witch or Wizard (in Revenge or innate Enmity) to have drown'd both my good Landlord and his Company. On Wednesday, as they were at work again in the Woods, on a sudden they heard something gingle like Glass, or Metal, among the Trees, as it was falling, and being fallen to the Ground, they knew it to be a Stirrup which Mr. Walton had carried to the Boat, and laid under some Wood ; and this being again laid by him in that very Boat, it was again thrown after him. The third time, he having put it upon his Girdle or Belt he wore about his Waste, buckled together before, but at that instant taken off because of the Heat of the Weather, and laid there again buckled, it was fetch'd away, and no more seen. Likewise the Graper, or little Anchor of the Boat, cast over-board, which caus'd the Boat to wind up; so staying and obstructing their Passage. Then the setting-Pole was divers times cast into the River, as they were coming back from the Great Bay, which put them to the trouble of Padling, that is, rowing about for it as often to retrieve it. Being come to his own House, this Mr. Walton was charg'd again with a fresh Assault in the out-Houses; but we heard of none within doors until Friday after, when, in the Kitchin, were 4 or 5 Stones (one of them hot) taken out of the Fire, as I conceive, and so thrown about. I was then present, being newly come in with Mr. Walton from his middle Field (as he call'd it), where his Servants had been Mowing, and had six or seven of his old troublesome Companions, and I had one falTn down by me there, and another thin flat Stone hit me on the Thigh with the flat side of it, so as to make me just feel, and to smart a little. In the same Day's Evening, as I was walking out in the Lane by the Field before-mentioned, a great Stone made a rusling Noise in the Stone-Fence between 1 The Piscataqua. 1682] LITHOBOLIA 69 the Field and the Lane, which seem'd to me (as it caus'd me to cast my Eye that way by the Noise) to come out of the Fence, as it were pulFd out from among those Stones loose, but orderly laid close together, as the manner of such Fences in that Country is, and so fell down upon the Ground. Some Persons of Note being then in the Field (whose Names are here under-written) to visit Mr. Walton there, are substan- tial Witnesses of this same Stonery, both in the Field, and afterward in the House that Night, viz. one Mr. Hussey, Son of a Counsellour there.1 He took up one that having first alighted on the Ground, with rebound from thence hit him on the Heel; and he keeps it to show. And Captain Barefoot, mentioned above, has that which (among other Stones) flew into the Hall a little before Supper; which my self also saw as it first came in at the upper part of the Door into the middle of the Room; and then (tho' a good flat Stone, yet) was seen to rowl over and over, as if trundled, under a Bed in the same Room. In short, these Persons, being wonderously affected with the Strangeness of these Passages, offer'd themselves (desiring me to take them) as Testimonies; I did so, and made a Memorandum, by way of Record, thereof, to this effect. Viz. These Persons under-written do hereby Attest the Truth of their being Eye-Witnesses of at least half a score Stones that Evening thrown invisibly into the Field, and in the Entry of the House, Hall, and one of the Chambers of George Walton's. Viz. SAMUEL JENNINGS, Esq ; Governour of West-Jarsey. WALTER CLARK, Esq ; Deputy-Governour of Road-Island. Mr. ARTHUR COOK. Mr. MATT. BORDEN of Road-Island. Mr. OLIVER HOOTON of Barbados, Merchant. Mr. T. MAUL of Salem in New-England, Merchant. Captain WALTER BAREFOOT. Mr. JOHN HUSSEY. And the Wife of the said Mr. Hussey.2 1 Of Christopher Hussey, of Hampton. 2 The governors of West Jersey and Rhode Island are sufficiently identified by their titles. Both were Quakers, as were all the others excepting Barefoot. Cook 70 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 On Saturday, July1 24, One of the Family, at the usual hour at Night, observ'd some few (not above half a dozen) of these natural (or rather unnatural) Weapons to fly into the Kitchin, as formerly; but some of them in an unusual manner lighting gently on him, or coming toward him so easily, as that he took them before they fell to the Ground. I think there was not any thing more that Night remarkable. But as if the malicious Daemon had laid up for Sunday and Monday, then it was that he began (more furiously than formerly) with a great Stone in the Kitchin, and so continued with throwing down the Pewter-Dishes, etc. great part of it all at once coming clattering down, without the stroke of a Stone, little or great, to move it. Then about Midnight this im- pious Operation not ceasing, but trespassing with a continu- ando,1* 2 very great Stones, weighing above 30 pound a piece (that used to lye hi the Kitchin, in or near the Chimny) were in the former, wonted, rebounding manner, let fly against my Door and Wall in the ante-Chamber, but with some little distance of time. This thundring Noise must needs bring up the Men from below, as before, (I need not say to wake me) to tell me the Effect, which was the beating down several Pictures, and displacing abundance of things about my Cham- ber: but the Repetition of this Cannon-Play by these great rumbling Engines, now ready at hand for the purpose, and the like additional disturbance by four Bricks that lay in the outer-Room Chimney (one of which having been so imploy'd the first Sunday Night, as has been said) made me despair of taking Rest, and so forced me to rise from my Bed. Then finding my Door burst open, I also found many Stones, and great pieces of Bricks, to fly in, breaking the Glass- Windows, and a Paper-Light, sometimes inwards, sometimes outwards: So hitting the Door of my Chamber as I came through from the ante-Chamber, lighting very near me as I was fetching the Candlestick, and afterward the Candle being struck out, as I was going to light it again. So a little after, coming up was a Philadelphian; Thomas Maule, the Salem merchant who was later (1695) to stir such fury in Massachusetts by his arraignment of the Puritan regime. What Maule thought of j witchcraft must be gathered not only from his own book, but from that of his Beverly neighbor, the Rev. John Hale, pp. 155-161. 1 June. * A "to be continued." 1682] LITHOBOLIA 71 for another Candle, and being at the Stare-foot door, a wooden Mortar with great Noise struck against the Floor, and was just at my Feet, only not touching me, moving from the other end of the Kitchin where it used to lye. And when I came up my self, and two more of the same House, we heard a Whistling, as it were near us in the outer Room, several times. Among the rest of the Tools made use of to disturb us, I found an old Card for dressing Flax in my Chamber. Now for Monday Night, (June 26) one of the severest. The disturbance began in the Kitchin with Stones; then as I was at Supper above in the ante-Chamber, the Window near which I sate at Table was broke in 2 or 3 parts of it inwards, and one of the Stones that broke it flew in, and I took it up at the further end of the Room. The manner is observable; for one of the squares was broke into 9 or 10 small square pieces, as if it had been regularly mark'd out into such even squares by a Workman, to the end some of these little pieces might fly in my Face (as they did) and give me a surprize, but without any hurt. In the mean time it went on in the Kitchin, whither I went down, for Company, all or most of the Family, and a Neigh- bour, being there; where many Stones (some great ones) came thick and threefold among us, and an old howing Iron,1 from a Room hard by, where such Utensils lay. Then, as if I had been the design'd Object for that time, most of the Stones that came (the smaller I mean) hit me (sometimes pretty hard) to the number of above 20, near 30, as I remember, and whether I remov'd, sit, or walk'd, I had them, and great ones sometimes lighting gently on me, and in my Hand and Lap as I sate, and falling to the Ground, and sometimes thumping against the Wall, as near as could be to me, without touching me. Then was a- Room over the Kitchin infested, that had not been so before, and many Stones greater than usual lumbring there over our Heads, not only to ours, but to the great Dis- turbance and Affrightment of some Children that lay there. And for Variety, there were sometimes three great, distinct Knocks, sometimes five such sounds as with a great Maul, reiterated divers times. On Tuesday Night (June 28) we were quiet; but not so on Wednesday, when the Stones were play'd about in the House. 1 A hoeing-iron — the metal part of a hoe. 72 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 And on Thursday Morning I found some things that hung on Nails on the Wall in my Chamber, viz. a Spherical Sun-Dial, etc. lying on the Ground, as knock'd down by some Brick or Stone in the ante-Chamber. But my Landlord had the worst of that Day, tho' he kept the Field, being there invisibly hit above 40 times, as he affirm'd to me, and he receiv'd some shrowd1 hurtful Blows on the Back, and other Parts, which he much complained of, and said he thought he should have reason to do, even to his dying day; and I observ'd that he did so, he being departed this Life since.* Besides this, Plants of Indian Corn were struck up by the Roots almost, just as if they had been cut with some edged Instrument, whereas re vera? they were seen to be eradicated, or rooted up with nothing but the very Stones, altho' the in- jurious Agent was altogether unseen. And a sort of Noise, like that of Snorting and Whistling, was heard near the Men at Work in the Fields many times, many whereof I my self, going thither, and being there, was a Witness of; and parting thence I receiv'd a pretty hard Blow with a Stone on the Calf of my Leg. So it continued that day in two Fields, where they were severally at Work: and my Landlord told me, he often heard likewise a humming Noise in the Air by him, as of a Bullet discharg'd from a Gun; and so said a Servant of his that work'd with him. Upon Saturday (July 1), as I was going to visit my Neigh- bour Capt. Barefoot, and just at his Door, his Man saw, as well as my self, 3 or 4 Stones fall just by us in the Field, or Close, where the House stands, and not any other Person near us. At Night a great Stone fell in the Kitchin, as I was going to Bed, and the Pewter was thrown down; many Stones flew about, and the Candles by them put out 3 or 4 times, and the Snorting heard; a Negro Maid hit on the Head in the Entry between the Kitchin and Hall with a Porringer from the Kitchin : also the pressing-Iron clattered against the Partition Wall between the Hall and a Chamber beyond it, where I lay, and Mr. Randolph,4 His Majesty's Officer for the Customs, etc. Some few Stones we had on Sunday Morning, (July 2) 1 Shrewd, t. e., sharp. * Early in 1686. » "In fact." 4 Edward Randolph, arch-foe of the Massachusetts theocracy and for more than a dozen years (1676-1689) chief inspirer of the royal policy as to the colonies. 1682] LITHOBOLIA 73 none at Night: But on Monday Morning (the 3d) both Mr. Walton, and 5 or 6 with him in the Field, were assaulted with them, and their Ears with the old Snorting and Whistling. In the Afternoon Mr. Walton was hit on the Back with Stones very grievously, as he was in his Boat that lay at a Cove side by his House. It was a very odd prank that was prac- tis'd by the Devil a little while after this. One Night the Cocks of Hay, made the Day before in the Orchard, was spread all abroad, and some of the Hay thrown up into the Trees, and some of it brought into the House, and scatter'd. Two Logs that lay at the Door, laid, one of them by the Chimny in the Kitchin; the other set against the Door of the Room where Mr. Walton then lay, as on purpose to confine him therein: A Form that stood in the Entry (or Porch) was set along by the Fire side, and a joint Stool upon that, with a Napking spread thereon, with two Pewter Pots, and two Candlesticks: A Cheese-Press likewise having a Spit thrust into one of the holes of it, at one end; and at the other end of the Spit hung an Iron Kettle; and a Cheese was taken out, and broke to pieces. Another time, I full well remember 'twas on a Sunday at Night, my Window was all broke with a violent shock of Stones and Brick-bats, which scarce miss'd my self : among these one huge one made its way through the great square or shash of a Casement, and broke a great hole in it, throwing down Books by the way, from the Window to a Picture over-against it, on the other side of the Chamber, and tore a hole quite through it about half a foot long, and the piece of the Cloth hung by a little part of it, on the back-side of the Picture. Alter this we were pretty quiet,1 saving now and then a few Stones march'd about for Exercise, and to keep (as it were) the Diabolical hand in use, till July 28, being Friday, when about 40 Stones flew about, abroad, and in the House and Orchard, and among the Trees therein, and a Window broke before, was broke again, and one Room where they never used before. August 1 . On Wednesday the Window in my ante-Chamber was broke again, and many Stones were plaid about, abroad, 1 It will be remembered that about this time Hannah Jones was put under bond. See pp. 60-61, note 3. 74 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 and in the House, in the Day-time, and at Night. The same Day in the Morning they tried this Experiment; they did set on the Fire a Pot with Urin, and crooked Pins in it, with design to have it boil, and by that means to give Punishment to the Witch, or Wizard (that might be the wicked Procurer or Contriver of this Stone Affliction) and take off their own; as they had been advised. This was the Effect of it : As the Liquor begun to grow hot, a Stone came and broke the top or mouth of it, and threw it down, and spilt what was in it; which being made good again, another Stone, as the Pot grew hot again, broke the handle off; and being recruited and fill'd the third tune, was then with a third Stone quite broke to pieces and split; and so the Operation became frustrate and fruitless. On August 2, two Stones in the Afternoon I heard and saw my self in the House and Orchard; and another Window in the Hall was broke. And as I was entring my own Chamber, a great square of a Casement, being a foot square, was broke, with the Noise as of a big Stone, and pieces of the Glass flew into the Room, but no Stone came in then, or could be found within or without. At Night, as I, with others, were in the Kitchin, many more came in; and one great Stone that lay on a Spinning- Wheel to keep it steady, was thrown to the other side of the Room. Several Neighbours then present were ready to testifie this Matter. Upon August 3, On Thursday the Gate between my said Landlord and his Neighbour John Amazeen was taken off again, and thrown into Amazeen's Field, who heard it fall, and averr'd it then made a Noise like a great Gun. On Friday the 4th, the Fence against Mr. Walton's Neigh- bour's Door, (the Woman of whom formerly there was great Suspicion, and thereupon Examination had, as appears upon Record;) this Fence being maliciously pull'd down to let in their Cattel into his Ground ; he and his Servants were pelted with above 40 Stones as they went to put it up again ; for she had often threatned that he should never in joy his House and Land.1 Mr. Walton was hit divers times, and all that Day in the Field, as they were Reaping, it ceas'd not, and their fell (by the Mens Computation) above an hundred Stones. 1 See p. 37, note 1. Walton had doubtless fenced in the land in controversy. 1682] ' LITHOBOLIA 75 A Woman helping to Reap (among the rest) was hit 9 or 10 times, and hurt to that degree, that her left Arm, Hip, Thigh, and Leg, were made black and blue therewith; which she showd to the Woman,1 Mrs. Walton, and others. Mr. Wood- bridge,2 a Divine, coming to give me a Visit, was hit about the Hip, and one Mr. Jefferys a Merchant,3 who was with him, on the Leg. A Window in the Kitchin that had been much batter'd before, was now quite broke out, and unwindow'd, no Glass or Lead at all being left: a Glass Bottle broke to pieces, and the Pewter Dishes (about 9 of them) thrown down, and bent. On Saturday the 5th, as they were Reaping in the Field, three Sickles were crack' d and broke by the force of these lapidary Instruments of the Devil, as the Sickles were in the Reapers hands, on purpose (it seems) to obstruct their Labour, and do them Injury and Damage. And very many Stones were cast about that Day; insomuch, that some that assisted at that Harvest-Work, being struck with them, by reason of that Disturbance left the Field, but were follow' d by their invisible Adversaries to the next House. On Sunday, being the 6th, there fell nothing considerable, nor on Monday, (7th) save only one of the Children hit with a Stone on the Back. We were quiet to Tuesday the 8th. But on Wednesday (9th) above 100 Stones (as they verily thought) repeated the Reapers Disquiet in the Corn-Field, whereof some were affirm'd by Mr. Walton to be great ones indeed, near as big as a Man's Head; and Mrs. Walton, his Wife being by Curiosity led thither, with intent also to make some Discovery by the most diligent and vigilant Observation she could use, to obviate the idle Incredulity some inconsiderate Persons might irrationally entertain concerning this venefical* Operation; or at least to confirm her own Sentiments and Belief of it. Which she did, but to her Cost; for she received an untoward Blow (with a Stone) on her Shoulder. There were likewise two Sickles bent, crack' d, and disabled with them, beating them violently out of their Hands that held them; and this reiterated three times successively. 1 1. e., to Hannah Jones. J See p. 65, note 1, 3 George Jeffrey, or Jaffrey, of Great Island. 4 Sorcerous — from the Latin venefica, a witch, 76 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1682 After this we injoy'd our former Peace and Quiet, un- molested by these stony Disturbances, that whole month of August, excepting some few times; and the last of all in the Month of September, (the beginning thereof) wherein Mr. Walton himself only (the Original perhaps of this strange Adventure, as has been declared) was the designed conclud- ing Sufferer; who going in his Canoo (or Boat) from the Great Island, where he dwelt, to Portsmouth, to attend the Council, who had taken Cognizance of this Matter,1 he being Summoned thither, in order to his and the Suspect's Examination, and the Courts taking Order thereabout, he was sadly hit with three pebble Stones as big as ones Fist; one of which broke his Head, which I saw him show to the President of the Council; the others gave him that Pain on the Back, of which (with other like Strokes) he complained then, and afterward to his Death.2 Who, that peruses these praeternatural Occurrences, can possibly be so much an Enemy to his own Soul, and irrefutable Reason, as obstinately to oppose himself to, or confusedly fluctuate in, the Opinion and Doctrine of Daemons, or Spirits, and Witches? Certainly he that do's so, must do two things 1 See pp. 60-61, note 3. 1 What order the courts took thereabout does not appear from the extant records; but that Hannah Jones was not punished may be inferred from our author's silence. As to the land dispute, it is recorded that in December, 1682, John Amazeen, the constable, with his step-son Jeremiah Walford and others, came with a warrant from Captain Stileman and arrested George Walton and his helpers for wood-cutting on the lands granted him by Mason; and that, though Walton carried it to the courts and offered evidence that some of the wood cut for him had been seen in John Amazeen's yard, the jury found for the defendants' cost of court. Walton appealed to the King in Council — Walford and Amazeen, so wrote Secretary Chamberlain, claiming by a town grant of 1658 and "the jury being all of them possessed of lands by virtue of town grants"; but, though he gave Edward Randolph power of attorney to prosecute, the appeal was in 1684 dismissed. (Provincial Records, in N. H. Hist. Soc., Collections, VIII. 118, and Calendar of State Papers, America and West Indies, 1681-1685, passim.) At home, however, John Amazeen saw himself made an example of, his live-stock levied on, and himself thrown into prison for his refusal of dues to Mason. Cham- berlain lost his secretaryship with the change of government in 1686, but remained as clerk of the courts till 1689, when, with the collapse of the Andros administra- tion, he seems to have returned to England. (Vaughan's Journal, in N. H. Hist. Soc., Collections, VIII. 187; N. H. Prov. Papers, I. 590, 600; Mass. Hist. Soc., Proceedings, XVII. 227.) 1682] LITHOBOLIA 77 more: He must temerariously unhinge, or undermine the Fundamentals of the best Religion in the World; and he must disingenuously quit and abandon that of the Three Theologick Virtues or Graces, to which the great Doctor of the Gentils gave the Precedence, Charity, through his Unchristian and Uncharitable Incredulity. Finis. INTRODUCTION AT a first glance the utterances of the early Friends in Europe and America do not suggest a difference, in their be- liefs as to witchcraft, from those of the Puritan world about them. George Fox thought himself endowed with a divine power for the detection of witches, and tells us himself how he turned from his path to tell a group of women that they were in the spirit of witchcraft or rebuked in open meeting those he discerned to be under the power of an evil spirit.1 Richard Farnworth, long his chief lieutenant, put forth in 1655 a printed discourse "as a Judgment upon Witchcraft, and a deniall, testimony, and declaration against Witchcraft from those that the world reproachfully calleth Quakers,"2 and Fox himself in 1657 devoted one largely to "the ground of Inchantings and seducing Spirits" and "of Nicromancy, which doth defile Witches and Wizards."3 We have just met a New England Quaker as an accuser, and more than one gave testimony against the Salem witches. Even those ^ee pp. 20-21 of the Witchcraft and Quakerism (Philadelphia, 1908) of Mrs. Amelia Mott Gummere, who quotes from the original MS. of Fox's journal. 2 His anonymously published Witchcraft Cast out from the Religious Seed and Israel of God (London, 1655). 3 His A Declaration of the Ground of Error . . . and the Ground of Inchant- ings and Seducing Spirits, and the Doctrine of Devils, the Sons of Sorcerers, and the Seed of the Adulterer, and the Ground of Nicromancy, which doth defile Witches and Wizards (London, 1657). But this book, like Farnworth's, is mainly a dissuasive from fortune-telling or the use of it. How slow was Fox's spirit to the darker suspicions of the witch-haters may best be gathered from his appeal "to the Masters of Ships and Seamen" (1676), wherein he dissuades them from the hasty ascription of storms to witchcraft; "and let New England professors [of religion] see whether or no they have not sometimes cast some poor simple people into the sea on pretence of being witches." 81 82 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES Bishop, a Whiting — who reviled their Puritan foes taunt them with Satan's besetments as if these were undoubted. It is only William Sewel, born and reared in Holland, whom we find translating into Dutch an English attack on the superstition.1 But at bottom, from the first, their gentle mysticism had in its universe no place for the arch-fiend of Orthodoxy. What Richard Farnworth so fiercely repudiates is only fortune- telling. If George Fox exclaims "Arise, children of God, and suffer not the Witch to live," it appears in a moment that by "the Witch" he means only the sin of divination, and that "every one that dwells in the spirit of God doth cut it off." As for William Penn, born to wealth and culture, son of a Dutch mother and in closest touch with the enlightened mystics of the Continent, there is in his writings scarce a trace of the current demonology; and the motley crowd of heretics and free-thinkers whom his tolerant prospectus tempted to join his Quakers for the peopling of his colony on the Delaware were perhaps as little prone to faith in Satan. In the laws agreed upon in England between the proprietor and his colonists, in May of 1681, the long list of "Offences against God" which "draw his wrath upon magistrates" and "provoke his indignation against a country" contains no men- tion of those dealings with Satan so long deemed the direst in- sults to his majesty;2 and the "Great Law" enacted by the 1 The Doctrine of Devils proved to be the Grand Apottacy of these Later Times (London, 1676). The English original bears no author's name, but its Dutch title-page ascribes it to "N. Orchard, Predikant in Nieuw-Engeland." There is, however, nothing in the work to suggest an American authorship, unless it be the passage (p. 189) where, speaking of the vogue in Christendom of legends of the supernatural, the writer says that "the most part of Europe, Asia, and Africa resounded with them (and now yet too-taking in America)." If the author came to America, it was doubtless after writing it, and more probably to the middle or southern colonies, then often included by Europeans under the name of New England. 2 Gracissimum et omnium criminum maximum est, Crimen laesae Majestatis divinae, "the gravest and greatest of all crimes is treason against God," says INTRODUCTION 83 provincial assembly, under Penn's presidency, in the winter of 1682-1683, though it regulates minutely the morals of the colonists, has never a word as to witchcraft. The charter indeed prescribed, as in the other colonies, that colonial laws should be agreeable, "so far as conveniently may be," with the laws of England; but this implied no validity for English statutes unless expressly adopted by the provincial legislature; and, as for witchcraft, it was not till 1717, with the fall of Penn's power, that under Governor Keith the statute of James I. was with other English criminal laws, by formal action of the Pennsylvania assembly, "put in execution in this province." But the Swedish peasants who long before the arrival of Penn's colony had established themselves on the farther bank of the Delaware, and now came with their lands beneath his rule, knew little enough of the growing rationalism of the seventeenth century; and it was these (speaking still among themselves their own vernacular, and needing, as we shall see, an interpreter between them and their new landlord) who, during Penn's first visit, brought in his court at Philadelphia the one action for witchcraft known to Pennsylvania records.1 The indictment, unhappily, is not preserved; but, as harm wrought by witchcraft to person or to property could of course, Damhouder, the great Flemish jurist whose handbook of criminal law had been the prescribed authority in the colony on the Delaware until that colony fell into the hands of the English; and witchcraft he makes the culmination of this crime. 1 The nationality of the accused is clear from their names, and "Lasse Cock," the councilman who served them as interpreter, is well known as a Swede. Of the witnesses named, "Vanculin" ("Coolin," "Cooling") was of course of Dutch stock, and Drystreet, Sanderlin, Ashcom, of English. All these names are familiar to the records of the "Court at Upland" (Chester), the tribunal for this district prior to Penn's coming; and its entries show these families established on the west bank of the Delaware a little above Chester. (See Record of Upland Court, 1676-1681, in vol. VII. of the Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania, pp. 91-125.) As to the extraction of these colonists and the superstitions prevalent among them, see Amandus Johnson, The Swedish Settlements on the Delaware, passim, and especially pp. 28, 543-545. 84 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES like harm by any other means, be punished, if provable, under the general statutes, it must be assumed that these, and not the semi-religious law of James, were the basis of the prose- cution. It is the extant records of this case,1 with that of a more trifling later episode, which here must serve us for a Pennsylvania narrative. 1 Here reprinted from the Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, I. (Philadelphia, 1852), pp. 93-96. From this source they have been borrowed by Smith, History of Delaioare County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, 1862), pp. 152-153, and doubtless by others. THE CASES OF MATTSON, HENDRICKSON, AND GUARD Alt a Councill held at Philadelphia the 7th 12th Mo., 1683.1 Present : Wm. Penn, Prop'or2 and Govr. Lasse Cock, Jno. Symcock, Tho. Holmes. Wm. Clayton. Margaret Mattson and Yeshro3 Hendrickson, Examined and about to be proved Witches; whereupon, this board Or- dered that Neels Matson should Enter into a recognizance of fifty pounds for his Wiff's appearance before this board the 27th Instant. Hendrick Jacobson4 doth the same for his Wife. Adjourned till the 20th 12th Mo., 83. Ait a Councill held at Philadelphia the 27th of the 12th month, 1683.* Present : Wm. Penn, Prop'or and Govr. James Harrison, Wm. Haigue, Wm. Clayton, Wm. Biles, Chris. Taylor, Tho: Holmes. Lasse Cock, The Grand Jury being attested, The Govr gave them their Charge, and the Atturney Gen[er]all attended them with the presentmt; their names are as followed: Robt Euer, foreman. Rich. Orne, Tho: Mosse, Samll Carpenter, Jno. Day, Tho: Ducket, Andrew Griscom, Jno. Fisher, Denis Lince, Benj. Whitehead, Jno. Barnes. Tho: Phillyps, 1 /. e., February 7, 1684 : March had by formal enactment been made "First Month." 1 Proprietor. » /. e., Gertrude. Cf. p. 87. 4 1. e., Jacob Hendrickson— see p. 87. 5 February 27, 1684. 85 86 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1684 Jno. Barnes, Gunner Rambo, Tho: Millard, Samll Allen, Enock Flower, Jno. Yattman, Jno. Parsons. Henr: Drystreet. Baraaby Wilcox. Post Meridiem. The Grand Jury made their returne, and found the Bill. Ordered that those that were absent of the Petty Jury should be fined 40s each man. Margarit Matson's Indictmt was read, and she pleads not Guilty, and will be tryed by the Countrey. Lasse Cock attested Interpriter between the Prop'or and the Prisoner at the Barr. The Petty Jury Impanneld ; their names are as followed : Jno. Hasting, foreman. Albertus Hendrickson, Robt Piles, Robt Wade, Nath. Evans, Edwd Darter, Wm Hewes, Jer. Collet, Jno. Kinsman, Jno. Gibbons, Walter Martin, Edw Bezac. Henry Drystreet attested, Saith he was tould 20 years agoe, that the prisoner at the Barr was a WTitch, and that several! Cows were bewitcht by her; also, that James Saunderling's mother tould him that she bewitcht her cow, but afterwards said it was a mistake, and that her Cow should doe well againe, for it was not her Cow but an Other Person's that should dye. Charles Ashcom attested, saith that Anthony's Wife being asked why she sould her Cattle, was because her mother had Bewitcht them, having taken the Witchcraft of1 Hendrick's2 Cattle, and put it on their Oxon; She myght Keep3 but noe Other Cattle, and also that one night the Daughter of the Prisoner called him up hastely, and when he came she sayd there was a great Light but Just before, and an Old woman with a Knife in her hand at the Bedd's feet, and therefore shee cryed out and desired Jno. Symcock to take away his Calves or Else she would send them to Hell. James Claypoole attested Interpritor betwixt the Prop'or and the Prisoner. The affidavid of Jno. Vanculin read, Charles Ashcom being a Witness to it. 1 Off. » Hendrickson's. » Clearly a word is here omitted — perhaps "cows," PENNSYLVANIA CASES 87 Annakey Coolin attested, saith her husband tooke the Heart of a Calfe that Dyed, as they thought, by Witchcraft, and Boyled it, wherupon the Prisoner at the Ban* came in and asked them what they were doing; they said boyling of flesh; she said they had better they had Boyled the Bones, with severall other unseemly Expressions. Magaret Mattson saith that she Vallues not Drystreet's Evidence; but if Sanderlin's mother had come, she would have answered her; also denyeth Charles Aschom's Attestation at her Soul, and Saith where is my Daughter; let her come and say so. Annakey Cooling's attestation concerning the Gees, she de- nyeth, saying she was never out of her Conoo,1 and also that she never said any such things Concerning the Calve's heart. Jno. Cock attested, sayth he Knows nothing of the matter. Tho: Balding's attestation was read, and Tho: Bracy at- tested, saith it is a True coppy. The Prisoner denyeth all things, and saith that the Wit- nesses speaks only by hear say. After wch the Govr gave the jury their Charge concerning the Prisoner at the Barr. The jury went forth, and upon then* Returne Brought her in Guilty of haveing the Comon fame of a witch, but not guilty in manner and forme as Shee stands Indicted.2 Neels Mattson and Antho. Neelson3 Enters into a Recog- nizance of fifty pounds apeice, for the good behavior of Mar- garet Matson for six months. Jacob Hendrickson Enters into the Recognizance of fifty pounds for the good behavior of Getro Hendrickson for six months. Adjourned till the 20th day of the first Mo., 1684.4 1 Canoe. J The tact and quiet humor of this verdict should need no pointing out; but it has sometimes been oddly misunderstood. * "Antho. Neelson" was very probably a son of Neels and Margaret Matt- son: here still, as in the home-land, Scandinavian surnames were often not hereditary, but changed with every generation, so that a son of Neels (Cornelius) Mattson might be surnamed, not Mattson, but Neelson (the Swedish Nilssan, English Nelson). The assumption of Smith (History of Delaware County, pp. 153, 488) that he was a son-in-law is perhaps due only to ignorance of this usage. 4 Thus ended in the colony, so far as Pennsylvania records show, the crim- inal prosecution of witches. But in 1696 a young Quaker who had incurred the Esq'rs. Humpry Murray, > Esq'rs. Caleb Pusey, 88 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1701 At a Council held at Philadelphia the 2lst of 3 Afo,1 1701. Present: The Propritary and Governour.* Edwd. Shippen, Thos. Story, Saml. Carpenter, Griffith Owen, A Petition of Robt. Guard and his Wife being read, setting forth That a Certain Strange Woman lately arrived in this Town being Seized with a very Sudden illness after she had been in their Company on the 17th Instant, and Several Pins being taken out of her Breasts, One John Richards, Butcher, and his Wife Ann, charged the Petitrs with Witchcraft, and as being the Authors of the Said Mischief; and therefore, Desire their Accusers might be sent for, in Order either to prove their Charge, or that they might be acquitted, they Suffering much in their Reputation, and by that means in their Trade. Ordered, that the Said John and Ann Richards be sent for; who appearing, the matter was inquired into, and being found trifling, was Dismissed.3 discipline of his Quarterly Meeting for practising divination was presented by the grand jury to the county court, fined by the court, and forbidden to repeat his magical practices (see Smith, History of Delaware County, pp. 192-194; Gum- mere, Witchcraft and Quakerism, Philadelphia, 1908, pp. 40-47). And in 1701, while Penn was once more in the colony (November, 1699-November, 1701), there occurred the episode next to be narrated. It is reprinted from the Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania, II. 20. 1 May 21. » William Penn. 1 That even in Pennsylvania there came a time when, under less calm guid- ance, a witch-panic was possible, is suggested by the following news item sent from Philadelphia on July 21, 1787, and published in the Massachusetts Centinel of August 1: "It must seriously affect every human mind that in consequence of the barbarous treatment lately suffered by the poor old woman, called a witch, she died on Wednesday last. It is to be hoped that every step will be taken to bring the offenders to punishment in justice to the wretched victim, as well as the violated laws of reason and society." The item is pointed out to the editor by a colleague just as this volume goes to press. MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES, RELATING TO WITCHCRAFTS AND POSSESSIONS, BY COTTON MATHER, 1689 INTRODUCTION MUCH less than even his illustrious father does the Rev. Cotton Mather (1662-1728) need here an introduction. His name and his personality are a commonplace in American his- tory and literature. Opinion regarding him has indeed gone widely asunder; but, if he has found severe critics, he has also found able defenders. One of these, Mr. Barrett Wendell, has told his story almost wholly in his own words;1 and the little book is not only of rare charm, but, though apology, of no small degree of frankness. It may be commended to all who would see Cotton Mather with his own eyes. His rela- tions with witchcraft have been debated at especial length and with a wealth of knowledge by Mr. C. W. Upham and Mr. W. F. Poole.2 But the reader of this volume hardly needs such help: the evidence in almost all its fullness lies before him. The setting of Cotton Mather's life may be sketched in a word. Son of Increase Mather, grandson of John Cotton, precocious both in learning and in piety, he was from boyhood — if ever he had a boyhood — the rising hope of Massachusetts orthodoxy. All his life of answering to that hope was spent 1 Cotton Mather: the Puritan Priest (Boston, 1891). a By Mr. Upham in his Salem Witchcraft (Boston, 1867) and his "Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather" (Historical Magazine, V.); Mr. Poole in his "Cotton Mather and Salem Witchcraft" (North American Review, CVIII.) and his chapter on "Witchcraft at Boston" (Memorial History of Boston, II.). To these should perhaps be added Mr. George H. Moore's pungent Notes on the Bibliography of Witchcraft in Massachusetts (American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, new series, V.); and of prime importance to the student is the Diary of Cotton Mather (Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, seventh series, VIL, VIII.), with the able notes of its editor, Mr. Worthington C. Ford, 91 92 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1689 in one long pastorate, that of the North Church, his father's church, his father his associate almost to the end. But pastor to him meant also student, politician, much besides. The Memorable Providences was among his earliest books: he was only twenty-seven at its publication. It was twice reprinted — in 1691 at London, under the changed title of Late Memorable Providences, with an added " recommendation " by Richard Baxter, and in 1697 at Edinburgh, under the old title.1 1 What seems in the list of Sibley (Harvard Graduates, III. 50) and in Sabin a reimpression of the book in 1690 with his Speedy Repentance Urged proves (on collation kindly made by the librarians of the John Carter Brown library) to be only a copy of the latter work bound up somewhat confusedly with a defective copy of the Memorable Providences (1689). MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts And Possessions. A Faithful Account of many Wonderful and Surprising Things, that have befallen several Bewitched and Possessed Persons in New-England. Particularly^ A Narrative of the marvellous Trouble and Releef Experienced by a pious Family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with Evil Spirits. Thereunto is added, a Discourse delivered unto a Congregation in Boston, on the Occasion of that Illustrious Providence. As also a Discourse delivered unto the same Congregation; on the occasion of an horrible Self-Murder Committed in the Town. With an Appendix, in vindication of a Chapter in a late Book of Remarkable Providences, from the Calumnies of a Quaker at Pen-silvania. rritten by Cotton Mather, Minister of the Gospel, and Recom- mended by the Ministers of Boston and Charleston.1 ^rinted at Boston in N. England by R. P. 1689. Sold by Joseph Brunning, at his Shop at the Corner of the Prison- Lane next the Exchange.2 To the Honourable Wait Winthrop Esq;3 BY the special Disposal and Providence of the Almighty k>d, there now comes abroad into the world a little History 1 Charlestown. 'Title-page of the original. 1 Wait Winthrop (1643-1717), son of Governor John Winthrop of Connecti- cut and grandson of Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts, was himself a man of weight in New England — jurist, member of the Massachusetts council, major-general of the provincial forces. We shall meet him as a member of the court at the Salem trials of 1692. 93 94 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1689 of several very astonishing Witchcrafts and Possessions, which partly my own Ocular Observation, and partly my undoubted Information, hath enabled me to offer unto the publick Notice of my Neighbours. It must be the Subject, and not the Man- ner or the Author of this Writing, that has made any people desire its Publication; For there are such obvious Defects in Both, as would render me very unreasonable, if I should wish about This or Any Composure of mine, 0 That it were printed in a book! But tho there want not Faults in the Discourse, to give me Discontent enough, my Displeasure at them will be recompensed by the Satisfaction I take in my Dedication of it; which I now no less properly than cheerfully make unto Your Self; whom I reckon among the Best of my Friends, and the Ablest of my Readers. Your Knowledge has Qualified You to make those Reflections on the following Relations, which few can Think, and tis not fit that all should See. How far the Platonic Notions of Daemons which were, it may be, much more espoused by those primitive Christians and Scholars that we call The Fathers, than they seem countenanced in the en- suing Narratives, are to be allow'd by a serious man, your Scriptural Divinity, join'd with Your most Rational Phi- losophy, will help You to judge at an uncommon rate. Had I on the Occasion before me handled the Doctrin of Daemons, or lanched forth into Speculations about magical Mysteries, I might have made some Ostentation, that I have read some- thing and thought a little in my time; but it would neither have been Convenient for me, nor Profitable for those plain Folkes, whose Edification I have all along aimed at. I have therefore here but briefly touch't every thing with an American Pen; a Pen which your Desert likewise has further Entitled You to the utmost Expressions of Respect and Honour from. Though I have no Commission, yet I am sure I shall meet with no Crimination, if I here publickly wish You all manner of Happiness, in the Name of the great Multitudes whom/you have laid under everlasting Obligations. Wherefore in the name of the many hundred Sick people, whom your charitable and skilful Hands have most freely dispens'd your no less generous than secret Medicines to; and in the name of Your whole Countrey, which hath long had cause to believe that you will succeed Your Honourable Father and Grandfather, 1689] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 95 in successful Endeavours for our Welfare; I say, In their Name, I now do wish you all the Prosperity of them that love Jerusalem. And whereas it hath been sometimes observed, That the Genius of an Author is commonly Discovered in the Dedicatory Epistle, I shall be content if this Dedicatory Epistle of mine, have now discovered me to be, (Sir) Your sincere and very humble Servant, C. MATHER. To the Reader. THE old Heresy of the sensual Sadducees, denying the Being of Angels either good or evil, died not with them; nor will it, whiles men (abandoning both Faith and Reason) count it their wisdom to credit nothing but what they see and feel. How much this fond opinion has gotten ground in this de- bauched Age is awfully observable; and what a dangerous stroak it gives to settle men in Atheism, is not hard to discern. God is therefore pleased (besides the witness born to this Truth in Sacred Writ) to suffer Devils sometimes to do such things in the world as shall stop the mouth of gainsayers, and extort a Confession from them. It has also been made a doubt by some, whether there are any such things as Witches, i. e., Such as by Contract or Ex- plicit Covenant with the Devil, improve, or rather are improved by him to the doing of things strange in themselves, and be- sides their natural Course. But (besides that the Word of God assures us that there have been such, and gives order about them) no Age passes without some apparent Demon- stration of it. For, Though it be Folly to impute every dubi- ous Accident, or unwonted Effect of Providence, to Witch- craft; yet there are some things which cannot be excepted against, but must be ascribed hither. Angels and Men not being made for civil Converse together in this world; and all Communion with Devils being inter- dicted us; their Nature also being spiritual, and the Word of God having said so little in that particular concerning their way of Acting; hence it is that we can disclose but a little of those Mysteries of Darkness; all reports that are from them- selves, or their Instruments, being to be esteemed as Illusion? , 96 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1689 or at least covered with Deceit, filled with the Impostures of the Father of Lies; and the effects which' come under our consideration being Mysterious, rather Posing than Inform- ing us. The Secrets also of God's Providence, in permitting Satan and his Instruments to molest His children, not in their Es- tates only, but in their Persons and their Posterity too, are part of His Judgments that are unsearchable, and His Wayes that are past finding out; only this we have good Assurance for, that they are among the All things that work together for their good. Their Graces are hereby tried, their Uprightness is made known, their Faith and Patience have their perfect work. Among the many Instances that have been of this kind, That which is Recorded in this Narrative, is worthy to be commended to the Notice of Mankind, it being a thing in it self full of Memorable passages, and faithfully recorded, according to the Truth in Matter of Fact, scarce any Instance being asserted in it, but what hath the Evidence of many credible Witnesses, did need require. Among others who had frequent Occasions to observe these things, the Reverend Author of this short History, was spirited to be more than ordinarily engaged in attending, and making particular Re- marks upon the several passages occurring therein, and hath accordingly written very little besides what Himself was an eye-witness of, together with others, and the rest was gathered up with much Accuracy and Caution. Its needless for us to insist upon the Commendation either of the Author or the Work; the former is known in the Churches, the latter will speak sufficiently for it self. All that we shall offer to stay the Reader from passing over to satisfy himself in that which follows, is only thus much, Viz., That the follow- ing Account will afford to him that shall read with Observation, a further clear Confirmation, That, There is both a God, and a Devil, and Witchcraft: That, There is no out-ward Afflic- tion, but what God may (and sometimes doth) permit Satan to trouble His people withal : That, The Malice of Satan and his Instruments, is very great against the Children of God: That, The clearest Gospel-Light shining in a place, will not keep some from entring hellish Contracts with infernal Spirits : 1689] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 97 That, Prayer is a powerful and effectual Remedy against the malicious practises of Devils and those in Covenant with them : That, They who will obtain such Mercies of God, must pray unto Perseverance : That, God often gives to His people some apparent Encouragements to their Faith in Prayer, tho He does not presently perfect the Deliverance sought for: That, God's Grace is able to support His Children, and pre- serve their Grace firm, under sorest and Continuing Troubles : That, Those who refuse the Temptation to use doubtful or Diabolical Courses, to get the Assaults of the Devil and his Agents removed, Choosing to Recommend all to God, and rather to endure Affliction, than to have it Removed to His Dishonour, and the wounding of their own Consciences, never had cause to repent of it in the end. And if these observations, together with the solemn Im- provement made of this stupend1 Providence, in the perti- nent and Judicious Sermons annexed, may but obtain a due Impression on the hearts of such as shall peruse them, whether young or old; as therein will be their profit, so shall their Labour turn to the Praise of God, fully satisfie the Author for all his Care and Industry, and answer his sincere Aims: for which good Success we Commend it to the Blessing of God, to be followed with the importunate Prayers of us, who have been Eye- and Ear-witnesses of many of the most considerable things Related in the ensuing Narrative. CHARLES MORTON. JAMES ALLEN. JOSHUA MOODEY. SAMUEL WiLLARD.2 The Introduction. IT was once the Mistake of one gone to the Congregation of the Dead, concerning the Survivers, // one went unto them Stupendous: this shorter spelling (cf. "reverend") was then current. 2 Morton was minister of Charlestown, Allen of the First Church in Boston, where Moodey, driven from Portsmouth (see pp. 31, 34, and 187, note 3), was now his associate, and Willard (see pp. 21, 22, 184, and 186, note 3) of the South Church. The North Church, the only other, was Mather's own; and his father, who was his colleague there, was now in England. Moodey had himself, in a letter to Increase Mather of October 4, 1688 (Mather Papers, pp. 367^ 368), written a brief account of the bewitchment of the Goodwin childreq, 98 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES from Af dead, Aey vM repent. The blessed God hath made some to come from the Damned, for the Conviction (may it aho be for the Conversion) of us that are yet alive. The Devils thfiiwhes are by Compulsion come to confute the Atheism and Sadducism, and to reprove the Madness of un- godly men. Those condemned prisoners of our Atmosphere have not realty sent Letters of Thanks from Hell, to those that are on Earth, promoting of their Interest, yet they have been forced, as of old. To confess that Jesus was the Holy one of God, so of late, to declare that Sin and Vice are the things which they are delighted in. But should one of those hideous Wights appear visibly with fiery chains upon him, and utter fy his roarings and his warnings in one of our Congrega- rt would not produce new Hearts in those whom the Sciiptuica handled in our Ministry do not affect. However it becomes the Embassadors of the L.1 Jesus to leave no stroke untouch't that may conduce to bring men from the power of Satan unto God; and for this cause it is, that I have permitted the t**mng Histories to be published. They contain Things of undoubted Certainty, and they suggest Things of Impor- tance uneoneeiveable. Indeed they are only one Head of Col- lections which in my tittle time of Observation I have made of Memorable Providences, with Reflections thereupon, to be reserved among other effects of my Diversion from my more stated and more weary Studies. But I can with a Content- ment beyond meer Patience give these rescinded Sheets unto the Stationer, when I see what pains Mr. Baxter,5 Mr. Glan- vfl,a Dr. More,4 and several other Great Names have taken to publish Histories of Witchcrafts and Possessions unto the world. I said, Let me also run after them : and this with the more Alacrity because, I have tidings ready. Go then, my tittle Book, as a Lackey* to the more elaborate Essayes of The Cer- 1601; but, as he the Atheists, Sad- ure of the Reality he had far 4 Hear? Mote (see p. 5, above). aVJBJ C. MATHER, MEMORABLE FRQYIDESCIS those leaned no. Go tell Mankind, that there are Denb and Witches; and that tho those miff* lank least appear where the Day-light of the Gospel comes, yet Xew-EngL has had Exemples of their Existence and Operation; and that not only the Wigwams of T-ruBa^ where the pagan PwMsaf often raise their mafltrn*,* in the iitaprn of Bean and Snakes and fires, bat the Houses of naiajianm, where oar God has had Hip constant Worship- have mult jgnai the Annoyance of Evil spirits. Go tell the world. What Prayers can do beyond all Devils and Witches, and What it is that these Me love to do : and though the Damons in the ^•rP*>IMi* of era! standexs-by threatned much disgrace to thy A^iW»^ jf he let thee cone abroad, jet venture Hat, and in this way seek a just Revenge on Them for the Disturbance they have given to such as have called on the Name of God. Section L There dwells at this time, in the south ptart of Boston, a sober and pious man. whose Name is John Goodwin, whose Trade is that of a **••»»•, and whc*- _: - : : which a. Good Report gives a share with him in aH the Characters of Yertoe) has made him the Father of air (BOW living) fanVlii n Of these Children, all but the Eldest, who wotks with his father at his Calling, and the Youngest, who lives yet upon the Breast of its "•"4***'., have laboured under the direful effects of a (no less palpahlr than) stupendous W&AermfL Indeed that exempted Son had also, as was thnqejn% some lighter touches of it , in unaccountable stabbs and pains now and then upon him; as indeed every person in the Family aft some time or other had, except the godly Father, and the norkfng Infant, who never fdt any apprpssiorts of it. Bat these Four Children T t~Mmml w^re handled in so sad and strange a manmr, as has given matter of DavoBBse and Won- der to all the Countrey, and of History not naworthy to be • - 2r _je^-?_Jt ••• • "Tj? : 7. f .. the de^rfls: to tie ti«ja worship v«s devil 100 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 considered by more than all the serious or the curious Readers in this New-English World. Sect. II. The four Children (whereof the Eldest was about Thirteen, and the youngest was perhaps about a third part so many years of age1) had enjoyed a Religious Education, and answered it with a very towardly Ingenuity.2 They had an observable Affection unto Divine and Sacred things; and those of them that were capable of it, seem'd to have such a Resentment3 of their eternal Concernments as is not altogether usual. Their Parents also kept them to a continual Employ- ment, which did more than deliver them from the Temptations of Idleness, and as young as they were, they took a delight in it, it may be as much as they should have done. In a word, Such was the whole Temper and Carriage of the Children, that there cannot easily be any thing more unreasonable, than to imagine that a Design to Dissemble could cause them to fall into any of their odd Fits; though there should not have happened,4 as there did, a thousand Things, wherein it was perfectly impossible for any Dissimulation of theirs to produce what scores of spectators were amazed at. Sect. III. About Midsummer, in the year 1688, the Eldest of these Children, who is a Daughter, saw cause to examine their Washerwoman, upon their missing of some Linnen, which twas fear'd she had stollen from them; and of what use this linnen might bee to serve the Witchcraft intended, the Thcef 's Tempter knows! This Laundress was the Daughter of an ignorant and a scandalous old Woman in the Neighbourhood; whose miserable Husband before he died, had sometimes com- plained of her, that she was undoubtedly a Witch, and that whenever his Head was laid, she would quickly arrive unto the punishments due to such an one. This Woman in her daughters Defence bestow'd very bad Language upon the Girl that put her to the Question; immediately upon which, the 1 Martha was 13, John 11, Mercy 7, Benjamin 5, the elder son (Nathaniel) 15, the baby (Hannah) six months old, when the narrative opens (midsummer, 1688). (Savage, Genealogical Dictionary, and Boston records.) 1 7. e., with encouraging promise. */. e., feeling, realization — in the religious cant of to-day, "a realizing sense." 4 7. e., even if there had not happened. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 101 poor child became variously indisposed in her health, and visited with strange Fits, beyond those that attend an Epilepsy, or a Catalepsy, or those that they call The Diseases of Aston- ishment.1 Sect. IV. It was not long before one of her Sisters, and two of her Brothers, were seized, in Order one after another, with Affects2 like those that molested her. Within a few weeks, they were all four tortured every where in a manner so very grievous, that it would have broke an heart of stone to have seen their Agonies. Skilful Physicians were consulted for their Help, and particularly our worthy and prudent Friend Dr. Thomas Oakes,3 who found himself so affronted4 by the Distempers of the children, that he concluded nothing but an hellish Witchcraft could be the Original5 of these Maladies. And that which yet more confirmed such Apprehension was, That for one good while, the children were tormented just in the same part of their bodies all at the same time together; and tho they saw and heard not one anothers complaints, tho like- wise their pains and sprains were swift like Lightening, yet when (suppose) the Neck, or the Hand, or the Back of one was Rack't, so it was at that instant with t'other too. Sect. V. The variety of their tortures increased continu- ally; and tho about Nine or Ten at Night they alwaies had a Release from their miseries, and ate and slept all night for the most part indifferently well, yet in the day time they were handled with so many sorts of Ails, that it would require of us almost as much time to Relate them all, as it did of them to Endure them. Sometimes they would be Deaf, sometimes Dumb, and sometimes Blind, and often, all this at once. One while their Tongues would be drawn down their Throats; another-while they would be pull'd out upon their Chins, to a prodigious length. They would have their Mouths opened unto such a Wideness, that their Jaws went out of joint; and 1 1. e., stupefaction : diseases that rob one of his wits. It should not be forgotten, here or later, that the author had once, while his stammering seemed to bar him from the ministry, begun the study of medicine. 2 Affections, ailments. 3 Dr. Oakes (1644-1719) was the locally eminent physician who in 1689 became speaker of the legislature and in 1690 was sent as a colonial deputy to England. 4 Nonplussed, dumbfounded. 5 Origin. 102 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 anon they would clap together again with a Force like that of a strong Spring-Lock. The same would happen to their Shoulder-Blades, and their Elbows, and Hand-wrists, and several of their joints. They would at times ly in a benummed condition; and be drawn together as those that are ty'd Neck and Heels;1 and presently be stretched out, yea, drawn Back- wards, to such a degree that it was fear'd the very skin of their Bellies would have crack'd. They would make most pitteous out-cries, that they were cut with Knives, and struck with Blows that they could not bear. Their Necks would be broken, so that their Neck-bone "would seem dissolved unto them that felt after it; and yet on the sudden, it would become again so stiff that there was no stirring of their Heads; yea, their Heads would be twisted almost round; and if main Force at any time obstructed a dangerous motion which they seem'd to be upon, the)7 would roar exceedingly. Thus they lay some weeks most pittiful Spectacles; and this while as a further Demonstration of Witchcraft in these horrid Effects, when I went to Prayer by one of them, that was very desireous to hear what I said, the Child utterly lost her Hearing till our Prayer was over. Sect. VI. It was a Religious Family that these Afflictions happened unto; and none but a Religious Contrivance to obtain Releef, would have been welcome to them. Many superstitious proposals were made unto them, by persons that were I know not who, nor what, with Arguments fetch't from I know not how much Necessity and Experience; but the dis- tressed Parents rejected all such counsils, with a gracious Reso- lution, to oppose Devils with no other weapons but Prayers and Tears, unto .Him that has the Chaining of them ; and to 1 "Tied neck and heels" was doubtless at first, as the lexicographers under- stand it, only a phrase for the securest method of fettering; but it had now be- come a name for what was (in defiance of English law) a method of torture. For its use at Salem see p. 363, note 2, below. Jardine says ( The Use of Torture in the Criminal Law of England, p. 37 ff.) that there is now shown in the Tower of London a device "which compressed the neck of the sufferer down toward his feet," and he thinks this may be that torture of "the manacles" often mentioned in the English state trials of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and meant by Shakespeare, when he makes Prospero say: "I'll manacle thy neck and feet together." In Virginia tying neck and heels was in the seventeenth century a penalty imposed by the courts. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 103 try first whether Graces were not the best things to encounter Witchcrafts with. Accordingly they requested the four Min- isters of Boston, with the Minister of Charlstown, to keep a Day of Prayer at their thus haunted house; which they did in the Company of some devout people there. Immediately upon this Day, the youngest of the four children was delivered, and never felt any trouble as afore. But there was yet a greater Effect of these our Applications unto our God! Sect VII. The Report of the Calamities of the Family for which we were thus concerned, arrived now unto the ears of the Magistrates, who presently and prudently apply'd themselves, with a just vigour, to enquire into the story. The Father of the Children complained of his Neighbour, the sus- pected ill woman, whose name was Glover; and she being sent for by the Justices, gave such a wTetched Account of her self, that they saw cause to commit her unto the Gaolers Cus- tody. Goodwin had no proof that could have done her any Hurt; but the Hag had not power to deny her interest in the Enchantment of the Children; and when she was asked, Whether she believed there was a God? her Answer was too blasphemous and horrible for any Pen of mine to mention. An Experiment was made, Whether she could recite the Lords Prayer; and it was found, that tho clause after clause was most carefully repeated unto her, yet when she said it after them that prompted her, she could not possibly avoid making Non- sense of it, with some ridiculous Depravations. This Experi- ment I had the curiosity since to see made upon two more, and it had the same Event. Upon the Commitment of this extraordinary Woman, all the Children had some present ease; until one (related unto her) accidentally meeting one or two of them, entertain 'd them with her Blessing, that is, Railing; upon which Three of them fell ill again, as they were before. Sect. VIII. It was not long before the Witch thus in the Trap, was brought upon her Tryal; at which, thro' the Efficacy of a Charm, I suppose, used upon her, by one or some of her Crue,1 the Court could receive Answers from her in none but the Irish, which was her Native Language; altho she under- stood the English very well, and had accustomed her whole Family to none but that Language in her former Conversa- 1 Crew. KM NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 tion; and therefore the Communication between the Bench and the Bar,1 was now cheefly convey'd by two honest and faithful men that were interpreters. It was long before she could with any direct Answers plead unto her Indictment; and when she did plead, it was with Confession rather than Denial of her Guilt. Order was given to search the old womans house, from whence there were brought into the Court, several small Images, or Puppets, or Babies, made of Raggs, and stuff't with Goat's hair, and other such Ingredients. When these were produced, the vile Woman acknowledged, that her way to torment the Objects of her malice, was by wetting of her Finger with her Spittle, and streaking of those little Images. The abused Children were then present, and the Woman still kept stooping and shrinking as one that was almost prest to Death with a mighty Weight upon her. But one of the Images being brought unto her, immediately she started up after an odd manner, and took it into her hand; but she had no sooner taken it, than one of the Children fell into sad Fits, before the whole Assembly. This the Judges had their just Apprehensions at; and carefully causing the Repetition of the Experiment, found again the same event of it. They asked her, Whether she had any to stand by her: She replied, She had; and looking very pertly in the Air, she added, No, He's gone. And she then confessed, that she had One, who was her Prince, with whom she maintain'd,! know not what Communion. For which cause, the night after, she was heard expostulating with a Devil, for his thus deserting her; telling him that Because he had served her so basely and falsly, she had confessed all. However to make all clear, The Court appointed five or six Physicians one evening to examine her very strictly, whether she were not craz'd in her Intellectuals, and had not procured to her self by Folly and Madness the Reputation of a Witch. Diverse hours did they spend with her; and in all that while no Discourse came from her, but what was pertinent and agreeable: particularly, when they asked her, What she thought would become of her soul? she reply'd "You ask me a very solemn Question, and I cannot well tell what to say to it." She own'd her self a Roman Catholick; and could recite her Pater Noster in Latin very 1 /. e., between the judges and the prisoner at the bar. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 105 readily; but there was one Clause or two alwaies too hard for her, whereof she said, "She could not repeat it, if she might have all the world." In the up-shot, the Doctors returned her Compos Mentis;1 and Sentence of Death was pass'd upon her. Sect. IX. Diverse dayes were passed between her being Arraigned and Condemned. In this time one of her Neigh- bours had been giving in her Testimony of what another of her Neighbours had upon her Death related concerning her. It seems one Howen about Six years before, had been cruelly bewitched to Death; but before she died, she called one Hughes unto her, Telling her that she laid her Death to the charge of Glover; That she had seen Glover sometimes come down her Chimney; That she should remember this, for within this Six years she might have Occasion to declare it. This Hughes now preparing her Testimony, immediately one of her children, a fine boy, well grown towards Youth, was taken ill, just in the same woful and surprising manner that Goodwins children were. One night particularly, The Boy said he saw a Black thing with a Blue Cap in the Room, Tormenting of him; and he complained most bitterly of a Hand put into the Bed, to pull out his Bowels. The next day the mother of the boy went unto Glover, in the Prison, and asked her, Why she tor- tured her poor lad at such a wicked rate? This Witch replied, that she did it because of wrong done to her self and her daughter. Hughes denied (as well she might) that she had done her any wrong. "Well then," sayes Glover, "Let me see your child and he shall be well again." Glover went on, and told her of her own accord, "I was at your house last night." Sayes Hughes, "In what shape?" Sayes Glover, "As a black thing with a blue Cap." Sayes Hughes, "What did you do there? " Sayes Glover, "with my hand in the Bed I tryed to pull out the boyes Bowels, but I could not." They parted; but the next day Hughes appearing at Court, had her Boy with her; and Glover passing by the Boy, expressed her good wishes for him; tho' I suppose, his Parent had no design of any mighty Respect unto the Hag, by having him with her there. But the Boy had no more Indispositions after. the Condemnation of the Woman. 1 Of sound mind. 106 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 Sect. X. While the miserable old Woman was under Con- demnation, I did my self twice give a visit unto her. She never denyed the guilt of the Witchcraft charg'd upon her; but she confessed very little about the Circumstances of her Confed- eracies with the Devils; only, she said, That she us'd to be at meetings, which her Prince and Four more were present at. As for those Four, She told who they were; and for her Prince, her account plainly was, that he was the Devil. She enter- tained me with nothing but Irish, which Language I had not Learning enough to understand without an Interpreter; only one time, when I was representing unto her That and How her Prince had cheated her, as her self would quickly find; she reply'd, I think in English, and with passion too, "If it be so, I am sorry for that!" I offer'd many Questions unto her, unto which, after long silence, she told me, She would fain give me a full Answer, but they would not give her leave. It was demanded, "They! Who is that They?" and she return'd, that They were her Spirits, or her Saints, (for they say, the same Word in Irish signifies both). And at another time, she in- cluded her two Mistresses, as she call'd them in that They, but when it was enquired, Who those two were, she fell into a Rage, and would be no more urged. I Sett before her the Necessity and Equity of her breaking her Covenant with Hell, and giving her self to the Lord Jesus Christ, by an everlasting Covenant; To which her Answer was, that I spoke a very Reasonable thing, but she could not do it. I asked her whether she would consent or desire to be pray'd for; To that she said, If Prayer would do her any good, shee could pray for her self. And when it was again pro- pounded, she said, She could not unless her spirits (or angels) would give her leave. However, against her will I pray'd with her, which if it were a Fault it was in excess of Pitty. When I had done, shee thank'd me with many good Words; but I was no sooner out of her sight, than she took a stone, a long and slender stone, and with her Finger and Spittle fell to tormenting it; though whom or what she meant, I had the mercy never to understand. Sect. XI. When this Witch was going to her Execution, she said, the Children should not be relieved by her Death, for others had a hand in it as well as she; and she named one 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 107 among the rest, whom it might have been thought Natural Affection would have advised the Concealing of. It came to pass accordingly, That the Three children continued in their Furnace as before, and it grew rather Seven times hotter than it was. All their former Ails pursued them still, with an ad- dition of (tis not easy to tell how many) more, but such as gave more sensible Demonstrations of an Enchantment grow- ing very far towards a Possession by Evil spirits. Sect. XII. The Children in their Fits would still cry out upon They and Them as the Authors of all their Harm; but who that They and Them were, they were not able to de- clare. At last, the Boy obtain'd at some times a sight of some shapes in the room. There were Three or Four of 'em, the Names of which the child would pretend at certain seasons to tell; only the Name of One, who was counted a Sager Hag than the rest, he still so stammered at, that he was put upon some Periphrasis in describing her. A Blow at the place where the Boy beheld the Spectre was alwaies felt by the Boy himself in the part of his Body that answered what might be stricken at; and this tho his Back were turn'd; which was once and again so exactly tried, that there could be no Collu- sion in the Business. But as a Blow at the Apparition alwaies hurt him, so it alwaies help't him too; for after the Agonies, which a Push or Stab of That had put him to, were over, (as in a minute or 2 they would be) the Boy would have a respite from his Fits a considerable while, and the Hobgoblins dis- appear. It is very credibly reported that a wound was this way given to an Obnoxious woman in the town, whose name I will not expose: for we should be tender in such Relations, lest we wrong the Reputation of the Innocent by stories not enough enquired into. Sect. XIII. The Fits of the Children yet more arriv'd unto such Motions as were beyond the Efficacy of any natural Distemper in the World. They would bark at one another like Dogs, and again purr like so many Cats. They would some- times complain, that they were in a Red-hot Oven, sweating and panting at the same time unreasonably : Anon they would say, Cold water was thrown upon them, at which they would shiver very much. They would cry out of dismal Blowes with great Cudgels laid upon them; and tho' we saw no cud- 108 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 gels nor blowes, yet we could see the Marks left by them in Red Streaks upon their bodies afterward. And one of them would be roasted on an invisible Spit, run into his Mouth, and out at his Foot, he lying, and rolling, and groaning as if it had been so in the most sensible manner in the world ; and then he would shriek, that Knives were cutting of him. Sometimes also he would have his head so forcibly, tho not visibly, nail'd unto the Floor, that it was as much as a strong man could do to pull it up. One while they would all be so Limber, that it was judg'd every Bone of them could be bent. Another while they would be so stiff, that not a joint of them could be stir'd. They would sometimes be as though they were mad, and then they would climb over high Fences, beyond the Imagination of them that look'd after them. Yea, They would fly like Geese; and be carried with an incredible Swiftness thro the air, having but just their Toes now and then upon the ground, and their Arms waved like the Wings of a Bird. One of them, in the House of a kind Neighbour and Gentleman (Mr. Willis) flew the length of the Room, about 20 foot, and flew just into an Infants high armed Chair; (as tis affirmed) none seeing her feet all the way touch the floor. Sect. XIV. Many wayes did the Devils take to make the children do mischief both to themselves and others; but thro the singular Providence of God, they always fail'd in the attempts. For they could never essay the doing of any harm, unless there were some-body at hand that might prevent it; and seldome without first shrieking out, "They say, I must do such a thing!" Diverse times they went to strike furious Blowes at their tenderest and dearest friends, or to fling them down staires when they had them at the Top, but the warnings from the mouths of the children themselves, would still antici- pate what the Devils did intend. They diverse times were very near Burning or Drowning of themselves, but the Chil- dren themselves by their own pittiful and seasonable cries for Help, still procured their Deliverance: Which made me to Consider, Whether the Little ones had not their Angels, in the plain sense of Our Saviours Intimation. Sometimes, When they were tying their own Neck-clothes, their compelled hands miserably strangled themselves, till perhaps, the standers-by gave some Relief unto them. But if any small Mischief hap- 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 109 pen'd to be done where they were ; as the Tearing or Dirtying of a Garment, the Falling of a Cup, the breaking of a Glass or the like; they would rejoice extremely, and fall into a plea- sure and Laughter very extraordinary. All which things corn- par 'd with the Temper of the Children, when they are them- selves, may suggest some very peculiar Thoughts unto us. Sect. XV. They were not in a constant Torture for some Weeks, but were a little quiet, unless upon some incidental provocations; upon which the Devils would handle them like Tigres, and wound them in a manner very horrible. Par- ticularly, Upon the least Reproof of their Parents for any unfit thing they said or did, most grievous woful Heart-breaking Agonies would they fall into. If any useful thing were to be done to them, or by them, they would have all sorts of Troubles fall upon them. It would sometimes cost one of them an Hour or Two to be undrest in the evening, or drest in the morning. For if any one went to unty a string, or undo a Button about them, or the contrary; they would be twisted into such pos- tures as made the thing impossible. And at Whiles, they would be so managed in their Beds, that no Bed-clothes could for an hour or two be laid upon them; nor could they go to wash their Hands, without having them clasp't so odly to- gether, there was no doing of it. But when their Friends were near tired with Waiting, anon they might do what they would unto them. Whatever Work they were bid to do, they would be so snap't in the member which was to do it, that they with grief still desisted from it. If one ordered them to Rub a clean Table, they were able to do it without any disturbance; if to rub a dirty Table, presently they would with many Tor- ments be made uncapable. And sometimes, tho but seldome, they were kept from eating their meals, by having their Teeth sett when they carried any thing unto their Mouthes. Sect. XVI. But nothing in the World would so discompose them as a Religious Exercise. If there were any Discourse of God, or Christ, or any of the things which are not seen and are eternal, they would be cast into intolerable Anguishes. Once, those two Worthy Ministers Mr. Fisk1 and Mr. Thatcher,2 bestowing some gracious Counsils on the Boy, whom they then 1 The Rev. Moses Fiske (1642-1708), minister at Braintree. 2 The Rev. Peter Thacher (1651-1727), minister at Milton. 110 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 found at a Neighbours house, he immediately lost his Hearing, so that he heard not one word, but just the last word of all they said. Much more, All Praying to God, and Reading of His word, would occasion a very terrible Vexation to them: they would then stop their own Ears with their own Hands; and roar, and shriek; and holla, to drown the Voice of the Devotion. Yea, if any one in the Room took up a Bible to look into it, tho the Children could see nothing of it, as being in a croud of Spectators, or having their Faces another way, yet would they be in wonderful Miseries, till the Bible were laid aside. In short, No good thing must then be endured near those Children, Which (while they are themselves) do love every good thing in a measure that proclaims in them the Fear of God. Sect. XVII. My Employments were such, that I could not visit this afflicted Family so often as I would ; Wherefore, that I might show them what kindness I could, as also that I might have a full opportunity to observe the extraordinary Circumstances of the Children, and that I might be furnished with Evidence and Argument as a Critical Eye- Witness to confute the Saducism of this debauched Age; I took the Eldest of them home to my House. The young Woman continued well at our house, for diverse dayes, and apply'd her self to such Actions not only of Industry, but of Piety, as she had been no stranger to. But on the Twentieth of November in the Fore-noon, she cry'd out, "Ah, They have found me out! I thought it would be so!" and immediately she fell into her fits again. I shall now confine my Story cheefly to Her, from whose Case the Reader may shape some Conjecture at the Accidents of the Rest. Sect. XVIII. Variety of Tortures now siez'd upon the Girl; in which besides the forementioned Ails returning upon her, she often would cough up a Ball as big as a small Egg, into the side of her Wind-pipe, that would near choak her, till by Stroking and by Drinking it was carried down again. At the beginning of her Fits usually she kept odly Looking up the Chimney, but could not say what she saw. When I bad her Cry to the Lord Jesus for Help, her Teeth were instantly sett; upon which I added, "Yet, child, Look unto Him," and then her Eyes were presently pulled into her head, so farr, 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 111 that one might have fear'd she should never have us'd them more. When I prayed in the Room, first her Arms were with a strong, tho not seen Force clap't upon her ears; and when her hands were with violence pulTd away, she cryed out, "They make such a noise, I cannot hear a word!" She likewise com- plain'd, that Goody Glover's Chain was upon her Leg, and when she essay'd to go, her postures were exactly such as the chained Witch had before she died. But the manner still was, that her Tortures in a small while would pass over, and Frolicks succeed ; in which she would continue many hours, nay, whole days, talking perhaps never wickedly, but alwaies wittily, beyond her self; and at certain provocations, her Tortures would renew upon her, till we had left off to give them. But she frequently told us, that if she might but steal, or be drunk, she should be well immediately. Sect. XIX. In her ludicrous Fits, one while she would be for Flying; and she would be carried hither and thither, tho not long from the ground, yet so long as to exceed the ordinary power of Nature in our Opinion of it : another-while she would be for Diving, and use the Actions of it towards the Floor, on which, if we had not held her, she would have thrown her self. Being at this exercise she told us, That They said, she must go down to the Bottom of our Well, for there was Plate there, and They said, They would bring her safely up again. This did she tell us, tho she had never heard of any Plate there! and we ourselves who had newly bought the house, hardly knew of any; but the former Owner of the House just then coming in, told us there had been Plate for many years at the Bottom of the WeU. She had once a great mind to have eaten a roasted Apple, but whenever she attempted to eat it, her Teeth would be sett, and sometimes, if she went to take it up her Arm would be made so stiff, that she could not possibly bring her hand to her Mouth: at last she said, "Now They say, I shall eat it, if I eat it quickly"; and she nimbly eat it all up. Moreover, There was one very singular passion that frequently at- tended her. An Invisible Chain would be clapt about her, and shee, in much pain and Fear, cry out, When They began to put it on. Once I did with my own hand knock it off, as it began to be fastned about her. But ordinarily, When it was 112 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 on, shee'd be pull'd out of her seat with such violence towards the Fire, that it has been as much as one or two of us could do to keep her out. Her Eyes were not brought to be perpen- dicular to her feet, when she rose out of her Seat, as the Mech- anism of a Humane1 Body requires in them that rise, but she was one dragg'd wholly by other Hands : and once, When I gave a stamp on the Hearth, just between her and the Fire, she scream'd out, (tho I think she saw me not) that I Jarr'd the Chain, and hurt her Back. Sect. XX. While she was in her Frolicks I was willing to try, Whether she could read or no; and I found, not only That If she went to read the Bible her Eyes would be strangely twisted and blinded, and her Neck presently broken, but also that if any one else did read the Bible in the Room, tho it were wholly out of her sight, and without the least voice or noise of it, she would be cast into very terrible Agonies. Yet once Falling into her Maladies a little time after she had read the 59th Psalm, I said unto the standers by, "Poor child! she can't now read the Psalm she readd a little while ago," she listened her self unto something that none of us could hear and made us be silent for some few Seconds of a minute. Where- upon she said, "But I can read it, they say I shall!" So I show'd her the Psalm, and she readd it all over to us. Then said I, "Child, say Amen to it :" but that she could not do. I added, "Read the next:" but no where else in the Bible could she read a word. I brought her a Quakers Book; and That she could quietly read whole pages of; only the Name of God and Christ she still skip't over, being unable to pronounce it, except sometimes with stammering a minute or two or more upon it. When we urged her to tell what the word was that she missed, shee'd say, "I must not speak it; They say I must not, you know what it is, it's G and 0 and D;" so shee'd spell the Name unto us. I brought her again one that I thought was a Good Book; and presently she was handled with intolerable Torments. But when I show'd her a Jest- Book, as, The Oxford Jests, or the Cambridge Jests, she could read them without any Disturbance, and have witty Descants upon them too. I entertain'd her with a Book that pretends to prove, That there are no Witches; and that she could read 1 Human. "Humane" was then the current spelling. 1688J C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 113 very well, only the Name Devils, and Witches, could not be uttered by her without extraordinary Difficulty. I produced a Book to her that proves, That there are Witches, and that she had not power to read. When I readd in the Room the Story of Ann Cole,1 in my Fathers Remarkable Providences, and came to the Exclamation which the Narrative saies the Daemons made upon her, "Ah she runs to the Rock!" it cast her into inexpressible Agonies; and shee'd fall into them whenever I had the Expression of, "Running to the Rock," afterwards. A popish Book also she could endure very well; but it would kill her to look into any Book, that (in my Opinion) it might have bin profitable and edifying for her to be reading of. These Experiments were often enough repeated, and still with the same Success, before Witnesses not a few. The good Books that were found so mortal to her were cheefly such as lay ever at hand in the Room. One was the Quid to Heaven from the Word, which I had given her. Another of them was Mr. Wil- lard's little (but precious) Treatise of Justification. Diverse Books published by my Father I also tried upon her; partic- ularly, his Mystery of Christ; and another small Book of his about Faith and Repentance, and the day of Judgement. Once being very merrily talking by a Table that had this last Book upon it, she just opened the Book, and was imme- diately struck backwards as dead upon the floor. I hope I have not spoil'd the credit of the Books, By telling how much the Devils hated them. I shall therefore add, That my Grand- father Cottons Catechism called Milk for Babes, and The Assemblies Catechism, would bring hideous Convulsions on the Child if she look't into them; tho she had once learn't them with all the love that could be. Sect. XXI. I was not unsensible that this Girls Capacity or incapacity to read, was no Test for Truth to be determined by, and therefore I did not proceed much further in this fanci- ful Business, not knowing What snares the Devils might lay for us in the Tryals. A few further Tryals, I confess, I did make; but what the event of 'em was, I shall not relate, be- cause I would not offend. But that which most made me to wonder was, That one bringing to her a certain Prayer-Book, she not only could Read it very well, but also did read a large 1 See pp. 18-21, above. 114 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 part of it over, and calling it Her Bible, she took in it a deb'ght and put on it a Respect more than Ordinary. If she were going into her tortures, at the offer of this Book, she would come out of her fits and read ; and her Attendents were almost under a Temptation to use it as a Charm, to make and keep her quiet. Only, When she came to the Lords Prayer, (now and then occurring in this Book) she would have her eyes put out, so that she must turn over a new leaf, and then she could read again. Whereas also there are Scriptures in that Book, she could read them there, but if I shew'd her the very same Scriptures in the Bible, she should sooner Dy than read them. And she was likewise made unable to read the Psalms in an ancient meeter, which this prayer-book had in the same vol- umne with it. There were, I think I may say, no less than Multitudes of Witnesses to this odd thing; and I should not have been a faithful and honest Historian, if I had withheld from the World this part of my History: But I make no Reflections on it. Those inconsiderable men that are pro- voked at it (if any shall be of so little Sense as to be provoked) must be angry at the Devils, and not at me; their Malice, and not my Writing, deserves the Blame of any Aspersion which a true History may seem to cast on a Book that some have enough manifested their Concernment for. Sect. XXII. There was another most unaccountable Circumstance which now attended her; and until she came to our House, I think, she never had Experience of it. Ever now and then, an Invisible Horse would be brought unto her, by those whom she only called, "them," and, "Her Company": upon the Approach of Wliich, her eyes would be still closed up; for (said she) "They say, I am a Tell-Tale, and therefore they will not let me see them." Upon this would she give a Spring as one mounting an Horse, and Settling her self in a Riding- Posture — she would hi her Chair be agitated as one sometimes Ambleing, sometimes Trotting, and sometimes Galloping very furiously. In these motions we could not perceive that she was stirred by the stress of her feet, upon the ground; for often she touch't it not; but she mostly continued in her Chair, though sometimes in her hard Trott we doubted she would have been tossed over the Back of it. Once being angry at his Dulness, When she said, she would cut off his 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 115 head if she had a knife, I gave her my Sheath, wherewith she suddenly gave her self a stroke on the Neck, but complain'd, it would not cut. When she had rode a minute or two or three, shee'd pretend to be at a Rendezvous with Them, that were Her Company; there shee'd maintain a Discourse with them, and asking many Questions concerning her self, (for we gave her none of ours) shee'd Listen much, and Received An- swers from them that indeed none but her self perceived. Then would she return and inform us, how They did intend to handle her for a day or two afterwards, besides some other things that she enquired of them. Her Horse would sometimes throw her, with much Violence; but she would mount again; and one of the Standers-by once imagining them that were Her Company, to be before her (for she call'd unto them to stay for her) he struck with his Cane in the Air where he thought they were, and tho her eyes were wholly shutt, yet she cry'd out, that he struck her. Her Fantastic Journeyes were mostly performed in her Chair without removing from it; but sometimes would she ride from her Chair, and be carried odly on the Floor, from one part of the Room to another, in the postures of a Riding Woman. If any of us asked her, Who her Company were? She generally reply ed, I don't know. But If we were instant in our Demand, she would with some witty Flout or other turn it off. Once I said, "Child, if you can't tell their Names, pray tell me what Clothes they have on;" and the Words were no sooner out of my mouth, but she was laid for dead upon the Floor. Sect. XXIII. One of the Spectators once ask'd her, Whether she could not ride up stairs; unto which her Answer was, That she believe'd she could, for her Horse could do very notable things. Accordingly, when her Horse came to her again, to our Admiration she Rode (that is, was tossed as one that rode) up the stairs : there then stood open the Study of one belonging to the Family, into which entring, she stood immediately upon her Feet, and cry'd out, "They are gone; they are gone! They say, that they cannot, — God won't let 'em come here!" She also added a Reason for it, which the Owner of the Study thought more kind than true. And she presently and perfectly came to her self, so that her whole Discourse and Carriage was altered unto the greatest measure 116 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [168* of Sobriety, and she salt Reading of the Bible and Good Books, for a good part of the Afternoon. Her Affairs calling her anon to go down again, the Daemons were in a quarter of a minute as bad upon her as before, and her Horse was Wait- ing for her. I understanding of it, immediately would have her up to the study of the young man where she had been at ease before; meerly to try Whether there had not been a Fal- lacy in what had newly happened : but she was now so twisted and writhen, that it gave me much trouble to get her into my Arms, and much more to drag her up the stairs. She was pulled out of my hands, and when I recovered my Hold, she was thrust so hard upon me, that I had almost fallen back- wards, and her own breast was sore afterwards, by their Com- pressions to detain her; she seem'd heavier indeed than three of her self. With incredible Forcing (tho she kept Screaming, "They say I must not go in!") at length we pull'd her in; where she was no sooner come, but she could stand on her Feet, and with an altered tone, could thank me, saying, "now I am well." At first shee'd be somewhat faint, and say, She felt something go out of her; but in a minute or two, she could attend any Devotion or Business as well as ever in her Life; and both spoke and did as became a person of good Discretion. I was loth to make a Charm of the Room; yet some strangers that came to visit us, the Week after, desiring to see the Experiment made, I permitted more than two or three Repetitions of it; and it still succeded as I have declared. Once when I was assisting 'em in carrying of her up, she was torn out of all our hands; and to my self, she cry'd out, "Mr. M., One of them is going to push you dowTi the stairs, have a care." I remember not that I felt any Thrust or Blow; but I think I was unaccountably made to step down backward two or three stairs, and within a few hours she told me by whom it was. Sect. XXIV. One of those that had bin concerned for her Welfare, had newly implored the great God that the young woman might be able to declare whom she apprehended her self troubled by. Presently upon this her Horse returned, only it pestered her with such ugly paces, that she fell out with her Company, and threatned now to tell all, for their so abus- ing her. I was going abroad, and she said unto them that 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 117 were about her, "Mr. M. is gone abroad, my horse won't come back, till he come home; and then I believe" (said she softly,) " I shall tell him all." I staid abroad an hour or two, and then Returning, When I was just come to my Gate, before I had given the least Sign or Noise of my being there, she said, " My Horse is come!" and intimated, that I was at the Door. When I came in, I found her mounted after her fashion, upon her Aerial Steed; which carried her Fancy to the Journeys end. There (or rather then) she maintained a considerable Discourse with Her Company, Listening very attentively when she had propounded any Question, and receiving the Answers with impressions made upon her mind. She said; "Well what do you say? How many Fits more am I to have? — pray, can ye tell how long it shall be before you are hang'd for what you have done? — You are filthy Witches to my knowledge, I shall see some of you go after your sister; You would have killd me; but you can't, I don't fear you. — You would have thrown Mr Mather down stairs, but you could not. — Well! How shall I be To morrow? x Pray, What do you think of To morrow?— Fare ye well. — You have brought me such an ugly Horse, I am angry at you; I could find in my heart to tell all." So she began her homeward-paces; but when she had gone a little way, (that is a little while) she said, "01 have forgot one Question, I must go back again;" and back she rides. She had that day been diverse times warning us, that they had been contriving to do some harm to my Wife, by a Fall or a Blow, or the like ; and when she came out of her mysterious Journeys, she would still be careful concerning Her. Accordingly she now calls to her Company again, "Hark you, One thing more before we part ! What hurt is it you will do to Mrs Mather? will you do her any hurt?" Here she list'ned some time; and then clapping her hands, cry'd out, "0, I am glad on't, they can do Mrs. Mather no hurt : they try, but they say they can't." So she returns and at once, Dismissing her Horse, and opening her eyes, she call'd me to her, "Now Sir," (said she) "I'll tell you all. I have learn'd who they are that are the cause of my trouble, there's three of them," (and she named who) "if they were out of the way, I should be well. They 1 [In the margin:] "Note, on To morrow, the Ministers of the Town were to keep a day of Prayer at her Fathers House." 118 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1668 say, they can tell now how long I shall be troubled, But they won't. Only they seem to think, their power will be broke this Week. They seem also to say, that I shall be very ill To morow, but they are themselves terribly afraid of to morrow; They fear, that to morrow we shall be delivered. They say too, that they can't hurt Mrs. Mather, which I am glad of. But they said, they would kill me to night, if I went to bed before ten a clock, if I told a word." And other things did she say, not now to be recited. Sect. XXV. The Day following, which was, I think, about the twenty seventh of November, Mr. Morton of Charlestown, and Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard, and my self, of Boston, with some devout Neighbours, kept another Day of Prayer, at John Goodwin's house; and we had all the Children present with us there. The children were miserably tortured, while we laboured in our Prayers; but our good God was nigh unto us, in what we call'd upon Him for. From this day the power of the Enemy was broken; and the children, though Assaults after this were made upon them, yet were not so cruelly handled as before. The Liberty of the Children encreased daily more and more, and their Vexation abated by degrees; till within a little while they arrived to Perfect Ease, which for some weeks or months they cheerfully enjoyed. Thus Good it is for us to draw near to God. Sect. XXVI. Within a day or two after the Fast, the young Woman had two remarkable Attempts made upon her, by her invisible Adversaries. Once, they were Dragging her into the Oven that was then heating, while there was none in the Room to help her. She clap't her hands on the Mantle- tree1 to save her self; but they were beaten off; and she had been burned, if at her Out-cryes one had not come in from abroad for her Relief. Another time, they putt an unseen Rope with a cruel Noose about her Neck, Whereby she was choaked, until she was black in the Face; and though it was taken off before it had kill'd her, yet there were the red Marks of it, and of a Finger and a Thumb near it, remaining to be seen for a while afterwards. Sect. XXVII. This was the last Molestation that they gave her for a While; and she dwelt at my house the rest of 1 Mantelpiece, mantelshelf. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 119 the Winter, having by an obliging and vertuous Conversation, made her self enough Welcome to the Family. But within about a Fortnight, she was visited with two dayes of as Ex- traordinary Obsessions as any we had been the Spectators of. I thought it convenient for me to entertain my Congregation with a Sermon upon the memorable Providences which these Children had been concerned in. When I had begun to study my Sermon, her Tormentors again seiz'd upon her; and all Fryday and Saturday, did they manage her with a special Design, as was plain, to disturb me in what I was about. In the worst of her extravagancies formerly, she was more dutiful to my self, than I had reason to Expect, but now her whole carriage to me was with a Sauciness that I had not been us'd to be treated with. She would knock at my Study Door, affirming, That some below would be glad to see me; when there was none that ask't for me. She would call to me with multi- plyed Impertinencies, and throw small things at me wherewith she could not give me any hurt. Shee'd Hector me at a strange rate for the work I was at, and threaten me with I know not what mischief for it. She got a History that I had Written of this Witchcraft, and tho she had before this readd it over and over, yet now she could not read (I believe) one entire Sentence of it; but she made of it the most ridiculous Travesty in the World, with such a Fatness and excess of Fancy, to supply the sense that she put upon it, as I was amazed at. And she particularly told me, That I should quickly come to disgrace by that History. Sect. XXVIII. But there were many other Wonders be- held by us before these two dayes were out. Few tortures at- tended her, but such as were provoked; her Frolicks being the things that had most possession of her. I was in Latin telling some young Gentlemen of the Colledge, That if I should bid her Look to God, her Eyes would be put out, upon which her eyes were presently served so. I was in some surprize, When I saw that her Troublers understood Latin, and it made me willing to try a little more of their Capacity. We continu- ally found, that if an English Bible were in any part of the Room seriously look'd into, though she saw and heard nothing of it, she would immediately be in very dismal Agonies. We now made a Tryal more than once or twice, of the Greek New- 120 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 Testament, and the Hebrew Old Testament; and We still found, That if one should go to read in it never so secretly and silently, it would procure her that Anguish, Which there was no enduring of. But I thought, at length, I fell upon one in- ferior Language which the Daemons did not seem so well to understand. Sect. XXIX. Devotion was now, as formerly, the tern- blest of all the provocations that could be given her. I could by no means bring her to own, That she desired the mercies of God, and the prayers of good men. I would have obtained a Sign of such a Desire, by her Lifting up of her hand ; but she stirr'd it not : I then lifted up her hand my self, and though the standers-by thought a more insignificant thing could not be propounded, I said, "Child, If you desire those things, let your hand fall, when I take mine away :" I took my hand away, and hers continued strangely and stifly stretched out, so that for some time, she could not take it down. During these two dayes we had Prayers oftener in our Family than at other times; and this was her usual Behavior at them. The man that prayed, usually began with Reading the Word of God; which once as he was going to do, she call'd to him, "Read of Mary Magdelen, out of whom the Lord cast seven Devils." During the time of Reading, she would be laid as one fast asleep ; but when Prayer was begun, the Devils would still throw her on the Floor, at the feet of him that prayed. There would she lye and Whistle and sing and roar, to drown the voice of the Prayer; but that being a little too audible for Them, they would shutt close her Mouth and her ears, and yet make such odd noises in her Throat as that she her self could not hear our Cries to God for her. Shee'd also fetch very terrible Blowes with her Fist, and Kicks with her Foot at the man that prayed ; but still (for he had bid that none should hinder her) her Fist and Foot would alwaies recoil, when they came within a few hairs breadths of him just as if Rebounding against a Wall ; so that she touch'd him not, but then would beg hard of other people to strike him, and particularly she entreated them to take the Tongs and smite him ; Which not being done, she cryed out of him, "He has wounded me in the Head." But before Prayer was out, she would be laid for Dead, wholly sensless and (unless to a severe Trial) Breathless; with her 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 121 Belly swelled like a Drum, and sometimes with croaking Noises in it ; thus would she ly, most exactly with the stiffness and posture of one that had been two Days laid out for Dead. Once lying thus, as he that was praying was alluding to the words of the Canaanitess, and saying, "Lord, have mercy on a Daughter vexed with a Devil;" there came a big, but low voice from her, saying, "There's Two or Three of them" (or us!) and the standers-by were under that Apprehension, as that they cannot relate whether her mouth mov'd in speaking of it. When Prayer was ended, she would Revive in a minute or two, and continue as Frolicksome as before. She thus con- tinued until Saturday towards the Evening; when, after this man had been at Prayer, I charged all my Family to admit of no Diversion by her Frolicks, from such exercises as it was proper to begin the Sabbath with. They took the Counsel; and tho she essayed, with as witty and as nimble and as various an Application to each of them successively as ever I saw, to make them laugh, yet they kept close to their good Books which then called for their Attention. When she saw that, immediately she fell asleep; and in two or three hours, she waked perfectly her self; weeping bitterly to remember (for as one come out of a dream she could remember) what had befallen her. Sect. XXX. After this, we had no more such entertain- ments. The Demons it may be would once or twice in a Week trouble her for a few minutes with perhaps a twisting and a twink[ling] of her eyes, or a certain Cough which did seem to be more than ordinary. Moreover, Both she at my house, and her Sister at home, at the time which they call Christmas, were by the Daemons made very drunk, though they had no strong Drink (as we are fully sure) to make them so. When she began to feel her self thus drunk, she com- plain'd, "0 they say they will have me to keep Christmas with them! They will disgrace me when they can do nothing else!" And immediately the Ridiculous Behaviours of one drunk were with a wonderful exactness represented in her Speaking, and Reeling, and Spewing, and anon Sleeping, till she was well again. But the Vexations of the Children other- wise abated continually. They first came to be alwaies Quiet, unless upon Provoca- 122 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 tions. Then they got Liberty to work, but not to read : then further on, to read, but not aloud, at last they were wholly delivered; and for many Weeks remained so. Sect. XXXI. I was not unsensible, that it might be an easie thing to be too bold, and go too far, in making of Experi- ments : Nor was I so unphilosophical as not to discern many opportunityes of Giving and Solving many Problemes which the pneumatic Discipline1 is concerned in. I confess I have Learn't much more than I sought, and I have bin informed of some things relating to the invisible World, which as I did not think it lawful to ask, so I do not think it proper to tell; yet I will give a Touch upon one Problem commonly Discoursed of; that is, Whether the Devils know our Thoughts, or no? I will not give the Reader my Opinion of it, but only my Experiment. That they do not, was conjectured from this: We could cheat them when we spoke one thing, and mean't another. This was found when the Children were to be im- dressed. The Devils would still in wayes beyond the Force of any Imposture, wonderfully twist the part that was to be undress't, so that there was no coming at it. But, if we said, untye his neckcloth, and the parties bidden, at the same time, understood our intent to be, unty his Shooe ! The Neckcloth, and not the shooe, has been made strangely inaccessible. But on the other side, That they do, may be conjectured from This. I called the young Woman at my House by her Name, intend- ing to mention unto her some Religious Expedient whereby she might, as I thought, much relieve her self; presently her Neck was broke, and I continued watching my Opportunity to say what I designed. I could not get her to come out of her Fit, until I had laid aside my purpose of speaking what I thought, and then she reviv'd immediately. Moreover a young Gentleman visiting of me at my Study to ask my ad- vice about curing the Atheism and Blasphemy which he com- plained his Thoughts were more than ordinarily then infested with; after some Discourse I carried him down to see this Girl who was then molested with her unseen Fiends; but when he came, she treated him very coursly and rudely, asking him What he came to the house for? and seemed very angry at his 1 The science of spirits, pneumatology, i. e., the science of angels and demons. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 123 being there, urging him to be gone with a very impetuous Im- portunity. Perhaps all Devils are not alike sagacious. Sect. XXXII. The Last Fit that the young Woman had, was very peculiar. The Daemons having once again seiz'd her, they made her pretend to be Dying; and Dying truly we fear'd at last she was : She lay, she tossed, she pull'd just like one Dying, and urged hard for some one to dy with her, seem- ing loth to dy alone. She argued concerning Death, in strains that quite amazed us; and concluded, That though she was loth to dy, yet if God said she must, she must; adding some- thing about the state of the Countrey, which we wondred at. Anon, the Fit went over; and as I guessed it would be, it was the last Fit she had at our House. But all my Library never afforded me any Commentary on those Paragraphs of the Gospels, which speak of Demoniacs, equal to that which the passions of this Child have given me. Sect. XXXIII. This is the Story of Goodwins Children, a Story all made up of Wonders! I have related nothing but what I judge to be true. I was my self an Eye-witness to a large part of what I tell ; and I hope my neighbours have long thought, That I have otherwise learned Christ, than to ly unto the World. Yea, there is, I believe, scarce any one par- ticular, in this Narrative, which more than one credible Wit- ness will not be ready to make Oath unto. The things of most Concernment in it were before many Critical Observers; and the Whole happened in the Metropolis of the English America, unto a religious and industrious Family which was visited by all sorts of Persons, that had a mind to satisfy them- selves. I do now likewise publish the History, While the thing is yet fresh and New; and I challenge all men to detect so much as one designed Falshood, yea, or so much as one important Mistake, from the Egg to the Apple of it. I have Writ as plainly as becomes an Historian, as truly as becomes a Christian, tho perhaps not so profitably as became a Divine. But I am resolv'd after this, never to use but just one grain of patience with any man that shall go to impose upon me a Denial of Devils, or of Witches. I shall count that man Ig- norant who shall suspect, but I shall count him down-right Impudent if he Assert the Non-Existence of things which we have had such palpable Convictions of. I am sure he cannot 124 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1689 be a Civil, (and some will question whether he can be an honest man) that shall go to deride the Being of things which a whole Countrey has now beheld an house of pious people suffering not a few Vexations by. But if the Sadducee, or the Atheist, have no right Impressions by these Memorable Providences made upon his mind ; yet I hope those that know what it is to be sober will not repent any pains that they may have taken in perusing what Records of these Witchcrafts and Pos- sessions, I thus leave unto Posterity.1 Postscript. You have seen the Trouble and the Relief of John Good- wins Children. After which the Daemons were let loose to make a fresh Attacque upon them, tho not in a manner alto- gether so terrible and afflictive as what they had before sus- teined. All the Three Children were visited with some Re- turn of their Calamities; but the Boy was the Child which endured most in this New Assault.2 He had been for some While kindly entertained with Mr. Baily3 at Watertown, where he had enjoyed a long time of ease; the Devils having given him but little Disturbance, except what was for a short while after his first coming there. He no sooner came Home, but he began to be ill again, with diverse peculiar Circumstances attending lln 1697 the Boston merchant Calef wrote: "In the times of Sir Ed. Andros his Government, Goody Glover, a despised, crazy, ill-conditioned old Woman, an Irish Roman Catholick, was tried for afflicting Goodwins Children; by the Account of which Tryal, taken in Short-hand, for the use of the Jury, it may appear that the generality of her Answers were Nonsense, and her behaviour like that of one distracted. Yet the Drs. finding her as she had been for many Years, brought her in Compos Mentis; and setting aside her crazy Answers to some insnaring questions, the proof against her was wholly deficient : The Jury brought her Guilty. "Mr. Cotton Mather was the most active and forward of any Minister in the Country in those matters, taking home one of the Children, and managing such Intreagues with that Child, and after printing such an Account of the whole, in his Memorable Providences, as conduced much to the kindling those flames, that in Sir Williams time [1692] threatned the devouring this Country." (More Wonders of the Invisible World, pp. 151-152.) 1 John, now aged 12. The younger boy, Benjamin, it will be remembered, had early been "delivered" (§6, above). 1 The Rev. John Bailey, then minister at Watertown. 1689] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 125 of him. There was this particularly remarkable; That the Boy dream't he had a Bone within his skin growing cross his Ribs; and when he awaked, he felt and found a thing there which was esteem'd a Bone, by them that handled it; only every one wondered how it should be lodged there. An expert Chirurgeon, Dr. John Clark, being advis'd with about it, very dexterously took it out; and it prov'd not the imagined Bone, but a considerable Pin; a brass Pin, which could not possibly have come to ly there as it did, without the Prestigious1 Conveyance of a Misterious Witchcraft. Another time, on a Lord's Day his Father would have taken him to Meeting with him ; and when his Father spoke of going to some of the Assem- blies in the Town (particularly both the North and the South) the Boy would be cast into such Tortures and Postures, that he would sooner Dy than go out of doors; but if his Father spoke of going to others of the Assemblies in the Town, par- ticularly the Quakers, the boy in a moment would be as well as could be. The tryal of this was more than five times re- peated, and were it fully related, would be more than ten times Admired. Our Prayers for the Children were justly renewed, and I hope not altogether unanswered. Upon one Prayer over two of them, they had about a Fortnights ease; and their Ails again returning, Prayer was again awakened, with some Cir- cumstances not proper to be exposed unto the World. God gave a present Abatement hereupon to the Maladies of the Children, and caused their Invaders to retire; so that by de- grees they were fully and quickly Delivered. Two days of Prayer obtained the Deliverance of two. The Third, namely the Boy, Remaining under some Annoyance by the evil spirits, a third Day was employ'd for him, and he soon found the blessed effects of it in his Deliverance also. There were sev- eral very memorable things attending this Deliverance of the Children, and the Vowes and the Pleas, used in the Prayers which were thereby answerd, but they were all Private, yea, in a sort, Secret; Non est Religio ubi omnia patent ;2 and I understand (for I have some Acquaintance with him) That the 1 /. e., preternatural : the lying marvels of devils were counted "prestigious," not miraculous. 2 "Where there is no mystery, there is no religion." 126 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1689 Friend of the Children,1 whom God gave to be thus concerned and successful for them, desires me not to let Reports of those things go out of the Walls of a Study, but to leave them rather for the Notice of the other World. I think it will not be im- proper to tell the \Vorld, that one thing in the Childrens De- liverance was the strange Death of an horrible old Woman, who was presum'd to have a great hand in their Affliction.2 Before her Death and at it, the Aims-House where she lived was terrified with fearful noises, and she seem'd to have her Death hastened by dismal Blowes received from the invisible World. But having mentioned this, all that I have now to publish is That Prayer and Faith was the thing which drove the Divels from the Children; and I am to bear this Testimony unto the world, That the Lord is nigh to all them, who call upon him in truth, and, That blessed are all they that wait for Him. Finished, June 7th, 1689.' Mantissa. To the foregoing Narrative, we have added an account given us by the Godly Father of these Haunted Children; who upon his Reading over so much of our History, as was written of their Exercise before their full deliverance, was will- ing to express his Attestation to the Truth of it; with this further Declaration of the Sense which he had of the unusual Miseries, that then lay upon his Family. 'Tis in his own Style; but I suppose a Pen hath not commonly been managed with more cleanly Discourse by an Hand used only to the Trowel ; and his Condition hath been such, that he may fairly have Leave to speak. IN the year 1688, about Midsummer, it pleased the Lord to visit one of my children with a sore Visitation ; and she was 1 He is speaking, of course, of himself : the narrative (as must be inferred from § 27, above) was circulated in manuscript before its printing, and doubtless without the author's name. In revising it for the printer this page seems to have escaped his eye. 1 Who this second old woman was does not appear. 1 The story of the Goodwin children is retold by Mather in his Magnolia (1702), but without added details. 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 127 not only tormented in her Body, but was in great distress of Mind, Crying out, That she was in the dark concerning her Souls estate, and that she had mispent her precious time ; She and we thinking her time was near at an end. Hearing those Shrieks and Groans which did not only pierce the ears, but Hearts of her poor Parents, now was a time for me to Consider with my self, and to look into my own heart and life, and see how matters did there stand between God and my own soul, and see Wherefore the Lord was thus contending with me. And upon Enquiry I found cause to judge my self, and to justify the Lord. This Affliction continuing some time, the Lord saw good then to double the affliction in smiting down another Child, and that which was most heart breaking of all, and did double this double affliction was, it was apparent and judged by all that saw them, that the Devil and his Instru- ments had a hand in it. The consideration of this was most dreadful : I thought of what David said, 2 Sam. 24. 14. If he feared so to fall into the hands of Men, oh! then to think of the Horror of our con- dition, to be in the Hands of Devils and Witches! This our doleful condition moved us to call to our Friends to have pity on us, for Gods Hand had touched us. I was ready to say, that no ones affliction was like mine; That my little House that should be a little Bethel for God to dwell in, should be made a Den for Devils; that those little Bodies, that should be Temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in, should be thus harrassed and abused by the Devil and his cursed Brood. But now this twice doubled affliction is doubled again. Two more of my Children are smitten down, oh! the Cries, the Shrieks, the Tortures of these poor Children ! Doctors cannot help, Parents weep and lament over them, but cannot ease them. Now I considering my affliction to be more than ordi- nary, it did certainly call for more than ordinary Prayer. I acquainted Mr. Allen, Mr. Moodey, Mr. Willard, and Mr. C. Mather, the four Ministers of the Town with it, and Mr. Morton of Charlstown; earnestly desiring them, that they, with some other praying people of God, would meet at my house, and there be earnest with God, on the behalf of us and our Children ; which they (I thank them for it) readily attended with great fervency of Spirit; but as for my part, my heart 128 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 was ready to sink to hear and see those doleful Sights. Now I thought that I had greatly neglected my duty to my Children, in not admonishing and instructing of them; and that God was hereby calling my sins to mind, to slay my Children. Then I pondered of that place in Numb. 23. 23. Surely there is no Inchantment against Jacob, neither is there any Devination against Israel. And now I thought I had broke Covenant with God, not only in one respect but in many, but it pleased the Lerd to bring that to mind in Heb. 8. 12. For I mil be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their Sins and Iniquities will I remember no more. The Consideration how the Lord did deal with Job, and his Patience and the End the Lord made with him was some support to me. I thought also, on what David said, that He had sinned, but what have these poor Lambs done? But yet in the midd'st of my tumultous Thoughts within me, it was Gods Comforts that did delight my soul. That in the 18 of Luke, and the Beginning, Where Christ spake the Parable for that end, that men ought alwaies to pray and not faint. This, with many other places, bore up my spirit. I thought with Jonah that I would yet again Look towards God's holy Temple; the Lord Jesus Christ. And I did greatly desire to find the Son of God with me in this Furnace of Affliction, knowing hereby that no harm shall befall me. But now this solemn day of Prayer and Fasting being at an End, there was an Eminent Answer of it : for one of my Children was delivered, and one of the wicked instru- ments of the Devil discovered, and her own mouth condemned her, and so accordingly Executed. Here was Food for Faith, and great encouragement still to hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord; the Ministers still counselling and encouraging me to labour to be found in Gods way, commiting my case to him, and not to use any way not allowed in Gods Word. It was a thing not a little comfortable to us, to see that the people of God was so much concerned about our lamentable condition, remembering us at all times in their prayers, which I did look at as a token for good; but you must think it was a time of sore Temptation with us, for many did say, (yea, and some good people too) were it their case, that they would try some Tricks, that should give ease to their Children: But I thought for us to forsake the counsel of 1688] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 129 good old men, and to take the counsel of the young ones, it might ensnare our Souls, though for the present it might offer some relief to our Bodies; which was a thing I greatly feared; and my Children were not at any time free for doing any such thing. It was a time of sore affliction, but it was mixed with abundance of mercy, for my heart was many a time made glad in the house of Prayer. The Neighbourhood pitied us, and were very helpful to us : Moreover, though my Children were thus in every Limb and Joynt tormented by those Chil- dren of the Devil, they also using their tongues at their plea- sure, sometimes one way, sometimes another; yet the Lord did herein prevent them, that they could not make them speak wicked words, though they did many times hinder them from speaking good ones; had they in these Fits blasphemed the Name of the Holy God, this you may think would have been an heart-breaking thing to us the poor Parents; but God in his mercy prevented them, a thing worth taking notice of. Likewise they slept well a nights : And the Ministers did often visit us, and pray with us, and for us; and their love and pity was so great, their Prayers so earnest and constant, that I could not but admire at it. Mr. Mather particularly; now his bowels so yearned towards us in this sad condition, that he not only pray's with us, and for us, but he taketh one of my Children home to his own house; which indeed was but a troublesome guest, for such an one that had so. much work lying upon his hands and heart : He took much pains in this great Service, to pull this Child, and her Brother and Sister out of the hand of the Devil. Let us now admire and adore that Fountain the Lord Jesus Christ, from whence those streams come. The Lord himself will requite his labour of love. Our case is yet very sad, and doth call for more Prayer; and the good Ministers of this Town and Charlstown readily came, with some other good praying people to my house, to keep another Day of solemn Fasting and Prayer; which our Lord saith this kind goeth out by. My Children being all at home, the two biggest lying on the bed, one of them would fain have kicked the good men while they were wrestling with God for them, had not I held him with all my power and might; and sometimes he would stop his own ears. This you must needs think was a cutting thing to the poor parents. Now our hearts 130 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688 were ready to sink, had not God put under his everlasting arms of Mercy and helped us still to hope in his mercy, and to be quiet, knowing that He is God, and that it was not for the potsheards of the earth to strive with their Maker. Wrll might David say, that had not the Law of his God been his delight, he had perished in his Affliction. Now the Promises of God are sweet; God having promised, to hear the prayer of the destitute, and not to despise their prayer; and He will not fail the Expectation of those that wait on Him; but He hear- eth the cry of the poor and needy. These Jacobs came and wrestled with God for a Blessing on this poor Family, which indeed I hope they obtained, and may be now worthy of the Name Israel, who prevailed with God, and would not let Him go till He had blessed us. For soon after this, there were two more of my children delivered out of this horrible pit. Here was now a double mercy, and how sweet was it, knowing it came in Answer of Prayer! Now we see and know, it is not a vain thing to call on the name of the Lord. For He is a present help in the time of trouble; and we may boldly say the Lord has been our helper. I had sunk, but Jesus put forth His hand and bore me up. My Faith was ready to fail, but this was a support to me that Christ said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." And many other Promises were as Cordials to my drooping soul. And the Consideration of all those that ever came to Christ Jesus for Healing, that He healed their bodies, pardoned their Sins, and healed their Souls too; which I hope in God may be the fruit of this present Affliction. If God be pleased to make the Fruit of this Affliction to be to take away our sin, and cleanse us from iniquity, and to put us on with greater dili- gence to make our Calling and election sure, then, happy Affliction! The Lord said that I had need of this to awake me. I have found a prosperous Condition a dangerous Condition. I have taken notice and considered more of God's Goodness in these few weeks of Affliction, than in many years of Pros- perity. I may speak it with shame, so wicked and deceitful, and ungrateful is my heart, that the more God hath been doing for me, the less I have been doing for Him. My Returns have not been according to my Receivings. The Lord help me now to praise Him in heart, lip, and life. The Lord help us to see 1684] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 131 by this Visitation, what need we have to get shelter under the wing of Christ, to hast to the Rock, where we may be safe. We see how ready the Devils are to catch us, and torment our Bodies, and he is as diligent to ensnare our Souls, and that many waies; but let us put on all our spiritual Armour, and follow Christ the Captain of our Salvation; and tho we meet with the Cross, let us bear it patiently and cheerfully, for if Jesus Christ be at the one end, we need not fear the Heaft1 of it : if we have Christ we have enough; He can make His Rod as well as His Staffe to be a comfort to us; and we shall not want if we be the Sheep of Christ. If we want Afflictions we shall have them, and sanctified Afflictions are choice mercies. Now I earnestly desire the Prayer of all good people; That the Lord would be pleased to perfect that Work He hath begun, and make it to appear that Prayer is stronger than Witchcraft. JOHN GOODWIN. Decemb. 12, 1688. This is our First Example; and it is This which has occa- sioned the Publication of the Rest. Exemple II. Among those Judgments of God, which are a great Deep, I suppose few are more unfathomable than this, That pious and holy men suffer sometimes by the Force of horrid Witch- crafts, and hellish Witches are permitted to break thorough the Hedge which our Heavenly Father has made about them that seek Him. I suppose the Instances of this direful thing are Seldom, but that they are not Never we can produce very dismal Testimony. One, and that no less Recent than Awful, I shall now offer: and the Reader of it will thereby learn, I hope, to work out his own Salvation with Fear and Trembling. Sect. I. Mr. Philip Smith, aged about Fifty years, a Son of eminently vertuous Parents, a Deacon of the Church at Hadley, a Member of our General Court, an Associate in their County Court, a Select-man for the affairs of the Town, a Lieutenant in the Troop, and, which crowns all, a man for 1 Heft, weight. 132 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1684 Devotion and Gravity, and all that was Honest, exceeding exemplary; Such a man in the Winter of the Year 1684 was murdered with an hideous Witchcraft, which filled all those parts with a just astonishment. This was the manner of the Murder. Sect. II. He was concerned about Relieving the Indigen- cies of a wretched woman in the Town ; who being dissatisfied at some of his just cares about her, expressed her self unto him in such a manner, that he declared himself apprehensive of receiving mischief at her hands; he said, he doubted she would attempt his Hurt. Sect. III. About the beginning of January he began to be very Valetudinarious,1 labouring under those that seemed Ischiadick* pains. As his Illness increased on him, so his Goodness increased in him; the standers-by could in him see one ripening apace for another world; and one filled not onfy with Grace to an high degree, but also with Exceeding Joy. Such Weanedness from, and Weariness of the World, he shew'd, that he knew not (he said) whether he might pray for his continuance here. Such Assurance had he of the Divine Love unto him, that in Raptures he would cry out, "Lord, stay thy hand, it is enough, it is more than thy frail servant can bear!" But in the midst of these things, he uttered still an hard suspicion, That the ill Woman who had threatned him, had made impressions on him. Sect. IV. While he remained yet of a sound mind, he very sedately, but very solemnly charged his Brother to look well after him. Tho' he said he now understood himself, yet he knew not how he might be; "but be sure" (said he) "to have a care of me for you shall see strange things. There shall be a wonder in Hadley! I shall not be dead when it is thought I am!" This Charge |he pressed over and over; and after- wards became Delirious. Sect V. Being become Delirious, he had a Speech Inces- sant and Voluble beyond all imagination, and this in divers Tones and sundry voices, and (as was thought) in various languages. Sect. VI. He cryed out not only of sore pain, but also of sharp Pins, pricking of him : sometimes in his Toe, sometimes 1 Unwell. * Sciatic. 1684] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 133 in his Arm, as if there had been hundreds of them. But the people upon search never found any more than One. Sect. VII. In his Distresses he exclaimed very much upon the Woman afore-mentioned, naming her, and some others, and saying, " Do you not see them ; There, There, There they stand." Sect. VIII. There was a strong smell of something like Musk, which was divers times in the Room where he was, and in the other Rooms, and without the House; of which no cause could be rendred. The sick-man as well as others, complained of it; and once particularly, it so siez'd an Apple Roasting at the Fire, that they were forced to throw it away. Sect. IX. Some that were about him, being almost at their wits end, by beholding the greatness and the strange- ness of his Calamities, did three or four times in one Night, go and give Disturbance to the Woman that we have spoken of: all the while they were doing of it, the good man was at ease, and slept as a weary man; and these were all the times they perceived him to take any sleep at all. Sect. X. A small Galley-Pot 1 of Alkermes,2 that was near full, and carefully look't after, yet unto the surprize of the people was quite emptied, so that the sick man could not have the Benefit of it. Sect. XL Several persons that sat by him heard a Scratch- ing, that seem'd to be on the Ticking near his feet, while his Feet lay wholly still; nay, were held in the hands of others, and his hands were far of 3 another way. Sect. XII. Sometimes Fire was seen on the Bed, or the Covering, and when the Beholders began to discourse of it, it would vanish away. Sect. XIII. Diverse people felt something often stir in the Bed, at some distance from his Body. To appearance, the thing that stirr'd was as big as a Cat : some try'd to lay hold on it with their hands, but under the Covering nothing could be found. A discreet and sober Woman, resting on the Beds Feet, felt as it were a Hand, the Thumb and the Finger of it, taking her by the side, and giving her a Pinch; but turning to see What it might be, nothing was to be seen. 1 A glazed earthen pot, such as apothecaries use. 1 A once famous confect made from the kermes insect, then thought a berry. a Off. 134 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1684 Sect. XIV. The Doctor standing by the sick man, and seeing him ly still, he did himself try to lean on the Beds-head; but he found the Bed to shake so, that his head was often knocked against the Post, though he strove to hold it still; and others upon Tryal found the same. Also, the sick man lying too near the side of the Bed, a very strong and stout man try'd to lift him a little further into the Bed; but with all his might he could not; tho' trying by and by, he could lift a Bed-stead, with a Bed, and man lying on it, all, without any strain to himself at ah1. Sect. XV. Mr. Smith dyes. The Jury that viewed the Corpse found a Swelling on one Breast, which rendered it like a Womans. His Privities were wounded or burned. On his back, besides Bruises, there were several pricks, or holes, as if done with Awls or Pins. Sect. XVI. After the Opinion of all had pronounc'd him dead, his Countenance continued as Lively as if he had been Alive; his Eyes closed as in a slumber; and his nether Jaw not falling down. Thus he remained from Satureday morning about Sun-rise, till Sabbath-Day in the After-noon, When those that took him out of the Bed found him still Warm, though the Season was as Cold as had almost been known in an Age. On the Night after the Sabbath, his Countenance was yet as fresh as before; but on Monday Morning, they found the Face extremely tumified and discoloured; 'twas black and blue, and fresh blood seem'd to run down his Cheek in the Hairs. Sect. XVII. The night after he died, a very credible per- son, watching of the Corpse, perceived the Bed to move and stir, more than once; but by no means could find out the cause of it. Sect. XVIII. The second night, some that were preparing for the Funeral do say, That they heard diverse Noises in the Room, where the Corpse lay ; as though there had been a great Removing and Clattering of stools and chairs. Upon the whole, it appeared unquestionable that Witch- craft had brought a period unto the life of so good a man.1 1 This story, too, is told again in the Magnolia, and in nearly the same words. 1648] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 135 Exemple IV. So Horrid and Hellish is the Crime of Witchcraft, that were Gods Thoughts as our thoughts, or Gods Wayes as our wayes, it could be no other but Unpardonable. But that the Grace of God may be admired, and that the worst of Sinners may be encouraged, Behold, Witchcraft also has found a Pardon. Let no man Despair of his own Forgiveness, but let no man also Delay about his own Repentance, how aggravated soever his Transgressions are. From the Hell of Witchcraft our merciful Jesus can fetch a guilty Creature to the Glory of Heaven. Our Lord hath sometimes Recovered those who have in the most horrid manner given themselves away to the De- stroyer of their souls. Sect. I. There was one Mary Johnson tryed at Hartford, in this Countrey, upon an Indictment of Familiarity with the Devil. She was found Guilty of the same, cheefly upon her own Confession, and condemned. Sect. II. Many years are past since her Execution; and the Records of the Court are but short; yet there are several Memorables that are found credibly Related and Attested concerning her.1 Sect. III. She said, That a Devil was wont to do her many services. Her Master once blam'd her for not carrying out the Ashes, and a Devil did clear the Hearth for her after- wards. Her Master sending her into the Field, to drive out 1 A Mary Johnson was indicted for witchcraft at Hartford in 1648; but the records of her case are now much shorter than in Mather's day, for they consist of a single entry of the Particular Court, December 7, 1648 (Colonial Records of Connecticut, I. 171), stating that "the Jury finds the Bill of Inditement against Mary Jonson, that by her owne confession shee is guilty of familiarity with the Devill." It has been inferred that she was of Wethersfield because an earlier passage (Records, I. 143) shows that in 1646 a woman of the name was sentenced, for thievery, to be whipped both at Hartford and at Wethersfield; and later passages (Records, I. 209, 222, 226, 332) providing (May 21, 1650) for the pay- ment of "charges for Elizabeth Johnson's imprisonment to the first Thursday of next month, being 24 weeks," and for the care of "Goodwife Johnson's child, which was borne in the prison," have been supposed to refer to her, but Mather's account alone tells us of her execution and something of the evidence. The story is told by him again in his Magnolia, but in substantially the same words. His knowledge doubtless came through Mr. Stone. 136 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1658? the Hogs that us'd to break into it, a Devil would scowre them out, and make her laugh to see how he feaz'd 'em about. Sect. IV. Her first Familiarity with the Devils came by Discontent; and Wishing the Devil to take That and t'other Thing; and, The devil to do This and That; Whereupon a Devil appeared unto her, tendring her the best service he could do for her. Sect. V. She confessed that she was guilty of the Murder of a Child, and that she had been guilty of Uncleanness with Men and Devils. Sect VI. In the time of her Imprisonment, the famous Mr. Samuel Stone1 was at great pains to promote her Con- version unto God, and represent unto her both her Misery and Remedy; the Success of Which, was very desirable, and con- siderable. Sect. VII. She was by most Observers judged very Peni- tent, both before and at her Execution; and she went out of the World with many Hopes of Mercy through the Merit of Jesus Christ. Being asked, what she built her hopes upon; She answered, on those \Vords, Come to me att ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I mil give you Rest', and those, There is a Fountain open for Sin and for Uncleanness. And she died in a Frame extremely to the Satisfaction of them that were Spectators of it. Our God is a great Forgiver. Exempk V. The near Affinity between Witchcraft and Possession in- vites me to add unto the Foregoing Histories One that the Reader, I believe, will count worthy to be Related. It is but a Fragment of what should have been a fuller Story; but I cannot without some Trouble or delay inconsistent with my present Designs put my self in a way to perfect it : and I was of the Opinion that, Let nothing be lost, was a Rule which I might very properly extend unto it. The thing happened many (perhaps Thirty) years ago, and was then much dis- coursed of. I don't Remember, that I have heard what became of the Boy concerned in the Narrative, but what I now pub- 1 See above, p. 19, note 2. 1658?] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 137 lish, I find among the Papers of my Grand-father,1 of Whom the World has had such a Character, that they cannot but judge, no Romance or Folly, nothing but what should be serious and weighty could be worthy of his Hand ; and it is in his own Hand that I have the Manuscript, from whence I have caused it to be Transcribed. It runs in such Terms as these. A Confession of a Boy at Tocutt; 2 in the time of the Intermission of his Fits: and other Passages, which many were Eye-witnesses of. The Boy was for his natural Parts more than ordinary at seven years old. He with many others went to see a Conjurer play Tricks in Holland. There it was strongly suggested to him, He should be as good an Artist as he. From thence to eleven year old he used the Trade of inventing Lyes, and Stealing mony, Running away from his Father, spending of it at Dice, and with the vilest Company; and this Trade he used in that space (he confessed) above Forty times at least, and many strange Instances he gives of it. His Father following him with constant Instruction, and Correction, he was despertely hardned under all, and his heart sett in a way of Malice against the Word of God, and all his Father did to restrain him. When he was about ten or eleven years old, he ran away from Rotter- dam, to Delph;3 and the Devil appeared to him there in the shape of a Boy, counselling him not to hearken to the Word of God, nor unto any of his Father's Instructions, and propounding to him, to Enter into a Covenant with him. Being somewhat fearful at first, desired that he would not appear to him in a shape, but by a voice, and though his heart did inwardly consent, to what the Devil said, yet he was withheld that he could not then Enter into a Covenant with him. His Father not knowing this, but of his other Wickedness, being a godly Minister, procured many Christians to join with him in a day of Humiliation; confessed and bewailed his Sins, prayed for him, and sent him to New-E.4 and so committed him to God. From that time to this, being now about Sixteen years old, the Devil hath constantly come to him by a voice; and he held a constant Discourse with him; and all about Entring into a Covenant with him: and still perswaded to have it written and sealed, making many promises to allure him, and telling him many Stories of Dr. Faustus, 1 Whether his grandfather Mather or his grandfather Cotton does not ap- pear. The contents suggest a suspicion that the original author was nearer the boy than either — perhaps the Rev. John Davenport, of New Haven. 2 Later Branford — just east of New Haven and within its government. 8 Delft. 4 New England. 138 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1658? and other Witches, how bravely they have lived, and how he should live deliciously, and have Ease, Comfort, and Money; and some- times threatning to tear him in pieces if he would not. But ordi- narily his discourse was as loving and friendly as could be. He hath been strangely kept, by an hand of God, from making a Covenant to this day. For he still propounded many Difficulties to the Devil, which he could not satisfie his Reason in : and though, he saith, he was never well but when he was Discoursing with the devil, and his heart was strangely enclined to write and seal an Agreement, yet such dreadfull horrour did seiz upon him, at the very time, from the Word of God, and such fears of his Eternal Perishing, that he could not do it then. He put off the Devil still, that he was not in a fit Frame, but desired him to come again that he might have more Dis- course, and he would consider of it. The Devil appeared to him a second time at New-haven, in the shape of a Boy, and a third time at Tocutt in the shape of a Fox; at which time, at first, they had loving discourse, as formerly; but at last, the Devil was urgent upon him, and told him, he had baffled with him so long, now he must enter into an agreement, or he would tear him in pieces : he saying, "How should I do it? would you have me write upon my hands?" "No," (saith the Devil) "Look here," and with that, set Paper, and Pen, and Ink like Blood before him. The former horrours, from the Word of God, and special passages, which he named, set in upon him so that he could not do it. Only before they parted, the Devil being so urgent upon him, telling him he had baffled with him, he set a year and half time for Consideration. The last quarter of a year is yet to come. The Devil told him, if he let him alone so long, he would baffle with him still : he answered, if he did not yeild then, he would give him leave to torment him whilst he lived. Still the Devil would not away, nor could he get from him. Then out of Fear he cryed out, "Lord, Jesus, rebuke the devil!" at which the Fox, Pen, Ink and Paper vanished. Yet he continued in his course of unheard-of Wickedness, and still his Will was bent to write and seal the Agreement, having his Discourse yet with Satan by Voice. His Brother with whom he lives at Tocut, having Convulsion Fits, he laughed and mocked at him, and acted the Convulsion Fits. A while after God sent Convulsion Fits on himself; in which time, his former Terrours, the Wrath of God, Death, Hell, Judgment, and Eternity were presented to him. He would fain then have confessed his sins, but when he was about to do it the Devil still held his mouth, that he could not. He entreated God, to release him, promising to confess and forsake his Sins, and the Lord did so; but he being well, grew as bad, or worse than ever. About six weeks since, his Convul- sion Fits came again, three times most dreadfully, with some Inter- 1658?] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 139 missions, and his former Horrours and Fears. He would have con- fessed his Sins but could not. It pleased God to put it into the heart of one to ask him, Whether he had any Familiarity with the Devil? he got out so much then as, Yes. He fetching Mr. Pierson,1 the Convulsion Fits left him, and he confessed all, how it had been with him. That very night the Devil came to him, and told him, Had he blabbed out such things? He would teach him to blabb! and if he would not then write and seal the Agreement, he would tear him in pieces, and he refusing, the Devil took a corporal Pos- session of him, and hath not ceased to torment him extremely ever since. If any thing be spoken to him, the Devil answereth (and many times he barks like a Fox, and hisseth like a Serpent) some- times with horrible Blasphemies against the Name of Christ; and at some other times the Boy is sensible. When he hath the Libertie of his Voice, he tells what the Devil saith to him, urging him to seal the Covenant still, and that he will bring Paper, Pen and Ink in the night, when none shall see, pleading, that God hath cast him off, that Christ cannot save him : That When He was upon earth He could cast out devils, but now He is in Heaven He cannot. Sometimes he is ready to yeild to all in a desperate way. Sometimes he breaks out into Confession of his former sins, as they come into his mind; ex- ceedingly judging himself and justifying God in His for ever leaving of him in the hands of Satan. Once he was heard to Pray in such a manner so sutable to his Condition, so Aggravating his Sin, and pleading with God for mercy, and in such a strange, high enlarged manner, as judicious godly persons then present, affirm they never heard the like in their lives, that it drew abundance of tears from the eyes of all present, being about twenty persons. But his torment increased upon him worse after such a time; or if any thing were spoken to him from the Word of God by others, or they pray with him. The last week after he had confessed one strange Passage, namely that once in Discourse he told the Devil, that if he would make his Spittle to scald a dog, he would then go on in a way of Lying and Dissembling, and believe that he should do it, which he said, he did with all his heart, and so spit on the dog, and with that a deal of Scalding Water did poure on the Dog. In pursuance of his Promise, he went on in a way of Lying and Dissembling : That when he was urged about it, that he had done some mischief to the dog, then he fell down into a Swound, as if he had been dead. As soon as he had confessed this, the Devil went out of him with an astonishing Noise, to the terrour of those then present: and so he continued 1 The Rev. Abraham Pierson (d. 1678), who was minister at Branford from 1644 to 1667. 140 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1658? one day. 'The next day being much troubled in himself for one special passage in his Discourse with the Devil, when he appeared to him as a Fox; saith he to the Devil, " I have formerly sought to God, and He hath been near unto me": With that the Devil enraged, said unto him then, " What, are you got hither? " and fell to threat- ning of him. He said to him again, "But I find no such Thoughts now, but do and will believe you now more than the Word of God which saith in Isa. 55, Seek the Lord," etc., and said further, " What comfort you shall afford me, I shall rely upon you for it." Remem- bring this Passage the Devil appeared to him, ready to enter into him again. Thereby much astonished, having the Bible in his hand, he opened it, and, as it were of it self, at that place of Isai. 55 : his Eye was fixed upon it, and his Conscience accusing him for abusing the Word a year ago, his heart failing him, and the Devil entred into him again a Second tune, railing upon him, and calling him, Blab- tongue, and Rogue! he had promis'd to keep things secret, he would teach him to blabb, he would tear him in pieces. Since, he hath kept his Body in continual Motion, speaking in him, and by him, with a formidable Voice: sometimes singing of Verses wicked and witty, that formerly he had made against his Father's Ministry, and the Word of God, etc. When the Boy is come to himself, they tell him of them, and he owns them, that indeed such he did make. Mr. Eaton1 being his Uncle, sent a Letter to him, which he told of before it came, saying also, it would be goodly stuff! Jeering at him. By and by the Letter came in, and none of the people knew of it before. He speaks of men coming to him before they come in Sight: and once, two being with him, their Backs turned, the Devil carried him away, they knew not how, and after search they found him in a Cellar, as dead, but after a little space he came to Life again. And another time, threw him up into a Chamber, stopped him up into a Hole, where they after found him. Another time he carried him about a Bow-Shot and threw him into a Hog-Stye amongst Swine, which ran away with a terrible noise. Here is as much to be seen of the Venome of Sin, the Wrath of God against Sin, the Malice of the Devil, and yet his limited Power, and the Reasonings of Satan in an ocular Demonstration, as hath fallen out in any Age. Also the strange and High Expressions of a distressed Soul, in a way of Judging himself and pleading for Mercy, such as may be wondered at by all that hear of it; and more very observable passages could not be written for want of Time, which will after appear. 1 Doubtless Theophilus Eaton, who was governor of the New Haven colony from 1639 till his death, in 1658. 1688?] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 141 Advertisement. Of what did after appear, I have no Account; but what did then appear, is so undoubted and so wonderful, that it will sufficiently atone for my Publication of it. Exemple VI. and VII. Had there been Diligence enough used by them that have heard and seen amazing Instances of Witchcraft, our Number of Memorable Providences under this Head, had reached be- yond the Perfect. However, before I have done Writing, I will insert an Exemple or two, communicated unto me by a Gentleman of sufficient Fidelity to make a Story of his Relat- ing Credible. The Things were such as happened hi the Town whereof himself is Minister; and they are but some of more which he favoured me with the Communication of. But, it seems, I must be obliged to conceal the Names of the parties concerned, lest some should be Offended, tho None could be Injured by the mention of them.1 In a Town which is none of the youngest in this Countrey, there dwelt a very Godly and honest Man, who upon some Provocation, received very Angry and Threatning Expressions, from two women in the Neighbourhood; soon upon this, diverse of his Cattel in a strange manner dyed; and the man himself sometimes was haunted with sights of the women, as he thought, encountring of him. He grew indisposed in his Body very unaccountably; and one day repaired unto a Church Meeting then held in the place, with a Resolution there to declare what he had met withal. The man was one of such Figure and Respect among them, that the Pastor singled out him for to pray in the Assembly before their breaking up. He pray'd with a more than usual measure of both Devotion and 1 Who his informant was can only be guessed; but the description of the town as "none of the youngest in this Countrey" makes it impossible not to think of Salem, which was the oldest in the colony, and of the Rev. Nicholas Noyes, whose close acquaintance with Mather and whose sharing of his views on this subject are well known. 142 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1688? Discretion, but just as he was coming to that part of his Prayer, wherein he intended to petition Heaven for the Dis- covery of Witchcrafts which had been among them, he sank down Speechless and Senseless; and was by his Friends car- ried away to a Bed; where he lay for two or three hours in horrible Distress, fearfully starting, and staring and crying out "Lord, I am stab'd!" and now looking whistly to and fro, he said, "0 here are wicked persons among us, even among us; " and he complained, " I came hither with a full purpose to tell what I knew, but now" (said he) "I ly like a Fool!" Thus he continued until the Meeting was over, and then his Fits left him; only he remained very sore. One or two more such Fits he had after that; but afterwards a more private sort of Torture was employ'd upon him. He was advised by a worthy man to apply himself unto a Magistrate; and warned, That he would shortly be murdered, if he did not. He took not the Counsil; but languished for some Weeks; yet able to Walk and Work; but Then, he had his Breath and Life suddenly taken away from him, in a manner of which no full Account could be given. The man had a Son invaded with the like Fits, but God gave deliverance to him in answer to the Prayers of His people for him. In the same Town, there yet lives a very pious Woman, that from another Woman of ill Fame, received a small gift, which was eaten by her. Upon the Eating of it, she became strangely altered and afflicted; and hindred from Sleeping at Night, by the Pulls of some invisible Hand for a long while together. A Shape or two of, I know not who, likewise haunted her, and gave her no little Trouble. At last, a Fit extraordinary Violent came upon her; wherein she pointed her Hand, and fixed her Eye, much upon the Chimney, and spake at a rate that astonished all about her. Anon, she broke forth into Prayer, and yet could bring out scarce more than a Syllable at a time. In her short Prayer she grew up to an high Act of Faith, and said, (by Syllables, and with Stammer- ings) "Lord, Thou hast been my Hope, and in Thee will I put my Trust; Thou hast been my Salvation here, and wilt be so for ever and ever!" Upon which her Fit left her; and she afterwards grew very well; still remaining so. 1688?] C. MATHER, MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES 143 There were diverse other strange Things, which from the same Hand, I can both Relate and Believe, As, Of a Child be- witched into Lameness, and recovered immediately, by a Ter- rour given to the vile Authoress of the Mischief; but the exact Print, Image and Colour of an Orange made on the Childs Leg, presently upon the sending of an Orange to the Witch by the Mother of the Child, who yet had no evil design in making of the Present. And of other Children, which a palpable Witchcraft made its Impressions on; but Manum de Tabula.1 I entreat every Reader, to make such an Use of these things, as may promote his own well-fare and advance the Glory of God; and so answer the Intent of the Writer, who, HCBC scribens studuit, bene de Pietate mereri.2 1 "Hands off the slate!" — i. e., stop writing. 1 "In writing these things strove to deserve well of Piety." There follow, in the volume, the two sermons mentioned by the title-page, that occasioned by the affair of the Goodwin children coming last. It adds no information as to the episode, but calls itself "A Discourse on Witchcraft," and deals with the reality and nature of that sin. But at the end of it is this interesting "Notan- dum": "Since the Finishing of the History which concerns Goodwin's Children, there has been a very wonderful Attempt made (probably by Witchcraft) on another Family in the Town. There is a poor Boy at this time under very ter- rible and amazing Circumstances which are a Repetition of, with not much Variation from those of the Children formerly molested. The person under vehement Suspicion to be the Authoress [of] this Boy's Calamities is one that was complain'd of by those Children in their Ails, and accordingly one or two of those Children has at this time some Renewal of their Afflictions also; which perhaps may be permitted by the Great God, not to disappoint our Expectations of their Deliverance, but for the Detection and the Destruction of more belong- ing to that hellish Knot, that has not yet perished as others of the Crue has done, before the poor prayers of them that Hope in God. "The Book-sellers not being willing to stay the Event of these New Acci- dents, cause the Bridles here to be taken off." A BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE, BY DEODAT LAWSON, 1692 INTRODUCTION THE earliest account of the remarkable happenings at Salem, in the spring of 1692, which were to bring to a climax and then to a conclusion the quest of witches in New England, was that which here follows. The Rev. Deodat Lawson was singularly qualified to write it. He had himself, only a little earlier (1684-1688), served as pastor to Salem Village, the rural community in which these happenings took their rise; and, though dissensions in the parish prevented his longer stay, he seems to have been no party to these dissensions and must meanwhile have learned to know the scene and all the actors of that later drama which he here depicts. He was, too, a man of education, travel, social experience. Born in England, the son of a scholarly Puritan minister, and doubt- less educated there, he first appears in New England in 1676, and at the time of his call to Salem Village was making his home in Boston. Thither he returned in 1688 : Samuel Sewall, who on May 13 had him in at Sunday dinner, notes in his diary that he "came to Town to dwell last week," and often mentions him thereafter. How at the outbreak of the witch- panic he came to revisit the Village and to chronicle the doings there, he himself a dozen years later thus told his English friends i1 It pleased God in the Year of our Lord 1692 to visit the People at a place called Salem Village in New-England, with a very Sore and Grievous Affliction, in which they had reason to believe, that the Soveraign and Holy God was pleased to permit Satan and his Instru- ments, to Affright and Afflict those poor Mortals in such an Aston- ishing and Unusual manner. 1 In the London edition of his Salem sermon. See below, p. 158, note 3. 147 148 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [Now, I having for some time before attended the work of the Ministry in that Village, the Report of those Great Afflictions came quickly to my notice; and the more readily because the first Person Afflicted was in the Minister's Family, who succeeded me, after I was removed from them; in pitty therefore to my Christian Friends, and former Acquaintance there, I was much concerned about them, frequently consulted with them, and fervently (by Divine Assistance) prayed for thern^ but especially my Concern was augmented, when it was Reported, at an Examination of a Person suspected for Witch- craft, that my Wife and Daughter, who Dyed Three Years before, were sent out of the World under the Malicious Operations of the Infernal Powers; as is more fully represented in the following Re- marks. I did then Desire, and was also Desired, by some concerned in the Court, to be there present, that I might hear what was alledged in that respect; observing therefore, when I was amongst them, that the Case of the Afflicted was very amazing, and deplorable; and the Charges brought against the Accused, such as were Ground of Sus- picions yet very intricate, and difficult to draw up right Conclusions about them; I thought good for the satisfaction of my self, and such of my Friends as might be curious to inquiry into those Mysteries of Gods Providence and Satans Malice, to draw up and keep by me, a Brief Account of the most Remarkable things, that came to my Knowledge in those Affairs; which Remarks were afterwards, (at my Request) Revised and Corrected by some who Sate Judges on the Bench, in those Matters; and were now Transcribed, from the same Paper, on which they were then Written. A narrative so timely and so vouched for must have gone speedily into print.1 The latest day named in it — "the 5th of April" — was probably the date both of its completion and of its going to press. In 1693 it was reprinted in London by John Dunton, who appended to it an anonymous "Further Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches" (an ex- tract from "a letter from thence to a Gentleman in London") bringing the story to February, 1693, and to both joined In- 1 One of the acutest students of New England witchcraft, Mr. George H. Moore (in his "Notes on the Bibliography of Witchcraft in Massachusetts" in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, n. s., V. 248), has said of it: "I cannot resist the impression upon reading it, that it was promoted by Cotton Mather and that he wrote the 'Bookseller's' notice 'to the Reader.' " If so, he may well have inspired to the task both author and publisher. INTRODUCTION 149 crease Mather's Cases of Conscience (see pp. 377, 378, below), pre- fixing to the volume thus made up the title : A Further Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches. With the Observations of a Person who was upon the Place several Days when the sus- pected Witches were first taken into Examination. To which is added, Cases of Conscience, etc.1 In 1704 Lawson, himself now in England, cast it into a new form as an appendix to the English edition of his Salem sermon.2 Ah1 names are now left out, that he "may not grieve any, whose Relations were either Accused or Afflicted, in those times of Trouble and Distress," and what had been a narrative is given a statistical form under "three Heads, viz. (1.) Relating to the Afflicted, (2.) Relating to the Accused, And (3.) Relating to the Confessing Witches." 3 On his own views, and the probable trend of his influence while at Salem, light is thrown by his introductory words : After this,4 I being by the Providence of God called over into England, in the Year 1696; I then brought that Paper of Remarks on the Witchcraft with me; upon the sight thereof, some Worthy Ministers and Christian Friends here desired me to Reprint the Ser- mon and subjoyn the Remarks thereunto, in way of Appendix, but for some particular Reasons I did then Decline it; But now, forasmuch as I my self had been an Eye and Ear Witness of most of those Amaz- ing things, so far as they come within the Notice of Humane Senses; and the Requests of my Friends were Renewed since I came to Dwell in London; I have given way to the Publishing of them; that I may satisfy such as are not resolved to the Contrary, that there may be (and are) such Operations of the Powers of Darkness on the 1 The contents of this volume were reprinted at London, in 1862, by John Russell Smith, in the volume of his Library of Old Authors which contains also Cotton Mather's The Wonders of the Invisible World. In this reprint they fill pp. 199-291, being described in its main title by only the misleading words, "A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches, by Increase Mather." 2 See below, p. 158, note 3. 3 This revised form of his Account has been reprinted in full at the end of C. W. Upham's Salem Witchcraft (Boston, 1867), and, with but slight omissions, in the Library of American Literature edited by Stedman and Hutchinson (New York, 1891), II. 106-114. 4 This passage immediately follows that above quoted. 150 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES Bodies and Minds of Mankind, by Divine Permission; and that those who Sate Judges in those Cases, may by the serious Considera- tion of the formidable Aspect and perplexed Circumstances of that Afflictive Providence be in some measure excused; or at least be less Censured, for passing Sentance on several Persons, as being the Instruments of Satan in those Diabolical Operations, when they were involved in such a Dark and Dismal Scene of Providence, in which Satan did seem to Spin a finer Thred of Spiritual Wickedness than in the ordinary methods of Witchcraft; hence the Judges desiring to bear due Testimony against such Diabolical Practices, were inclined to admit the validity of such a sort of Evidence as was not so clearly and directly demonstrable to Human Senses, as in other Cases is required, or else they could not discover the Mysteries of Witch- craft. . . . One can not read these words without a suspicion that the reaction in New England against those held responsible for the procedure at Salem may have had to do with his return to England; and even in England, it is clear, his cause now needed defense. If any can wish him further ill, let them be appeased by our two glimpses of his after fate — a despairing letter in 1714,1 begging from his New England friends meat, drink, and clothing for his sick and starving family, and the passing phrase of a writer who in 1727, mentioning Thomas Lawson, adds that "he was the father of the unhappy Mr. Deodate Lawson, who came hither from New England."2 But the reader should not enter on the study of the witch- panic of 1692 without knowing something of our other sources of knowledge. The contemporary narratives are practically all printed in the pages that follow, and a part of the trial records will be found embodied in Cotton Mather's Wonders ;3 but most of these must be sought otherwhere, and, alas, they are sadly scattered. Some Governor Hutchinson preserved in 1 Published (from the Bodleian Library's Rawlinson MS. C. 128, fol. 12) by George H. Moore, in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, n. s., V. 268-269. 1 Edmund Calamy, in his Contimtation, II. 629 (II. 192 of Palmer's revision of 1775, The Nonconformist's Memorial'). » At pp. 215-244, below. INTRODUCTION 151 his wise and careful pages on this subject,1 where alone a part can now be found. Many have drifted into private hands — like those which in 1860 came into the hands of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society and are in part printed in its Pro- ceedings (1860-1862, pp. 31-37), or those published by Drake in the foot-notes and appendices to his various histories and editions,2 or those now in the keeping of the Essex Institute at Salem or of the Boston Public Library.3 Such of these as are in print are mentioned in the notes at the proper points. But most are still in public keeping at Salem; and these in 1864 were printed by W. Elliot Woodward in the two volumes of his Records of Salem Witchcraft, the work most fundamental for the first-hand study of this episode. It is; however, im- perfect and far from complete, and there is hope of a better : the Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, of which a third volume has just appeared, must in due course include these witch-trials, and Mr. George Francis Dow, their editor (who has already by his publication of the witchcraft records relating to Topsfield 4 shown his keenness in such work), has in mind the seizing of this opportunity to print all obtainable papers relating to the Salem Witchcraft episode. Precious documents too are published by Upham in his classical Salem Witchcraft5 and in the acute and learned studies of Mr. Abner C. Goodell and Mr. George H. Moore.6 1 History of Massachusetts, II., ch. I. 2 In his History and Antiquities of Boston (Boston, 1856), pp. 497, 498, and in his The Witchcraft Delusion in New England, III. 126, 169-197. All these (the indictment and the testimony against Philip English, the examination of Mary Clark and of the slave Tituba) are now in the New York Public Library, as are also his documents of the Morse case, mentioned above, p. 31, note 1. 3 As to the fate of the records in general see Upham, Salem Witchcraft, II. 462. 4 In vol. XIII. of the Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society (1908). • Boston, 1867, two vols. 6 See p. 91, note 2; p. 373, note 3. A BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE A Brief and True Narrative Of some Remarkable Passages Relat- ing to sundry Persons Afflicted by Witchcraft, at Salem Village Which happened from the Nineteenth of March, to the Fifth of April, 1692. Collected by Deodat Lawson. Boston, Printed for Benjamin Harris and are to be Sold at his Shop, over-against the Old-Meeting-House. 1692.1 The Bookseller to the Reader. The Ensuing Narrative, being a Collection of some Re- markables, in an Affair now upon the Stage, made by a Credi- ble Eye-witness, is now offered unto the Reader, only as a Tast, of more that may follow in Gods Time. If the Prayers of Good People may obtain this Favour of God, That the Misterious Assaults from Hell now made upon so many of our Friends may be thoroughly Detected and Defeated, we sup- pose the Curious will be Entertained with as rare an History as perhaps an Age has had; whereof this Narrative is but a Forerunner. BENJAMIN HARRIS. ON the Nineteenth day of March last2 I went to Salem Village,8 and lodged at Nathaniel Ingersols near to the Min- 1 Title-page of the original. 1 1692. This narrative may well be studied in close connection with the parallel narratives of Calef and Hale, printed at pp. 296 ff. and 399 ff . of this volume. * Not Salem town, the present Salem city, but a rural district (what is now the township of Danvers, with parts of the townships adjoining it) which till 1672 had been a mere dependence of the town, but in that year, at the request of its inhabitants, was set off as a separate parish, though not as a distinct town. Despite the name of "village," there was in Salem Village no huddle of houses amounting to a hamlet, though about the meeting-house (where now is Danvers 152 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 153 ister Mr. P's. house,1 and presently after I came into my Lodging Capt. Walcuts Daughter Mary2 came to Lieut. Inger- sols and spake to me, but, suddenly after as she stood by the door, was bitten, so that she cried out of her Wrist, and look- ing on it with a Candle, we saw apparently the marks of Teeth both upper and lower set, on each side of her wrist. "4 In the beginning of the Evening, I went to give Mr. P.3 a visit. When I was there, his Kins-woman, Abigail William^/ (about 12 years of age,) had a grievous fit; she was at first hurryed with Violence to and fro in the room, (though Mrs. Ingersol endeavoured to hold her,) sometimes makeing as if she would fly, stretching up her arms as high as she could, and crying " Whish, Whish, Whish Pljseveral times]] Presently after she said there was Goodw. N.4 and said, "Do you not see her? Why there she stands!" And the said Goodw. N. offered her The Book, but she was resolved she would not Highlands) the farm-houses clustered more thickly than elsewhere. Prefixed to the Rev. Charles W. Upham's Salem Witchcraft is a map, which, on the basis of long and loving research, attempts to locate every house in all the region; and the text of that work will also be of constant use, as will the little volume of W. S. Nevins, Witchcraft in Salem Village (1892), with its views of sites and build- ings (as "Stories of Salem Witchcraft" it had been printed in the New England Magazine, IV., V.) and the illustrated edition of John Fiske's New France and New England (1904). 1 Nathaniel Ingersoll, deacon in the village church and perhaps its most devoted member, kept the tavern, or "ordinary," which was the recognized centre of the "Village." The meeting-house adjoined it to the east, to the west the parsonage, where lived Mr. Parris. 2 Captain Jonathan Walcot, commander of the village militia, dwelt next beyond the parsonage. His daughter Mary was now seventeen. 3 The Rev. Samuel Parris (1653-1720), whose part, and whose family's, in the Salem panic was to be so great, had been at Salem Village since 1688, succeed- ing Deodat Lawson as its spiritual head. Till then, though educated at Harvard, which is to say for the ministry, he had been engaged in the West Indian trade, and had lived for a time in Barbadoes, whence he had brought back with him the two slaves, John and Tituba, perhaps half negro, hah* native, with whom we must soon have to do. Abigail Williams, his niece, was a member of his house- hold; and we shall meet also his little daughter Elizabeth, aged nine. The account of his life by S. P. Fowler (Essex Institute, Proceedings, II. 49-68) has been separately printed (Salem, 1857) and is appended to Drake's ed. of Mather and Calef (III. 198-222). But the student needs also Upham, Salem Witchcraft, and the documents reprinted by Calef, More Wonders, pp. 55-64. 4 Rebecca Nurse, a matron of 71, wife of Francis Nurse, an energetic and prosperous farmer. 154 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 take it, saying Often, "I wont, I wont, I wont, take it, I do not know what Book it is : I am sure it is none of Gods Book, it is the Divels Book, for ought I know." After that, she run to the Fire, and begun to throw Fire Brands, about the house; and run against the Back, as if she would run up Chimney, and, as they said, she had attempted to go into the Fire in other Fits. (On Lords Day, the Twentieth of March, there were sun- dry of the afflicted Persons at Meeting, as, Mrs. Pope, and Goodwife Bibber, Abigail Williams, Mary Walcut, Mary Lewes, and Docter Griggs' Maid.1 There was also at Meeting, Good- wife C.2 (who was afterward Examined on suspicion of being a Witch :) They had several Sore Fits, in the time of Publick Worship, which did something interrupt me in my First Prayer; being so unusual. After Psalm was Sung, Abigail Williams said to me, " Now stand up, and Name your Text " : And after it was read, she said, "It is a long Text." In the beginning of Sermon, Mrs. Pope, a Woman afflicted, said to me, "Now there is enough of that." And in the afternoon, Abigail Williams upon my referring to my Doctrine said to me, "I know no Doctrine you had, If you did name one, I have for- got it? -tin Sermon time when Goodw. C was present in the Meet- inghouse Ab. W. called out, V Look where Goodw. C sits on the Beam suckling her Yellow bird betwixt her fingers"!) Anne Putnam another Girle afflicted said there was a Yellow-bird sat on my hat as it hung on the Pin in the Pulpit: but those that were by, restrained her from speaking loud about ItJ On Monday the 21st of March, The Magistrates of Salem appointed to come to Examination of Goodw C.3 And about 1 Mrs. Pope was a woman of good social position and in early middle life; Sarah Bibber (or Vibber), aged 36, a loose-tongued creature, addicted to fits, who with her husband seems to have "worked out"; Mercy (not Mary) Lewes, a maid in the family of Thomas Putnam, whose wife and twelve-year-old daughter, both named Ann, were also to have a leading part among "the afflicted." "Doc- tor Griggs' maid," Elizabeth Hubbard, aged 17, was a niece of his wife. It was probably Dr. Griggs, the physician of the Village, who had first pronounced the girls bewitched. 1 Martha Corey, wife of Giles Corey. She too was advanced in years. 3 For the official report of this examination, as of those to follow, and for all the legal documents connected with these cases, the student must of course 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 155 twelve of the Clock, they went into the Meeting-House, which was Thronged with Spectators: Mr. Noyes1 began with a very pertinent and pathetic Prayer; and Goodwife C. being called to answer to what was Alledged against her, she desired to go to Prayer, which was much wondred at, in the presence of so many hundred people : The Magistrates told her, they would not admit it; they came not there to hear her Pray, but to Examine her, in what was Alledged against her. The Worshipful Mr. Hathorne2 asked her, Why she Afflicted those Children? she said, she did not Afflict them. He asked her, who did then? she said, "I do not know; How should I know?" The Number of the Afflicted Persons were about that time Ten, viz. Four Married Women, Mrs. Pope, Mrs. Putman,3 Goodw. Bibber, and an Ancient WToman, named Goodall, three Maids, Mary Walcut, Mercy Lewes, at Thomas Putman's, and a Maid at Dr. Griggs's, there were three Girls from 9 to 12 Years of Age, each of them, or thereabouts, viz. Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams and Ann Putman; these were most of them at G. C's Examination, and did vehemently accuse her in the Assembly of afflicting them, by Biting, Pinching, Stran- gling, etc. And that they did in their Fit see her Likeness coming to them, and bringing a Book to them, she said, she had no Book; they affirmed, she had a Yellow-Bird, that used to suck betwixt her Fingers, and being asked about it, if she had any Familiar Spirit, that attended her, she said, She had no Familiarity with any such thing. She was a Gospel Woman : which Title she called her self by; and the Afflicted Persons told her, ah! She was, A Gospel Witch. Ann Putman did there affirm, that one day when Lieutenant Fuller was at turn to the publications embodying such court records (see p. 151, above). Those of Goodwife Corey's case may be found in Woodward's Records of Salem Witchcraft, I. 50-60. Especially interesting is the evidence as to her rational attitude: "shee told us," testify those who went to arrest her, "that shee did not thinke that there were any witches." They add that it "was said of her that shee would open the eyes of the magistrates and ministers." 1 The Rev. Nicholas Noyes, minister at Salem town. 2 John Hathorne, or Hawthorne, a magistrate of the colony, and, as a mem- ber of the highest court, a local magistrate as well, had his home on his farm in Salem Village and must have known personally all these neighbors. It must be remembered, and may well be pointed out here, that Massachusetts magistrates were not men trained to the law, but only respected laymen. * Putnam : this misspelling was common. 156 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 Prayer at her Fathers House, she saw the shape of Goodw. C. and she thought Goodw. N. Praying at the same time to the Devil, she was not sure it was Goodw. N. she thought it was; but very sure she saw the Shape of G. C. The said C. said, they were poor, distracted Children, and no heed to be given to what they said. Mr. Hathorne and Mr. Noyes replyed, it was the judgment of all that were present, they were Bewitched, and only she, the Accused Person said, they were Distracted. /It was observed several times, that if she did but bite her 1 Under lip in time of Examination the persons afflicted were isitten on their armes and wrists and produced the Marks before the Magistrates, Ministers and others. And being watched for that, if she did but Pinch her Fingers, or Graspe one hand hard in another, they were Pinched and produced the Marks before the Magistrates, and Spectators. After that, it was observed, that if she did but lean her Breast against the Seat, in the Meeting House, (being the Barr at which she stood,) they were afflicted. Particularly Mrs. Pope complained of grievous torment in her Bowels as if they were torn out. She vehemently accused said C. as the instrument, and first threw her Muff at her; but that flying not home, she got off her Shoe, and hit Goodwife C. on the head with it. After these postures were watched, if said C. did but stir her feet, they were afflicted in their Feet, and stamped fearfully. The afflicted persons asked her why she did not go to the company of Witches which were before the Meeting house mustering? Did she not hear the Drum beat? They accused her of having Familiarity with the Devil, in the time of Ex- amination, in the shape of a Black man whispering in her ear; they affirmed, that her Yellow-Bird sucked betwixt her Fingers in the Assembly; and order being given to see if there were any sign, the Girl that saw it said, it was too late now; she had removed a Pin, and put it on her head; which was found there sticking upright. They told her, she had Covenanted with the Devil for ten years, six of them were gone, and four more to come. She was required by the Magistrates to answer that Question in the Catechism, "How many persons be there in the God-Head?" she answered it but oddly, yet was there no great thing to be gathered from it; she denied all that was charged upon her, 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 157 and said, They could not prove a Witch; she was that After- noon Committed to Salem-Prison; and after she was in Custo- dy, she did not so appear to them, and afflict them as before. On Wednesday the 23 of March, I went to Thomas Put- mans, on purpose to see his Wife : I found her lying on the Bed, having had a sore fit a little before. She spake to me, and said, she was glad to see me; her Husband and she both desired me to pray with her, while she was sensible; which I did, though the Apparition said, I should not go to Prayer. At the first beginning she attended; but after a little time, was taken with a fit: yet continued silent, and seemed to be Asleep: when Prayer was done, her Husband going to her, found her in a Fit; he took her off the Bed, to set her on his Knees; but at first she was so stiff, she could not be bended; but she after- wards set down; but quickly began to strive violently with her Arms and Leggs; she then began to Complain of, and as it were to Converse personally with, Goodw. N., saying, "Goodw. N. Be gone! Be gone! Be gone! are you not ashamed, a Woman of your Profession, to afflict a poor Creature so? what hurt did I ever do you in my life! you have but two years to live, and then the Devil will torment your Soul, for this your Name is blotted out of Gods Book, and it shall never be put in Gods Book again, be gone for shame, are you not afraid of that which is coming upon you? I Know, I know, what will make you afraid; the wrath of an Angry God, I am sure that will make you afraid; be gone, do not tourment me, I know what you would have (we judged she meant, her Soul) but it is out of your reach; it is Clothed with the white Robes of Christs Righteousness." After this, she seemed to dispute with the Apparition about a particular Text of Scripture. The Appa- rition seemed to deny it, (the Womans eyes being fast closed all this time) ; she said, She was sure there was such a Text ; and she would tell it; and then the Shape would be gone, for said she, "I am sure you cannot stand before that Text!" then she was sorely Afflicted ; her mouth drawn on one side, and her body strained for about a minute, and then said, " I will tell, I will tell; it is, it is, it is!" three or four times, and then was afflicted to hinder her from telling, at last she broke forth and said, "It is the third Chapter of the Revelations." I did something scruple the reading it, and did let my scruple ap- 158 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 pear, lest Satan should make any Superstitious lie to improve the Word of the Eternal God. However, tho' not versed in these things, I judged I might do it this once for an Experi- ment. I began to read, and before I had near read through the first verse, she opened her eyes, and was well ; this fit con- tinued near half an hour. Her Husband and the Spectators told me, she had often been so relieved by reading Texts that she named, something pertinent to her Case; as Isa. 40. 1, Isa. 49. 1, Isa. 50. 1, and several others. On Thursday the Twenty fourth of march, (being in course the Lecture Day, at the Village,) Goodwife N. was brought before the Magistrates Mr. Hathorne and Mr. Corwin,1 about Ten of [the] Clock, in the Fore Noon, to be Examined in the Meeting House; the Reverend Mr. Hale2 begun with Prayer, and the Warrant being read, she was required to give answer, Why she aflicted those persons? she pleaded her owne innocency with earnestness. Thomas Putman's Wife, Abigail Williams and Thomas Putmans daughter accused her that she appeared to them, and afflicted them in their fitts : but some of the other said, that they had seen her, but knew not that ever she had hurt them; amongst which was Mary Walcut, who was presently after she had so declared bitten, and cryed out of her in the meeting-house; producing the Marks of teeth on her wrist. It was so disposed, that I had not leisure to attend the whole time of Examination,3 but both Magistrates 1 Jonathan Corwin was, like Hathorne, a member of the Court of Assistants, the highest legislative and judicial body of the colony, and like him the son of one of its founders. They were the men of highest note in the Salem region. Corwin lived in the town. 1 Of Beverly. As to him see p. 397, below. * What drew Mr. Lawson away from the examinations was doubtless the need to complete his preparation for the important sermon of that day; and it must have been this on which he was pondering when (as he records a few lines later) the shrieks of the afflicted reached him as he walked, "a little distance from the meeting-house." That sermon was, however, no extempore production, but a studied disquisition on the power and malice of the Devil, who "Contracts and Indents with Witches and Wizzards, that they shall be the Instruments by whom he may more secretly Affect and Afflict the Bodies and Minds of others." "And the Devil," taught Lawson, committing himself wholly to belief in the worth \A that "spectral evidence" which was to play such a part in the Salem episode, "having them in his subjection, by their Consent, he will use their Bodies and Minds, Shapes and Representations, to Affright and Afflict others at his pleasure." The magistrates were present at the sermon; and to them he dedicated the ser- 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 159 and Ministers told me, that the things alledged by the afflicted, and defences made by her, were much after the same manner, as the former was. And her Motions did produce like effects as to Biteing, Pinching, Bruising, Tormenting, at their Breasts, by her Leaning, and when, bended Back, were as if their Backs was broken. The afflicted persons said, the Black Man whis- pered to her in the Assembly, and therefore she could not hear what the Magistrates said unto her. They said also that she did then ride by the Meeting-house, behind the Black Man. Thomas Putman's wife had a grievous Fit, in the time of Examination, to the very great Impairing of her strength, and wasting of her spirits, insomuch as she could hardly move hand, or foot, when she was carryed out. Others also were there grievously afflicted, so that there was once such an hideous scrietch and noise, (which I heard as I walked, at a little distance from the Meeting house,) as did amaze me, and some that were within told me the whole assembly was struck with consternation, and they were afraid, that those that sate next to them, were under the influence of Witchcraft. This woman also was that day committed to Salem Prison. The Magistrates and Ministers also did informe me, that they apprehended a child of Sarah G.1 and Examined it, being between 4 and 5 years of Age, And as to matter of Fact, they did Unanimously affirm, that when this Child did but cast its eye upon the afflicted persons, they were tormented, and they held her Head, and yet so many as her eye could fix upon were afflicted. Which they did several times make careful observation of : the afflicted complained, they had often been Bitten by this child, and produced the marks of a small set of teeth, accordingly, this was also committed to Salem Prison; the child looked hail, and well as other Children. I saw it at Lieut. Ingersols.2 After the commitment of Goodw. N., Tho : Putmans wife was much better, and had no violent fits mon when, in the following year, he gave it to the press under the title of Christ's Fidelity the only Shield against Satan's Malignity. A second edition was printed under his eye at London in 1704 (see p. 149, above). 1 Sarah Good, who with Sarah Osburn and Parris's slave-woman Tituba had been examined and committed to jail on March 1, before Lawson's visit (see p. 343, below). 2 Little Dorcas Good, thus sent to prison "as hale and well as other chil- dren," lay there seven or eight months, and "being chain'd in the dungeon was 160 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 at all from that 24th of March to the 5th of April. Some others also said they had not seen her so frequently appear to them, to hurt them. On the 25th of March, (as Capt. Stephen Sewal,1 of Salem, did afterwards inform me) Eliza. Paris had sore Fits, at his house, which much troubled himself, and his wife, so as he told me they were almost discouraged. She related, that the great Black Man came to her, and told her, if she would be ruled by him, she should have whatsoever she desired, and go to a Golden City. She relating this to Mrs. Sewall, she told the child, it was the Divel, and he was a Lyar from the Begin- ning, and bid her tell him so, if he came again : which she did accordingly, at the next coming to her, in her fits. On the 26th of March, Mr. Hathorne, Mr. Corwin, and Mr. Higison2 were at the Prison-Keepers House, to Examine the Child,3 and it told them there, it had a little Snake that used to Suck on the lowest Joynt of it[s] Fore-Finger; and when they inquired where, pointing to other places, it told them, not there, but there, pointing on the Lowest point of Fore-Finger; where they Observed a deep Red Spot, about the Bigness of a Flea-bite, they asked who gave it that Snake? whether the great Black man, it said no, its Mother gave it. The 31 of March there was a Publick Fast kept at Salem on account of these Afflicted Persons. And Abigail Williams said, that the Witches had a Sacrament that day at an house in the Village, and that they had Red Bread and Red Drink. The first of April, Mercy Lewis, Thomas Putman's Maid, in her fitt, said, they did eat Red Bread like Mans Flesh, and so hardly used and terrify ed" that eighteen years later her father alleged "that she hath ever since been very chargeable, haveing little or no reason to govern herself." See his petition for damages, September 13, 1710 (printed in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXXV. 253— the MS. is now in the President White Library at Cornell University). He was allowed £30. 1 Stephen Sewall, clerk of the courts at Salem, in whose home the Rev. Mr. Parris had now placed his daughter Elizabeth — a fact which may have some con- nection with his being one of the most ardent furtherers of the trials. It was from him that Cotton Mather later asked the materials for his account of them (see p. 206, below). He must, of course, not be confused with his more eminent brother, Samuel Sewall, of Boston, whom we shall soon meet as a judge in the Salem trials. , 1 The Rev. John Higginson, the aged senior minister of the church in Salem. 1 Dorcas Good, of course, not Elizabeth Parris. 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 161 would have had her eat some: but she would not; but turned away her head, and Spit at them, and said, "I will not Eat, I will not Drink, it is Blood," etc. She said, "That is not the Bread of Life, that is not the Water of Life; Christ gives the Bread of Life, I will have none of it!" This first of April also Marcy Lewis aforesaid saw in her fitt a White man and was with him in a Glorious Place, which had no Candles nor Sun, yet was full of Light and Brightness; where was a great Mul- titude in White glittering Robes, and they Sung the Song in the fifth of Revelation the Ninth verse, and the 110 Psalm, and the 149 Psalm; and said with her self, "How long shall I stay here? let me be along with you" : She was loth to leave this place, and grieved that she could tarry no longer. This Whiteman1 hath appeared several times to some of them, and given them notice how long it should be before they had another / Fit, which was sometimes a day, or day and half, or more or IBB: it hath fallen out accordingly. The third of April, the Lords-Day, being Sacrament-day, at the Village, Goodw. C.2 upon Mr. Parris's naming his Text, John 6, 70, One of them is a Devil, the said Goodw. C. went immediately out of the Meeting-House, and flung the door after her violently, to the amazement of the Congrega- tion : She was afterward seen by some in their Fits, who said, "0 Goodw. C., I did not think to see you here!" (and being at their Red bread and drink) said to her, "Is this a time to re- ceive the Sacrament, you ran-away on the Lords-Day, and scorned to receive it in the Meeting-House, and, Is this a time to receive it? I wonder at you!" This is the summ of what I either saw my self, or did receive Information from persons of undoubted Reputation and Credit. Remarks of things more than ordinary about the Afflicted Persons. 1. They are in their Fits tempted to be Witches, are shewed the List of the Names of others, and are tortured, because they will not yield to Subscribe, or meddle with, or touch the Book, and are promised to have present Relief if they would do it. 1 White man. 8 Not Goodwife Corey, but Goodwife Sarah Cloyse, sister of Rebecca Nurse. For an explanation of the slammed door, see p. 346, below. 162 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 2. They did in the Assembly mutually Cure each other, even with a Touch of their Hand, when Strangled, and other- wise Tortured ; and would endeavour to get to their Afflicted, to Relieve them. 3. They did also foretel when anothers Fit was a-coming, and would say, "Look to her! she will have a Fit presently," which fell out accordingly, as many can bear witness, that heard and saw it. 4. That at the same time, when the Accused Person was present, the Afflicted Persons saw her Likeness in other places of the Meeting-House, suckling her Familiar, sometimes in one place and posture, and sometimes in another. 5. That their Motions in their Fits are Preternatural, both as to the manner, which is so strange as a well person could not Screw their Body into; and as to the violence also it is preternatural, being much beyond the Ordinary force of the same person when they are in their right mind. 6. The eyes of some of them in their fits are exceeding fast closed, and if you ask a question they can give no answer, and I do believe they cannot hear at that time, yet do they plainely converse with the Appearances, as if they did discourse with real persons. 7. They are utterly pressed against any persons Praying with them, and told by the appearances, they shall not go to Prayer, so Tho. Putmans wife was told, I should not Pray; but she said, I should : and after I had done, reasoned with the Appearance, "Did not I say he should go to Prayer?" 8. The forementioned Mary W.1 being a little better at ease, the Afflicted persons said, she had signed the book; and that was the reason she was better. Told me by Edward Putman.2 Remarks concerning the Accused. 1. For introduction to the discovery of those that afflicted them, It is reported Mr. Parris's Indian Man and Woman made a Cake of Rye Meal, and the Childrens water, baked it 1 Walcot. 1 Deacon Edward Putnam, a pillar of the village church, was brother and close neighbor to Thomas Putnam, whose wife, daughter, and maid were leaders among "the afflicted." 1692] LAWSON, BRIEF AND TRUE NARRATIVE 163 in the Ashes, and gave it to a Dogge, since which they have discovered, and seen particular persons hurting of them. 2. In Time of Examination, they seemed little affected, though all the Spectators were much grieved to see it. 3. Natural Actions in them produced Preternatural actions in the Afflicted, so that they are their own Image without any Poppits of Wax or otherwise.1 4. That they are accused to have a Company about 23 or 24 and they did Muster in Armes, as it seemed to the Afflicted Persons. 5. Since they were confined, the Persons have not been so much Afflicted with their appearing to them, Biteing or Pinch- ing of them, etc. 6. They are reported by the Afflicted Persons to keep dayes of Fast and dayes of Thanksgiving, and Sacraments; Satan endeavours to Transforme himself to an Angel of Light, and to make his Kingdom and Administrations to resemble those of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7. Satan Rages Principally amongst the Visible Subjects of Christ's Kingdom and makes use (at least in appearance) of some of them to Afflict others; that Christ's Kingdom may be divided against it self, and so be weakened. 8. Several things used in England at Tryal of Witches, to the Number of 14 or 15, which are wont to pass instead of or in Concurrence with Witnesses, at least 6 or 7 of them are found in these accused : see Keebles Statutes.2 1 /. e., these witches have no need, as do others (see p. 104), to make images, or puppets, in the likeness of those they wish to torment, and then by torturing the puppets to inflict the same tortures on those they represent : these witches have only to act, and then* victims are preternaturally compelled to the same action. 2 What is meant is clearly not the collection of English statutes compiled by Joseph Keeble, or Keble, (1632-1710). Often printed (1676, 1681, 1684, 1695, 1706), this seems to have been standard in the colonies as at home; but it contains absolutely nothing but the text of the statutes in force, "with the titles of such as are expired, repealed, altered, or out of use," and at the end an analyt- ical table of subjects. The work really meant is Keble's An Assistance to Justices of the Peace (London, 1683, 1689). This work, however, borrows its pages on witchcraft (pp. 217-220) from the older manuals of Lambarde, West, and Dai- ton; and the passage in question is one compiled by Michael Dalton, for the later editions of his The Countrey Justice, from Thomas Potts's Discoverie of Witches (1613) and Richard Barnard's Guide to Grand-Jury Men (1627). For aid in this identification, and for a transcript of these pages from the Harvard copy of Keble, the editor is indebted to Mr. David M. Matteson. 164 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 9. Some of the most solid Afflicted Persons do affirme the same things concerning seeing the accused out of their Fitts as well as in them. 10. The Witches had a Fast, and told one of the Afflicted Girles, she must not Eat, because it was Fast Day, she said, she would : they told her they would Choake her then ; which when she did eat, was endeavoured. Finis. LETTER OF THOMAS BRATTLE, F. R. S., 1692 INTRODUCTION FROM that April day when Mr. Lawson closed his account it was long before another eye-witness undertook a narrative. Yet great things were doing. At Salem accusation and hear- ing went on apace, and the jails grew crowded, awaiting the session of a court. On May 14 arrived from England Presi- dent Increase Mather, bringing the new charter, and with him the new governor, Sir William Phips. What the governor thought of the emergency and how he dealt with it we shall presently learn from his own pen. But other pens were earlier busy. Perhaps the most notable was that of Thomas Brattle, who early in October addressed the following letter to some clerical correspondent. Who this divine may have been whose questions the letter answers is unknown : our document is not the original, but a copy without superscription, and from its contents we can infer no more than that he lived or had lived in the colony. But Thomas Brattle we know well. "He was," wrote President Leverett of Harvard at his death, "a gentle- man by his birth and education of the first order in this coun- try." Born at Boston, in 1658, of wealthy parentage, a grad- uate and a master of arts of Harvard, then a traveller and a student abroad, he won such distinction as a mathematician, and notably as an astronomer, as to be made a member of the Royal Society, and was in close touch with the world of scholars; but his career was that of an opulent and cultivated Boston merchant, and for twenty years, from 1693 to his death in 1713, he was treasurer of Harvard College. "In the Church," said of him the Boston News-Letter, "he was known and valued for his Catholick Charity to all of the reformed 167 168 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES Religion, but more especially his great Veneration for the Church of England, although his general and more constant communion was with the Nonconformists." In other words, he was of the liberal party in religion and politics, an eminent opponent of the Puritan theocracy, and he did not escape the epithets "apostate" and "infidel." The letter here printed did not see print in his own day; but that the present copy exists suggests that it may have been meant to circulate in manuscript,1 and it is not impossible that it was even written for that purpose. Yet if so, we may be sure it was used with discretion. It was his grand-nephew, the then well-known Thomas Brattle, Esq., of Cambridge, who late in the eighteenth century communicated it to the Massachusetts Historical Society.2 From that manuscript copy it is here reprinted. 1 The suggestion is that of Sibley, in his sketch of Brattle's life (Harvard Graduates, II. 489-^98), the best summary of what is known of him. That the extant copy is without superscription, and signed by initials only, may point to such a use. It must not be forgotten that it was written on the eve of the session of the General Court. 1 It was first published in that society's Collections, V. 61-79. LETTER OF THOMAS BRATTLE, F. R. S., 1692 October 8, 1692. Reverend Sir, YOUR'S I received the other day, and am very ready to serve you to my uttmost. I should be very loath to bring myself into any snare by my freedom with you, and therefore hope that you will put the best construction on what I write, and secure me from such as would interprett my lines otherwise than they are designed. Obedience to lawfull authority I evermore accounted a great duty; and willingly I would not practise any thing that might thwart and contradict such a principle. Too many are ready to despise dominions, and speak evil of Dignities; and I am sure the mischiefs, which arise from a factious and rebellious spirit, are very sad and notorious; insomuch that I would sooner bite my finger's ends than willingly cast dirt on authority, or any way offer reproach to it : Far, therefore, be it from me, to have any thing to do with those men your letter mentions, whom you acknowl- edge to be men of a factious spirit, and never more in their element than when they are declaiming against men in public place, and contriving methods that tend to the disturbance of the common peace. I never accounted it a credit to my cause, to have the good liking of such men. My son! (says Solomon) fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change. Prov. xxiv. 21. However, Sir, I never thought Judges infallible; but reckoned that they, as well as private men, might err; and that when they were guilty of erring, standers by, who possibly had not half their judgment, might, notwithstanding, be able to detect and be- hold their errors. And furthermore, when errors of that nature are thus detected and observed, I never thought it an interfer- ing with dutifullness and subjection for one man to communi- cate his thoughts to another thereabout; and with modesty 169 170 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 and due reverence to debate the premised failings; at least, when errours are fundamental, and palpably pervert the great end of authority and government: for as to circumstantial errours, I must confesse my principle is, that it is the duty of a good subject to cover with his silence a multitude of them. But I shall no longer detain you with my preface, but passe to some things you look for, and whether you expect such freedome from me, yea or no, yet shall you find, that I am very open to communicate my thoughts unto you, and in plain terms to tell you what my opinion is of the Salem proceedings. First, as to the method which the Salem Justices do take •in their examinations, it is truly this : A warrant being issued out to apprehend the persons that are charged and complained of by the afflicted children, (as they are called) ; said persons are brought before the Justices, (the afflicted being present.) The Justices ask the apprehended why they afflict those poor children ; to which the apprehended answer, they do not afflict them. The Justices order the apprehended to look upon the said children, which accordingly they do; and at the time of ^ that look, (I dare not say by that look, as the Salem Gentlemen do) the afflicted are cast into a fitt. The apprehended are then blinded, and ordered to touch the afflicted; and at that touch, tho' not by the touch, (as above) the afflicted ordinarily do come out of their fitts. The afflicted persons then declare and affirm, that the apprehended have afflicted them; upon which the apprehended persons, tho' of never so good repute, are (forthwith committed to prison, on suspicion for witchcraft. One of the Salem Justices1 was pleased to tell Mr. Alden,2 (when upon his examination) that truly he had been ac- quainted with him these many years; and had always ac- counted him a good man ; but indeed now he should be obliged to change his opinion. This, there are more than one or two did hear, and are ready to swear to, if not in so many words, yet as to its natural and plain meaning. He saw reason to change his opinion of Mr. Alden, because that at the time he touched the poor child, the poor child came out of her fitt. 1 Bartholomew Gedney. 1 Captain John Alden, of Boston, son of the John Alden of the Mayflower and of Longfellow's poem. For Alden's own account of this episode see pp. 353- 355, below. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 171 I suppose his Honour never made the experiment, whether there was not as much virtue in his own hand, as there was in Mr. Alden's, to cure by a touch. I know a man that will venture two to one with any Salemite whatever, that let the nrntter be duly managed, and the afflicted person shall come out of her fitt upon the touch of the most religious hand in Salem. It is worthily noted by some, that at some times the afflicted will not presently come out of their fitts upon the touch of the suspected; and then, forsooth, they are ordered by the Justices to grasp hard, harder yet, etc. insomuch that at length the afflicted come out of their fitts; and the reason is very good, because that a touch of any hand, and processe of time, will work the cure; infallibly they will do it, as experi- ence teaches. I cannot but condemn this method of the Justices, of making this touch of the hand a rule to discover witchcraft; because I am fully persuaded that it is sorcery, and a super- stitious method, and that which we have no rule for, either from reason or religion. The Salem Justices, at least some of them, do assert, that the cure of the afflicted persons is a natural effect of this touch; and they are so well instructed in the Cartesian philosophy, and in the doctrine of effluvia, that they undertake to give a demonstration how this touch does cure the afflicted persons; and the account they give of it is this; that by this touch, the venemous and malignant particles, that were ejected from the eye, do, by this means, return to the body whence they came, and so leave the afflicted persons pure and whole. I must confesse to you, that I am no small admirer of the Cartesian philosophy; but yet I have not so learned it. Certainly this is a strain that it will by no me&ns allow of. (J. would fain know of these Salem Gentlemen, but as yet could never know, how it comes about, that if these appre- hended persons are witches, and, by a look of the eye, do cast the afflicted into their fitts by poisoning them, how it comes about, I say, that, by a look of their eye, they do not cast others into fitts, and poison others by their looks; and in particular, tender, fearfull women, who often are beheld by them, and as likely as any in the whole world to receive an ill impression from them7 This Salem philosophy, some men may call the 172 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 new philosophy; but I think it rather deserves the name of Salem superstition and sorcery, and it is not fitt to be named in a land of such light as New-England is. I think the matter might be better solved another way; but I shall not make any attempt that way, further than to say^that these afflicted children, (as they are called,) do hold correspondence with the devill, even in the esteem and account of the S. G. j1 for when the black man, i. e. (say these gentlemen,) the Devill, does appear to them, they ask him many questions, and accordingly give information to the inquirer; and if this is not holding correspondence with the devill, and something worse, I know not what is.""] But furthermore, I would fain know of these Salem Jus- tices what need there is of further proof and evidence to con- vict and condemn these apprehended persons, than this look and touch, if so be they are so certain that this falling down and arising up, when there is a look and a touch, are natural effects of the said look and touch, and so a perfect demonstra- tion and proof of witchcraft in those persons. What can the Jury or Judges desire more, to convict any man of witchcraft, than a plain demonstration, that the said man is a witch? Now if this look and touch, circumstanced as before, be a plain demonstration, (as their Philosophy teaches;) what need they seek for further evidences, when, after all, it can be but a demonstration? But let this pass with the S. G. for never so plain and natural a demonstration; yet certain is it, that the reasonable part of the world, when acquainted herewith, will laugh at the demonstration, and conclude that the said S. G. are actu- ally possessed, at least, with ignorance and folly. I most admire2 that Mr. N. N.3 the Reverend Teacher at Salem, who was educated at the School of Knowledge, and is certainly a learned, a charitable, and a good man, though all the devils in Hell, and all the possessed girls in Salem, should say to the contrary; at him, (I say,) I do most admire; that he should cry up the above mentioned philosophy after the manner that he does. I can assure you, that I can bring you more than two, or twice two, (very credible persons) that will 1 1. e., Salem gentlemen — and so hereafter. 1 Marvel, am surprised. * Nicholas Noyes. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 173 affirm, that they have heard him vindicate the above men- tioned demonstration as very reasonable. Secondly, with respect to the confessours, (as they are im- properly called,) or such as confesse themselves to be witches, (the second thing you inquire into in your letter), there are now about fifty of them in Prison; many of which I have again and again seen and heard; and I cannot but tell you, that my faith is strong concerning them, that they are de- luded, imposed upon, and under the influence of some evill spirit; and therefore unfitt to be evidences either against themselves, or any one else. I now speak of one sort of them, and of others afterward. These confessours, (as they are called,) do very often con- tradict themselves, as inconsistently as is usual for any crazed, distempered person to do. This the S. G. do see and take notice of; and even the Judges themselves have, at some times, taken these confessours in flat lyes, or contradictions, even in the Courts; By reason of which, one would have thought, that the Judges would have frowned upon the said confessours, discarded them, and not minded one tittle of any thing that they said; but instead thereof, (as sure as we are men,) the Judges vindicate these confessours, and salve their contradictions, by proclaiming, that the Devill takes away their memory, and imposes upon their brain. If this reflects any where, I am very sorry for it: I can but assure you, that, upon the word of an honest man, it is truth, and that I can bring you many credible persons to witnesse it, who have been eye and ear wittnesses to these things. These confessours then, at least some of them, even in the Judges' own account, are under the influence of the JDevill; and the brain of these Confessours is imposed upon by the Devill, even in the Judges' account. But now, if, in the Judges' account, these confessours are under the influence of the Devill, and their brains are affected and imposed upon by the Devill, so that they are not their own men, why then should these Judges, or any other men, make such account of, and set so much by, the words of these Confessours, as they do? In short, I argue thus: If the Devill does actually take away the memory of them at some times, certainly the Devill, at other times, may very 174 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 reasonably be thought to affect their fancyes, and to represent false ideas to their imagination. But now, if it be thus granted, that the Devill is able to represent false ideas (to speak vul- garly) to the imaginations of the confessours, what man of sense will regard the confessions, or any of the words, of these confessours? The great cry of many of our neighbours now is, What, will you not believe the confessours? Will you not believe men and women who confesse that they have signed to the DevilFs book? that they were baptized by the Devill; and that they were at the mock-sacrament once and again? What ! will you not believe that this is witchcraft, and that such and such men are witches, altho' the confessours do own and as- sert it? Thus, I say, many of our good neighbours do argue; but methinks they might soon be convinced that there is nothing at all in all these their arguings, if they would but duly con- sider of the premises. In the mean time, I think we must rest satisfyed in it, and be thankfull to God for it, that all men are not thus bereft of their senses; but that we have here and there considerate and thinking men, who will not thus be imposed upon, and abused, by the subtle endeavours of the crafty one. In the next place, I proceed to the form of their indite- ments, and the Trials thereupon. The Inditement runs for sorcery and witchcraft, acted upon the body of such an one, (say M. Warren), at such a particu- lar time, (say April 14, '92,) and at divers other times before and after, whereby the said M. W. is wasted and consumed, pined, etc. Now for the proof of the said sorcery and witchcraft, the prisoner at the bar pleading not guilty. 1. The afflicted persons are brought into Court; and after much patience and pains taken with them, do take their oaths, that the prisoner at the bar did afflict them : And here I think it very observable, that often, when the afflicted do mean and intend only the appearance and shape of such an one, (say G. Proctour) yet they positively swear that G. Proctour did afflict them; and they have been allowed so to do; as tho' there was no real difference between G. Proctour and the shape of G. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 175 Proctour. This, methinks, may readily prove a stumbling block to the Jury, lead them into a very fundamental errour, and occasion innocent blood, yea the innocentest blood imag- inable, to be in great danger. Whom it belongs unto, to be eyes unto the blind, and to remove such stumbling blocks, I know full well; and yet you, and every one else, do know as well as I who do not.1 2. The confessours do declare what they know of the said prisoner; and some of the confessours are allowed to give their oaths; a thing which I believe was never heard of in this world ; that such as conf esse themselves to be witches, to have renounced God and Christ, and all that is sacred, should yet be allowed and ordered to swear by the name of the great God! This indeed seemeth to me to be a grosse taking of God's name in vain. I know the S. G. do say, that there is hopes that the said Confessours have repented; I shall only say, that if they have repented, it is well for themselves; but if they have not, it is very ill for you know who. But then, 3. Whoever can be an evidence against the prisoner at the bar is ordered to come into Court; and here it scarce ever fails but that evidences, of one nature and another, are brought in, tho', I think, all of them altogether aliene to the matter of inditement; for they none of them do respect witchcraft upon the bodyes of the afflicted, which is the alone matter of charge in the inditement. 4. They are searched by a Jury; and as to some of them, the Jury brought in, that [on] such or such a place there was a preternatural excrescence. And I wronder what person there is, whether man or woman, of whom it cannot be said but that, in some part of their body or other, there is a preternatural excrescence. The term is a very general and inclusive term. Some of the S. G. are very forward to censure and con- demn the poor prisoner at the bar, because he sheds no tears : but such betray great ignorance in the nature of passion, and as great heedlessnesse as to common passages of a man's life. Some there are who never shed tears; others there are that ordinarily shed tears upon light occasions, and yet for their lives cannot shed a tear when the deepest sorrow is upon their hearts; and who is there that knows not these things? Who 1 He means, of course, the judges. 176 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 knows not that an ecstasye of Joy will sometimes fetch teares, when as the quite contrary passion will shutt them close up? Why then should any be so silly and foolish as to take an argument from this appearance? But this is by the by. In short, the prisoner at the bar is indited for sorcery and witch- craft acted upon the bodyes of the afflicted. Now, for the proof of this, I reckon that the only pertinent evidences brought in are the evidences of the said afflicted. It is true, that over and above the evidences of the afflicted persons, there are many evidences brought in, against the pris- oner at the bar; either that he was at a witch meeting, or that he performed things which could not be done by an ordinary natural power; or that she sold butter to a saylor, which prov- ing bad at sea, and the seamen exclaiming against her, she appeared, and soon after there was a storm, or the like. But what if there were ten thousand evidences of this nature; how do they prove the matter of inditement! And if they do not reach the matter of inditement, then I think it is clear, that the prisoner at the bar is brought in guilty, and condemned, merely from the evidences of the afflicted persons. The S. G. will by no means allow, that any are brought in guilty, and condemned, by virtue of spectre Evidence, (as it is called,) i. e. the evidence of these afflicted persons, who are said to have spectral eyes; but whether it is not purely by virtue .of these spectre evidences, that these persons are found guilty, (considering what before has been said,) I leave you, and any man of sense, to judge and determine. When any man is indited for murthering the person of A. B. and all the direct evidence be, that the said man pistolled the shadow of the said A. B. tho' there be never so many evidences that the said person murthered C. D., E. F. and ten more persons, yet all this will not amount to a legal proof, that he murthered A. B. ; and upon that inditement, the person cannot be legally brought in guilty of the said inditement; it must be upon this supposition, that the evidence of a man's pistolling the shadow of A. B. is a legal evidence to prove that the said man did murther the person of A. B. Now no man will be so much out of his witts as to make this a legal evidence ; and yet this seems to be our case; and how to apply it is very easy and obvious. 1892] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 177 As to the late executions,1 I shall only tell you, that in the opinion of many unprejudiced, considerate and consider- able spectatours, some of the condemned went out of the world not only with as great protestations, but also with as good shews of innocency, as men could do. They protested their innocency as in the presence of the great God, whom forthwith they were to appear before : they wished, and declared their wish, that their blood might be the last innocent blood shed upon that account. With great affection2 they intreated Mr. C. M.3 to pray with them : they prayed that God would discover what witchcrafts were among us; they forgave their accusers; they spake without reflec- tion on Jury and Judges, for bringing them in guilty, and con- demning them : they prayed earnestly for pardon for all other sins, and for an interest in the pretious blood of our dear Redeemer; and seemed to be very sincere, upright, and sen- sible of their circumstances on all accounts; especially Proctor and Willard, whose whole management of themselves, from the Goal to the Gallows, and whilst at the Gallows, was very affecting and melting to the hearts of some considerable Spec- tatours, whom I could mention to you : — but they are executed, and so I leave them. Many things I cannot but admire and wonder at, an ac- count of which I shall here send you. And 1. I do admire that some particular persons, and particularly Mrs. Thatcher of Boston,4 should be much com- plained of by the afflicted persons, and yet that the Justices should never issue out their warrants to apprehend them, 1 The names presently mentioned would seem to show that he has especially in mind the executions of August 19, and his words suggest that he was present on this occasion. Those then executed, besides John Proctor and John Willard, were the Rev. George Burroughs, George Jacobs, and Martha Carrier. For two other accounts of their death, both perhaps by eye-witnesses, see below, pp. 360-364. But there had been execution's also on June 10, July 19, and September 22. 2 Emotion, earnestness. 3 Cotton Mather. 4 Mrs. Margaret Thacher (1625-1694), widow of the Rev. Thomas Thacher (d. 1678), first minister of the Old South Church. She was the only child of the wealthy Boston merchant Henry Webb, and had been left by a first marriage the widow of Jacob Sheafe, then the richest man in Boston. 178 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 when as upon the same account they issue out their warrants for the apprehending and imprisoning many others. This occasions much discourse and many hot words, and is a very great scandal and stumbling block to many good people; certainly distributive Justice should have its course, without respect to persons; and altho' the said Mrs. Thatcher be mother in law to Mr. Corwin,1 who is one of the Justices and Judges, yet if Justice and conscience do oblige them to apprehend others on the account of the afflicted their com- plaints, I cannot see how, without injustice and violence to conscience, Mrs. Thatcher can escape, when it is well known how much she is, and has been, complained of. 2. I cannot but admire that Mr. H. U.2 (whom we all think innocent,) should yet be apprehended on this account, and ordered to prison, by a mittimus under Mr. Lynd's3 his hand, and yet that he should be suffered, for above a fortnight, to be in a private house; and after that, to quitt the house, the town, and the Province, and yet that authority should not take effectual notice of it. Methinks that same Justice, that actually imprisoned others, and refused bail for them on any terms, should not be satisfyed without actually imprison- ) ing Mr. U. and refusing bail for him, when his case is known/ to be the very same with the case of those others. If he may be suffered to go away, why may not others? If others may not be suffered to go, how in Justice can he be allowed herein? 3. If our Justices do think that Mrs. C.4 Mr. E.5 and his wife, Mr. A.6 and others, were capital offenders, and justly imprisoned on a capital account, I do admire that the said Justices should hear of their escape from prison, and where they are gone and entertained, and yet not send forthwith to the said places,7 for the surrendering of them, that Justice might be done them. In other Capitalls8 this has been prac- 1 Jonathan Corwin, of Salem. 1 Hezekiah Usher (1639-1697), a prominent Boston merchant. •Doubtless Joseph Lynde (1637-1727), of Charlestown — since June a member of the Council under the new Mather charter. 4 Mrs. Nathaniel Cary, of Charlestown. See pp. 349-352. § Philip English, of Salem. See p. 371 and note 1. •John Alden, of Boston. See p. 170, note 2. 1 1. e., to New York. * /. e., capital cases. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 179 tised; why then is it not practised in this case, if really judged to be so heinous as is made for? 4. I cannot but admire, that any snould go with their dis- tempered friends and relations to the afflicted children, to know what their distempered friends ayl; whether they are not bewitched; who it is that afflicts them, and the like. It is true, I know no reason why these afflicted may not be con- sulted as well as any other, if so be that it was only their natural and ordinary knowledge that was had recourse to: but it is not on this notion that these afflicted children are sought unto; but as they have a supernatural knowledge; a knowledge which they obtain by their holding correspondence with spectres or evill spirits, as they themselves grant. This consulting of these afflicted children, as abovesaid, seems to me to be a very grosse evill, a real abomination, not fitt to be known in N. E.1 and yet is a thing practised, not only by Tom and John — I mean the ruder and more ignorant sort — but by many who professe high, and passe among us for some of the better sort. This is that which aggravates the evil, and makes it heinous and tremendous; and yet this is not the worst of it, for, as sure as I now write to you, even some of our civil leaders, and spiritual teachers, who, (I think,) should punish and preach down such sorcery and wickedness, do yet allow of, encourage, yea, and practise this very abomi- nation. I know there are several worthy Gentlemen in Salem, who account this practise as an abomination, have trembled to see the methods of this nature which others have used, and have declared themselves to think the practise to be very evill and corrupt; but all avails little with the abettours of the said practice. A person from Boston, of no small note, carried up his child to Salem, (near 20 miles,) on purpose that he might consult the afflicted about his child; which accordingly he did; and the afflicted told him, that his child was afflicted by Mrs. Gary and Mrs. Obinson.2 The man returned to Boston, and went forthwith to the Justices for a warrant to seise the said 1 New England. 2 Mrs. Obinson was probably the wife of William Obinson, or Obbinson, a Boston tanner. 180 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 Obinson, (the said Gary being out of the way) ; but the Boston Justices saw reason to deny a warrant. The Rev. Mr. I. M.1 of Boston, took occasion severely to reprove the said man; asking him whether there was not a God in Boston, that he should go to the Devill in Salem for advice; warning him very seriously against such naughty practices; which, I hope, proved to the conviction and good of the said person; if not, his blood will be upon his own head. This consulting of these afflicted children, about their sick, was the unhappy begining of the unhappy troubles at poor Andover : Horse and man were sent up to Salem Village, from the said Andover, for some of the said afflicted ; and more than one or two of them were carried down to see Ballard's wife,2 and to tell who it was that did afflict her. I understand that the said B. took advice before he took this method; but what pity was it, that he should meet with, and hearken to such bad Counsellours? Poor Andover does now rue the day that ever the said afflicted went among them; they lament their folly, and are an object of great pity and commiseration. Capt. B.3 and Mr. St.4 are complained of by the afflicted, have left the town, and do abscond. Deacon Fry's wife, Capt'n Osgood's wife, and some others, remarkably pious and good people in repute, are apprehended and imprisoned; and that that is more admirable, the forementioned women are become a kind of confessours, being first brought thereto by the urgings and arguings of their good husbands, who, having taken up that corrupt and highly pernicious opinion, that who- ever were accused by the afflicted, were guilty, did break charity with their dear wives, upon their being accused, and urge them to confesse their guilt; which so far prevailed with them as to make them say, they were afraid of their being in the snare of the Devill; and which, through the rude and bar- 1 Increase Mather. 1 Mrs. Joseph Ballard. See below, pp. 371-372; and, for more as to this Andover episode, pp. 241-244, 418-420. The records of the Andover cases are printed by Woodward in his Records of Salem Witchcraft (Roxbury, 1864), and there are chapters on the episode in Abiel Abbot's History of Andover (Andover, 1829) and Sarah Loring Bailey's Historical Sketches of Andover (Boston, 1880). 1 Dudley Bradstreet. See p. 372. 4 Stevens? The conjecture is Mrs. Bailey's (Historical Sketches of Andover, p. 228). 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 181 barous methods* that were afterwards used at Salem, issued in somewhat plainer degrees of confession, and was attended with imprisonment. The good Deacon and Captain are now sensible of the errour they were in; do grieve and mourn bit- terly, that they should break their charity with their wives, and urge them to confesse themselves witches. They now see and acknowledge their rashnesse and uncharitablenesse, and are very fitt objects for the pity and prayers of every good Christian. Now I am writing concerning Andover, I cannot omit the opportunity of sending you this information; that Whereas there is a report spread abroad the country, how that they were much addicted to Sorcery in the said town, and that there were fourty men in it that could raise the Devill as well ag any astrologer, and the like; after the best search that I can make into it, it proves a mere slander, and a very unrighteous imputation. The Rev'd Elders of the said place were much surprized upon their hearing of the said Report, and faithfully made in- quiry about it; but the whole of naughtiness, that they could discover and find out, was only this, that two or three girls had foolishly made use of the sieve and scissors,2 as children have done in other towns. This method of the girls I do not Justifye in any measure; but yet I think it very hard and unreasonable, that a town should lye under the blemish and * You may possibly think that my terms are too severe; but should I tell you what a kind of Blade was employed in bringing these women to their confession; what methods from damnation were taken; with what violence urged; how unseasonably they were kept up; what buzzings and chuckings of the hand were used, and the like, I am sure that you would call them, (as I do), rude and barbarous methods.1 [Marginal note in the original.] 1 What Brattle may mean by "methods from damnation" is a puzzle to the editor. Perhaps "damnation" is only a euphemism for "hell." Possibly he thinks of that clause in the Massachusetts laws (Body of Liberties of 1641, art. 45; Lawes and Libertyes, 1660, p. 67; 1672, p. 129) which permits a prisoner "in some capital case, when he is first fully convicted by clear and sufficient evidence to be guilty," to be tortured for the discovery of his accomplices, yet not with such tortures as are barbarous and inhuman. What he means by "buzzings and chuck- ings of the hand," i. e., whisperings and wheedlings, will grow clear if one turn to pp. 374-376, and read what these Andover women themselves tell of the methods used with them. 2 A mode of divination much in vogue in New England as in Old. Called also "sieve and shears" or "riddle and shears" : the learned name is coscinomancy. 182 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 scandal of sorceryes and conjuration, merely for the inconsid- erate practices of two or three girls in the said town. 5. I cannot but admire that the Justices, whom I think to be well-meaning men, should so far give ear to the Devill, as merely upon his authority to issue out their warrants, and apprehend people. Liberty was evermore accounted the great priviledge of an Englishman; but certainly, if the Devill will be heard against us, and his testimony taken, to the siezing and apprehending of us, our liberty vanishes, and we are fools if we boast of our liberty. Now, that the Justices have thus far given ear to the Devill, I think may be mathematically demonstrated to any man of common sense: And for the demonstration and proof hereof, I desire, only, that these two things may be duly considered, viz. 1. That several persons have been apprehended purely upon the complaints of these afflicted, to whom the afflicted were perfect strangers, and had not the least knowledge of imaginable, before they were apprehended. 2. That the afflicted do own and assert, and the Justices do grant, that the Devill does inform and tell the afflicted the names of those persons that are thus unknown unto them. Now these two things being duly considered, I think it will appear evident to any one, that the DevilTs information is the fundamental testimony that is gone upon in the appre- hending of the aforesaid people. If I believe such or such an assertion as comes immediately from the Minister of God in the pulpitt, because it is the word of the overliving God, I build my faith on God's testimony: and if I practise upon it, this my practice is properly built on the word of God : even so in the case before us, If I believe the afflicted persons as informed by the Devill, and act thereupon, this my act may properly be said to be grounded upon the testimony or information of the Devill. And now, if things are thus, I think it ought to be for a lam- entation to you and me, and all such as would be accounted good Christians. If any should see the force of this argument, and upon it say, (as I heard a wise and good Judge once propose,) that they know not but that God almighty, or a good spirit, does give this information to these afflicted persons; I make answer 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 183 thereto, and say, that it is most certain that it is neither almighty God, nor yet any good Spirit, that gives this informa- tion; and my Reason is good, because God is a God of truth; and the good Spirits will not lye; whereas these informations have several times proved false, when the accused were brought before the afflicted. 6. I cannot but admire that these afflicted persons should be so much countenanced and encouraged in their accusations as they are: I often think of the Groton woman, that was afflicted, an account of which we have in print, and is a most certain truth, not to be doubted of.1 I shall only say, that there was as much ground, in the hour of it, to countenance the said Groton woman, and to apprehend and imprison, on her accusations, as there is now to countenance these afflicted persons, and to apprehend and imprison on their accusations. But furthermore, it is worthy of our deepest consideration, that in the conclusion, (after multitudes have been imprisoned, and many have been put to death,) these afflicted persons should own that all was a mere fancy and delusion of the DevilTs, as the Groton woman did own and acknowledge with respect to herself; if, I say, in after times, this be acknowledged by them, how can the Justices, Judges, or any else concerned in these matters, look back upon these things without the greatest of sorrow and grief imaginable? I confesse to you, it makes me tremble when I seriously consider of this thing. I have heard that the chief judge2 has expressed himself very hardly of the accused woman at Groton, as tho' he believed her to be a witch to this day; but by such as knew the said woman, this is judged a very uncharitable opinion of the 1 "The Groton woman" was Elizabeth Knapp, and the "account in print" probably that of Increase Mather reprinted above, pp. 21-23, though possibly Willard's sermon (see p. 21, note 4) is meant. 2 William Stoughton, the new lieutenant-governor. He had been educated for the ministry in the Harvard class of 1650, and went to England, where he preached for some ten years, receiving meanwhile at Oxford his mastership in arts and the honor of a fellowship; but, ejected at the Restoration, he returned to New England, and there, though counted an able preacher, declined a settle- ment and drifted into public life. He seems to have set store by his learning in theology, and to the end to have maintained the Devil's impotence to person- ate by a spectre any but a guilty witch. As to his career see the careful study by Sibley, in his Harvard Graduates (I. 194-208). 184 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 said Judge, and I do not understand that any are proselyted thereto. Rev'd Sir, these things I cannot but admire and wonder at. Now, if so be it is the effect of my dullness that I thus admire, I hope you will pity, not censure me: but if, on the contrary, these things are just matter of admiration, I know that you will join with me in expressing your admiration hereat. The chief Judge is very zealous in these proceedings, and says, he is very clear as to all that hath as yet been acted by this Court, and, as far as ever I could perceive, is very impa- tient in hearing any thing that looks another way. I very highly honour and reverence the wisdome and integrity of the said Judge, and hope that this matter shall not diminish my veneration for his honour; however, I cannot but say, my great fear is, that wisdome and counsell are withheld from his hon- our as to this matter, which yet I look upon not so much as a Judgment to his honour as to this poor land. But altho' the Chief Judge, and some of the other Judges, be very zealous in these proceedings, yet this you may take for a truth, that there are several about the Bay, men for understanding, Judgment, and Piety, inferiour to few, (if any,) in N. E. that do utterly condemn the said proceedings, and do freely deliver their Judgment in the case to be this, viz. that these methods will utterly ruine and undoe poor N. E. I shall nominate some of these to you, viz. The hon'ble Simon Bradstreet, Esq. (our late Governor); the hon'ble Thomas Danforth, Esq. (our late Deputy Governor); the Rev'd Mr. Increase Mather, and the Rev'd Mr. Samuel Willard. Major N. Saltonstall, Esq. who was one of the Judges, has left the Court, and is very much dissatisfyed with the proceedings of it. Excepting Mr. Hale, Mr. Noyes, and Mr. Parris, the Rev'd Elders, almost throughout the whole Country, are very much dissatisfyed. Several of the late Justices, viz. Thomas Graves, Esq. N. Byfield, Esq. Francis Foxcroft, Esq. are much dissatisfyed; also several of the present Justices; and in par- ticular, some of the Boston Justices, were resolved rather to throw up their commissions than be active in disturbing the liberty of their Majesties' subjects, merely on the accusations of these afflicted, possessed children. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 183 Finally; the principal Gentlemen in Boston, and there- about, are generally agreed that irregular and dangerous methods have been taken as to these matters. Sir, I would not willingly lead you into any errour, and therefore would desire you to note, 1. That when I call these afflicted "the afflicted children," I would not be understood as though I meant, that all that are afflicted are children: there are several young men and women that are afflicted, as well as children: but this term has most prevailed among us, because of the younger sort that were first afflicted, and therefore I make use of it. 2. That when I speak of the Salem Gentlemen, I would not be understood as tho' I meant every Individual Gentle- man in Salem; nor yet as tho' I meant, that there were no men but in Salem that run upon these notions : some term they must have, and this seems not improper, because in Salem this sort of Gentlemen does most abound. 3. That other Justices in the Country, besides the Salem Justices, have issued out their warrants, and imprisoned, on the accusations of the afflicted as aforesaid; and therefore, when I speak of the Salem Justices, I do not mean them exclusively. 4. That as to the above mentioned Judges, that are com- missionated for this Court at Salem, five of them do belong to Suffolk county; four of which five do belong to Boston;1 and therefore I see no reason why Boston should talk of Salem, as tho' their own Judges had had no hand in these proceedings at Salem. Nineteen persons have now been executed, and one pressed to death for a mute: seven more are condemned; two of which are reprieved, because they pretend their being with child; one, viz. Mrs. Bradbury of Salisbury, from the inter- cession of some friends; and two or three more, because they are confessours.2 The Court is adjourned to the first Tuesday in November, then to be kept at Salem; between this and then will be [the] 1 See p. 355. Richards, Sargent, Sewall, Winthrop, were of Boston; Stough- ton of Dorchester, close by. Only Gedney was of Salem, till Corwin was called in to replace Saltonstall (who was of Haverhill). 2 As to all these see below, pp. 360-374. 186 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 great assembly,1 and this matter will be a peculiar matter of their agitation. I think it is matter of earnest supplication and prayer to almighty God, that he would afford his gracious presence to the said assembly, and direct them aright in this weighty matter. Our hopes are here; and if, at this Juncture, God does not graciously appear for us, I think we may con- clude that N. E. is undone and undone. I am very sensible, that it is irksome and disagreeable to go back, when a man's doing so is an implication that he has been walking in a wrong path : however, nothing is more hon- ourable than, upon due conviction, to retract and undo, (so far as may be,) what has been amiss and irregular. I would hope that, in the conclusion, both the Judges and Justices will see and acknowledge that such were then* best friends and advisers as disswaded from the methods which they have taken, tho' hitherto they have been angry with them, and apt to speak very hardly of them. I cannot but highly applaud, and think it our duty to be very thankfull, for the endeavours of several Elders,2 whose lips, (I think,) should preserve knowledge, and whose counsell should, I think, have been more regarded, in a case of this nature, than as yet it has been: in particular, I cannot but think very honourably of the endeavours of a Rev'd person in Boston,3 whose good affection to his countrey in general, 1 The General Court. It convened on October 12. Its attitude as to the Salem trials is thus tersely intimated in Judge Sewall's diary: "Oct. 26, 1692. A Bill is sent in about calling a Fast and Convocation of Ministers, that [we] may be led in the right way as to the Witchcrafts. The season and manner of doing it, is such, that the Court of Oyer and Terminer count themselves thereby dis- missed. 29 Nos and 33 yeas to the Bill." The bill itself has been printed (from the Mass. Archives, XL 70) by G. H. Moore, in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society (n. s., II. 172); and that those of Brattle's mind had not relied alone on prayer to influence the assembly may be seen by the petition printed in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXVII. 55, and in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, n. s., V. 246 (see also Proceedings, n. s., II. 171). 'The ministers, now practically the only "elders." 1 It has been generally assumed, and with reason, that this "Rev'd person" was the Rev. Samuel Willard. Three of the judges (Sargent, Sewall, and Win- throp) were members of his church (the Old South), and, unless one suspect Brattle of intent to mislead, ''spiritual relation" must here mean a pastor's. The phrase "good affection to the country" suggests, too, one who, like Willard, 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 187 and spiritual relation to three of the Judges in particular, has made him very solicitous and industrious in this matter; and I am fully persuaded, that had his notions and proposals been hearkened to, and followed, when these troubles were in their birth, in an ordinary way, they would never have grown unto that heigth which now they have. He has as yet mett with little but unkindness, abuse, and reproach from many men; but I trust that, in after times, his wisdome and service will find a more universal acknowledgment; and if not, his reward is with the Lord. Two or three things I should have hinted to you before, but they slipped my thoughts in their proper place. Many of these afflicted persons, who have scores of strange fitts in a day, yet in the intervals of time are hale and hearty, robust and lusty, as tho' nothing had afflicted them. (J. Re- member that when the chief Judge gave the first Jury their charge, he told them, that they were not to mind whether the bodies of the said afflicted were really pined and consumed, as was expressed in the inditement ; but whether the said afflicted did not suffer from the accused such afflictions as naturally shared Brattle's political views. We have seen already (p. 23) what caution in 1671 he used in the case of Elizabeth Knapp; and, if the "notions and proposals" . meant by Brattle are now lost, we have from his pen what puts his position in ! 1692 beyond all question — a little dialogue, published anonymously while the troubles were at their height, which with fairness and courtesy, but with striking clearness and boldness, argues against the iniquity of the procedure. Its title runs : Some Miscellany Observations on our Present Debates respecting Witchcrafts, in a Dialogue between S. and B. By P. E. and J. A. Philadelphia, Printed by William Bradford, for Hezekiah Usher. 1692. "S." and "B." undoubtedly mean Salem and Boston. Philadelphia and Bradford probably had as little to do with the book (the type is not Bradford's) as did Hezekiah Usher, P. E. (Philip English), or J. A. (John Alden), three notable fugitives from Salem justice. All alike were merely remote enough to bear in safety the imputation of such a book. John Alden and Hezekiah Usher were members of Willard's church; and Philip English and his wife he visited while in custody at Boston, and probably was a party to their escape. At least the Rev. William Bentley, of Salem, re- cording in his diary, May 21, 1793, what their great-granddaughter Susanna Hathorne had told him, relates that Willard and Moodey "visited them and in- vited them to the public worship on the day before they were to return to Salem for trial. Their text was that they that are persecuted in one city, let them flee to another. After Meeting the Ministers visited them at the Gaol, and asked them whether they took notice of the discourse, and told them their danger and urged them to escape since so many had suffered. Mr. English replied, 'God 188 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 tended to their being pined and consumed, wasted, etc. This, (said he,) is a pining and consuming in the sense of the law. I add noQ Furthermore: These afflicted persons do say, and often have declared it, that they can see Spectres when their eyes are shutt, as well as when they are open. This one thing I evermore accounted as very observable, and that which might serve as a good key to unlock the nature of these myste- rious troubles, if duly improved by us. LCan they see Spectres when their eyes are shutt? I am sure they lye, at least speak falsely, if they say so; for the thing, in nature, is an utter im- possibility. It is true, they may strongly fancye, or have things represented to their imagination, when their eyes are shutt; and I think this is all which ought to be allowed to these blind, nonsensical girls; and if our officers and Courts have apprehended, imprisoned, condemned, and executed our guiltlesse neighbours, certainly our errour is great, and we shall rue it in the conclusion.^! There are two or three other things that I have observed irTand by these afflicted persons, which make me strongly suspect that the Devill imposes upon their brains, and deludes their fancye and imagination; and that will not permit them to touch me.' Mrs. English said: 'Do you not think the sufferers innocent?' He (Moody) said 'Yes.' She then added, 'Why may we not suffer also?' The Ministers then told him if he would not carry his wife away they would." (Quoted by R. D. Paine, in his Ships and Sailors of Old Salem, from Bentley's privately printed diary, which seems to give the tale in a more primitive form than his letter to Alden, in the Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, X.) "It ought never to be forgotten," said Willard's colleague, Ebenezer Pem- berton, preaching in 1707 his funeral sermon, "with what Prudence, Courage and Zeal he appeared for the Good of this People in that Dark and Mysterious Season when we were assaulted from the Invisible World. And how singularly Instru- mental he was in discovering the Cheats and Delusions of Satan, which did threaten to stain our Land with Blood and to deluge it with all manner of Woes." True, Judge Sewall, mentioning in 1696 (Diary, I. 433) Willard's sermon at the day of public prayer, says that he spake smartly "at last" about the Salem witchcraft; but "at last" here means "at the end," "as the peroration of his sermon." It is clearly Willard whom Cotton Mather has especially in mind when in his life of Phips and again in his Magnolia (bk. II., p. 62) he sets forth the views of those "who from the beginning were very much dissatisfied with these proceedings," having "already known of one at the Town of Groton" who had falsely accused a neighbor. The strange suggestion of W. F. Poole that Brattle here means Cotton Mather himself, is adequately answered by Upham, in his Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather. 1692] THOMAS BRATTLE, LETTER 189 the DevilTs book (which they say has been offered them) is a mere fancye of theirs, and no reality: That the witches' meeting, the Devill 's Baptism, and mock sacraments, which they oft speak of, are nothing else but the effect of their fancye, depraved and deluded by the Devill, and not a Reality to be regarded or minded by any wise man. And whereas the Con- fessours have owned and asserted the said meetings, the said Baptism, and mock Sacrament, (which the S. G. and some others, make much account of) I am very apt to think, that, did you know the circumstances of the said Confessours, you would not be swayed thereby, any otherwise than to be con- firmed, that all is perfect Devilism, and an Hellish design to ruine and destroy this poor land: For whereas there are of the said Confessours 55 in number, some of them are known to be distracted, crazed women, something of which you may see by a petition lately offered to the chief Judge, a copy whereof I may now send you;1 others of them denyed their guilt, and maintained their innocency for above eighteen hours, after most violent, distracting, and draggooning2 methods had been used with them, to make them confesse. Such methods they were, that more than one of the said confessours did since tell many, with teares in their eyes, that they thought their very lives would have gone out of their bodyes; and wished that they might have been cast into the lowest dungeon, rather than be tortured with such repeated buzzings and chuck- ings and unreasonable urgings as they were treated withal. They soon recanted their confessions, acknowledging, with sorrow and grief, that it was an hour of great temptation with them; and I am very apt to think, that as for five or six of the said confessours, if they are not very good Christian women, it will be no easy matter to find so many good Christian women in N. E. But, finally, as to about thirty of these fifty- five Confessours, they are possessed (I reckon) with the Devill, and afflicted as the children are, and therefore not fitt to be regarded as to any thing they say of themselves or others. And whereas the S. G. do say that these confessours made 1 The paper meant is doubtless that printed at pp. 374-375, below. 2 The attempt of Louis XIV. to force his Protestant subjects to abandon their faith by turning loose his dragoons upon them had already furnished the English language with this new word. 190 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 their Confessions before they were afflicted, it is absolutely contrary to universal experience, as far as ever I could under- stand. It is true, that some of these have made their con- fession before they had their falling, tumbling fitts, but yet not absolutely before they had any fitts and marks of posses- sion, for (as the S. G. know full well) when these persons were about first confessing, their mouths would be stopped, and their throats affected, as tho' there was danger of strangling, and afterward (it is true) came their tumbling fitts. So that, I say, the confessions of these persons were in the beginning of their fitts, and not truly before their fitts, as the S. G. would make us believe. Thus, (Sir,) I have given you as full a narrative of these matters as readily occurs to my mind, and I think every word of it is matter of fact; the several glosses and descants where- upon, by way of Reasoning, I refer to your Judgment, whether to approve or disapprove. What will be the issue of these troubles, God only knows; I am afraid that ages will not wear off that reproach and those stains which these things will leave behind them upon our land. I pray God pity us, Humble us, Forgive us, and ap- pear mercifully for us in this our mount of distress : Herewith I conclude, and subscribe myself, Reverend Sir, your real friend and humble servant, T. B. LETTERS OF GOVERNOR PHIPS TO THE HOME GOVERNMENT, 1692-1693 INTRODUCTION SIR WILLIAM PHIPS, who arrived in May as the royal | governor under the new charter, was no stranger to New En- I gland. Born in 1651 at a hamlet on the Maine coast, just be- » yond the Kennebec, where his father, a Bristol gunsmith, had become a settler, he had early turned from sheep-herding to ship-carpentry, and then coming up to Boston, where at twenty-two he first learned to read and write, he had by thrift become the master of a vessel and had found a path to fortune in the rescue of lost treasure from Spanish galleons sunken in West Indian waters. These ventures had brought him into partnership with some of the most powerful of English nobles, and even with royalty itself, and his sturdy honesty (or per- haps a wise use of his wealth) won him from the King in 1687 the honor of knighthood and in 1688 appointment as high sheriff of New England. The hostility of Governor Andros brought the sheriff ship to nothing; but the English revolution overturned Andros in 1689, and the emancipated colonies made Sir William head of the expedition that conquered Nova Sco- tia, and then sent him with another against Quebec. Mean- while President Increase Mather was laboring in England, as the agent of Massachusetts, for the restoration of the ancient charter; and when Sir William (who during his absence had, as his son's convert, become a member of his church) turned up there too, and just in time to support him against the other New England commissioners in accepting from the King what ' could be got, though not what could be wished, he was the natural nominee for the new governorship. But the new governor was little trained for such an emer- 193 194 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES gency as awaited him in New England. What more natural in such a crisis, which to the thought of that day seemed to need the divine more than the statesman, than to turn for counsel to his pastor and patron, or to his colleague the new lieutenant-governor,1 who had enjoyed precisely that training in theology which seemed now his own chief lack? Stoughton was made chief justice of a special court created by the gov- ernor to try the witch-cases,2 and during the latter's repeated absences3 at the frontier became the acting governor. The ministers of Boston were " consulted by his Excellency and the Honourable Council" as to the conduct of the trials. Their "Return," bearing date of June 15, was drawn by Cotton Mather;4 and it was perhaps now that that divine, who had early (May 31) furnished the judges a body of instructions,5 was inspired by "the Direction of His Excellency the Gov- ernor"6 to undertake that "Account of the Sufferings brought 1 William Stoughton (see above, p. 183 and note 2) was of course also a nominee of Mather's. He had not been forward in the revolution which over- threw the Andros government, but he had rallied to it, and Cotton Mather had written his father wishing he might "do anything to restore him to the favor of the country." 1 In the last week of May, at his first meetings with the new Council. The court began its sessions at Salem on June 2. 1 He was present in Boston at meetings of the Council on June 13, 18, July 4, 8, 15, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, September 5, 12, 16, and again on October 14 (Moore, in American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, n. s., V. 251 note). Sewall on September 29 notes in his diary: "Governor comes to Town." 4 A summary of it may be found on pp. 356-357, below; the full text is ap- pended to Increase Mather's Cases of Conscience (1693) and has been often re- printed, both with that work and in later books. It is Cotton Mather himself (in his life of Phips) who tells us that he drafted it. 6 In his letter of May 31 to his parishioner John Richards, a member of the court (Mather Papers, pp. 391-397). It is endorsed — with reason — "Mr Cotton Mather, an Essay concerning Witchcraft"; for an essay it really is. A supple- ment, and an interesting one, is his letter of August 17 to John Foster, a member of the Council (printed by Upham in his Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather. pp. 39-40). • It has been questioned (by Upham and again by G. H. Moore) whether "the Governor" whose "commands" Mather alleges (see p. 206) may not be Stoughton instead of Phips; but his discrimination between the two is too clear and too constant to admit the suspicion, and still less can Stoughton and INTRODUCTION 195 upon the Countrey by Witchcraft," which was ready for sub- mission to Sir William on his return from the east in early October, and with which, under its title of The Wonders of the Invisible World, we must soon make acquaintance. The open- ing clauses of the governor's letter show plainly the influence of that book;1 and the change in tone between its earlier and its later portion, and yet more between the letter of October and that of February, is not the least interesting feature of these documents.2 Sewall (see pp. 251, 378) have been inexact. A doubt as to who consulted the clergy must be similarly answered. Yet Stoughton may well have been behind both acts. 1 His phrases are taken almost bodily from the book (see, in Drake's edition, pp. 102-109, not here reprinted); and his statement as to the methods of the court echoes Mather's. It has been suggested (by Moore) that Mather himself drafted the letter; but neither the style nor the matter of its later portion can be his. 2 Cotton Mather, in his life of Phips, names as one of the causes of the gov- ernor's changing attitude, the reply of "the Dutch and French Ministers of the Province of New York," who had "their Judgement asked by the Chief Judge of that Province" — the Massachusetts Tory, Joseph Dudley. These questions (now printed with the answers in the Proceedings of the Mass. Hist. Soc., second series, I, 348-358) throw a vivid light on the problems then agitating the public mind. They are dated at New York on October 5, and the answers, dated Oc- tober 11, cannot have reached Boston before the middle of that month. More distinctly than the Boston clergy they reject "spectral evidence." According to the Anglican rector at New York, John Miller (commenting on Mather's state- ment as borrowed by the geographer Hermann Moll), "the advice of the estab- lished English Minister was also asked and generously given"; "but," he adds, "they were not so civill as to thank him for it, nor do they here acknowledge it, although it was much to their purpose, and stood them in good stead." It may be found, however, written out by his own hand in his copy of Moll's Atlas (now in the New York Public Library); and it is summarized at pp. 274-276 of the New York Historical Society's Collections for 1869 and in the edition of Miller's New York considered (1695) by Mr. Paltsits (1903), to whom the editor owes suggestion of the matter. Miller's answers are, indeed, somewhat less credulous than those of his Calvinist colleagues; but (as appears from a "Memorandum" of his own) it is by no means certain that they reached New England. LETTERS OF GOVERNOR PHI PS WHEN I first arrived I found this Province miserably har- rassed with a most Horrible witchcraft or Possession of Devills which had broke in upon severall Townes, some scores of poor people were taken with preternaturall torments some scalded with brimstone some had pins stuck in their flesh others hur-. ried into the fire and water and some dragged out of their houses and carried over the tops of trees and hills for many Miles together; it hath been represented to mee much like that of Sweden about thirty years agoe,1 and there were many committed to prison upon suspicion of Witchcraft before my arrivall. The loud cries and clamours of the friends of the afflicted people with the advice of the Deputy Governor and many others prevailed with mee to give a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for discovering what witchcraft might be at the bottome or whether it were not a possession. The chief Judge in this Commission was the Deputy Governour and the rest were persons of the best prudence and figure that could then be pitched upon. When the Court came to sitt at Salem in the County of Essex they convicted more than twenty per- sons of being guilty of witchcraft, some of .the convicted were such as confessed their Guilt, the Court as I understand began their proceedings with the accusations of the afflicted and then went upon other humane2 evidences to strengthen that. I was almost the whole time of the proceeding abroad in the service of Their Majesties in the Eastern part of the Country and de- pended upon the Judgement of the Court as to a right method of proceeding in cases of Witchcraft but when I came home I found many persons in a strange ferment of dissatisfaction which was increased by some hott Spiritts that blew up the flame,3 but 1 The famous case at Mohra in 1669-1670. Cotton Mather had appended to his Wonders an account of it. . 'Human. 8 He thinks perhaps of the Baptist preacher, William Milborne, one of the leaders in the later revolution, who on June 25 was called before the Council 196 1692] GOVERNOR PHIPS, LETTERS 197 on enquiring into the matter I found that the Devill had taken upon him the name and shape of severall persons who were doubtless inocent and to my certain knowledge of good reputa- tion for which cause I have now forbidden the committing of any more that shall be accused without unavoydable necessity, and those that have been committed I would shelter from any Proceedings against them wherein there may be the least suspition of any wrong to be done unto the Innocent. I would also wait for any particular directions or commands if their Majesties please to give mee any for the fuller ordering this perplexed affair. I have also put a stop to the printing of any discourses one way or other, that may increase the needless disputes of people upon this occasion, because I saw a likely- hood of kindling an inextinguishable flame if I should admitt any publique and open Contests and I have grieved to see that some who should have done their Majesties and this Province better service have so far taken Councill of Passion as to desire the precipitancy of these matters, these things have been im- proved by some to give me many interuptions in their Majes- ties service and in truth none of my vexations have been greater than this, than that their Majesties service has been hereby unhappily clogged, and the Persons who have made soe ill improvement of these matters here are seeking to turne it all upon mee,1 but I hereby declare that as soon as I came from righting against their Majesties Enemyes and understood what danger some of their innocent subjects might be exposed to, if the evidence of the afflicted persons only did prevaile either to the committing or trying any of them, I did before because of two papers subscribed by him and several others, "containing very high reflections upon the administration of public justice within this their Majesty's Province" (Moore, Notes on Witchcraft, p. 12; Final Notes, p. 72). What seems one of these papers, addressed "to the Grave and Juditious the Gen- erall Assembly of the Province," has been found (see it in N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXVII. 55, and reprinted by Moore in American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, n. s., V. 246) and proves a protest against the conviction "upon bare specter testimonie" of "persons of good fame and of unspotted reputa- tion." It must have been in circulation before the detection of its author, and was very possibly the reason for the consultation of the clergy. 1 It must be remembered that the new charter, by opening the suffrage to those who were not church members, had greatly strengthened the party opposed to the theocracy — and to the theocracy's governor. More than once it has been said, too, that the Salem witchcraft was the rock on which the theocracy shattered. 198 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 any application was made unto me about it put a stop to the proceedings of the Court and they are now stopt till their Majesties pleasure be known. Sir I beg pardon for giving you all this trouble, the reason is because I know my enemies are seeking to turn it all upon me and I take this liberty because I depend upon your friendship, and desire you will please to give a true understanding of the matter if any thing of this kind be urged or made use of against mee. Because the just- nesse of my proceeding herein will bee a sufficient defence. Sir I am with all imaginable respect Your most humble Servt WILLIAM PHIPS. Dated at Boston the 12th of October 1692.1 Mem'dm That my Lord President be pleased to acquaint his Ma'ty in Councill with the account received from New England from Sir Wm. Phips the Governor there touching Proceedings against severall persons for Witchcraft as appears by the Governor's letter concerning those matters. BOSTON in New England Febry 21st, 169S. May it please yor. Lordshp. BY the Capn. of the Samuell and Henry I gave an account that att my arrivall here I found the Prisons full of people 1 This letter, with its memorandum, has been printed in the Essex Institute Historical Collections, IX. 86-88, from a copy made in the British archives ("Co- lonial Entry Book, vol. 62, p. 414," now C. O. 5: 905, p. 414). It has since been printed also in the Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1689-1692 (no. 2551, p. 720), which uses not only this MS. (mistakenly called "an extract") but another ("Board of Trade, New England, 6, no. 7," now C. O. 5: 857, no. 7); but the editor has corrected and paraphrased. The last-named MS. (C. O. 5 : 857, no. 7) is, however, the original letter; and the present impression has been carefully collated with it at London, many corrections resulting. October 14, in the Essex Institute's reprint, is only a printer's error for October 12. The letter was addressed to William Blathwayt, clerk of the Privy Council, and it is he who added the memorandum (to the Entry Book copy). 1692] GOVERNOR PHIPS, LETTERS 199 committed upon suspition of witchcraft and that continuall complaints were made to me that many persons were grievously tormented by witches and that they cryed out upon severall persons by name, as the cause of their torments. The number of these complaints increasing every day, by advice of the Lieut Govr. and the Councill I gave a Commission of Oyer and Terminer to try the suspected witches and at that time the generality of the People represented the matter to me as reall witchcraft and gave very strange instances of the same. The first in Commission was the Lieut. Govr. and the rest per- sons of the best prudence and figure that could then be pitched upon and I depended upon the Court for a right method of proceeding in cases of witchcraft. At that time I went to command the army at the Eastern part of the Province, for the French and Indians had made an attack upon some of our Fronteer Towns. I continued there for some time but when I returned I found people much disatisfied at the proceedings of the Court, for about Twenty persons were condemned and executed of which number some were thought by many per- sons to be innocent. The Court still proceeded in the same method of trying them, which was by the evidence of the afflicted persons who when they were brought into the Court as soon as the suspected witches looked upon them instantly fell to the ground in strange agonies and grievous torments, but when touched by them upon the arme or some other part of their flesh they immediately revived and came to themselves, upon [which] they made oath that the Prisoner at the Bar did afflict them and that they saw their shape or spectre come from their bodies which put them to such paines and torments: When I enquired into the matter I was enformed by the Judges that they begun with this, but had humane testimony against such as were condemned and undoubted proof of their being witches, but at length I found that the Devill did take upon him the shape of Innocent persons and some were accused of whose innocency I was well assured and many considerable persons of unblameable life and conversation were cried out upon as witches and wizards. The Deputy Govr. notwith- standing persisted vigorously in the same method, to the great disatisfaction and disturbance of the people, untill I put an 200 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 end to the Court and stopped the proceedings, which I did because I saw many innocent persons might otherwise perish and at that time I thought it my duty to give an account thereof that their Ma'ties pleasure might be signifyed, hoping that for the better ordering thereof the Judges learned in the law in England might give such rules and directions as have been practized in England for proceedings in so difficult and so nice a point; When I put an end to the Court1 there were at least fifty persons in prison in great misery by reason of the extream cold and their poverty, most of them having only spectre evidence against them, and their mittimusses being defective, I caused some of them to be lett out upon bayle and put the Judges upon considering of a way to reliefe others and prevent them from perishing in prison, upon which some of them were convinced and acknowledged that their former proceedings were too violent and not grounded upon a right foundation but that if they might sit againe, they would pro- ceed after another method, and whereas Mr. Increase Mathew2 and severall other Divines did give it as their Judgment that the Devill might afflict in the shape of an innocent person and that the look and the touch of the suspected persons was not sufficient proofe against them, these things had not the same stress layd upon them as before, and upon this consideration I permitted a spetiall Superior Court3 to be held at Salem 1 It was on October 29, three days after the passage by the General Court of the bill calling for a fast and a convocation of ministers for guidance "as to the witchcrafts," and, as Judge Sewall tells us (see p. 186, note 1, above) in such "season and manner" that "the Court of Oyer and Terminer count themselves thereby dismissed," that in the Council, when "Mr. Russel asked whether the Court of Oyer and Terminer should sit, expressing some fear of Inconvenience by its fall," the "Governour said it must fall." (SewalTs Diary, I. 368.) 1 Mather. Undoubtedly an error of the English copyist. The advice meant was that of the twelve ministers of Boston and vicinity on June 15. See intro- duction. 1 The Superior Court was created by act of the General Court of the prov- ince— of course with the concurrence of the governor — on November 25, 1692; but its session at Salem would, under the law, have come in the next November, and a supplementary act was passed on December 16, providing, "upon con- sideration that many persons charged capital offenders are now in custody within the county of Essex," for a court of assize and general jail delivery there on January 3. 1G93] GOVERNOR PHIPS, LETTERS 201 in the County of Essex on the third day of January, the Lieut Govr. being Chief Judge. Their method of proceeding being altered, all that were brought to tryall to the number of fifety two, were cleared saving three, and I was enformed by the Kings Attorny Generall that some of the cleared and the con- demned were under the same circumstances or that there was the same reason to clear the three condemned as the rest according to his Judgment. The Deputy Govr. signed a War- rant for their speedy execucion and also of five others who were condemned at the former Court of Oyer and terminer, but considering how the matter had been managed I sent a reprieve whereby the execucion was stopped untill their Maj. pleasure be signified and declared. The Lieut. Gov. upon this occasion was inraged and filled with passionate anger and re- fused to sitt upon the bench in a Superior Court then held at Charles Towne,1 and indeed hath from the beginning hurried on these matters with great precipitancy and by his warrant hath caused the estates, goods and chatties of the executed to be seized and disposed of without my knowledge or consent. The stop put to the first method of proceedings hath dissipated the blak cloud that threatened this Province with destruccion ; for whereas this delusion of the Devill did spread and its dis- mal! effects touched the lives and estates of many of their Ma' ties Subjects and the reputacion of some of the principal! persons here,2 and indeed unhappily clogged and interrupted their Ma'ties affaires which hath been a great vexation to me, I have no new complaints but peoples minds before divided 1 For this episode see pp. 382-383. *A "letter from Boston" printed in the British Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1693-1696, p. 63, says that "The witchcraft at Salem went on vigor- ously . . . until at last members of Council and Justices were accused"; and the Boston merchant Calef in 1697 wrote : "If it be true what was said at the Counsel- board in answer to the commendations of Sir William, for his stopping the pro- ceedings about Witchcraft, viz. That it was high time for him to stop it, his own Lady being accused; if that Assertion were a truth, then New-England may seem to be more beholden to the accusers for accusing of her, and thereby necessi- tating a stop, than to Sir William" (More Wonders, p. 154). Lady Phips had earned an accusation by daring, in Sir William's absence, herself to issue a war- rant for the discharge of an accused woman. The keeper lost his place. (MS. letter quoted by Hutchinson, II. 61, note; the writer had it from the keeper him- self and had seen the document.) 202 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES and distracted by differing opinions concerning this matter are now well composed. I am Yor. Lordships most faithfull humble Servant WILLIAM PHIPS [Addressed:] To the Rt. Honble the Earle of Nottingham att Whitehall London [Indorsed :] R [i. e., received] May 24, 93 abt. Witches1 1 This letter is here reprinted from the Massachusetts Historical Society's Proceedings, second ser., I. 340-342, where the original, in the British archives, is described as "America and West Indies, No. 591" and "also in Colonial Entry Book, No. 62, p. 426"; but the Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1693-1696, which again prints it, though in abridged form, ascribes it to "America and West Indies, 561, nos. 28, 29," and mentions the duplicate as "Col. Entry Bk., Vol. LXII, pp. 426-430," and as "entered as addressed to William Blathwayt." It may also be found in G. H. Moore's Final Notes on Witchcraft in Massachusetts (New York, 1885), pp. 90-93, with his annotations. Examination at the British Public Record Office shows that the original letter (formerly America and West Indies, 561, no. 28) is now C. O. 5 : 51, no. 28, and is plainly addressed to the Earl of Nottingham. FROM "THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD," BY COTTON MATHER, 1693 INTRODUCTION *) How The Wonders of the Invisible World came to be written we have already seen.1 Its author had "a talent for sudden composures." We have seen what a scrap-bag was his Mem- orable Providences; and the pigeon-holes of his desk must for months have been gathering materials that could now be put to use. What these materials were is suggested by his title- page; but the title-page description is not exact. There is first an essay, entitled "Enchantments Encountered," on New England as a home of the saints and the plot of the Devil against her, especially as revealed by the witches now confess- ing; next an abstract of the rules of Perkins, Gaule, and Ber- nard for the detection of witches. Then follows "A Discourse on the Wonders of the Invisible World, uttered (in part) on Aug. 4, 1692." It is a sermon on Rev. xii. 12, depicting in apocalyptic phrase the Devil's wrath and its present manifes- tation. Next comes "An Hortatory and Necessary Address, to a Country now extraordinarily alarum'd by the Wrath of the Devil" — this, too, doubtless written for a sermon. "Hav- ing thus discoursed on the Wonders of the Invisible World," says then the author, "I shall now, with God's help, go on to relate some Remarkable and Memorable Instances of Wonders which that World has given to ourselves." Yet he still inserts "A Narrative of an Apparition which a Gentleman in Boston had of his Brother," before proceeding to those Salem trials, the kernel of his book, which are reprinted below. Doubtless these were meant, as the title-page suggests, to form a part of the "Enchantments Encountered," but failed 1 See pp. 194-195. 205 206 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES to arrive in time. Mather had long been begging them from Stephen Sewall (brother of Judge Sewall), the clerk of the court; but the clerk was then very busy. On September 20 Mather wrote: "That I may be the more capable to assist in lifting up a standard against the infernal enemy, I must renew my most importunate request." What he asks is "a narrative of the evidence given in at the trials of half a dozen, or if you please, a dozen, of the principal witches that have been con- demned." He pleads not only SewalTs promise, but that "his Excellency, the Governor, laid his positive commands upon me to desire this favor of you"; "and the truth is," he adds, "there are some of his circumstances with reference to this affair, which I need not mention, that call for the expedit- ing of your kindness." He wants also some of the clerk's "observations about the confessors, and the credibility of what they assert, or about things evidently preternatural in the witchcrafts"; but, "assure yourself," he concludes, "I shall not wittingly make what you write prejudicial to any worthy design which those two excellent persons, Mr. Hale and Mr. Noyes, may have in hand." But the clerk took counsel before he acted. His brother's Diary records, on Thursday, Septem- ber 22, that "William Stoughton, Esqr., John Hathorne, Esqr., Mr. Cotton Mather, and Capt. John Higginson, with my brother St., were at our house, speaking about publishing some Trials of the Witches." These had been received and utilized by early October (see p. 247), and the book, thus far complete, could before October 11 be laid before the judges (see p. 251) and by the 12th could furnish material for the governor's letter (see p. 195). Before the book was out of press there was time to add the narrative of the Swedish witches and the sermon on "the Devil discovered"; but these could not seriously have delayed the printing, for the book, complete and printed, must have gone to London by the same ship which in mid-October took INTRODUCTION 207 Sir William's letter. A copy of the book was doubtless sent, with this letter, to the home government ; and it was perhaps precisely for this use that the volume had been hurried into existence and into print. What is certain is that such a copy had before December 24 reached the hands of John Dunton, the London publisher; for on that day he announced its speedy publication, and by December 29 it was already in print, though with "1693" on its title-page.1 A "second edi- tion," much abridged (though not by the omission of the Salem trials), he issued in February 1693, and reprinted it as a "third" in June. The news-letter, with imprint of 1692, calling itself A True Account of the Tryals . . . at Salem, in New England . . . in a Letter to a Friend in London and signed at end "C. M." is only a bookseller's fraud, compiled from the Wonders by some hack (who has not even taken the trouble to imitate its style) and printed in 1693. The Wonders was reprinted at Salem in 1861 (with Calef's More Wonders}, by Mr. S. P. Fowler, in a volume called Salem Witchcraft] but, alas, from the abridged "third edition" and with serious further abridgment. In 1862 the first London edition was embodied in a volume of John Russell Smith's Library of Old Authors (cf. p. 149, note 1); and in 1866 the work was again reprinted, and with much more exactness,2 as 1 That this London edition was printed, not from a manuscript copy, but from the printed Boston edition, broken up for the compositors, is clear to any printer who compares the two. See, for details, a paragraph in the N. Y. Nation for November 5, 1908 (LXXXVII. 435), or the descriptive note of G. F. Black in the New York Library's List of Works relating to Witchcraft in the United States (Bulletin, 1908, XII. 666). All extant copies of the Boston edition seem to have the title-page date "1693" (an alleged exception proves to be a myth); and this probably means that till January, at least, the book was withheld from circulation. As to all the early editions, see Moore, Notes on the Bibliography of Witchcraft in Massachusetts (American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, n. s., V.), and the New York Library's List, as above. 2 The type being set from the first London edition, but the proofs read by the Boston one. (See Drake's preface, p. vii, and his postscript, p. 247.) 208 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES no. V. of the Historical Series of W. Elliot Woodward (Rox- bury, Mass.), being again coupled with Calef's More Wonders (forming nos. VI., VII., of the same series) under a common title, The Witchcraft Delusion in New England, and a common editor, S. G. Drake, who contributes elaborate introductions and notes. An alleged reprint by J. Smith, London, 1834 (and again by H. Howell in 1840), as an addition to Baxter's, Certainty of the World of Spirits is not Mather's Wondeis at all, but only the witchcraft pages of his Magnalia. THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD The Wonders of the Invisible World. Observations As well His- torical as Theological, upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the Devils. Accompany' d with I. Some Accounts of the Grievous Molestations, by Dcemons and Witchcrafts, which have lately annoy'd the Countrey; and the Trials of some eminent Malefactors Executed upon occasion thereof: with several Remarkable Curiosities therein occurring. II. Some Councils, Directing a due Improvement of the terrible things, lately done, by the Unusual and Amazing Range of Evil Spirits, in Our Neighbourhood: and the methods to pre- vent the Wrongs which those Evil Angels may intend against all sorts of people among us; especially in Accusations of the Innocent. III. Some Conjectures upon the great Events, likely to befall the World in General, and New-England in Particular; as also upon the Advances of the time, when we shall see Better Dayes. IV. A short Narrative of a late Outrage committed by a knot of Witches in Swedeland, very much Resembling, and so far Explaining, That under which our parts of America have laboured! V. The Devil Discovered: In a Brief Discourse upon those Temptations, which are the more Ordinary Devices of the Wicked One. By Cotton Mather. Boston, Printed, by Benjamin Harris for Sam. Phillips. 1693.1 Published by the Special Command of His Excellency, the Gover- nour of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-En- gland.2 1 Title-page of original. 2 Reverse of title-page. Governor Sir William Phips. We have just read, indeed, his own assertion (p. 197, above) that he had "put a stop to the printing of any discourses one way or other," and this may explain why, though this 209 210 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 The Author's Defence. 'Tis, as I remember, the Learned Scribonius,1 who Re- ports, that One of his Acquaintance, devoutly making his Prayers on the behalf of a Person molested by Evil Spirits, received from those Evil Spirits an horrible Blow over the Face : And I may my self Expect not few or small Bufferings from Evil Spirits, for the Endeavours wherewith I am now going to Encounter them. I am far from Insensible, That at this Extraordinary Time of the Devils Coming down in Great Wrath upon us, there are too many Tongues and Hearts thereby Set on Fire of Hell; that the various Opinions about the Witchcrafts which of Later Time have Troubled us, are maintained by some with so much Cloudy Fury, as if they could never be sufficiently Stated, unless written in the Liquor wherewith Witches use to write their Covenants; and that he who becomes an Author at such a Time, had need be Fenced with Iron, and the Staff of a Spear. The unaccountable Fro- wardness, Asperity, Untreatableness, and Inconsistency of many persons, every Day gives a Visible Exposition of that passage, An Evil Spirit from the Lord came upon Saul ; and Illustration of that Story, There met him two Possessed with Devils, exceeding Fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. To send abroad a Book, among such Readers, were a very un- advised Thing, if a man had not such Reasons to give, as I can bring, for such an Undertaking. Briefly, I hope it cannot be said, They are all so; No, I hope the Body of this People, are yet in such a Temper, as to be capable of Applying their Thoughts, to make a Right Use of the Stupendous and pro- digious Things that are happening among us: and because I book was complete in October, it was not published before January, as well as why, when it did appear, it thus bore the express sanction of the governor. As to the suggestion of Upham and Moore that not Phips but Stoughton may be here meant, see p. 194, note 6. 1 Wilhelm Adolf Scribonius, a Hessian scholar, is best known in the literature of witchcraft as the chief advocate of the water ordeal (see p. 21, above) for the detection of witches. This story is told on ff. 82-83 of his Physiologia Sagarum (Marburg, 1588 — the full title is De Sagarum Natura et Potestate, deque his rede cognoscendis et puniendi* Physiologia), and in English by Baxter, Worlds of Spirits, p. 104, 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 211 was concern'd, when I saw that no Abler Hand Emitted any Essayes to Engage the Minds of this People in such Holy, Pious, Fruitful Improvements, as God would have to be made of His Amazing Dispensations now upon us, Therefore it is, that One of the Least among the Children of New-England, has here done, what is done. None, but the Father, who sees in Secret, knows the Heart-breaking Exercises, wherewith I have Composed what is now going to be Exposed, Lest I should' in any One Thing miss of Doing my Designed Service for His Glory, and for His People ; But I am now somewhat comforta- bly Assured of His favourable Acceptance; and, I will not Fear; what can a Satan do unto me! Having Performed Something of what God Required, in labouring to suit His Words unto His Works, at this Day among us, and therewithal handled a Theme that has been sometimes counted not unworthy the Pen, even of a King, it will easily be perceived, that some subordinate Ends have been considered in these Endeavours. I have indeed set my self to Countermine the whole Plot of the Devil against New-England,1 in every Branch of it, as far as one of my Darkness can comprehend such a Work of Darkness. I may add, that I have herein also aimed at the Information and Satisfaction of Good men in another Coun- trey, a Thousand Leagues off, where I have, it may be, More, or however, more Considerable Friends, than in My Own;2 And I do what I can to have that Countrey, now as well as alwayes, in the best Terms with My Own. But while I am 1 As to this "plot of the Devil," see Mather's own words (Wonders, pp. 16-19, 25, not here reprinted) : "we have been advised . . . that a Malefactor, accused of Witchcraft as well as Murder, and Executed in this place more than Forty Years ago, did then give Notice of An Horrible Plot against the Country by Witchcraft, and a Foundation of Witchcraft then laid, which if it were not seasonably discovered would probably Blow up, and pull down all the Churches in the Country." "We have now with Horror," he adds, "seen the Discovery of such a Witchcraft!" and from the confessions at Salem he learns that "at pro- digious Witch-Meetings the Wretches have proceeded so far as to Concert and Consult the Methods of Rooting out the Christian Religion from this Country" and setting up instead of it a "Diabolism." Not even this is all: "it may be fear'd that, in the Horrible Tempest which is now upon ourselves, the design of the Devil is to sink that Happy Settlement of Government wherewith Almighty God has graciously enclined Their Majesties to favour us." 2 It is of England, of course, that he speaks. 212 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 doing these things, I have been driven a little to do something likewise for My self; I mean, by taking off the false Reports and hard Censures about my Opinion in these matters, the Farters Portion, which my pursuit of Peace has procured me among the Keen. My hitherto Unvaried Thoughts are here Published; and, I believe, they will be owned by most of the Ministers of God in these Colonies; nor can amends be well made me, for the wrong done me, by other sorts of Represen- tations. In fine, For the Dogmatical part of my Discourse, I want no Defence; for the Historical part of it, I have a very Great One. The Lieutenant-Governour of New-England, having perused it, has done me the Honour of giving me a Shield,1 under the Umbrage whereof I now dare to walk Abroad. Reverend and Dear Sir, You Very much Gratify'd me, as well as put a kind Respect upon me, when you put into my hands, Your Elaborate and most seasonable Discourse, entituled, The Wonders of the Invisible World. And having now Perused so fruitful and happy a Composure, upon such a Subject, at this Juncture of Time, and considering the Place that I Hold in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, still Labouring and Proceeding in the Trial of the persons Accused and Convicted for Witchcraft, I find that I am more nearly and highly concerned than as a meer Ordinary Reader, to Express my Obligation and Thank- fulness to you for so great Pains; and cannot but hold my self many ways bound, even to the utmost of what is proper for me, in my present Publick Capacity, to declare my Singular Approbation thereof. Such is Your Design, most plainly expressed throughout the whole; such Your Zeal for God, Your Enmity to Satan and his Kingdom, Your Faithfulness and Compassion to this poor people; Such the Vigour, but yet great Temper of your Spirit; Such your Instruction and Counsel, your Care of Truth, Your Wisdom and Dexterity in allaying and moderating that among us, which needs it; Such your Clear Discerning of Divine Providences and Periods, now running on apace towards their Glorious Issues in the World; and finally, Such your Good News of The Shortness of the Devils Time, That all Good Men must needs Desire the making of this your Dis- 1 As to Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton, head of the court which had tried the witch cases, see above, p. 183 and note 2, and pp. 196-201. His "shield" means the following letter. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 213 course Publick to the World; and will greatly Rejoyce that the Spirit of the Lord has thus Enabled you to Lift up a Standard against the Infernal Enemy, that hath been Coming in like a Flood upon us. I do therefore make it my particular and Earnest Request unto you, that as soon as may be, you will Commit the same unto the Press accordingly. I am, Your Assured Friend, WILLIAM STOUGHTON. I Live by Neighbours that force me to produce these Un- deserved Lines. But now, as when Mr. Wilson,1 beholding a great Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then present said unto him, "Sir, IT tell you a great Thing: here is a mighty Body of People; and there is not Seven of them all but what Loves Mr. Wilson;" that Gracious Man pres- ently and pleasantly Reply'd, " Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that; here is a mighty Body of People, and there is not so much as One among them all, but Mr. Wilson Loves him." Somewhat so : 'Tis possible that among this Body of People there may be few that Love the Writer of this Book; but give me leave to boast so far, there is not one among all this Body of People, whom this Mather would not Study to Serve, as well as to Love. With such a Spirit of Love, is the Book now before us written : I appeal to all this World ; and if this World will deny me the Right of acknowledging so much, I Appeal to the Other, that it is Not written with an Evil Spirit : for which cause I shall not wonder, if Evil Spirits be Exasperated by what is Written, as the Sadducees doubtless were with what was Discoursed in the Days of our Saviour. I only Demand the Justice, that others Read it, with the same Spirit where- with I writ it.2 But I shall no longer detain my Reader, from His expected entertainment, in a Brief Account of the Trials which have passed upon some of the Malefactors Lately Executed at Salem, for the Witchcrafts whereof they stood Convicted. 1 Doubtless the Rev. John Wilson (d. 1667), the first minister of Boston. 1 There now follow the miscellaneous matters described in the introduction, making up more than half of his volume. NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES (1692 For my own part, I was not Present at any of Them;1 nor ever Had I any personal prejudice at the persons thus brought upon the Stage; much less at the Surviving Relations of those persons, with and for whom I would be as Hearty a mourner as any man Living in the World: The Lord Comfort them! But having Received a Command so to do,2 1 can do no other than shortly Relate the Chief Matters of fact, which occurr'd in the Trials of some that were Executed, in an Abridgment collected out of the Court-Papers, on this occasion put into my Hands.3 You are to take the Truth, just as it was; and the Truth will hurt no good man. There might have been more of these, if my Book would not thereby have been swollen too big; and if some other worthy hands did not perhaps in- tend something further in these Collections;4 for which cause I have only singled out Four or Five, which may serve to Illustrate the way of dealing, wherein Witchcrafts use to be concerned; and I Report matters not as an Advocate but as an Historian. They were some of the Gracious Words inserted in the Advice, which many of the Neighbouring Ministers did this Slimmer humbly lay before our Honorable Judges, " We cannot but with all thankfulness acknowledge the success which the Merciful God has given unto the Sedulous and Assiduous en- deavours of Our Honourable Rulers, to detect the abomina- ble Witchcrafts which have been committed in the Country; Humbly Praying that the discovery of those mysterious and mischievous wickednesses, may be perfected." 5 If in the midst of the many Dissatisfactions among us, the publication of these Trials may promote such a pious Thankfulness unto God, for Justice being so far executed among us, I shall Re- 1 He must at least have been present at some of the examinations (like those described by Lawson) preceding the trials; for in his Diary (I. 151), commending the judges, he adds, "and my Compassion, upon the Sight of their Difficulties, raised by my Journeyes to Salem, the chief Seat of these diabolical Vexations, caused mee yett more to do so." From attending the trials he had excused him- self (see the letter mentioned on p. 194, note 5) on the score of ill health. * From the governor; see above, p. 194, and p. 250. *See introduction. 4 Meaning, doubtless, Hale and Noyes. See p. 206, above. 1 This is the second paragraph in the reply of the ministers of Boston, June 15, 1692, to the request of the governor and Council for advice. (See p. 194, above.) It was drawn up by Cotton Mather himself. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 215 Joyce that God is Glorified; and pray that no wrong steps of ours may ever sully any of His Glorious Works.1 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.3 But the Government re- quiring some Account of his Trial to be Inserted in this Book, it becomes me with all Obedience to submit unto the Order. I. This G. B. was indicted for Witch-crafts, 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 1 What next follows, very cleverly ensuring a friendly attitude toward the Salem court, is an account of the English witch-trial of 1664 before Sir Matthew Hale. It is abridged from the well-known booklet (A Tryal of Witches at the Assizes held at Bury St. Edmonds, etc.) published at London in 1682, which had been a guide to the Salem judges (see p. 416, below). 2 The Rev. George Burroughs, the most notable of the victims at Salem. A graduate of Harvard in the class of 1670, he preached in Maine for some years, and in 1680 became pastor at Salem Village, where he fell heir to a parish quarrel, and, becoming involved in it, found it wise to remove in 1683 — Deodat Lawson succeeding him. Burroughs returned to Maine, and was a pastor there at Wells, when his accusation by the "afflicted" at Salem caused his arrest. He was brought back to Salem on May 4, committed on May 9, tried on August 5, exe- cuted on August 19. As to his story see especially Upham, Salem Witchcraft, Sibley, Harvard Graduates (II. 323-334), Moore, "Notes on the Bibliography of Witchcraft in Massachusetts" (in American Antiquarian Society, Proceedings, n. s., V.), pp. 270-273, but, first of all, the mentions of Calef, reprinted below (pp. 301, 360-365, 378-379). 3 It is not improbable that Mather had already begun to find himself blamed for his harsh words as to Burroughs. On August 5, the day of his trial, he had written to a friend : "Our Good God is working of Miracles. Five Witches were Lately Executed, impudently demanding of God a Miraculous Vindication of their Innocency. Immediately upon this, Our God Miraculously sent in Five Andover- Witches, who made a most ample, surprising, amazing Confession, of fll their Villainies and declared the Five newly executed to have been of their Company; discovering many more; but all agreeing in Burroughs being their Ringleader, who, I suppose, this day receives his Trial at Salem, whither a Vast Concourse of people is gone; My Father this morning among the Rest." 216 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 who had the promise of being a King in Satans Kingdom, now going to be Erected : he was Accused by nine persons for ex- traordinary 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 accord- ing to the Rules of Reasoning, by the Judicious Gaule,1 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 Witch- craft, there were now heard the Testimonies of several Per- sons, 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 griev- ously 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 Trial, one of the Bewitched Persons testify'd, 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 show'd 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 no body, 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 1 John Gaule, rector of Great Stoughton, in Huntingdonshire, was the first to oppose openly the witch-finder Hopkins, and wrote a little book, Select Cases of Conscience touching Witches and Witchcrafts (London, 1646), to lay bare hi? outrages and suggest saner methods. (See Notestein, Witchcraft in England,* pp. 186-187, 236-237.) His rules for the detection of witches are published (though not without serious garbling) earlier in Mather's volume. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 217 such a sett of Teeth as G. B's would then appear upon them, which could be distinguished from those of some other mens. Others of them testify'dj That in their Torments, G. B. tempted them to go unto a Sacrament, unto which they per- - ceived 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 show'd her mighty and glorious Kingdoms, and said, He would give them all to her, if she would 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 fitts, that made them uncapable of saying any thing. The Chief Judge asked the prisoner, who he thought hindred these witnesses from giving their testimonies? and he answered, He supposed it was the Divel. That Honourable person then reply'd, How comes the Divel so loathe to have any Testi- mony born against you? Which cast him into very great confusion. III. It has been a frequent thing for the Bewitched peo- ple 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 them selves to the Bewitched; and seldom have there been these Apparitions but when some- thing unusual and suspected had attended the Death of the party thus Appearing. Some that have bin 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 murders of those very persons, altho' these also did not know 218 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 trial deny'd 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 successive wives, all the Country over. Moreover, It was testify'd, the spectre of G. B. threatning of the sufferers told them, he had killed (besides others) Mrs. Lawson and her Daughter Ann.1 And it was noted, That these were the ver- tuous 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 111 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 Triall, one of the Bewitched persons was cast into Horror at the Ghosts of B's two de- ceased wives then appearing before him, and crying for Ven- geance against him. Hereupon several of the Bewitched per- sons 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. Judicious Writers have assigned it a great place in the Conviction of witches, when persons are Impeached by other Notorious witches, to be as 111 as themselves; especially, — if the persons have been much noted for neglecting the Wor- ship of God. Now, as there might have been Testimonies Enough of G. B's Antipathy to Prayer and the other Ordi- nances of God, tho' by his profession singularly obliged there- unto; so, there now came in against the prisoner the Testi- monies 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 1 The wife and the daughter of Deodat Lawson; see p. 148. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 219 Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and therein undergone the pains of many Deaths for their Confessions. These now Testify 'd, 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 Crue, to bewitch all Salem- Village, but be sure to do it Gradually, .if they would prevail in what they did. When the Lancashire Witches1 were condemned, I don't Remember that there was any considerable further Evidence, than that of the Bewitched, and then that of some that con- fessed. 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 Divine2 recites this among the Convictions of a Witch; The Testimony of the Party Bewitched, whether Pining or Dying; together with the Joint Oathes 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;3 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 Per- sons of Credit and Honour, 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 1 /. e., those tried and executed in 1612, and famous through the Discoverie of Potts (London, 1613), which Mather seems here to use, and the play of Shad- well. 2 John Gaule again: this is the fifth of his "more certain" signs. (Select Cases, p. 82.) * But see, on the contrary, page 301. 220 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 any such Indian; but they suppos'd the Black man (as the Witches call the Devil; and they generally say he resembles an Indian) might give him that Assistence. There was Evi- - dence likewise brought in, that he made nothing of Taking up whole Barrels filTd with Malasses or Cider, in very Disadvan- tagious Postures, and Carrying of them through the Difficult- est 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 Muzzel 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 Butt 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 Trial; 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 Affayrs 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 testifyed, 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 v that many such things have been Whispered among the ^Neighbourhood. There were also some other Testimonies, re- lating 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 I69i< COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 221 Trials, because the Scribes who took Notice of them, have not Supplyed me. VII. One Mr. Ruck, Brother in Law to this G. B., Testi- fy'd, 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 any 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 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 Barr 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 t~. 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 Witch- crafts.1 Now there never was a prisoner more Eminent for^ them, than G. B. both at his Examination and on his Trial. 1 He is quoting John Gaule — the first of his "more certain" signs (Select Cases, pp. 80-81). 222 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES U692 His Tergiversations, Contradictions, and Falsehoods, 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 Countrey are the Effect 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 Divel, Can send a Divel to Torment other people at a distance. This paper was Transcribed out of Ady;1 which the Court pres- ently2 knew, as soon as they heard it. But he said, he had taken none of it out of any Book; for which, his evasion after- wards 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 deny'd the Fact, whereof he had been thus convicted.3 1 Thomas Ady, A Candle in the Dark (London, 1656)— reprinted in 1661 as " A Perfect Discovery of Witches. In neither edition are precisely these words to be found; but their substance occurs often. How bold and thoroughgoing a skeptic is Ady, and why Mather counts it answer enough that the passage was taken from his book, may be guessed from his opening sentence in which he gives "The Reason of the Book" : "The Grand Errour of these latter Ages is ascribing power to Witches, and by foolish imagination of mens brains, without grounds in the Scriptures, wrongful! killing of the innocent under the name of Witches." "When one Mr. Burroughs, a Clergyman, who some few years since was hang'd in New-England as a Wizzard, stood upon his Tryal," wrote Dr. Hutchinson in 1718 in the book that was to end the controversy (Historical Essay concerning Witchcraft, p. xv), "he pull'd out of his Pocket a Leaf that he had got of Mr. Ady's Book, to prove that the Scripture Witchcrafts were not like ours : And as that Defence was not able to save him, I humbly offer my Book as an Argument on the Behalf of all such miserable People." 1 "Presently" then meant "at once." 1 For details as to his execution see above, p. 177, and below, pp. 360-361. Before accepting in perfect faith Mather's account of his trial, one should weigh not only the comments of Calef (see pp. 378-380, below) and the severer criti- cisms of Upham (Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather) but the extant records (Records of Salem Witchcraft, II. 109-128; Mass. Hist Soc., Proceedings, 1860- 1862, pp. 31-37; indictment, Calef, p. 113). 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 223 II. The Tryal of Bridget Bishop,1 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, accord- ing to the Form in such Cases usual. And pleading, Not Guilty, there were brought in several persons, who had long undergone many kinds of Miseries, which were preternaturally Inflicted, arid 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 Witch- craft on the Prisoner at the Bar, the first thing used, was the Testimony of the Bewitched; whereof several Testify 'd, That the Shape of the Prisoner did oftentimes very grievously 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 Testify, 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 Testify, 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 Testi- fy'd the Apparition of Ghosts unto the Spectre of Bishon, crying out, You Murdered us! About the Truth whereoi there wras in the matter of Fact but too much Suspicion. ^ II. It was Testify'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, xAs to Bridget Bishop see also pp. 249, 356, below. She was of Salem Village, where she kept a sort of wayside tavern, but had long lived in the town, • and still held property there. She was the first witch to be tried (June 2) and executed (June 10) — perhaps because she had so long been under suspicion. The records of her case are printed in Records of Salem Witchcraft, I. 135-172. 224 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 as the shaking of her Head, or the Turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell into the like postures. Aiid 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 specify 'd; and the Womans Coat was found to be Torn in that very place. IV. One Deliverance Hobbs, who had Confessed her being a Witch, was now Tormented by the Spectres, for her Confession. And she now Testify'd, That this Bishop tempted her to Sign the Book again, and to Deny what she had Con- fess'd. She affirmed, 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! 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 testify'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, grin'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 testify'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. Look- ing out at the Entry-Door, he saw the same Woman, in the same Garb again; and said, In Gods 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 schreech, and the Woman Disappeared. It was long before the Child 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 225 could be quieted; and tho' it were a very likely thriving Child, yet from this time it pined away, and after divers months dy'd in a sad Condition. He knew not Bishop, nor her Name; but when he saw her after this, he knew by her Countenance, and Apparrel, and all Circumstances, that it was the Apparix tion of this Bishop which had thus troubled him. *^/ VII. John Bly and his Wife testify'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 money, QuarrelPd 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 Belive that Bishop had Bewitched it. VIII. Richard Coman testify '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 vis- ited by the Guests which had formerly been so troublesome; his kinsman being at the same time strook speechless and un- able to move Hand or 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 stirr; until at last, one of the people crying out, what's the matter? the spectres all vanished. IX. Samuel Shattock testify'd, That in the Year 1680, this Bridget Bishop often came to his house upon such frivo- lous 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 226 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 child of its Age, began to droop exceedingly; and the oftener 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. Afterwards this Bishop would bring him things to Dy, whereof he could not Imagine any use; and when she paid him a piece of Money, the Purse and Money were unaccountably conveyed out of a Lock'd box, and never seen more. The Child was immediately here- upon 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 under- standing 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 Seventeen or Eighteen years after, there came a Stranger to Shattocks House, who seeing the Child, said, "This poor Child is Be- witched; 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 111. The abovesaid Stranger would needs carry the Bewitched Boy with him to Bishops House, on pre- tence of buying a pot of Cyder. The Woman Entertained him in 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 testify 'd, that upon some little contro- versy with Bishop about her fowles, going well to Bed, he did awake in the Night by moonlight, and did see clearly the like- 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 227 ness of this woman grievously oppressing him; in which miser- able condition she held him, unable to help him self, 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 Lo^rds day, with the doors shutt about him, he saw a Black Pig jap- proach 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 extreemly 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, though the Doors were shut, and said, "You had better take my Counsel!" He then struck at it with a stick, but struck only the Groundsel, and broke the Stick. The Arm with which he struck was presently Disen- abled, and it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-Door, and spyed this Bishop, in her Orchard, going to- ward her House; but he had not power to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon returning into the House, he was im- mediately 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 Stomach 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 Testifyed, That receiving Money of this Bishop, for work done by him, he was gone but a matter of Three Rods from her, and looking for his money, found it unaccountably gone from him. Some time after, Bishop asked him, whether his Father would grind her grist for her? He 228 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 De- ponent 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 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 Bishops this Deponent was Ready to testify. He also testify'd, that he verily Believed, 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 for- merly Lived, they did in Holes of the said old Wall find several Poppets,1 made up of Rags and Hogs Brussels, with Headless Pins in them, the Points being outward. Whereof she could give no Account unto the Court, that was Reasonable or Tolerable. 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 'Supposed, of course, by her accusers to be such "images" as witches were alleged to make of their victims, for the sake of torturing them by proxy. (See above, p. 163, note 1, p. 219, and below, p. 440, note 1.) 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 229 Jury of Women found a preternatural Teat upon her Body;1 but upon a second search, within Three or four 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 immedi- ately a Daemon Invisibly Entring the Meeting-house, Tore down a part of it; so that tho' there were 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,2 At the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held by Adjournment at Salem, June 29, 1692. I. Susanna Martin, pleading Not Guilty to the Indict- ment of Witchcraft brought in against her, there were pro- duced the evidences of many persons very sensibly and griev- ously Bewitched; who all complaned 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 her 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. 1See below, p. 436, and note 1. 2 Of Amesbury. She too had been long accused. For the trial records see Records of Salem Witchcraft, I. 193-233. She was executed on July 19. 230 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 Glorify'd 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 Pris- oner; and see what there might occur, to render these Accusa- tions further credible. /JVhereupon, 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 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 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 231 Merrimack-River, and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore upon Plum-Island-T 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 Marishes, up into New- bury 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 Testify 'd, That he Exchanged a Cow with a Son of Susanna Martins, 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 testify'd, That being in Bed on a Lords-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 Deponents 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 stirr. 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 Cham- ber, down the Stairs, out at the Door. This Deponent there- upon 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 on it; and several moi drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad. There was likewise the print of her two Feet just without the Thresh- old; but no more sign of any Footing further off. 232 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 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 testify'd the Bewitching of Cattle to Death, upon Martin's Discontents. VI. Robert Downer testifyed, That this Prisoner being some years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch,1 he then said unto her, He believed she was a Witch. Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, That some Shee-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 remembred what Susanna Martin had threatned the Day before; and with much striving he cryed out, "Avoid, thou Shee-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 Dandled! T — VII. John Kembal testifyed, that Susanna Martin, upon p, Causeless Disgust, had threatned him, about a certain Cow his, That she should never do him any more Good : and it 1 In 1669. She was then bound over to the Superior Court, but was dis- charged without trial. (Hutchinson, History of Massachusetts, II., ch. I., as published from an earlier draft, with notes by W. F. Poole, in N. E, Hist, and Gen. Register, XXIV.) 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 233 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 Pris- oner 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 Wives Puppies? and he answered, No. The same Day, one Edmund Eliot, being at Martins House, heard George Martin relate, where this Kembal had been, and what he had said. Whereupon Susanna Martin replyed, "If I live, I'll give him Puppies enough!" Within a few Dayes after, this Kembal coming out of the Woods, there arose a little Black 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 Dark- ish 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, 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.7 The Deponent Spoke 234 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 £not one Word of these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his wife. But the next Morning, Edmond Eliot going into Mar- tins House, this woman asked him where Kembal was? He Replyed, 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 testify'd, that Heaven having blessed him with a most Pious and prudent wife, this, wife of his one day mett with Susanna Martin; but when she ap- proch'd just unto her, Martin vanished out of sight, and left her extremely 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't and Prick'd her; and sometimes a Bunch, like a pullets 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; 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 hi 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'l 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 declaring, that her Distemper was preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly Bewitched her; and in that Condition she now remained. IX. Sarah Atkinson testify'd, That Susanna Martin came from Amesbury to their House at Newbury, in an extraordinary Season, when it was not fit for any one to Travel. She came (as she said unto Atkinson) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and show'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 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 235 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 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 Su- sanna 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 condi- tion 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 were 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. XL Jervis Ring testifyed, 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 per- fectly 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. 236 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 This man has been strangely carried about by Daemons, from one Witch-Meeting to another, for near two years to- gether; and for one Quarter of this Time, they have made him and kept him Dumb, tho' he is now again able to speak. There was one T. H.1 who having, as tis judged, a Design of engaging this Joseph Ring in a Snare of Devillism, contrived a wile, 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 thro' the Air, he gave Demon- strations to the Neighbours, that he had indeed been so trans- ported. When he was brought unto these Hellish meetings, one of the First things they still 2 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 Delecta- ble Things, persons, and places, that he could imagine. But he refusing to subscribe, the business would end with dreadful Shapes, Noises and Screeches, which almost scared him out of his witts. Once with the Book, there was a Pen offered him, and an Inkhorn 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, Scur- rilous, wicked creatures in the world; and she did now through- out her whole Trial discover herself to be such an one. Yet when she was asked, what she had to say for her self? her Cheef Plea was, That she had Led a most virtuous and Holy Life! 1 Thomas Hardy, of Great Island, near Portsmouth. See Records, I. 216. 1 Always. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 237 IV. The Trial of Elizabeth How,1 at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held by Adjournment at Salem, June 30, 1692. I. Elizabeth How pleading Not Guilty to the Indictment of Witchcrafts, then charged upon her, the Court, according to the usual proceeding 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 Witch- crafts, and all complained of the Prisoner, as the cause of their Trouble. It was also found that the Sufferers were not able 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 per- sons, at the same time that the Spectres representing the Witches Troubled them, to be visited with Apparitions of Ghosts, pretending to have bin 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 deny'd an Admission into that Holy Society, partly through a sus- picion of witchcraft, then urged against her. And there now came in Testimony, of Preternatural Mischiefs, presently be- falling some that had been Instrumental to Debar her from the Communion, whereupon she was Intruding. 1 Of Ipswich. For the touching story of her trial and of the loyalty of her blind husband and her daughters, see especially Upham, Salem Witchcraft, II. 216-223, and, in the Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, XIII. (1908), the study on "Topsfield in the Witchcraft Delusion," by Mrs. Towne and Miss Clark. In the same volume (pp. 107-126) Mr. G. F. Dow has published the records of her case more completely than has Woodward in Records of Salem Witchcraft (II. 69-94). She was executed on July 19. 238 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 IV. There was a particular Deposition of Joseph Safford, 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 ly under, by an evil Report Raised upon me," She immediately, unreasonably, and unpers wade- ably, even like one Enchanted, began to take this Womans part. How being soon after propounded, as desiring an Ad- mission 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 Affayrs there were so Canvased, that she came off rather Guilty than Cleared; never- theless 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 Justi- fy'd before God." So she continued 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 Testimony for her, that she may be taken into the Church." And How said afterwards, that she was very Sony 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 testifyed, 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, Squeaking, Falling, and Dying, at once; and going to cut off an Ear, for an use that might as well per- 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 239 haps have been Omitted,1 the Hand wherein he held his knife was taken very Numb, and so it remained, and full of Pain, for several Dayes; being not well at this very Time. And he suspected this prisoner for the Author of it. VI. Nehemiah Abbot testify'd, that unusual and mis- chievous Accidents would befal his cattle, whenever he had any Difference with this Prisoner. Once, Particularly, she wished his Oxe Choaked; and within a Little while that Oxe 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 testify'd. VII. There came in Testimony, that one goodwife Sher- win, upon some Difference with How, was Bewitched, and that she Dy'd, Charging this How of having an Hand in her Death. And that other People had their Barrels of Drink unaccount- ably mischieved, spoilt, 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 con- sidered. Among others, Martha Wood gave her Testimony, that a Little after her Father had been employ 'd in gathering an Account of Howes Conversation, they once and again Lost Great Quantities of Drink out of their Vessels, in such a man- ner, 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 a maze, insomuch that she knew not what she said or did. VIII. There was Likewise a cluster of Depositions, that one Isaac Cummings refusing to lend his Mare unto the Hus- band of this How, the mare was within a Day or two taken in a strange condition. The Beast seemed much Abused; being 1 What this purpose may have been does not appear in the evidence: John How testifies merely that a neighbor who had laughed at him for thinking the sow bewitched told him to cut off her ear, "the which I did." It was doubtless to burn it, as a means to detect the witch. So, Perkins and Gaule say, in England it was a practice to burn the thing bewitched; and so at New Haven, in 1657, Thomas Mullener cut off the tail and ear of a pig and threw them into the fire to find out the witch (Records of the Colony of New Haven, II. 224). The belief was that the person who then first came to the fire was the witch (see below, p. 411). 240 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 dy'd very suddenly. IX. Timothy Perley and his Wife Testify'd, not only that unaccountable Mischiefs befel their Cattle, upon their having of Differences with this Prisoner: but also, that they had a Daughter destroy 'd 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 testify'd by others also) she said, she was sure of it, and must dy standing to it. Accordingly she Charged How to the very Death; and said, Tho' How could Afflict and Tor- ment 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 testify'd, That being hired by the Hus- band 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, be- cause John Perley helped him; but that if he had got them alone, without John Pearlies 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 help'd about them. XL 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 Newbery-Falls : before which, he made them there kneel down by the Brink of the River and Worship him. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 241 V. The Trial of Martha Carrier,1 at the Court of Oyer and Ter- miner, Held by Adjournment at Salem, August 2, 1692. I. Martha Carrier was Indicted for the Bewitching of certain Persons, according to the Form usual in such Cases. Pleading Not Guilty, 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 GrievQUsly._Torm.ented them, by Biting, Pricking, Pinching, and Choaking of them. It was further deposed, that while this Carrier was on her Examina- tion, before the Magistrates, the Poor People were so Tortured that every one expected their Death upon the very~Spott; but that upon the binding of Carrier they were eased. More- over 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 Trial. And it was Testifyed, that upon the mention of some having their Necks twisted almost round, by the Shape of this Carrier, she replyed, "Its no matter, tho' their a. 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 shows of Repentance, and with much Demonstration of Truth. They Related Place, Time, Occasion; they gave an account of Jour- neyes, 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 gave in his Testimony, that last March was a twelve month, this Carrier was very Angry with 1 Of Andover. She was executed, like Burroughs, on August 19, the day when Mather himself was present and said "all died by a righteous sentence" (Sewall, Diary, I. 363). "All of them," says Judge Sewall, "said they were inno- cent, Carrier and all." Important for her case are, beside the Records of Salem Witchcraft (II. 54-68, 198-199), the documents preserved by Hutchinson (Massa- 242 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 him, upon laying out some Land, near her Husbands: 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 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 Lanced by Doctor Prescot, and several Gallons of Corrup- tion ran out of it. For six weeks it continued very bad; and ~theri another sore bred in his Groin, which was also Lanc'd 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 Deaths 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, testify'd, that her Husband 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 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 chusetts, II., ch. I., and the draft edited by Poole in N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXIV.). They are reprinted in Abbot's History of Andover (Andover, 1829), and Mrs. Bailey, in her Historical Sketches of Andover (Boston, 1880) has added others and told the story in detail (pp. 194-237). On Goodwife Carrier and her Andover neighbors see also pp. 180-182, 363, 371-375. 418-421. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 243 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 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 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 accord- ingly 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 testify'd, that about a Fortnight before the apprehension of Martha Carrier, on a Lords-Day, 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 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 Legs, 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 greatley, and she had a strange Burning at her stomach; but was then struck deaf, 244 so that she could not hear any of the prayer, or singing, till the two or three last words of the Psalme. VIII. One Foster, 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 Re- covered. IX. One Lacy, 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 un- doing 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 Shelden 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 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. Having thus far done the Service imposed upon me, I will further pursue it, by relating a few of those Matchless Curi- osities, 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. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 245 The First Curiositie. I. Tis very Remarkable to see what an Impious and Im- pudent 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,1 in My Conversation with him, Once invited me to this Reflec- tion; 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. Acosta2 is our Author for it, that the Devil in their Idol Vitzlipultzli governed that mighty Nation. He com- manded 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, sup- ported by Four of their Principal Priests; with whom he still Dis- coursed, 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 Altar. When they, Tired with pains, talked of proceeding no further in their Journey, than a certain pleasant Stage, whereto they were arrived, this Devil in one night horribly kill'd them that 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 Affayrs 1 Senior minister at Salem Town. See also p. 248, note 2, and pp. 398, 399-402. 2 It is the Spanish Jesuit, Joseph Acosta, who in his Natural and Moral His- tory of the Indies (bk. VII., ch. 4) relates this. Mather seems to have used the English version of Grimston (London, 1604), paraphrasing and abridging after a free fashion and inserting from the following chapter what is in his last two sentences, 246 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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. 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 striking 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 In- struments with Invisibility? But a Blasphemous Imitation of certain Things recorded about our Saviour, or His Prophets, or the Saints in the Kingdom of God. A Second Curiositie. II. In all the Witchcraft which now Grievously Vexes us, I know not whether any thing 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 World1 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 pre- tends to Explode that way. But I will not speak too plainly, Lest I should unawares Poison some of my Readers, as the 1 This phrase shows the influence of Ralph Cudworth (see his Intellectual System, bk. I., ch. III., §37) and through him of Cambridge Platonism — whose demonology (e. g., Cudworth, bk. I., ch. V., at end) must also be remembered here. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 247 Pious Hemingius did one of his Pupils, when he only by way of Diversion recited a Spell, which, they had said, would cure Agues.1 This much I will say; The notion of procuring In- visibility, by any Natural Expedient yet known, is, I Believe, a meer Plinyism; How far it may be 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'l 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 SpincUe : 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 Spec- tre, 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 Daemons unaccountably stole away, to do further mischief. 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 Annoyances 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 hap- pened; in the family of one Pitman, at Manchester. Thirdly, A young man, delaying to procure Testimonials 1 It is the great Danish theologian Nicholas Hemming (Niels Hemmingsen) who tells this story of himself in his Admonitio de Superstitionibus Magicis mtandis (Copenhagen, 1575), fol. C2 verso. 248 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 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 Siez'd for some of their Debts, yet he was willing to leave in their Possession, for the Subsistence 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't upon the Fourth, he winc'd and shrunk at such a rate, as that he could hold the Cow no longer. Being after- wards Examined about it, he Confessed, That at that very Instant when the Brand entred the Cows Horn, exactly the like 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.1 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 sen" in better terms, than those of a most Worthy Person, who lives near the pres- ent Center of these things.2 "The Mind of God in these mat- ters, is to be carefully look'd 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 1 "And thou shall be to me a great Apollo" — i. e., a great revealer of mys- teries. For their unriddling see p. 370, below. 1 It has been suggested that this means the Rev. John Higginson, the ven- erable senior minister at Salem, whose hesitation as to the proceedings may be inferred from Brattle's words (p. 184, above) — and from all else we know. See below, p. 398. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 249 they knew not whose Evil Hands. As I am abundantly satis- fy'd, That many of the Self-Murders committed here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody Witchcraft, letting fly Daemons upon the miserable Seneca's;1 thus, it has been ad- mirable unto me to see, how a Devillish Witchcraft, sending Devils upon them, has driven many poor people to Despair, and persecuted their minds with such Buzzes2 of Atheism and Blasphemy, as has made them even run Distracted with Ter- rors: and some long Bow'd down under such a Spirit of In- firmity, have been marvelously Recovered upon the Death of the Witches. One Whetford particularly ten years ago, challenging of Bridget Bishop (whose Trial you have had) with Stealing 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 pulTd 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 un- reasonable. In this Distraction she lay, till those women were Apprehended, by the Authority; then she began to mend; and upon their Execution, was presently and perfectly Re- covered, 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, 1 The philosopher Seneca, it will be remembered, was an advocate of suicide and ended his own life thus. 2 Whisperings. 250 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 lately Prest unto Death, because of his Refusing to Plead for his Life.1 I shall make an Extract of a Letter, which was written to my Honourable Friend, Samuel Sewal, Esq.,2 by Mr. Putman,3 to this purpose; The Last Night my Daughter Ann was grievously Tormented by Witches, Threatning that she should be Pressed to Death, be- fore 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 Hardened 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. Zorobbabel Endicot;4 who found the man bruised to Death, and having dodders 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 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 1 As to the case of Giles Corey see below, pp. 366-367. 1 Judge Sewall, of the court. 1 Thomas Putnam, of Salem Village, whose wife and daughter played so large a part as accusers. • Of Salem Village. A son of John Endicott, the first governor of the Bay colony, and himself much honored as a physician. 1692] COTTON MATHER, WONDERS 251 Coimtrey by Witchcraft; and of the Trials 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. WILLIAM STOUGHTON 1692. SAMUEL SEWALL. A BRAND PLUCK'D OUT OF THE BURNING, BY COTTON MATHER, 1693 INTRODUCTION THE Wonders of the Invisible World was not yet issued, the General Court was still debating its course toward the accused who filled the jails, and Judge Sewall (on November 22, 1692) was just imploring God to "bless the Assembly in their debates" and (if "consisting with his Justice and Holi- ness") to "vindicate the late Judges," when there fell into the hands of the Rev. Cotton Mather an opportunity to show the province and the world how a case of bewitchment should be handled. It is likely enough that he had known Mercy Short from the time of her first seizure, in the early summer; but from November, and especially from the day when she fell into a paroxysm while attending his church, and was carried into a neighbor's, where for weeks she lay at his door, till her "deliverance" on March 16, he gave the case the attention that fruited in the following journal. The journal was doubt- less soon thereafter completed, and, like his earlier narrative of the case of the Goodwin children,1 and his later one of Mar- garet Rule's,2 put into circulation among his friends. The manuscript, still extant in his own handwriting, bears on its cover-page, in his hand, "To be returned unto Cotton Mather." And in the possession of Cotton Mather and his family it seems to have remained until 1814, when his grand- daughter, Mrs. Hannah (Mather) Crocker, presented it, with many other papers, to the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, Massachusetts.3 "About ten years ago," writes 1 See p. 119 and p. 126, note 1. *See p. 306, note 3, p. 307, note 1. 3 "The manuscript," writes Mr. Brigham, the present librarian of that society, "unquestionably came to the Society in December, 1814, under which 255 256 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES W. F. Poole in the second volume (1881) of the Memorial History of Boston, "Dr. Samuel F. Haven, the accomplished librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, in looking through the Mather manuscripts in that library, found one entitled, A Brand Pluckt out of the Burning, and on examina- tion it proved to be the long-lost Mercy Short narrative." " Dr. Haven, in announcing the discovery," he adds, "promised to print it with notes; but he has not yet found leisure to fulfil his promise." That leisure never came. A transcript of the booklet was made and lent to Poole, who made it the basis of his careful summary of the case,1 and this transcript has since been used by other scholars; but when, after Dr. Haven's death (in 1881), his successor was frequently asked, "When date is the following entry in the Donation Book : 'Above Nine Hundred Sermons, in manuscript and separate, written and preached by the Mathers. Together with a number of manuscript books and papers which were in the Mather Library. Presented to the Society by Mrs. Hannah Crocker of Boston.' " The vicissitudes, earlier and later, of the papers and books of the Mathers have been related in much detail by Mr. Julius H. Tuttle ("The Libraries of the Mathers," in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, n. s., XX. 269-356), and he narrates (p. 310) how in October, 1831, another body of old papers, which "nobody could read," found their way from the garret once Samuel Mather's to the Antiquarian Society. But it is the hand of President Isaiah Thomas (d. April, 1831), who received the gift of Mrs. Crocker, that has written on the cover-page of our MS. its title of "Brand Plucked out of the Burning"; and it was doubtless while looking over the "debris from the drawers and pigeon- holes of a student's desk, that came to this Society with the family library from Mrs. Hannah Mather Crocker," that Librarian Haven (see his report, p. 36 in the Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, April, 1869) first noticed it. The original manuscript is 7% inches high by 6 inches wide. It contains 20 leaves, of which the first is blank. The remaining pages are numbered from 1 to 38, p. 26 having nothing upon it and therefore no numbering. At the end of p. 38 the text breaks off abruptly, after the opening words (printed below, p. 286) of section 29. These suffice to show the section merely a postscript and to con- vince us that few words are missing. The manuscript shows marks of much use; many words are blotted or erased, and there are some interlineations in a different ink, some in the same ink, but practically all in the same hand. The most im- portant marks of the writer's later thought are in the shape of marginal addi- tions. For this careful description of the MS. thanks are due to Librarian Brigham and to Dr. Charles H. Lincoln, who has prepared the copy for the printer. 1 Memorial History of Boston, II. 147-152. INTRODUCTION 257 shall you publish Cotton Mather's account of the trial of Mercy Short?" he could only reply that it "should see the light at an early day, under the editorial supervision of such students of the witchcraft problem as Drs. Poole and Moore."1 Poole seriously thought of the task. "His study of the witchcraft problem and literature," said Librarian Barton at his death,2 "had led him to hope that he might edit with notes our Cot- ton Mather manuscript account of the case of Mercy Short"; but he seems never to have taken it in hand, and no other has since attempted it. The importance of the narrative lies not only in its contem- poraneity with the Salem trials and the side-lights it gives us on that episode and its environment, but yet more in the clear- ness with which it shows just what its author stood for in the matter. To him the case of Mercy Short was not only iden- tical in kind with those of "the Bewitched people then tor- mented by Invisible Furies in the County of Essex": it was itself one of those cases. And from first to last he was con- scious that he was making his treatment of it an object lesson. The present editor is far, indeed, from finding in it, like Mr. Poole, "the principles and methods of the Boston ministers" in general, and yet farther from his conviction that Mather meant his method to be a rival of the court's. He can not overlook that author's own explanation that, "had wee not studiously suppressed all clamours and Rumours that might have touched the Reputacion of people exhibited in this Witch- craft, there might have ensued most uncomfortable uproar";3 or that, if he himself used prayer and fasting, he had a little earlier reminded the court how in Sweden a fast "was im- mediately [followed] with a remarkable Smile of God upon the endeavours of the Judges to discover and Extirpate the Authors of that Execrable witchcraft";4 or that, if he found 1 Report of Librarian Barton, April, 1885, in Proceedings, n. s., III. 385-386. 2 See his report for April, 1894 (ibid., IX. 184). » See p. 276, below. 4 Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, fourth series, VIII. 392. r'**"' jf '^^a^&^^^^ l -fte'IlfSb t&*a&*.ttJ, , ' **At> - •if *f** "l, f- L(HX^M S*^>.< fc-0 '• 7o^?^^~ /fo*/i*£-&*/¥9.J&*S»i% •A^ «''*•>? i>^ A. -^£t *»**$|< {c*~) &«'< y* "J /C? , /u-'ic ff {'nejt te-tukFff PETITION OF MARY ESTY From the original at the Essex County Court House, Salem. (The lower part of the plate shows the conclusion of the petition, on the reverse of the page) 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 369 Tribunal Seat, that I know not the least thing of Witchcraft, there- fore I cannot, I durst not belye my own Soul. I beg your Honours not to deny this my humble Petition, from a poor dying Innocent person, and I question not but the Lord will give a blessing to your Endeavours. MARY ESTY. After Execution Mr. Noyes turning him to the Bodies, said, what a sad thing it is to see Eight Firebrands of Hell hanging there. In October 1692, One of Wenham1 complained of Mrs. Hale, whose Husband, the Minister of Beverly, had been very- forward in these Prosecutions, but being fully satisfied of his Wives sincere Christianity, caused him to alter his Judgment; for it was come to a stated Controversie, among the New- England Divines, whether the Devil could Afflict in a good Man's shape; it seems nothing else could convince him: yet when it came so near to himself, he was soon convinc'd that the Devil might so Afflict.2 Which same reason did after- 1 Mary Herrick. At least the following remarkable tale of hers (first pub- lished in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXVII. 55) must have had to do with Mr. Hale's change of view: "An Account Received from the mouth of Mary Herrick aged about 17 yeares having been Afflicted [by] the Devill or some of his instruments, about 2 month. She saith she had oft been Afflicted and that the shape of Mrs. Hayle had been represented to her, One amongst others, but she knew not what hand Afflicted her then, but on the 5th of the 9th [i. e., November] She Appeared again with the Ghost of Gooddee Easty, and that then Mrs. Hayle did sorely Afflict her by pinching, pricking and Choaking her. On the 12th of the 9th she Came again and Gooddee Easty with her and then Mrs. Hayle did Afflict her as formerly. Sd Easty made as if she would speake but did not, but on the same night they Came again and Mrs. Hayle did sorely Afflict her, and asked her if she thought she was a Witch. The Girl answered no, You be the Devill. Then said Easty sd and speake, She Came to tell her She had been put to Death wrongfully and was Innocent of Witchcraft, and she Came to Vindicate her Cause and she Cryed Vengeance, Vengeance, and bid her reveal this to Mr. Hayle and Gerish, and then she would rise no more, nor should Mrs. Hayle Afflict her any more. Memorand : that Just before sd Easty was Executed, She Appeared to sd Girl, and said I am going upon the Ladder to be hanged for a Witch, but I am innocent, and be- fore a 12 Month be past you shall believe it. Sd Girl sd she speake not of this before because she believed she was Guilty, Till Mrs. Hayle appeared to her and Afflicted her, but now she believeth it is all a Delusion of the Devil. "This before Mr. Hayle and Gerish 14th of the 9th 1692." "Gerish" means the Rev. Joseph Gerrish, of Wenham, who is doubtless here the scribe. 2 But see (at pp. 404, 405, below) Hale's own account of this change of view. 370 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 wards prevail with many others; and much influenced to the succeeding change at Tryals.1 October 7. (Edward Bishop and his Wife having made their Escape out of Prison) this day Mr. Corwin the Sheriff, came and Seiz'd his Goods, and Cattle, and had it not been for his second Son (who borrowed Ten Pound and gave it him) they had been wholly lost, the Receipt follows; but it seems they must be content with such a Receipt as he would give them. Received this 7th day of October 1692, of Samuel Bishop of the Town of Salem, of the County of Essex, in New-England, Cordwainer, in full satisfaction, a valuable Summ of Money, for the Goods and Chattels of Edward Bishop, Senior, of the Town and County afore- said, Husbandman; which Goods and Chattels being seized, for that the said Edward Bishop, and Sarah his Wife, having been committed for Witchcraft and Felony, have made their Escape; and their Goods and Chatties were forfeited unto their Majesties, and now being in Possession of the said Samuel Bishop; and in behalf of Their Majes- ties, I do hereby discharge the said Goods and Chatties, the day and year above written, as witness my hand, GEORGE CORWIN, Sheriff. But before this the said Bishops Eldest Son, having Mar- ried into that Family of the Putmans,2 who were chief Prose- cutors in this business; he holding a Cow to be branded lest it should be seiz'd, and having a Push or Boyl upon his Thigh, with his straining it broke; this is that that was pretended to be burnt with the said Brand; and is one of the bones thrown to the Dogmatical to pick, in Wonders of the Invisible World, P. 143. 3 the other, of a Corner of a Sheet, pretended to be taken from a Spectre, it is known that it was provided the day before, by that Afflicted person, and the third bone of a Spindle is almost as easily provided, as the piece of the Knife; so that Apollo needs not herein be consulted,4 etc. 1 Hole's whole book (see below, pp. 397-432) is a commentary on this passage. 1 His wife was a daughter of John Putnam, brother of Nathaniel and uncle of Deacon Edward and of the Thomas whose wife and daughter were of the "afflicted." As to the Bishops see (besides Upham) Essex Institute Collections, XLII. 146 ff. a At pp. 247-248, above. 4 /. e., it needs no oracle to explain the matter; see p. 248, note 1. 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 371 Mr. Philip English and his Wife having made their Escape out of Prison, Mr. Corwin the Sheriff seiz'd his Estate, to the value of about Fifteen Hundred Pound, which was wholly lost to him, except about Three Hundred Pound value, (which was afterward restored.)1 After Goodwife Hoar was Condemned, her Estate was seiz'd, and was also bought again for Eight Pound. George Jacobs, Son to old Jacobs,2 being accused, he fled, then the Officers came to his House, his Wife was a Woman Crazy in her Senses and had been so several Years. She it seems had been also accused; there were in the House with her only four small Children, and one of them suck'd, her Eldest Daughter3 being in Prison; the Officer perswaded her out of the House, to go along with him, telling her she should speedily return, the Children ran a great way after her crying. When she came where the Afflicted were, being asked, they said they did not know her, at length one said, don't you know Jacobs the old Witch, and then they cry'd out of her, and fell down in their Fits; she was sent to Prison, and lay there Ten Months, the Neighbours of pitty took care of the Children to preserve them from perishing. About this time a New Scene was begun, one Joseph Bal- lard of Andover, whose Wife was ill (and after died of a Fever) sent to Salem for some of those Accusers, to tell him who * 1 Philip English was the foremost ship-owner of Salem, a man of large wealth; and exceptional prominence. He had come in early life from the island of Jersey and at Salem had married, in 1675, the daughter and heiress of the merchant William Hollingworth. His wife, now thirty-nine, a lady of education and re- finement, was arrested on April 22 (see p. 347, above) and on April 30 a warrant was issued for himself, but he could not be found. Detected, however, in his Boston hiding-place, he was on May 31 committed, but was allowed to give bail, and with his wife was kept in loose custody at Boston. As to their escape thence, see above, pp. 178, 186, note 3; and for their story in general the articles by G. F. Chever in the Essex Institute's Collections, I., II., Salem Witchcraft Records, I. 189-193, the evidence of William Beale appended by Drake to his ed. of Mather and Calef (III. 177-185), the documents printed in the Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, X. 17-20, a letter of Dr. Bentley in Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, first ser., X. 64-66, and a passage from his diary quoted , by R. D. Paine in The Ships and Sailors of Old Salem (New York, 1909), pp. ' — 26-28. 8 See above, pp. 360, 364. * Margaret. See pp. 364-366. 372 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 afflicted his Wife; others did the like: Horse and Man were sent from several places to fetch those Accusers who had the Spectral sight, that they might thereby tell who afflicted those that were any ways ill. When these came into any place where such were, usually they fell into a Fit; after which being asked who it was that afflicted the person, they would, for the most part, name one whom they said sat on the head, and another that sat on the lower parts of the afflicted. Soon after Ballard's sending (as above) more than Fifty of the People of Andover were com- plained of, for afflicting their Neighbours. Here it was that many accused themselves, of Riding upon Poles through the Air; Many Parents believing their Children to be Witches, and many Husbands their Wives, etc. When these Accusers came to the House of any upon such account, it was ordinary for other young People to be taken in Fits, and to have the same Spectral sight. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet,1 a Justice of Peace in Andover, having granted out Warrants against, and Committed Thirty or Forty to Prisons, for the supposed Witchcrafts, at length saw cause to forbear granting out any more Warrants. Soon after which he and his Wife were cried out of, himself was (by them) said to have killed Nine persons by Witchcraft, and found it his safest course to make his Escape. A Dog being afflicted at Salem- Village, those that had the Spectral sight being sent for, they accused Mr. John Brad- street (Brother to the Justice) that he afflicted the said Dog, and now rid upon him : He made his Escape into Pescattequa- Government,2 and the Dog was put to death, and was all of the Afflicted that suffered death. At Andover, the Afflicted complained of a Dog, as afflict- ing of them, and would fall into their Fits at the Dogs look- ing upon them; the Dog was put to death. A worthy Gentleman of Boston, being about this time ac- cused by those at Andover, he sent by some particular Friends a Writ to Arrest those Accusers in a Thousand Pound Action for Defamation, with instructions to them, to inform themselves of the certainty of the proof, in doing which their business was 1 A son of the venerable Governor Bradstreet and himself a man of station. 1 /. e., New Hampshire. 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 373 perceived, and from thence forward the Accusations at Andover generally ceased.1 In October some of these Accusers were sent for to Glocester, and occasioned four Women to be sent to Prison, but Salem Prison being so full it could receive no more, two were sent to Ipswich Prison. In November they were sent for again by Lieutenant Stephens, who was told that a Sister of his was bewitched; in their way passing over Ipswich-bridge, they met with an old Woman, and instantly fell into their Fits: But by this time the validity of such Accusations being much questioned, they found not that Encouragement they had done elsewhere, and soon withdrew. These Accusers swore that they saw three persons sitting upon Lieutenant Stephens's Sister till she died; yet Bond was accepted for those Three. And now Nineteen persons having been hang'd, and one prest to death, and Eight more condemned, in all Twenty and Eight, of which above a third part were Members of some of the Churches in N. England, and more than half of them of a good Conversation in general, and not one clear'd; About Fifty having confest themselves to be Witches, of which not one Executed; above an Hundred and Fifty in Prison, and above Two Hundred more accused; The Special Commission of Oyer and Terminer comes to a period,2 which has no other foundation than the Governours Commission,3 and had pro- ceeded in the manner of swearing Witnesses, viz. By holding up the hand, (and by receiving Evidences in writing) accord- ing to the Ancient Usage of this Countrey; as also having then* Indictments in English. In the Tryals, when any were Indicted for Afflicting, Pining, and wasting the Bodies of par- ticular persons by Witchcraft; it was usual to hear Evidence of matter foreign, and of perhaps Twenty or Thirty years standing, about over-setting Carts, the death of Cattle, un- 1 On this Andover episode see also pp. 180—181, 241-244, above. 2 Its last session was on September 22, though the court was not definitely dropped till the end of October. See above, p. 200 and note 1. 3 The implication perhaps is that the governor exceeded his powers. That question has been much and hotly debated — most learnedly by Mr. A. C. Goodell in his Further Notes on the History of Witchcraft in Massachusetts (Cambridge, 1884), pp. 20 ff., and Dr. G. H. Moore in his Final Notes on Witchcraft in Massa- chusetts (New York, 1885), pp. 71-84. 374 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 kindness to Relations, or unexpected Accidents befalling after some quarrel. Whether this was admitted by the Law of England, or by what other Law, wants to be determined; the Executions seemed mixt, in pressing to death for not pleading, which most agrees with the Laws of England, and Sentencing Women to be hanged for Witchcraft, according to the former practice of this Country, and not by burning, as is said to have been the Law of England.1 And though the confessing Witches were many; yet not one of them that confessed their own guilt, and abode by their Confession were put to Death.2 Here followeth what account some of those miserable Creatures give of their Confession under their own hands. We whose Names are under written, Inhabitants of Andover, when as that horrible and tremendous Judgment beginning at Salem- Village, in the Year 1692, (by some) call'd Witchcraft, first breaking forth at Mr. Parris's House, several Young persons being seemingly afflicted, did accuse several persons for afflicting them, and many there believing it so to be; we being informed that if a person were sick, that the afflicted persons could tell, what or who was the cause of that sickness. -; Joseph Ballard of Andover (his Wife being sick at the same time) he either from himself, or by the advice of others, fetch'd two of the persons call'd the afflicted persons, from Salem- Village to Andover. Which was the beginning of that dreadful Calamity that bef el us in Andover. ; And the Authority in Andover, believing the said Accusations to be true, sent for the said persons to come together, to the Meeting-house in Andover (the afflicted per- 1 This is an error. In England, too, witches were hanged — unless convicted of bewitching to death their husbands, when for husband-murder, "petty treason," they were burned (see Coke, Institutes, pt. III., cap. 2, 6, 101, and the records of the courts). Sir Matthew Hale indeed makes witchcraft "at Common Law" still "punished with death, as Heresie, by Writ De Haeretico Comburendo" (Pleas of the Crown, p. 6). But this, of course, was after trial by an ecclesiastical court; and since the Reformation ecclesiastical courts had not had cognizance of such cases. 1 This, the most striking feature of the Salem trials, is perhaps partially ex- plained by the closing suggestion of Cotton Mather's advice to the judges (Mather Papers, p. 396) : "What if some of the lesser Criminalls be onely scourged with lesser punishments, and also put upon some solemn, open, Publike and Explicitt renunciation of the Divil? ... Or what if the death of some of the offenders were either diverted or inflicted, according to the successe of such their renuncia- tion? " If it was unique that those who confessed escaped death, it was nothing unique that they should be reckoned "lesser Criminalls." 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 375 sons being there.) After Mr. Bernard * had been at Prayer, we were blindfolded, and our hands were laid upon the afflicted persons, they being in their Fits, and falling into their Fits at our coming into their presence (as they said) and some led us and laid our hands upon them, and then they said they were well, and that we were guilty of afflict- ing of them; whereupon we were all seized as Prisoners, by a Warrant from the Justice of the Peace, and forthwith carried to Salem. And by reason of that suddain surprizal, we knowing our selves altogether Innocent of that Crime, we were all exceedingly astonished and amazed, and consternated and affrighted even out of our Reason; and our nearest and dearest Relations, seeing us in that dreadful condition, and knowing our great danger, apprehending that there was no other way to save our lives, as the case was then circumstanti- ated, but by our confessing our selves to be such and such persons, as the afflicted represented us to be, they out of tender love and pitty perswaded us to confess what we did confess. And indeed that Confession, that is said we made, was no other than what was sug- gested to us by some Gentlemen; they telling us, that we were Witches, and they knew it, and we knew it, and they knew that we knew it, which made us think that it wras so; and our understanding, our reason, and our faculties almost gone, we were not capable of judging our condition; as also the hard measures they used writh us, rendred us uncapable of making our Defence; but said any thing and every thing which they desired, and most of what we said, was but in effect a consenting to what they said. Sometime after when we were better composed, they telling of us what we had confessed, we did profess that we were Innocent, and Ignorant of such things. And we hearing that Samuel Wardwell had renounced his Confession, and quickly after Condemned and Executed, some of us were told that we were going after Wardwell. MARY OSGOOD, MARY TILER, DELIV. DANE, ABIGAIL BARKER, SARAH WILSON, HANNAH TiLER.2 It may here be further added concerning those that did Confess, that besides that powerful Argument, of Life (and lfThe Rev. Thomas Barnard, associate minister at Andover. Dane, his senior, seems to have been averse to the proceedings. 2 This is doubtless what Brattle calls (p. 189, above) "a petition lately offered to the chief Judge." The examination and confession of Mary Osgood may be found in Hutchinson's Massachusetts, II. ch. I. (or in Poole's reprint, N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXIV. 398). She, the two Tylers, and Abigail Barker were tried and acquitted in January at the first session of the new Superior Court (see in vol. X. of the Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts the brief but valuable paper of John Noble, pp. 12-26). 376 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 freedom from hardships and Irons not only promised, but also performed to all that owned their guilt), There are numerous Instances, too many to be here inserted, of the tedious Exami- nations before private persons, many hours together; they all that time urging them to Confess (and taking turns to per- swade them) till the accused were wearied out by being forced to stand so long, or for want of Sleep, etc. and so brought to give an Assent to what they said; they then asking them, Were you at such a Witch-meeting, or have you signed the Devil's Book, etc. upon their replying, yes, the whole was drawn into form as their Confession. But that which did mightily further such Confessions, was their nearest and dearest Relations urging them to it. j These seeing no other way of escape for them, thought it the best advice that could be given; hence it was that the Husbands of some, by counsel often urging, and utmost earnestness, and Children upon their Knees intreating, have at length prevailed with them, to say they were guilty.1 As to the manner of Tryals, and the Evidence taken for Convictions at Salem, it is already set forth in Print, by the 1 The best commentary on these words is a remarkable paper which more than a century ago came into the hands of the Massachusetts Historical Society and was published in its Collections (second series, III. 221-225). As Dr. Bel- knap, who prepared it for publication, labelled it "Remainder of the account of the Salem Witchcraft" and seems to have meant it to be printed with Brattle's letter (see pp. 169-190, above), it is not improbable that, with that document, it had come from the family of Brattle and that it was originally his. In that case it is by no means impossible that in his hands Calef may have seen it and that from him he may have received the recantation printed just above. The added paper runs : "Salem, Oct. 19, '92. The Rev. Mr. I. Mather went to Salem [to visit] the confessours (so called) : He conferred with several of them, and they spake as follows:" [Then are narrated the explanations given by eleven of the women, the most suggestive being this :] "Goodwife Tyler did say, that when she was first appre- hended, she had no fears upon her, and did think that nothing could have made her confesse against herself; but since, she had found to her great grief, that she had wronged the truth, and falsely accused herself : she said, that when she was brought to Salem, her brother Bridges rode with her, and that all along the way from Andover to Salem, her brother kept telling her that she must needs be a witch, since the afflicted accused her, and at her touch were raised out of their fitts, and urging her to confess herself a witch; she as constantly told him, CALEF, MORE WONDERS 377 Reverend Mr. Cotton Mather, in his Wonders of the Invisible World, at the Command of his Excellency, Sir William Phips ; with not only the Recommendation, but thanks of the Lieu- tenant Governour;1 and with the Approbation of the Rev- erend Mr. J. M.2 in his Postscript to his Cases of Conscience ; that she was no witch, that she knew nothing of witchcraft, and begg'd of him not to urge her to confesse; however when she came to Salem, she was carried to a room, where her brother on one side and Mr. John Emerson on the other side did tell her that she was certainly a witch, and that she saw the devill before her eyes at that time (and accordingly the said Emerson would attempt with his hand to beat him away from her eyes) and they so urged her to confesse, that she wished herself in any dungeon, rather than be so treated : Mr. Emerson told her once and again, Well! I see you will not confesse! Well! I will now leave you, and then you are undone, body and soul forever : Her brother urged her to confesse, and told her that in so doing she could not lye; to which she answered, Good brother, do not say so, for I shall lye if I confesse, and then who shall answer unto God for my lye? He still asserted it, and said that God would not suffer so many good men to be in such an errour about it, and that she would be hang'd, if she did not confesse, and continued so long and so violently to urge and presse her to confesse, that she thought verily her life would have gone from her, and became so terrifyed in her mind, that she own'd at length almost any thing that they propounded to her; but she had wronged her conscience in so doing, she was guilty of a great sin in belying of herself, and desired to mourn for it as long as she lived : This she said and a great deal more of the like nature, and all of it with such affection, sorrow, relenting, grief, and mourning as that it exceeds any pen for to describe and expresse the same." The "Mr. John Emerson" of this episode was that clerical schoolmaster whom we have already met in New Hampshire (see p. 37, note 3), but who was now a teacher at Charlestown. (Sibley, Harvard Graduates, II. 471-474.) If so personal an activity of President Mather surprise, let it be remembered how widely the persecution was now striking. His parishioner Lady Phips was among the accused, and the Quaker John Whiting has a yet more startling sug- gestion: commenting in 1702 on the account just printed in Cotton Mather's Magnolia, he mentions the "two Hundred more accused, some of which of great Estates in Boston," and in the margin adds, "Query, Was not the Gover- nour's Wife, and C. M.'s Mother, some of them?" (Truth and Innocency De- fended, p. 140.) Yet not all dared to retract. "More than one or two of those now in Prison," writes Increase Mather (Cases of Conscience, Postscript), "have freely and credi- bly acknowledged their Communion and Familiarity with the Spirits of Darkness; and have also declared unto me the Time and Occasion, with the particular Circumstances of their Hellish Obligations and Abominations." 1 For Cotton Mather's Wonders, with its imprimatur by Phips and its preface by Stoughton, see above, pp. 205 ff. 2 Increase Mather : the printer seems unable to distinguish Calef 's / from his,/. 378 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 whicMast Book was set forth by the consent of the Ministers in and near Boston.1 Two of the Judges have also given their Sentiments in these words, p. 147. 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 Witchcrafts, and of the Tryals which have passed upon several exe- cuted for the same. Upon perusal thereof, We find the matters of Fact and Evi- dence truly reported, and a prospect given of the Methods of Con- viction, used in the proceedings of the Court at Salem. BOSTON, October 11, WILLIAM STOUGHTON, 1692. SAMUEL SEWALL. And considering that this may fall into the hands of such as never saw those Wonders, it may be needful to transcribe i.he whole account he has given thereof, without any variation (but with one of the Indictments annext to the Tryal of each).2 Thus far the Account given in Wonders of the Invisible World', in which setting aside such words as these, in the Tryal of G. B. viz., "They (i. e. the Witnesses) were enough to fix the character of a Witch upon him."3 In the Tryal of Bishop, these words, "but there was no need of them," i. e. of further Testimony.4 In the Tryal of How, where it is said, "and there came in Testimony of preternatural Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been instrumental to debar her from the Communion, whereupon she was intruding."6 Martin is call'd "one of lThe book, with all its credulity, is in the main a vigorous and learned argument against improper methods for detecting witches, and chiefly against reliance on the testimony of the bewitched. Commended by the ministers, fourteen of whom sign the preface "to the Christian reader," it may have done something to allay the panic. But, though it is dated by the author "October 3," the title-page date of 1693 suggests that, like his son's Wonders (see p. 207, note 1), it was long in the press or withheld from the public. 1 As the pages of Mather's Wonders containing these trials are reprinted in full above (pp. 215-244), it is needless here to repeat them. They occupy pp. 113-139 of Calef's book. Then comes what here follows. • See p. 216. • See p. 229. 6 See p. 237. 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 379 the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked Creatures in the World." In his Account of Martha Carryer, he is pleased to call her "a Rampant Hag," l etc. These Expressions, as they manifest that he wrote more like an Advocate than an Historian,2 so also that those that were his Imployers3 were not mistaken in their choice of him for that work, however he may have mist it in other things. As in his owning (in the Tryal of G. B.) That the Testi- mony of the bewitched and confessors was not enough against the Accused, for it is known that not only in New-England, such Evidence has been taken for sufficient, but also in En- gland, as himself there owns, and will also hold true of Scotland, etc., they having proceeded upon such Evidence, to the taking away of the Lives of many, to assert that this is not enough is to tell the World that such Executions were but so many Bloody Murders; which surely was not his intent to say. His telling that the Court began to think that Burroughs stept aside to put on invisibility, is a rendring them so mean Philosophers, and such weak Christians, as to be fit to be im- posed upon by any silly pretender. His calling the Evidence against How trivial, and others against Burroughs, he accounts no part of his Conviction; and that of lifting a Gun with one Finger, its being not made use of as Evidence, renders the whole but the more perplext. (Not to mention the many mistakes therein contain'd.)4 Yet all this (and more that might have been hinted at) does not hinder, but that his Account of the manner of Trials of those for Witchcraft is as faithfully related as any Tryals of that kind, that was ever yet made publick;5 and it may also 1 See p. 244. 2 The author had himself said, "I report matters not as an Advocate, but as an Historian." 3 Phips, Stoughton, and the latter's fellow-judges. 4 As to the insertion in Mather's account of evidence not given at the trial, and as to his errors of statement, see the careful analysis of Upham in his "Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather," pp. 46-48 (Historical Magazine, n. s., VI. 175-177). B To those who know the wretched chap-books which have had to serve as records of the English witch-trials — and these alone Calef was likely to know — this will not seem high praise. The modern student can, however, compare for himself Mather's accounts with the court records — and, where mere transcription is concerned, will find them faithful. 380 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 be reasonably thought that there was as careful a Scrutiny, and as unquestion'd Evidences improved, as had been formerly used in the Tryals of others, for such crimes in other places. Tho indeed a second part might be very useful, to set forth which was the Evidence Convictive in these Tryals, for it is not supposed, that Roman tick or Ridiculous stories should have any influence, such as biting a Spectres Finger, so that the Blood flowed out, or such as Shattock's Story of 12 Years standing, which yet was presently 18 Years or more, and yet a Man of that excellent Memory, as to be able to recall a small difference his Wife had with another Woman, when Eighteen Years were past.1 4_ As it is not to be supposed that such as these could Influ- ence any Judge or Jury, so not unkindness to relations, or God's having given to one Man more strength than to some others, the over-setting of Carts, or the death of Cattle, nor yet Excrescencies (calFd Tets) nor little bits of Rags tied to- gether (calTd Poppets.) Much less any persons illness, or having their Cloaths rent when a Spectre has been well banged, much less the burning the Mares Fart, mentioned in the Tryal of How.2 None of these being in the least capable of proving the Indictment ; The supposed Criminals were Indicted for Afflict- ing, etc., such and such particular persons by Witchcraft,] to which none of these Evidences have one word to say, and the Afflicted and Confessors being declared not enough, the matter needs yet further explaining.3 1 See pp. 225-227. Shattuck, testifying in 1692, placed in 1680 his child's bewitchment, but "about 17 or 18 years after" the exposure of the witch. 2 See pp. 239-240. 3 The offense charged, in the indictments printed by Calef, was that the accused "wickedly and feloniously hath used certain detestable arts, called witch- crafts and sorceries, by which said wicked arts" the said bewitched "was and is tortured, afflicted, pined, consumed, wasted and tormented against the peace of our sovereign lord and lady, the King and Queen, and against the form of the statute in that case made and provided." This was the usual form; but four of the indictments extant (against Rebecca Eames, Samuel Ward well, Rebecca Jacobs, Records of Salem Witchcraft, II. 24, 143, 147-148, and William Barker's, preserved by Chandler, American Criminal Trials, I. 429) charge instead that the accused "wickedly and feloniously a covenant with the Evil Spirit the Devil did make," and in two of these "the statute of King James the First" is expressly named as contravened. That statute, indeed, punished alike with death those 1692] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 381 But to proceed, the General Court having sat and enacted Laws, particularly one against Witchcraft, assigning the Penalty of Death to any that shall feed, reward or employ, etc., Evil Spirits, though it has not yet been explained what is intended thereby, or what it is to feed, reward or imploy Devils, etc., yet some of the Legislators have given this instead of an Explanation, that they had therein but Copied the Law of another Country.1 who should "consult, covenant with, entertain, employ, feed, or reward any evil or wicked spirit," and the laws of Massachusetts made it death "if any man or woman be a witch (that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit) " — without a mention of harm to man or beast as element of the crime. That the indictments specify such harm was perhaps only because the public attorney — Thomas Newton (succeeded on July 26 by Anthony Checkley) — was fresh from English practice; but, as Calef implies, the proof should meet the indictment. Newton (1660- 1721) had come to Boston in 1688. Mr. Goodell, who studied the originals, says the quoted indictments mentioning the English statute "appear to have been drawn in blank by him, and afterwards filled in by Checkley" (Further Notes, p. 37). As to Newton see the study of Moore (Fined Notes, pp. 94-103). Edward Randolph says of him (V. 143) that he was "a person well known in the practice in the Courts in England and New England," while Checkley he calls "a man ignorant in the Laws of England." In 1691 Newton had been attorney general at New York. 1 The laws of the colony had never ceased to be operative; and the first act passed (June 15, 1692) by the General Court under the new charter was for the continuance of these laws, "being not repugnant to the laws of England nor in- consistent with the present constitution," in full force till November 10. On October 29 the Court passed a general "act for the punishing of capital offenders," in which the old Massachusetts law as to witchcraft — "If any man or woman be a witch, that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death" — retains its old place and wording. And on December 14, "for more particular direction in the execution of the law against witchcraft," the same General Court enacted the long English statute of 1604 (1 James I., cap. 12) — omitting only the penalty of loss of "the privilege and benefit of clergy and sanc- tuary" and the clauses saving dower and inheritance to widow and heir of the convicted and providing that peers shall be tried by peers, substituting as the place of pillorying "some shire town" for "some market town upon the market day or at such time as any fair shall be kept there," and adding to the penalty (for the lighter degrees of sorcery) of imprisonment, pillory, and public confession of the offence, the clause: "which said offense shall be written in capital letters, and placed upon the breast of said offender." The commission creating the Court of Oyer and Terminer (May 27, 1692) antedated, however, all these laws, and instructed that body "to enquire of, hear and determine for this time, ac- cording to the law and custom of England and of this their Majesties' province, all and all manner of crimes." (For a learned study of witchcraft laws in England and New England see Moore's Notes on Witchcraft, pp. 3-11.) 382 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1693 January 3. By vertue of an Act of the General Court, the first Superior Court was held at Salem, for the County of Essex, the Judges appointed were Mr. William Stoughton (the Lieutenant Governour) Thomas Danforth, John Richards, Wait Winthorp,1 and Samuel Sewall, Esquires, Where Igno- ramus2 was found upon the several Bills of Indictment against Thirty, and Billa Vera* against Twenty six more; of all these Three only were found Guilty by the Jewry upon Trial, two of which were (as appears by their Behaviour) the most senseless and Ignorant Creatures that could be found;4 besides which it does not appear what came in against those more than against the rest that were acquitted.5 The Third was the Wife of Wardwell, who was one of the Twenty Executed, and it seems they had both confessed them- selves Guilty; but he retracting his said Confession, was tried and Executed ;6 it is supposed that this Woman fearing her Hus- bands fate, was not so stiff in her denyals of her former Confes- sion, such as it was. These Three received Sentence of Death. At these Tryals some of the Jewry made Inquiry of the Court, what Account they ought to make of the Spectre Evi- dence? and received for Answer "as much as of Chips in Wort."7 January 31, 169|. The Superior Court began at Charles- town, for the County of Middlesex, Mr. Stoughton, Mr. Dan- forth, Mr. Winthorp, and Mr. Sewall Judges, where several had Ignoramus returned upon their Bills of Indictment, and Billa Vera upon others. In the time the Court sat, word was brought in, that a Reprieve was sent to Salem,8 and had prevented the Execu- tion of Seven of those that were there Condemned, which so moved the chief Judge,9 that he said to this effect, "We were in a way to have cleared the Land of these, etc., who it is ob- 1 Winthrop. 2 "We do not know" — i. e., no basis for prosecution. » "A true bill." 4 Elizabeth Johnson and Mary Post. Elizabeth Johnson (as to whom see also p. 420) was reprieved, and after six months' imprisonment was freed. Her grandfather, the Rev. Francis Dane, said of her "she is but simplish at the best." Mary Post and Sarah Wardwell likewise escaped death. 8 And so the public attorney told the governor (see p. 201). • See pp. 366-367. 7 I. e., as of less than no worth. 8 By Governor Phips (see p. 201). » Stoughton. 1693] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 383 structs the course of Justice I know not; the Lord be merciful to the Countrey," and so went off the Bench, and came no more that Court: The most remarkable of the Tryals, was of Sarah Daston, she was a Woman of about 70 or 80 Years of Age. To usher in her Tryal, a report went before, that if there were a Witch in the World she was one, as having been •go accounted of, for 20 or 30 Years; which drew many People from Boston, etc., to hear her Tryal. There were a multitude of Witnesses produced against her; but what Testimony they gave in seemed wholly forreign, as of accidents, illness, etc., befalling them, or theirs after some Quarrel ; what these testi- fied was much of it of Actions said to be done 20 Years before that time. The Spectre-Evidence was not made use of in these Tryals, so that the Jewry soon brought her in not Guilty; her Daughter and Grand-daughter, and the rest that were then tried, were also acquitted. After she was cleared Judge Danforth Admonished her in these words, "Woman, Woman, repent, there are shrewd things come in against you"; she was remanded to Prison for her Fees, and there in a short time expired. One of Boston that had been at the Tryal of Daston, being the same Evening in company with one of the Judges in a publick place, acquainted him that some that had been both at the Tryals at Salem and at this at Charlestown, had asserted that there was more Evidence against the said Das- ton than against any at Salem, to which the said Judge con- ceeded, saying, That it was so. It was replied by that per- son, that he dare give it under his hand, that there was not enough come in against her to bear a just reproof.1 April 25, 1693. The first Superiour Court was held at Boston, for the County of Suffolk, the Judges were the Lieu- tenant Governour, Mr. Danforth, Mr. Richards and Mr. Sewall, Esquires. Where (besides the acquitting Mr. John Aldin by Procla- mation) the most remarkable was, what related to Mary Wat- kins, who had been a Servant, and lived about Seven Miles from Boston, having formerly Accused her Mistress of Witch- 1 On Sarah Daston's case see documents printed in the Publications (X. 12-16) of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts and the brief account of her trial by an eye-witness in the letter prefixed to the London edition of Increase Mather's Cases of Conscience. 384 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1693 craft, and was supposed to be distracted, she was threatned if she persisted in such Accusations to be punished ; this with the necessary care to recover her Health, had that good effect, that she not only had her Health restored, but also wholly acquitted her Mistress of any such Crimes, and continued in Health till the return of the Year, and then again falling into Melancholly humours she was found strangling her self; her Life being hereby prolonged, she immediately accused her self of being a Witch; was carried before a Magistrate and committed. At this Court a Bill of Indictment was brought to the Grand Jury against her, and her confession upon her Examination given in as Evidence, but these not wholly satis- fied herewith, sent for her, who gave such account of her self, that they (after they had returned into the Court to ask some Questions) Twelve of them agreed to find Ignoramus, but the Court was pleased to send them out again, who again at com- ing in returned it as before. She was continued for some time in Prison, etc., and at length was sold to Virginia.1 About this time the Prisoners in all the Prisons were released.2 To omit here the mentioning of several Wenches in Boston, etc., who pretended to be Afflicted, and accused several, the Ministers often visiting them, and praying with them, concern- ing whose Affliction Narratives are in being in Manuscript.3 Not only these, but the generality of those Accusers may have since convinc'd the Ministers by their vicious courses that they might err in extending too much Charity to them. The conclusion of the whole in the Massachusetts Colony was, Sir William Phips, Governour, being call'd home, before he went he pardon'd such as had been condemned, for which they gave about 30 Shillings each to the Kings Attorney.4 1 As to Mary Watkins see an article in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register (XLIV. 168 ff.). She lived at Milton, was white, and on August 11 was still in prison, but was asking the jail-keeper to provide a master to carry her "out of this country into Virginia." * I.e., on payment of fees. See pp. 343, 366. 1 He means, of course, Mercy Short (see above, pp. 255 ff.) and Margaret Rule (see pp. 308-323). From this sentence it seems clear that this account of the Salem episode was written before the earlier pages of his book, which begins with the narrative of Margaret Rule and takes its title from it. 4 Phips left for England November 17, 1694. (Sewall's Diary, I. 393.) 1697] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 385 In August 1697. The Superiour Court sat at Hartford, in the Colony of Connecticut, where one Mistress Benom was tried for Witchcraft, she had been accused by some Children that pretended to the Spectral sight; they searched her sev- eral times for Tets; they tried the Experiment of casting her into the Water,1 and after this she was Excommunicated by the Minister of Wallinsford.2 Upon her Tryal nothing ma- terial appearing against her, save Spectre Evidence, she was acquitted, as also her Daughter, a Girl of Twelve or Thirteen Years old, who had been likewise Accused ; but upon renewed Complaints against them, they both fled into New- York Gov- ernment.3 Before this the Government Issued forth the following Proclamation.4 By the Honourable the Lieutenant Governour, Council and Assembly of his Majesties Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in General Court Assembled. Whereas the Anger of God is not yet turned away, but his Hand is still stretched out against his People in manifold Judgments, par- ticularly in drawing out to such a length the troubles of Europe, by a perplexing War; and more especially, respecting ourselves in this Province, in that God is pleased still to go on in diminishing our Substance, cutting short our Harvest, blasting our most promising undertakings more ways than one, unsetling of us,6 and by his more 1 See above, p. 21. * Wallingford. 3 Of Winifred Benham, mother and daughter, Mr. Taylor (The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, p. 155) learns only — from "Records Court of Assistants (1 : 74, 77) " — that they were in August, 1697, tried and acquitted at Hartford, and in October indicted on new complaints, the jury returning "Igno- ramus." They were doubtless the widow and daughter of that "Joseph Benham of New Haven," who in 1656/7 was married at Boston to Winifred King (N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XI. 203) and later became one of the first settlers of Wallingford. (See also Davis, History of Wallingford and Meriden, p. 412, cited by Levermore, in the New Englander, XLIV. 815.) 4 For the interesting story of this proclamation see the Diary (I. 439-441) of Judge Sewall, who drafted its final form, and that of Cotton Mather (I. 211), who drew a rejected one. The draft itself, with a careful study of these proceed- ings, see in Moore's Notes on Witchcraft (pp. 14-19). 6 The punctuation of the copy in the Massachusetts archives, as printed in a note to Sewall's Diary (I. 440), joins "more ways than one" to "unsettling of us." 386 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1696 Immediate hand, snatching away many out of our Embraces, by sudden and violent Deaths, even at this time when the Sword is devouring so many both at home and abroad, and that after many days of publick and Solemn addressing of him, And altho consider- ing the many Sins prevailing in the midst of us, we cannot but wonder at the Patience and Mercy moderating these Rebukes; yet we cannot but also fear that there is something still wanting to accompany our Supplications. And doubtless there are some par- ticular Sins, which God is Angry with our Israel for, that have not been duly seen and resented by us, about which God expects to be sought, if ever he turn again our Captivity. Wherefore it is Commanded and Appointed, that Thursday the Fourteenth of January next be observed as a Day of Prayer, with Fasting throughout this Province, strictly forbidding all Servile labour thereon; that so all Gods People may offer up fervent Sup- plications unto him, for the Preservation, and Prosperity of his Majesty's Royal Person and Government, and Success to attend his Affairs both at home and abroad; that all iniquity may be put away which hath stirred God's Holy jealousie against this Land; that he would shew us what we know not, and help us wherein we have done amiss to do so no more; and especially that whatever mistakes on either hand have been fallen into, either by the body of this People, or any orders of men, referring to the late Tragedy, raised among us by Satan and his Instruments, thro the awful Judg- ment of God, he would humble us therefore1 and pardon all the Errors of his Servants and People, that desire to love his Name and be at- toned to his Land; that he would remove the Rod of the wicked from off the Lot of the Righteous; that he would bring the American Heathen, and cause them to hear and obey his Voice. Given at Boston, Decemb. 17, 1696, in the 8th Year of his Majesties Reign. ISAAC ADDINGTON, Secretary. Upon the Day of the Fast in the full Assembly, at the South Meeting-House in Boston, one of the Honourable Judges, who had sat in Judicature in Salem, delivered in a Paper,2 and while it was in reading stood up, But the Copy being not to be obtained at present, It can only be reported by Memory to this effect, viz. It was to desire the Prayers 1 I.e., therefor. 'Samuel Sewall. The exact wording of his paper he gives in his Diary (I. 445) : "Copy of the Bill I put up on the Fast day; giving it to Mr. Willard as he 1696] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 387 of God's People for him and his, and that God having visited his Family, etc., he was apprehensive that he might have fallen into some Errors in the Matters at Salem, and pray that the Guilt of such Miscarriages may not be imputed either to the Country in general, or to him or his family in particular. Some that had been of several Jewries, have given forth a Paper, Sign'd with their own hands in these words. We whose names are under written, being in the Year 1692 called to serve as Jurors, in Court at Salem, on Tryal of many, who were by some suspected Guilty of doing Acts of Witchcraft upon the Bodies of sundry Persons: We confess that we our selves were not capable to understand, nor able to withstand the mysterious delusions of the Powers of Darkness, and Prince of the Air; but were for want of Knowledge in our selves, and better Information from others, prevailed with to take up with such Evidence against the Accused, as on further considera- tion, and better Information, we justly fear was insufficient for the touching the Lives of any, Deut. 17. 6, whereby we fear wre have been instrumental with others, tho Ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring upon our selves, and this People of the Lord, the Guilt of Inno- cent Blood; which Sin the Lord saith in Scripture, he would not pardon, 2 Kings 24. 4, that is we suppose in regard of his temporal Judgments. We do therefore hereby signifie to all in general (and to the surviving Sufferers in especial) our deep sense of, and sorrow for our Errors, in acting on such Evidence to the condemning of any person. And do hereby declare that we justly fear that we were sadly deluded and mistaken, for which we are much disquieted and dis- pass'd by, and standing up at the reading of it, and bowing when finished; in the Afternoon. "Samuel Sewall, sensible of the reiterated strokes of God upon himself and family; and being sensible, that as to the Guilt contracted upon the opening of the late Commission of Oyer and Terminer at Salem (to which the order for this Day relates) he is, upon many accounts, more concerned than any that he knows of, Desires to take the Blame and shame of it, Asking pardon of men, And es- pecially desiring prayers that God, who has an Unlimited Authority, would par- don that sin and all other his sins, personal and Relative: And according to his infinite Benignity, and Sovereignty, Not Visit the sin of him, or of any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the Land : But that He would powerfully defend him against all Temptations to Sin, for the future; and vouchsafe him the efficacious, saving Conduct of his Word and Spirit." 388 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1700 tressed in our minds; and do therefore humbly beg forgiveness, first of God for Christ's sake for this our Error; And pray that God would not impute the guilt of it to our selves, nor others; and we also pray that we may be considered candidly, and aright by the living Sufferers as being then under the power of a strong and general Delusion, utterly unacquainted with, and not experienced in matters of that Nature. We do heartily ask forgiveness of you all, whom we have justly offended, and do declare according to our present minds, we would none of us do such things again on such grounds for the whole World; praying you to accept of this in way of Satisfaction for our Offence; and that you would bless the Inheritance of the Lord, that he may be intreated for the Land. Foreman, THOMAS FISK, THOMAS PERLY, Senior WILLIAM FISK, JOHN PEBODY, JOHN BATCHELER, THOMAS PERKINS, THOMAS FISK, Junior SAMUEL SAYER, JOHN DANE, ANDREW ELLIOTT, JOSEPH EVELTTH, HENRY HERRICK, Senior.1 Mr. C. M. having been very forward to write Books of Witchcraft, has not been so forward either to explain or defend the Doctrinal part thereof, and his belief (which he had a Years time to compose) he durst not venture so as to be copied.2 'This ends the book, as first written; but the author adds a "Postscript," called out by the publication, in 1697, of Cotton Mather's life of Sir William Phips, who had died in London early in 1695. Not the achievements of Sir William, thinks Calef, but Increase Mather's negotiation in England and his procuring of the new charter, "are the things principally driven at in the book," and "another principal thing is to set forth the supposed witchcrafts in New- England, and how well Mr. Mather the Younger therein acquitted himself." Wherefore, after freeing his mind as to the matter of the charter, he takes up Mather's allegations as to the Salem episode, and, pointing out that, "tho this Book pretends to raise a Statue in Honour of Sir William, yet it appears it was the least part of the design of the Author to Honour him, but rather to Honour himself, and the Ministers," since by so printing the advice of the ministers (see above, p. 356) "as to give a full Account of the cautions given him, but design- edly hiding from the Reader the Incouragements and Exhortations to proceed," it really throws the blame upon Phips, he devotes the remaining pages, here re- printed, to Cotton Mather's real views and their influence. The Life of Phips, now a rare book, is reprinted in Mather's Magnolia. 1 In a part of his book not here reprinted (pp. 85 ff.) Calef speaks more fully of this paper, lent him early in 1695, but on condition of its return within a fort- 1700] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 389 Yet in this of the Life of Sir William he sufficiently testifies his retaining that Heterodox belief, seeking by frightfull stories of the sufferings of some, and the refined sight of others, etc., P. 69 to obtrude upon the World, and confirm it in such a belief, as hitherto he either cannot or will not defend, as if the Blood already shed thereby were not sufficient. Mr. I. Mather, in his Cases of Conscience, P. 25, tells of a Bewitched Eye, and that such can see more than others. They were certainly bewitched Eyes that could see as well shut as open, and that could see what never was, that could see the Prisoners upon the Afflicted, harming of them, when those whose Eyes were not bewitched could have sworn that they did not stir from the Bar. The Accusers are said to have suffered much by biting, P. 73. And the prints of just such a set of Teeth, as those they Accused, had, but such as had not such bewitch'd Eyes have seen the Accusers bite themselves, and then complain of the Accused. It has also been seen when the Accused, instead of having just such a set of Teeth, has not had one in his head. They were such bewitched Eyes that could see the Poisonous Powder (brought by Spectres P. 70.) And that could see in the Ashes the print of the Brand, there invisibly heated to torment the pretended Sufferers with, etc. These with the rest of such Legends have this direct ten- dency, viz. To tell the World that the Devil is more ready to serve his Votaries, by his doing for them things above or against the course of Nature, shewing himself to them, and making explicit contract with them, etc., than the Divine Being is to his faithful Servants, and that as he is willing, so also able to perform their desires. The way whereby these People are believed to arrive at a power to Afflict their Neigh- bours, is by a compact with the Devil, and that they have a power to Commissionate him to those Evils, P. 72. However Irrational, or Inscriptural such Assertions are, yet they seem night and uncopied. It was perhaps the MS. described by Poole (Memorial History, II. 152, note) as now in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and called "Cotton Mather's belief and practice in those thorny difficul- ties which have distracted us in the day of temptation" — having "marginal reflections in another hand." [Since the foregoing words were written, this con- jecture has been proved true. See above, p. 306, note 1.] 390 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1700 a necessary part of the Faith of such as maintain the belief of such a sort of Witches. As the Scriptures know nothing of a covenanting or com- missioning Witch, so Reason cannot conceive how Mortals should by their Wickedness arrive at a power to Commission- ate Angels, Fallen Angels, against their Innocent Neighbours. But the Scriptures are full in it, and the Instances numerous, that the Almighty, Divine Being has this prerogative to make use of what Instrument he pleaseth, in Afflicting any, and consequently to commissionate Devils: And tho this word commissioning, in the Authors former Books, might be thought to be by inadvertency; yet now after he hath been caution'd of it, still to persist in it seems highly Criminal. And there- fore in the name of God, I here charge such belief as guilty of Sacriledge in the highest Nature, and so much worse than stealing Church Plate, etc., As it is a higher Offence to steal any of the glorious Attributes of the Almighty, to bestow them upon Mortals, than it is to steal the Utensils appropriated to his Service. And whether to ascribe such power of commis- sioning Devils to the worst of Men, be not direct Blasphemy, I leave to others better able to determine. When the Phari- sees were so wicked as to ascribe to Beelzebub, the mighty works of Christ (whereby he did manifestly shew forth his Power and Godhead) then it was that our Saviour declared the Sin against the Holy Ghost to be unpardonable. When the Righteous God is contending with Apostate Sinners, for their departures from him, by his Judgments, as Plagues, Earthquakes, Storms and Tempests, Sicknesses and Diseases, Wars, loss of Cattle, etc. Then not only to ascribe this to the Devil, but to charge one another with sending or commissionating those Devils to these things, is so abomina- ble and so wicked, that it requires a better Judgment than mine to give it its just denomination. But that Christians so called should not only charge their fellow Christians therewith, but proceed to Tryals and Execu- tions; crediting that Enemy to all Goodness, and Accuser of the Brethren, rather than believe their Neighbours in their own Defence; This is so Diabolical a Wickedness as cannot proceed, but from a Doctrine of Devils; how far damnable it is let others discuss. Tho such things were acting in this 1700] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 391 Country in Sir Williams time, yet p. 65. there is a Discourse of a Guardian Angel, as then over-seeing it, which notion, however it may suit the Faith of Ethnicks,1 or the fancies of Trithemius;2 it is certain that the Omnipresent Being stands not in need as Earthly Potentates do, of governing the World by Vicegerents. And if Sir William had such an Invisible pattern to imitate, no wonder tho some of his Actions were unaccountable, especially those relating to Witchcraft: For if there was in those Actions an Angel super-intending, there is little reason to think it was Gabriel or the Spirit of Mercury, nor Hanael the Angel or Spirit of Venus, nor yet Samuel the Angel or Spirit of Mars; Names feigned by the said Trithe- mius, etc. It may rather be thought to be Apollyon, or Abad- don. Ob].3 But here it will be said, "What, are there no Witches? Do's not the Law of God command that they should be extir- pated? Is the Command vain and Unintelligible?" Sol.* For any to say that a Witch is one that makes a compact with, and Commissions Devils, etc., is indeed to render the Law of God vain and Unintelligible, as having provided no way whereby they might be detected, and proved to be such; And how the Jews waded thro this difficulty for so many Ages, without the Supplement of Mr. Perkins and Bernard thereto, would be very mysterious. But to him that can read the Scriptures without prejudice from Education, etc., it will manifestly appear that the Scripture is full and Intelligi- ble, both as to the Crime and means to detect the culpable. He that shall hereafter see any person, who to confirm People in a false belief, about the power of Witches and Devils, pre- tending to a sign to confirm it, such as knocking off of invisible Chains with the hand, driving away Devils by brushing, strik- ing with a Sword or Stick, to wound a person at a great dis- tance, etc., may (according to that head of Mr. Gauls, quoted by Mr. C. M. and so often herein before recited, and so well proved by Scripture) conclude that he has seen Witchcraft , performed. 1 Pagans. 2 A German abbot and scholar who in the early sixteenth century wrote most credulously about witches and angels. * Objection. 4 Solution. 392 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1700 If Baalam became a Sorcerer by Sacrifizing and Praying to the true God against his visible people ; Then he that shall pray that the afflicted (by their Spectral Sight) may accuse some other Person (whereby their reputations and lives may be indangered) such will justly deserve the Name of a Sorcerer. If any Person pretends to know more then1 can be known by humane means, and professeth at the same time that they have it from the Black-Man, i. e. the Devil, and shall from hence give Testimony against the Lives of others, they are manifestly such as have a familiar Spirit; and if any, knowing them to have their Information from the Black-Man, shall be inquisitive of them for their Testimony against others, they therein are dealing with such as have a Familiar-Spirit. And if these shall pretend to see the dead by their Spec- tral Sight, and others shall be inquisitive of them, and receive their Answers what it is the dead say, and who it is they ac- cuse, both the one and the other are by Scripture Guilty of Necromancy. These are all of them crimes as easily proved as any what- soever, and that by such proof as the Law of God requires, so that it is no Unintelligible Law. But if the Iniquity of the times be such, that these Crim- inals not only Escape Indemnified,2 but are Incouraged in their Wickedness, and made use of to take away the Lives of others, this is worse than a making the Law of God Vain, it being a rendring of it dangerous, against the Lives of Inno- cents, and without all hopes of better, so long as these Bloody Principles remain. As long as Christians do Esteem the Law of God to be Imperfect, as not describing that crime that it requires to be Punish'd by Death; As long as men suffer themselves to be Poison'd in their Education, and be grounded in a False Belief by the Books of the Heathen; As long as the Devil shall be believed to have a Natural Power, to Act above and against a course of Nature; As long as the Witches shall be believed to have a Power to Commission him; As long as the Devils Testimony, by the pretended afflicted, 1 7. e., than. * Unpunished. 1700] CALEF, MORE WONDERS 393 shall be received as more valid to Condemn, than their Plea of Not Guilty to acquit; As long as the Accused shall have their Lives and Liberties confirmed and restored to them, upon their Confessing them- selves Guilty; As long as the Accused shall be forc't to undergo Hardships and Torments for their not Confessing; As long as Tets for the Devil to Suck are searched for upon the Bodies of the accused, as a token of guilt; As long as the Lords Prayer shall be profaned, by being made a Test, who are culpable; As long as Witchcraft, Sorcery, Familiar Spirits, and Nec- romancy, shall be improved to discover who are Witches, etc., So long it may be expected that Innocents will suffer as Witches. So long God will be Daily dishonoured, And so long his Judgments must be expected to be continued. Finis. A MODEST INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE OF WITCHCRAFT, BY JOHN HALE, 1702 INTRODUCTION THE Rev. John Hale (1636-1700), a native of the colony and a graduate of Harvard in its class of 1657, had since 1665 been pastor at Beverly, the parish lying north of Salem, from which it was severed by a narrow arm of the sea, and at the west adjoining yet more closely Salem Village, through which lay the land route connecting Beverly with Salem and with Boston. Many of those connected with the beginnings of the witch panic had, prior to the erection of the Village parish, been in attendance at the Beverly church. Some were still so; and the spreading suspicion soon invaded this parish itself. It was not strange, then, that from the first, as we have seen already, Hale's interest in the proceedings was close and atten- tive.1 There can be no question that, as Calef says, "he had been very forward in these Prosecutions," and, like his neigh- bor pastors Parris and Noyes, had held the most credulous views as to the worth of the testimony of the "afflicted." How those views changed after the accusation of his loved and honored wife we have also seen;2 and of all this he himself tells us with a touching sincerity in the pages now to follow. His little book is no apology, but a manly attempt to make amends for what he now felt to be error by setting forth to others what he had learned. Judge Sewall, who likewise had repented of his error and likewise frankly owned it, records in 1 See above, pp. 158, 184, 342, 344, 350, 369. More than once (as against Bridget Bishop and Dorcas Hoar) he himself became a witness as to the reputa- tion or career of the accused. That already then there was thought of his writing upon the subject may perhaps be inferred from Cotton Mather's letter quoted on p. 206 ; and see also p. 214. 2 See p. 369, and note 1. 398 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES his diary on November 19, 1697, when he was on a visit to Salem : " Mr. Hale and I lodg'd together : He discours'd me about writing a History of the Witchcraft; I fear lest he go into the other extream." The Rev. John Higginson (1616-1708), the aged senior pastor of Salem, who writes for Hale the introduction, is also no stranger to us;1 and we have seen what reason there is to think him hesitant all along as to the proceedings. Yet how far he had been from incredulity as to human dealings with the Devil appears not only from his own words here, but from the materials he furnished Increase Mather for his Providences* Perhaps he, too, consulted Judge Sewall as to his part in the little book; for before the words just cited the latter writes: "Mr. Higginson comes as far as Brother's to see me; which I wonder'd at." Though completed early in 1698 — since Higginson had read it before signing his introduction on March 23 — the book, as may be seen from its imprint, was not published till 1702, after Hale's death. Perhaps that was its author's wish: so, Judge Sewall tells us,3 Higginson withheld his treatise on periwigs. The Modest Enquiry is now one of the rarest books in the literature of witchcraft. Its single reimpression (Boston, 1771) is said to be yet rarer than the original. Happily, that part of the book which narrates the story of the Salem episode was taken up by Cotton Mather into his Magnalia (at the end of his Book VI.) ; and from that work, though it gives Hale due credit, it is often quoted as if Mather's own.4 1 See above, pp. 245, 248, note 2. * Mather Papers, pp. 282-287. • Diary, I. 463-464. 4 As to Hale's career see a memoir in Mass. Hist. Soc., Collections, third series, VII. 255-269; also Sibley, Harvard Graduates, I. 509-520, and authorities there cited. KALE'S A MODEST INQUIRY A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft, and How Per- sons Guilty of that Crime may be Convicted: And the means used for their Discovery Discussed, both Negatively and Af- firmatively, according to Scripture and Experience. By John Hale, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Beverley, Anno Domini 1697. When they say unto you, seek unto them that have Familiar Spirits and unto Wizzards, that peep, etc., To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah VIII. 19. 20. That which I see not teach thou me, Job 34. 32. Boston in N. E. Printed by B. Green and J. Allen, for Benjamin Eliot under the Town House. 1702.1 Any general Custom against the Law of God is void. St. Germans, Abridgment of Common Law. Lib. 1. C. 6. Omnium legum est inanis censura nisi Divinse legis imaginem gerat.2 Finch, Common Law. Lib. 4. C. 3. Where a Law is grounded upon a Presumption, if the Pre- sumption fail the Law is not to be holden in Conscience. Abridgment of C. Law. Lib. 1. C. 19.3 An Epistle to the Reader. IT hath been said of Old, That Time is the Mother of Truth, and Truth is the Daughter of Time. It is the Preroga- tive of the God of Truth, to know all the truth in all things at once and together: It is also his Glory to conceal a matter, Prov. 25. 2, And to bring the truth to light in that manner and measure, and the times appointed, as it pleaseth him; it is 1 Title-page of original. 2 "No law hath any validity unless it bear the image of divine law." 1 Reverse of title-page. 399 400 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1698 our duty in all humility, and with fear and trembling, to search after truth, knowing that secret things belong to God, and only things revealed belong to us, and so far as they are re- vealed; for in many things it may be said, what God is doing we know not now; but we, or others that succeed us, shall know hereafter. Omitting other Examples, I shall Instance only in the matter of Witchcraft, which on the Humane side, is one of the most hidden Works of Darkness, managed by the Rulers of the darkness of this World, to the doing of great spoil amongst the Children of men: And on the Divine side, it is one of the most awful and tremendous Judgments of God which can be inflicted on the Societies of men, especially when the Lord shall please for his own Holy Ends to Enlarge Satans Commission in more than an ordinary way. It is known to all men, that it pleased God some few years ago, to suffer Satan to raise much trouble amongst us in that respect, the beginning of which was very small, and looked on at first as an ordinary case which had fallen out before at several times in other places, and would be quickly over. Only one or two persons belonging to Salem Village about five miles from the Town being suspected were Examined, etc. But in the progress of the matter, a multitude of other persons both in this and other Neighbour Towns, were Accused, Ex- amined, Imprisoned, and came to their Trials, at Salem, the County Town, where about Twenty of them Suffered as Witches; and many others in danger of the same Tragical End : and still the number of the Accused increased unto many Scores; amongst whom were many Persons of unquestionable Credit, never under any grounds of suspicion of that or any other Scandalous Evil. This brought a general Consternation upon all sorts of People, doubting what would be the issue of such a dreadful Judgment of God upon the Country ; but the Lord was pleased suddenly to put a stop to those proceedings, that there was no further trouble, as hath been related by others. But it left in the minds of men a sad remembrance of that sorrowful time; and a Doubt whether some Innocent Per- sons might not Suffer, and some guilty Persons Escape. There is no doubt but the Judges and Juries proceeded in their In- tegrity, with a zeal of God against Sin, according to their best light, and according to Law and Evidence; but there is 1698] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 401 a Question yet unresolved, Whether some of the Laws, Customs and Principles used by the Judges and Juries in the Trials of Witches in England (which were followed as Patterns here) were not insufficient and unsafe. As for my Self, being under the Infirmities of a decrepit Old Age, I stirred little abroad, and was much disenabled (both in body and mind) from Knowing and judging of Occur- rents and Transactions of that time: But my Reverend Brother Mr. Hale, having for above Thirty Years been Pastor of the Church at Beverly (but Two Miles from Salem, where the Tryals were) was frequently present, and was a diligent Observer of all that passed, and being one of a Singular Pru- dence and Sagacity, in searching into the narrows of things : He hath (after much deliberation) in this Treatise, related the Substance of the Case as it was, and given Reasons from Scrip- ture against some of the Principles and Practises then used in the Tryals of Witchcraft; and said something also in a Posi- tive way, and shewing the right Application that is to be made of the whole, and all this in such a pious and modest Manner, as cannot be offensive to any, but may be generally acceptable to all the lovers of Truth and Peace. I am the more willing to accompany him to the Press, be- cause I am perswaded such a Treatise as this is needful and useful, upon divers accounts. As, 1. That the Works of God may be known; and that God may be more acknowledged and adored, in his Justice, and in his Mercy: in his Justice, by letting loose Evil Angels, to make so great a spoyl amongst us as they did, for the Punish- ment of a declining People: And in his Mercy, by Counter- manding of Satans Commission, and keeping of him in Chains of restraint, that he should proceed no further. Psal. 83, last. 2. That the Truth of things may be more fully known, so far as God shall please to reveal the same in the use of lawful means; for the Judgments of God are a great deep, and he is wont to make known truth by degrees ; and Experience teach- eth us, there is need of more to be said than hath been yet, for the clearing up of difficulties about the matter of Witch- craft. We ought to be fellow helpers to the truth. 3 Epistle of John, 8. v. 3. That whatever Errors or Mistakes we fell into, in the 402 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1698 dark hour of Temptation that was upon us, may be (upon more light) so discovered, acknowledged and disowned by us, as that it may be a matter of Warning and Caution to those that come after us, that they may not fall into the like. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Fcdix quern faciuni aliena pericula cautum.1 4. And that it may Occasion the most Learned and Pious men to make a further and fuller Enquiry into the matter of Witchcraft, especially into the positive part, How Witches may be so discovered, that innocent persons may be preserved, and none but the guilty may suffer. Prov. 17. 15. Verily whosoever shall by the Grace of God be enabled to Contribute further light in this matter, will do good Service to God and Men in his Generation. I would also propound and leave it as an Object of Con- sideration to our Honoured Magistrates and Reverend Minis- ters, Whether the ^Equity of that Law in Leviticus, Chap. 4, for a Sin offering for the Rulers and for the Congregation, in the case of Sins of Ignorance, when they come to be known, be not Obliging, and for direction to us in a Gospel way. Now the Father of Lights and Mercies grant unto us, that Mercy and Truth may meet together, that righteousness and peace may kiss each other, that the Glory of God may dwell in our Land; and that it may be said of New England, The Lord Bless thee, 0 Habitation of Justice and Mountain of Holiness, Finally, That the Blessing of Heaven may go along with this little Treatise to attain the good Ends thereof, is, and shall be the Prayer of him who is daily waiting for his Change, and looking for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Eternal Life. JOHN HIGGINSON, March 23d, Pastor of the Church, of Salem. 1697, 8. dltatis 82.2 The Preface to the Christian Reader. THE Holy Scriptures inform us that the Doctrine of God- liness is a great Mystery, containing the Mysteries of the 1 "Happy the man whom the perils of others make cautious." 1 "In the 82d year of his age." As to the aged senior pastor of Salem see p. 398. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 403 Kingdom of Heaven: Mysteries which require great search for the finding out : And as the Lord hath his Mysteries to bring us to Eternal Glory; so Satan hath his Mysteries to bring us to Eternal Ruine: Mysteries not easily under- stood, whereby the depths of Satan are managed in hidden wayes. So the Whore of Babylon makes the Inhabitants of the Earth drunk with the Wine of her Fornication, by the Mystery of her abominations, Rev. 17. 2. And the man of Sin hath his Mystery of iniquity whereby he deceiveth men through the working of Satan in signes and lying wonders, 2 Thes. 2. 3, 7, 9. And among Satans Mysteries of iniquity, this of Witch- craft is one of the most difficult to be searched out by the Sons of men ; as appeareth by the great endeavours of Learned and Holy men to search it out, and the great differences that are found among them, in the rules laid down for the bringing to light these hidden works of darkness. So that it may seem presumption in me to undertake so difficult a Theam, and to lay down such rules as are different from the Sentiments of many Eminent writers, and from the Presidents and practices of able Lawyers; yea and from the Common Law it self. But my Apology for this undertaking is; 1. That there hath been such a dark dispensation by the Lord, letting loose upon us the Devil, Anno. 1691 and 1692,1 as we never experienced before : And thereupon apprehending and condemning persons for Witchcraft; and nextly acquit- ting others no less liable to such a charge; which evidently shew we were in the dark, and knew not what to do ; but have gone too far on the one or other side, if not on both. Hereupon I esteemed it necessary for some person to Collect a Summary of that affair, with some animadversions upon it, which might at least give some light to them which come after, to shun those Rocks by which we were bruised, and narrowly escaped Ship wrack upon. And I have waited five years for some other person to undertake it, who might doe it better than I can, but find none; and judge it better to do what I can, than that such a work should be left undone. Better sincerely though weakly done, then not at all, or with such a byas of prejudice as will put false glosses upon that which was man- 1 "1691" because the troubles began before March 25. 404 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1G97 aged with uprightness of heart, though there was not so great a spirit of discerning, as were to be wished ^in so weighty a Concernment. 2. I have been present at several Examinations and Tryals, and knew sundry of those that Suffered upon that account in former years, and in this last affair, and so have more advan- tages than a stranger, to give account of these Proceedings. 3. I have been from my Youth trained up in the knowl- edge and belief of most of those principles I here question as unsafe to be used. The first person that suffered on this ac- count in New-England, about Fifty years since, was my Neigh- bour, and I heard much of what was charged upon her, and others in those times; and the reverence I bore to aged, learned and judicious persons, caused me to drink in their principles in these things, with a kind of Implicit Faith. Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odor em, Testa diu.1 A Child will not easily forsake the principles he hath been trained up in from his Cradle. But observing the Events of that sad Catastrophe, Anno 1692, I was brought to a more strict scanning of the principles I had imbibed, and by scanning, to question, and by question- ing at length to reject many of them, upon the reasons shewed in the ensuing Discourse. It is an approved saying Nihil certius, quam quod ex dubio fit cerium? No truth more certain to a man, than that which he hath formerly doubted or denied, and is recovered from his error, by the convincing evidence of Scripture and reason. Yet I know and am sensible, that while we know but in part, man is apt in flying from a discov- ered error, to run into the contrary extream. Intidit in Scyllam qui vult vitare Charybdim.3 The middle way is commonly the way of truth. And if any can shew me a better middle way than I have here laid down, I shall be ready to embrace it : But the conviction must not be by vinegar or drollery, but by strength of argument. 4. I have had a deep sence of the sad consequence of mis- 1 Literally, "the fresh-made pot will long retain the odor in which once 'tis steeped." The line is from Horace. •Laterally, "nothing is surer than what out of doubt is made sure." • "Into Soylla falls he who tries to keep clear of Charybdis." 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 405 takes in matters Capital; and their impossibility of recover- ing when compleated. And what grief of heart it brings to a tender conscience, to have been unwittingly encouraging of the Sufferings of the innocent. And I hope a zeal to prevent for the future such sufferings is pardonable, although there should be much weakness, and some errors in the pursuit thereof. 5. I observe the failings that have been on the one hand, have driven some into that which is indeed an extream on the other hand, and of dangerous consequences, viz. To deny any such persons to be under the New Testament, who by the Devils aid discover Secrets, or do work wonders. Therefore in the latter part of this discourse, I have taken pains to prove the Affirmative, yet with brevity, because it hath been done already by Perkins of Witchcraft.1 Glanvil his Saducismus Triumphatus,2 Pt. 1. p. 1 to 90 and Pt. 2. p. 1 to 80. Yet I would not be understood to justify all his notions in those dis- courses, but acknowledge he hath strongly proved the being of Witches. 6. I have special reasons moving me to bear my testimony about these matters, before I go hence and be no more; the which I have here done, and I hope with some assistance of his Spirit, to whom I commit my self and this my labour, even that God whose I am and whom I serve: Desiring his Mercy in Jesus Christ to Pardon all the Errors of his People in the day of darkness; and to enable us to fight with Satan by Spiritual Weapons, putting on the whole Armour of God. And tho' Satan by his Messengers may buffet Gods Chil- dren, yet there's a promise upon right Resisting, he shall flee from them, Jam. 4. 7. And that all things shall work together for the good of those that Love the Lord, Rom. 8. 28. So that I believe Gods Children shall be gainers by the assaults of Satan, which occasion'd this Discourse; which that they may, is the Prayer of, Thine in the Service of the Gospel. JOHN HALE. BEVERLY, Decemb. 15th, 1697. 1 See above, p. 304, note 3. 2 Saducismus Triumphatus was the name given Glanvill's book in the en- larged edition (1681) brought out after the author's death by Henry More. In later impressions the word becomes Sadducismus. As to Glanvill, see above, p. 5. 406 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1697 A MODEST ENQUIRY, INTO THE NATURE OF WITCHCRAFT Chapter I. Sect. 1. The Angels who kept not their First Estate, by Sin against God, lost their primitive purity, and glorious Ex- cellency, as to their moral qualifications, and became unclean, wicked, envious, lyars, and full of all wickedness, which as Spirits they are capable of. Yet I do not find in Scripture that they lost their natural abilities of understanding or power of Operation. 1. As for their Understanding, they are called Daimon (which we Translate Devil) because they are full of wisdom, cunning, skill, subtilty and knowledge. He hath also the name of Serpent from his subtilty, 2 Cor. 11. 3. And his knowledge in the Scriptures, and wittiness to pervert them, appears by his quoting Scripture to our Saviour when he tempted him. Mat. 4. And as there be many Devils, and these active, quick, swift and piercing Spirits, so they going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down in it, have advantages to know all the actions of the Children of men, both open and secret, their discourses, consultations, and much of the inward affections of men thereby; though still its Gods prerogative immediately to know the heart. Jer. 17. 10. 2. As to their natural power as Spirits, its very great, if not equal to that of the Holy Angels: For, 1. They are called Principalities and Powers. Rom. 8. 38. Eph. 6. 12. Col. 2. 14, 15, compared with Heb. 2. 14, 15. Now these are names given to the Holy Angels. Eph. 1. 21, and 3. 10. 2. They are called, Rulers of the darkness of this world, the Prince of the power of the Air. Eph. 6. 12 and 2. 2. 3. Such was their power that they contended with Michael and the Angels about the Body of Moses. 2 Pet. 2. 11. Jude 9. That is, as I conceive, about preventing the Burial of the Body of Moses: For it's said, Deut. 34. 6, The Lord buri(jd him, and no man knoweth of his Sepulcher to this day. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 407 That is, he did it by the Ministry of Angels (for the Lord gave the Law, Exod. 20. 1, and that it was by the Ministry of Angels, see Gal. 3. 19. so probably was the burial of Moses's Body) and the Devils endeavour if possible, to discover Moses's Body, or place of its burial, that they might draw Israel to commit Idolatry in worshipping at his Tomb (as our Popish Fore-fathers did at Thomas Beckets in Kent) from the Veneration they had to him as their Law giver. 4. The Devils actings against Job, Chap. 1 and 2, and what he did to the Gadarene Swine, etc., Shew his great power. So that we may conclude, had the Devils liberty to reveal all that they know of the affairs of mankind, or to do all that is in their power to perform, they would bring dreadful confu- sions and desolations upon the World. Sect. 2. The way God governs Devils is by Chains. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6 ver. Rev. 20. 1, 2, 7, 8, whereby they are kept Prisoners. Men are governed by Laws, by convictions of Conscience. Rom. 2. 12, 13, 14, 15. By Scripture Rules, Humane Laws, and also by Gods Spirit. 1 John 2. 20. But Devils have no such Laws, or tenderness of Conscience to bridle or restrain them. But the Lord hath his Chains, which are called Everlasting, and are always lasting; so that they are never wholly without a Chain. This Chain is some- times greater and shorter, other times lesser and longer, as the Lord pleaseth, for his own Glory, Rev. 20. 1, 2, 7, 8. For as the wrath of man praiseth the Lord, and the remainder of wrath he doth restrain, Psal. 76. 10, So may we say of the Devils wrath. Sect. 3. The Devil is full of malice against man, and frames his designs against him, chiefly to destroy his Soul, as, 1 Pet. 5. 8, 2 Cor. 11. 3, and other Scriptures abundantly testify. Hence probably at sometimes he doth not all the hurt to mans Body that he could, lest thereby he should awaken man to repentance and prayer; he seeks to keep men in a false peace. Luk. 11. 21. Yet at other times he disturbs and afflicts men in Body and Estate; as Scripture and experience shew. Among the Devices Satan useth to ruine man, one is to allure him into such a familiarity with him, that by Sorceries, In- chantments, Divinations, and such like, he may lead them Captive at his pleasure. This snare of his we are warned against, Deut. 18. 10, 11, and in other Scriptures. This Sin 40S NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1648 of men hearkening after Satan in these ways, is called Witch- craft; of which it is my purpose to treat: But first I shall speak something Historically what hath been done in New England, in prosecution of persons suspected of this Crime. Sect. 4. Several persons have been Charged with and suffered for the Crime of Witchcraft in the Governments of the Massachusetts, New Haven, or Stratford1 and Connecti- cut, from the year 1646 to the year 1692. Sect. 5. The first was a Woman of Charlestown, Anno 1647 or 48.2 She was suspected partly because that after some angry words passing between her and her Neighbours, some mischief befel such Neighbours in their Creatures, or the like : partly because some things supposed to be bewitched, or have a Charm upon them, being burned, she came to the fire and seemed concerned. The day of her Execution, I went in company of some Neighbours,3 who took great pains to bring her to confession and repentance. But she constantly professed her self inno- cent of that crime: Then one prayed her to consider if God did not bring this punishment upon her for some other crime, and asked, if she had not been guilty of Stealing many years ago; she answered, she had stolen something, but it was long since, and she had repented of it, and there was Grace enough in Christ to pardon that long agoe; but as for Witchcraft she was wholly free from it, and so she said unto her Death. Sect. 6. Another that suffered on that account some time after, was a Dorchester Woman.4 And upon the day of her 1 I. e., "New Haven (or Stratford) " : Hale was not sure (see p. 410) whether the case in mind was at New Haven or at Stratford. Stratford, though so near New Haven, was under the Connecticut government. Under that of New Haven there were, so far as is known, no witch-executions. 2 Margaret Jones, executed at Boston on June 15, 1648. See Winthrop, Journal, II. 344-345 (of the edition in this series, II. 397 of ed. of 1853), and Poole in Memorial History of Boston, II. 135-137; also, above, p. 363, note 2 — for it was doubtless to Margaret Jones that the resolution as to "watch- inge" referred, and it suggests that her accusation too may have been the out- come of the witch-hunt which had just been raging in the Puritan counties of England. She was not, as thinks Hale, the first New England victim; in Con- necticut Alse Young was hanged, May 26, 1647. a The writer was then a boy of twelve. 4 Doubtless that "H. Lake's wife, of Dorchester, whom," as Nathaniel Mather in 1684 wrote to his brother Increase of having heard, "the devill drew in 1648] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 409 Execution Mr. Thompson Minister at Brantry,1 and J. P.2 her former Master took pains with her to bring her to repen- tance, And she utterly denyed her guilt of Witchcraft: yet justifyed God for bringing her to that punishment: for she had when a single woman played the harlot, and being with Child used means to destroy the fruit of her body to conceal her sin and shame, and although she did not effect it, yet she was a Murderer in the sight of God for her endeavours, and shewed great penitency for that sin; but owned nothing of the crime laid to her charge. Sect. 7. Another suffering in this kind was a Woman of Cambridge, against whom a principal evidence was a Water- town Nurse, who testifyed, that the said Kendal (so was the accused called) did bewitch to Death a Child of Goodman Genings of Watertown; for the said Kendal did make much of the Child, and then the Child was well, but quickly changed its colour and dyed in a few hours after. The Court took this evidence among others, the said Genings not knowing of it. But after Kendal was Executed (who also denyed her guilt to the Death,) Mr. Rich. Brown knowing and hoping better things of Kendal, asked said Genings if they suspected her to bewitch their Child, they answered No. But they judged the true cause of the Childs Death to be thus, viz. The Nurse had the night before carryed out the Child and kept it abroad in the Cold a long time, when the red gum was come out upon it, and the Cold had struck in the red gum, and this they judged the cause of the Childs death." And that said Kendal did come in that day and make much of the Child, but they apprehended no wrong to come to the Child by her. After this the said Nurse was put into Prison for Adultery, and there delivered of her base Child, and Mr. Brown went to her and told her, It was just with God to leave her to this wickedness by appearing to her in the likenes, and acting the part of a child of hers then lately dead, on whom her heart was much set." (See Mather Papers, p. 58, and Poole in N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXIV. 3, note.) Mather had lived in Dorchester prior to his migration to England, about 1650; but, as he had been in constant communication with friends in America, it is not at all sure that his knowledge of this case antedates his leaving. In Hale's account there seems some confusion with the case of Mary Parsons (p. 410). 1 Braintree. 2 Probably John Phillips of Dorchester — the conjecture is Farmer's. 410 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1656 as a Punishment for her Murdering goody Kendal by her false witness bearing. But the Nurse dyed in Prison, and so the matter was not farther inquired into. There was another Executed, of Boston Anno 1656. for that crime.1 And two or three of Springfield, one of which confessed; and said the occasion of her familiarity with Satan was this : She had lost a Child and was exceedingly discontented at it and longed; Oh that she might see her Child again! And at last the Devil in likeness of her Child came to her bed side and talked with her, and asked to come into the bed to her, and she received it into the bed to her that night and several nights after, and so entred into covenant with Satan and became a Witch.2 This was the only confessor in these times in that Government. Sect. 8. Another at Hartford, viz. Mary Johnson, men- tioned in Remarkable Providences, p. 62, 63,3 Confessed her self a Witch. Who upon discontent and slouthfulness agreed with the Devil to do her work for her, and fetch up the Swine. And upon her immoderate laughter at the running of the Swine, as the Devil drove them, as she her self said, was sus- pected and upon examination confessed. I have also heard of a Girl at New Haven or Stratford, that confessed her guilt.4 But all others denyed it unto the death unless one Greensmith, at Hartford.5 Sect. 9. But it is not my purpose to give a full relation of all that have suffered for that Sin, or of all the particulars 1 Mrs. Ann Hibbins, widow of one of the foremost men in Boston and said to have been a sister of Governor Bellingham. (See Records of Massachusetts, IV., pt. 1, p. 269; Hutchinson, Massachusetts, second ed., I. 187-188; Me- morial History of Boston, II. 138-141.) 1 This was the case of Mary Parsons and her husband Hugh, whom she accused (1651). (See Drake, Annals of Witchcraft, pp. 64-72, and especially the appended papers of Hugh Parsons's case, pp. 219-258. The originals of these papers are now in the New York Public Library. Others, from the Suffolk court files, are printed in the N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, XXXV. 152-153.) 1 Not in the Remarkable Providences of Increase Mather, but in the Memorable Providences of Cotton Mather at the pages named (see above, pp. 135-136). 4 Probably that "Goody Bassett" who was on trial at Stratford in 1651 (Connecticut Records, I. 220), and of whom we know from testimony given at New Haven in 1654 (New Haven Records, II. 83) that she was condemned and that she confessed. 6 See above, pp. 19-20. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 411 charged upon them, which probably is now impossible, many witnessing Viva voce, those particulars which were not fully recorded. But that I chiefly intend is to shew the principles formerly acted upon in Convicting of that Crime; which were such as these. 1. The first great principle laid down by a person Eminent for Wisdom, Piety and Learning1 was; That the Devil could not assume the shape of an innocent person in doing mischief unto mankind: for if the Lord should suffer him in this he would subvert the course of humane Justice, by bringing men to suffer for what he did in their Shapes. 2. Witchcraft being an habitual Crime, one single witness to one Act of Witchcraft, and another single witness to an- other such fact, made two witnesses against the Crime and the party suspected. 3. There was searching of the bodies of the suspected for such like teats, or spots (which writers speak of) called the Devils marks; and if found, these were accounted a presump- tion at least of guilt in those that had them. 4. I observed that people laid great weight upon this; when things supposed to be bewitched were burnt, and the suspected person came to the fire in the time of it.2 Although that Eminent person above said3 condemned this way of tryal, as going to the Devil to find the Devil. 5. If after anger between Neighbours mischief followed, this oft bred suspicion of Witchcraft in the matter. In fine, the presumptions and convictions used in former times were for substance the same which we may read of in Keeble of the 1 When in 1669 the Connecticut court asked the ministers their opinion as to this point, they answered in almost these words (see Taylor, The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, p. 58). This opinion is said to be in the hand- writing of the Rev. Gershom Bulkeley, the author of Will and Doom. But it does not follow that he was its author, much less that he was the originator of this dictum. Whatever its source, it is to be suspected that it had originally nothing to do with "spectral evidence," but was only a protest against such pleas as that of the bishop who, caught under the bed of a nun, maintained later that the cul- prit was only the Devil impersonating him. On Bulkeley and his rational atti- tude toward later charges of witchcraft, see his Will and Doom (Conn. Hist. Soc., Collections, III.), introduction and pp. 233-235. * See above, p. 239, note 1. 3 See above, in paragraph 1. 412 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1680 Common Law,1 and in Bernard,2 and other Authors of that subject. Sect. 10. About 16 or 17 years since was accused a Woman of Newbury,3 and upon her tryal the Jury brought her in Guilty. Yet the Governour Simon Bradstreet Esq. and some of the Magistrates repreived her, being unsatisfyed in the Verdict upon these grounds. 1. They were not satisfyed that a Specter doing mischief in her likeness, should be imputed to her person, as a ground of guilt. 2. They did not esteem one single witness to one fact, and another single witness to another fact, for two witnesses, against the person in a matter Capital. She being reprived, was carried to her own home, and her Husband (who was esteemed a Sincere and understanding Christian by those that knew him) desired some Neighbour Ministers, of whom I was one, to meet together and discourse his Wife; the which we did : and her discourse was very Christian among us, and still pleaded her innocence as to that which was laid to her charge. We did not esteem it prudence for us to pass any definitive Sentance upon one under her circumstances, yet we inclined to the more charitable side. In her last Sickness she was in much darkness and trouble of Spirit, which occasioned a Judicious friend to examine her strictly, Whether she had been guilty of Witchcraft, but she said No: But the ground of her trouble was some impatient and passionate Speeches and Actions of hers while in Prison, upon the account of her suffering wrongfully; whereby she had provoked the Lord, by putting some contempt upon his word. And in fine, she sought her pardon and comfort from God in Christ, and dyed so far as I understood, praying to and resting upon God in Christ for Salvation. Sect. 11. The next that Suffered was an Irish Woman of Boston,4 suspected to bewitch John Goodwins Children, who upon her Tryal did in Irish (as was testified by the Interpreters) confess her self guilty, and was condemned out of her own 1 What is meant, as is clear from Kale's later quotations, is Keble's Assis- tance to Justices. See above, p. 163, note 2. 1 See above, p. 304, note 5. * Mrs. Morse. See above, pp. 23-31. 4 Goody Glover. See above, pp. 100 S. 1691] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 413 mouth; (as Christ saith, Luk. 19. 22. Out of thine own mouth will I Judge thee.) The History of which is published by Mr. Cotton Mather, (and attested by the other Ministers of Boston and Charlstown.) in his Book, Entituled, Memorable Providences, Printed Anno 1689.1 Thus far of the History of Witches before the year, 1692. Chapter II. I. In the latter end of the year 1691,2 Mr. Samuel Paris, Pastor of the Church in Salem-Village, had a Daughter of Nine, and a Neice of about Eleven years of Age, sadly Afflicted of they knew not what Distempers; and he made his applica- tion to Physitians, yet still they grew worse: And at length one Physitian gave his opinion, that they were under an Evil Hand. This the Neighbours quickly took up, and concluded they were bewitched. He had also an Indian Man servant, and his Wife who afterwards confessed, that without the knowledge of their Master or Mistress, they had taken some of the Afflicted persons Urine, and mixing it with meal had made a Cake, and baked it, to find out the Witch, as they said. After this, the Afflicted persons cryed out of the Indian Woman, named Tituba, that she did pinch, prick, and griev- ously torment them, and that they saw her here and there, where no body else could. Yea they could tell where she was, and what she did, when out of their humane sight. These Children were bitten and pinched by invisible agents; their arms, necks, and backs turned this way and that way, and returned back again, so as it was impossible for them to do of themselves, and beyond the power of any Epileptick Fits, or natural Disease to effect. Sometimes they were taken dumb, their mouths stopped, their throats choaked, their limbs wracked and tormented so as might move an heart of stone, to sympathize with them, with bowels of compassion for them. I will not enlarge in the description of their cruel Sufferings, because they were in all things afflicted as bad as John Good- wins Children at Boston, in the year 1689. So that he that 1 See above, pp. 91 ff. 2 /. e., in February and March of the year we call 1692. As to all this story see above the parallel narratives of Lawson (pp. 147 ff.) and Calef (pp. 341 ff.). 414 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 will read Mr. Mathers Book of Memorable Providences, page 3, etc., may Read part of what these Children, and afterwards sundry grown persons suffered by the hand of Satan, at Salem Village, and parts adjacent, Anno 1691, 2. Yet there was more in these Sufferings, than in those at Boston, by pins in- visibly stuck into their flesh, pricking with Irons, (As in part published in a Book Printed 1693, viz. The Wonders of the Invisible World).1 Mr. Paris seeing the distressed condition of his Family, desired the presence of some Worthy Gentle- men of Salem, and some Neighbour Ministers to consult to- gether at his House; who when they came, and had enquired diligently into the Sufferings of the Afflicted, concluded they were preternatural, and feared the hand of Satan was in them. II. The advice given to Mr. Paris by them was, that he should sit still and wait upon the Providence of God to see what time might discover; and to be much in prayer for the discovery of what was yet secret. They also Examined Tituba, who confessed the making a Cake, as is above mentioned, and said her Mistress in her own Country was a Witch, and had taught her some means to be used for the discovery of a Witch and for the prevention of being bewitched, etc. But said that she her self was not a Witch. III. Soon after this, there were two or three private Fasts at the Ministers House, one of which was kept by sundry Neighbour Ministers, and after this, another in Publick at the Village, and several days afterwards of publick Humiliation, during these molestations, not only there, but in other Con- gregations for them. And one General Fast by Order of the General Court, observed throughout the Colony to seek the Lord that he would rebuke Satan, and be a light unto his people in this day of darkness.2 But I return to the History of these troubles. In a short time after other persons who were of age to be witnesses, were molested by Satan, and in their fits cryed out upon Tituba and Goody 0. and S. G.3 that they or Specters in their Shapes did grievously torment them; hereupon some of their Village 1 See above, pp. 205 ff. 1 This fast, enacted on May 6, was celebrated on May 26, 1692 (Massachu- setts Acts and Resolves, VII. 459). * Sarah Osborn and Sarah Good. 1692] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 416 Neighbours complained to the Magistrates at Salem, desiring they would come and examine the afflicted and accused to- gether; the which they did: the effect of which examination was, that Tituba confessed she was a Witch, and that she with the two others accused did torment and bewitch the com- plainers, and that these with two others whose names she knew not, had their Witch-meeting together; relating the times when and places where they met, with many other cir- cumstances to be seen at large. Upon this the said Tituba and 0. and S. G. were committed to Prison upon suspicion of acting Witchcraft. After this the said Tituba was again ex- amined in Prison, and owned her first confession in all points, and then was her self afflicted and complained of her- fellow Witches tormenting of -her, for her confession, and accusing them, and being searched by a Woman, she was found to have upon her body the marks of the Devils wounding of her. IV. Here were these things rendred her confession credi- ble. (1.) That at this examination she answered every ques- tion just as she did at the first. And it was thought that if she had feigned her confession, she could not have remembred her answers so exactly. A lyar we say, had need of a good memory, but truth being always consistent with it self is the same to day as it was yesterday. (2.) She seemed very peni- tent for her Sin in covenanting with the Devil. (3.) She be- came a sufferer her self and as she said for her confession. (4.) Her confession agreed exactly (which was afterwards veri- fied in the other confessors) with the accusations of the afflicted. Soon after these afflicted persons complained of other persons afflicting of them in their fits, and the number of the afflicted and accused began to increase. And the success of Tituba's confession encouraged those in Authority to examine others that were suspected, and the event was, that more confessed themselves guilty of the Crimes they were suspected for. And thus was this matter driven on. V. I observed in the prosecution of these affairs, that there was in the Justices, Judges and others concerned, a con- scientious endeavour to do the thing that was right. And to that end they consulted the Presidents1 of former times and precepts laid down by Learned Writers about Witchcraft. 1 Precedents. 416 NARRATIVES OP THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 As Keeble on the Common Law, Chapt. Conjuration, (an Author approved by the Twelve Judges of our Nation.)1 Also Sir Mathew Hales Tryal of Witches, Printed Anno 1682.2 Glan- vils Collection of sundry tryals in England and Ireland, in the years 1658, 61, 63, 64, and 81. 3 Bernards Guide to Jurymen,4 Baxter and R. Burton, their Histories about Witches and their discoveries.5 Cotton Mather's Memorable Providences relating to Witchcrafts, Printed Anno 1689. VI. But that which chiefly carried on this matter to such an height, was the increasing of confessors till they amounted to near about Fifty : and four or six of them upon their tryals owned their guilt of this crime, and were condemned for the same, but not Executed. And many of the confessors con- firmed their confessions with very strong circumstances: As their exact agreement with the accusations of the afflicted; their punctual agreement with their fellow confessors; their relating the times when they covenanted with Satan, and the reasons that moved them thereunto; their Witch meetings, and that they had their mock Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper, in some of them ; their signing the Devils book : and some shewed the Scars of the wounds which they said were made to fetch blood with, to sign the Devils book; and some 1 See above, p. 163, note 2. "Conjuration" is the heading given by Keble to his section on witchcraft (pp. 217-220). 2 The account is not Sir Matthew's own, nor yet an official record, but one taken down "for his own satisfaction" "by a Person then Attending the Court," and so did not till 1682 find its way into print. As we have seen (p. 215, note 1) it was embodied by Cotton Mather in his Wonders. 3 See above, pp. 5-6. 4 See above, p. 304, note 5. 5 Baxter's Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits (1691), really a collection of witch stories, has been earlier described (p. 98, note 2). The name of "R. Bur- ton," or "R. B.," the pseudonym under which the prolific London publisher Nathaniel Crouch concealed his identity, is attached to a multitude of chap- books; but that here in question was undoubtedly his The Kingdom of Darkness (London, 1688), a pictorial "history of daemons, specters, witches, apparitions, possessions, disturbances, and other wonderful and supernatural delusions, mis- chievous feats, and malicious impostures of the Devil," "together with a preface obviating the common objections and allegations of the Sadduces and Atheists of the age." It is, in other words, a credulous hodge-podge of all the older witch and devil tales that could be packed into its duodecimo pages; tales made vivid by its startling frontispiece and the crude but awful woodcuts that adorn its text. 1692] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 417 said they had Imps to suck them, and shewed Sores raw where they said they were sucked by them. VII. I shall give the Reader a tast of these things in a few Instances. The Afflicted complained that the Spectres which vexed them, urged them to set their Hands to a Book represented to them (as to them it seemed) with threatnings of great torments, if they signed not, and promises of ease if they obeyed. Among these D. H.1 did as she said (which sundry others confessed afterwards) being overcome by the extremity of her pains, sign the Book presented, and had the promised ease; and immediately upon it a Spectre in her Shape afflicted another person, and said, I have signed the Book and have ease, now do you sign, and so shall you have ease. And one day this afflicted person pointed at a certain place in the room, and said, there is D. H., upon which a man with his Rapier struck at the place, though he saw no Shape ; and the Afflicted called out, saying, you have wounded her side, and soon after the afflicted person pointed at another place, saying, there she is; whereupon a man struck at the place, and the afflicted said, you have given her a small prick about the eye. Soon after this, the said D. H. confessed her self to be made a Witch by signing the Devils Book as above said; and declared that she had afflicted the Maid that complained of her, and in doing of it had received two wounds by a Sword or Rapier, a small one about the eye, which she shewed to the Magistrates, and a bigger on the side of which she was searched by a discreet woman, who reported, that D. H. had on her side the sign of a wound newly healed. This D. H. confessed that she was at a Witch Meeting at Salem Village, where were many persons that she named, some of whom were in Prison then or soon after upon suspicion of Witchcraft: And the said G. B.2 preached to them, and such a Woman was their Deacon, and there they had a Sacra- ment. ~ VIII. Several others after this confessed the same things r Deliverance Hobbs — called by error "Deborah" on p. 347. The court record of her examination may be found in Records of Salem Witchcraft, II. 186- 192. 1 George Burroughs. 418 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 with D. H. In particular Goody F.1 said (Inter alia*) that she with two others (one of whom acknowledged the same) Rode from Andover to the same Village Witch meeting upon a stick above ground, and that in the way the stick brake, and gave the said F. a fall : whereupon, said she, I got a fall and hurt of which I am still sore. I happened to be present in Prison when this F. owned again her former confession to the Magistrates. And then I moved she might be further ques- tioned about some particulars: It was answered, the Magis- trates had not time to stay longer; but I should have liberty to Examine her farther by my self; The which thing I did; and I asked her if she rode to the Meeting on a Stick; she said, yea. I enquired what she did for Victuals ; she answered that she carried Bread and Cheese in her pocket, and that she and the Andover Company came to the Village before the Meeting began, and sat down together under a tree and eat their food, and that she drank water out of a Brook to quench her thirst. And that the Meeting was upon a plain grassy place, by which was a Cart path, and sandy ground in the path, in which were the tracks of Horses feet. And she also told me how long they were going and returning. And some time after told me, she had some trouble upon her spirit, and when I enquired what? she said, she was in fear that G. B. and M. C.3 would kill her; for they appeared unto her (hi Spectre, for their persons were kept in other Rooms in the Prison) and brought a sharp pointed iron like a spindle, but four square, and threatned to stab her to death with it; because she had confessed her Witchcraft, and told of them, that they were with her, and that M. C. above named was the person that made her a Witch. About a month after the said F. took occasion to tell me the same Story of her] fears that G. B. and J8|. C.4 would kill her, and that the thing was much upon her Spirits. IX. It was not long before M. L.5 Daughter of said F. confessed that she rode with her Mother to the said Witch 1 Ann Foster. See above, pp. 244, 366. As her son later alleged, she "suffered imprisonment twenty-one weeks and upon her Try all was condemned for supposed witchcraft . . . and died in prison." * "Among other things." 1 Martha Carrier. See above, pp. 241-244. 4 Doubtless a printer's error for M. C. (Martha Carrier). 1 Mary Lacy. See pp. 244, 366. Though condemned, she escaped death. 1692] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 419 Meeting, and confirmed the substance of her Mothers Confes- sion. At another time, M. L. junior the Grand Daughter, aged about seventeen years, confesseth the substance of what her Grand mother and Mother had related, and declareth, that when they with E. C.1 rode on a stick or pole in the Air, She the said Grand-Daughter with R. C.2 Rode upon another; (and she said R. C. acknowledged the same) and that they sat their hands to the Devils Book. And (inter alia) said, " 0 Mother, why did you give me to the Devil?" twice or thrice over. The Mother said, she was sorry at the heart for it, it was through that wicked one. Her Daughter bid her repent and call upon God. And said, " Oh Mother, your wishes are now come to pass! for how often have you wished that the Devil would fetch me away alive?" And then said, "Oh! my heart will break within me"; Then she wept bitterly, crying out, "0 Lord comfort me, and bring out all the Witches." And she said to her Grandmother, aO Grandmother, why did you give me to the Devil? Why did you perswade me, 0 Grand- mother do not deny it." Then the Grandmother gave account of several things about their confederates and acts of Witch- crafts too long to rehearse. Chapter III. Nextly I will insert the Confession of a man about Forty years of Age, W. B.,3 which he wrote himself in Prison, and sent to the Magistrates, to confirm his former Confession to them, viz. God having called me to Confess my sin and Apostasy in that fall in giving the Devil advantage over me appearing to me like a Black, in the evening to set my hand to his Book, as I have owned to my shame. He told me that I should not want so doing. At Salem Village, there being a little off the Meeting-House, about an hundred five Blades,4 some with Rapiers by their side, which was called and might be more for ought I know by B and Bu.5 and the 1 Again a misprint for M. C. (see Mary Lacy's testimony in Records of Salem Witchcraft, II. 140: "her mother Foster, Goody Carrier and herself rid upon a pole to Salem Village meeting"). 2 Richard Carrier, son of Martha. 3 William Barker, of Andover. 4 Bravoes. B Bishop and Burroughs? 420 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 Trumpet sounded, and Bread and Wine which they called the Sacra- ment, but I had none; being carried over all on a Stick, never being at any other Meeting. I being at Cart a Saturday last, all the day, of Hay and English Corn, the Devil brought my Shape to Salem, and did afflict M. S.1 and R. F.2 by ditching my Hand; and a Sab- bath day my Shape afflicted A. M.3 and at night afflicted M. S. and A. M. E. I.4 and A. F.8 have been my Enticers to this great abomi- nation, as one have owned and charged her to her Sister with the same. And the design was to Destroy Salem Village, and to begin at the Ministers House, and to destroy the Church of God, and to set up Satans Kingdom, and then all will be well. And now I hope God in some measure has made me something sensible of my sin and apostasy, begging pardon of God, and of the Honourable Magistrates and all Gods people, hoping and promising by the help of God, to set to my heart and hand to do what in me lyeth to destroy such wicked worship, humbly begging the prayers of all Gods People for me, I may walk humbly under this great affliction and that I may procure to my self, the sure mercies of David, and the blessing of Abraham. Concerning this Confession. (1) Note it was his own free act in Prison. (2) He saith the Devil like a Black. This he had before explained to be like a Black man. (3) That on a certain day was heard in the Air the sound of a Trumpet at Salem Village nigh the Meeting-House, and upon all enquiry it could not be found that any mortal man did sound it. (4) The three persons he saith the Devil in his Shape afflicted, had been as to the times and manner afflicted as he confesseth. (5) That E. I. confessed as much as W. B. chargeth her with. (6) Many others confessed a Witch Meeting, or Witch meet- ings at the Village as well as he. Note also that these Confessors did not only witness against themselves, but against one another; and against many if not all those that Suffered for that Crime. As for example, when 1 Martha Sprague. 2 Rose Foster. * Abigail Martin. 4 Elizabeth Johnson. Her daughter, of the same name, was also accused and confessed (see p. 382, note 4, above). 1 Abigail Falkner. She and her sister Elizabeth Johnson were daughters of the Rev. Francis Dane (or Deane), senior pastor at Andover, who seems from the first to have stood against the panic and who was largely instrumental in ending it. All those here accused were Andover folk, neighbors of Barker. See as to them Mrs. Bailey's chapter on "Witchcraft at Andover" (in her His- torical Sketches of Andover). 1692] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 421 G. B.1 was Tryed, seven or eight of these Confessors severally called, said, they knew the said B. and saw him at a Witch- Meeting at the Village, and heard him exhort the Company to pull down the Kingdom of God, and set up the Kingdom of the Devil. He denied all, yet said he justified the Judges and Jury in Condemning of him ; because there were so many posi- tive witnesses against him : But said he dyed by false Witnesses. I seriously spake to one that witnessed (of his Exhorting at the Witch Meeting at the Village) saying to her; You are one that bring this man to Death, if you have charged any thing upon him that is not true, recal it before it be too late, while he is alive. She answered me, she had nothing to charge her self with, upon that account. M. C.2 had to witness against her, two or three of her own Children, and several of her Neighbours that said they were in confederacy with her in their Witchcraft. A. F.3 Had three of her Children, and some of the Neigh- bours, her own Sister, and a Servant, who confessed themselves Witches, and said, she was in confederacy with them: But alas, I am weary with relating particulars; those that would see more of this kind, let them have recourse to the Records. By these things you see how this matter was carried on, viz. chiefly by the complaints and accusations of the Afflicted, Bewitched ones, as it was supposed, and then by the Confes- sions of the Accused, condemning themselves, and others. Yet experience shewed that the more there were apprehended, the more were still Afflicted by Satan, and the number of Con- fessors increasing, did but increase the number of the Accused, and the Executing some, made way for the apprehending of others; for still the Afflicted complained of being tormented by new objects as the former were removed. So that those that were concerned, grew amazed at the numbers and quality of the persons accused and feared that Satan by his wiles had in- wrapped innocent persons under the imputation of that Crime. 1 George Burroughs. 2 Martha Carrier. 3 Abigail Falkner (see pp. 366, 420). "She was urged," says the record, "to confes the truth for the creddit of hir Town," but "she refused to do it, saying God would not require her to confess that that she was not guilty of" (Records of Salem Witchcraft, II. 128-135, where may also be found the evidence against her). She was condemned, but not executed. 422 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 And at last it was evidently seen that there must be a stop put, or the Generation of the Children of God would fall under that condemnation. Henceforth therefore the Juries generally acquitted such as were Tried, fearing they had gone too far before. And Sir William Phips, Governour, Reprieved all that were Condemned, even the Confessors, as well as others. And the Confessors generally fell off from their Confessions; some saying, they remembred nothing of what they said; others said they had belied themselves and others. Some brake Prison and ran away, and were not strictly searched after, some acquitted, some dismissed and one way or other all that had been accused were set or left at liberty. And although had the times been calm, the condition of the Confessors might have called for a melius inquirendum;1 yet considering the combustion2 and confusion this matter had brought us unto ; it was thought safer to under do than over do, especially in matters Capital, where what is once compleated cannot be retrieved : but what is left at one time, may be cor- rected at another, upon a review and clearer discovery of the state of the Case. Thus this matter issued somewhat abruptly. Chapter IV. Here was generally acknowledged to be an error (at least on the one hand) but the Querie is, Wherein? [A.] 1. I have heard it said, That the Presidents3 in England were not so exactly followed, because in those there had been previous quarrels and threatnings of the Afflicted by those that were Condemned for Witchcraft ; but here, say they, not so. To which I answer. 1. In many of these cases there had been antecedent per- sonal quarrels, and so occasions of revenge; for some of those Condemned, had been suspected by their Neighbours several years, because after quarrelling with their Neighbours, evils had befallen those Neighbours. As may be seen in the Printed Tryals of S. M. and B. B.4 and others: See Wonders of the In- 1 "Better investigation" — i. e., & writ for a fresh inquiry. 1 Excitement. J Precedents. 4 Susannah Martin and Bridget Bishop. 1692] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 423 visible World, Page 105 to 137.1 And there were other like Cases not Printed. 2. Several confessors acknowledged they engaged in the quarrels of other their confederates to afflict persons. As one Timothy Swan suffered great things by Witchcrafts, as he supposed and testifyed. And several of the confessors said they did so torment him for the sake of one of their partners who had some offence offer' d her by the said Swan. And others owned they did the like in the behalf of some of their con- federates.2 3. There were others that confessed their fellowship in these works of darkness, was to destroy the Church of God (as is above in part rehearsed) which is a greater piece of revenge then3 to be avenged upon one particular person. [A.] 2. It may be queried then, How doth it appear that there was a going too far in this affair. 1. By the numbers of the persons accused which at length increased to about an hundred and it cannot be imagined that in a place of so much knowledge, so many in so small a com- pass of Land should so abominably leap into the Devils lap at once. 2. The quality of several of the accused was such as did bespeak better things, and things that accompany salvation. Persons whose blameless and holy lives before did testify for them. Persons that had taken great pains to bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord : Such as we had Charity for, as for our own Souls: and Charity is a Christian duty commended to us. 1 Cor. 13 Chapt., Col. 3. 14, and in many other Scriptures. 3. The number of the afflicted by Satan dayly increased, till about Fifty persons were thus vexed by the Devil. This gave just ground to suspect some mistake, which gave advan- tage to the accuser of the Brethren4 to make a breach upon us. 4. It was considerable5 that Nineteen were Executed, and all denyed the Crime to the Death, and some of them were 1 At pp. 223-236, above. * Timothy Swan, aged thirty, died early in February, 1692/3 (N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg., II. 380; Mrs. Bailey, Historical Sketches of Andover, p. 237). s Than. 4 1. e., Satan (see Rev. xii. 10). B Deserving of consideration. 424 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1692 knowing persons, and had before this been accounted blame- less livers. And it is not to be imagined, but that if all had been guilty, some would have had so much tenderness as to seek Mercy for their Souls in the way of Confession and sorrow for such a Sin. And as for the condemned confessors at the Bar (they being reprieved) we had no experience whether they would stand to their Self-condemning confessions, when they came to dye. 5. When this prosecution ceased, the Lord so chained up Satan, that the afflicted grew presently well. The accused are generally quiet, and for five years since, we have no such molestations by them. 6. It sways much with me that I have since heard and read of the like mistakes in other places. As in Suffolk in England about the year 1645 was such a prosecution, until they saw that unless they put a stop it would bring all into blood and confusion.1 The like hath been in France, till 900 were put to Death,2 And in some other places the like; So that N. England is not the only place circumvented by the wiles of the wicked and wisely Serpent in this kind. Wierus de Prcestigiis Demonum, p. 678,3 Relates, That an Inquisitor in the Subalpine Valleys, enquired after Women Witches, and consumed above an hundred in the Flames, and daily made new offerings to Vulcan of those that needed Hele- bore more than Fire,4 Until the Country people rose and by force of Arms hindred him, and refer the matter to the Bishop. Their Husbands, men of good Faith, affirmed that in that very time they said of them, that they played and danced under a tree, they were in bed with them. 1 The famous witch-hunt in which Matthew Hopkins was the leading spirit (1645-1646). J What is in thought is doubtless the boast of Nicolas Remy (Remigius), on the title-page of his Daemonolatreia (1595), that his book rests on the trials of nine hundred, put to death for witchcraft within fifteen years; but this was in Lorraine, not yet a part of France, though in close relations with it. 1 Lib. VI., cap. 20, of this notable book by which the eminent Rhenish physician Wierus (Johann Weyer, 1515-1588) gave to the zeal of the witch-haters its first effective check. This passage, however, he borrows bodily from the Parergon Juris (VIII. 22) of an earlier opponent of witch persecution, the Italian jurist Andrea Alciati. 4 I. e., those crazed more than criminal: hellebore was counted a cure for insanity. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 425 R. Burton of Witches, etc. p. 158,1 Saith, That in Chelms- ford in Essex, Anno 1645, were Thirty tryed at once before Judge Coniers, and Fourteen of them hanged, and an hundred more contained in several Prisons in Suffolk and Essex. If there were an Error in the proceedings in other places, and in N. England, it must be in the principles proceeded upon in prosecuting the suspected, or in the misapplication of the principles made use of. Now as to the case at Salem, I con- ceive it proceeded from some mistaken principles made use of; for the evincing whereof, I shall instance some principles made use of here, and in other Countrys also, which I find defended by learned Authors writing upon that Subject.2 Chapter XVIII. I shall conclude this Discourse with some Application of the whole. 1. We may hence see ground to fear, that there hath been a great deal of innocent blood shed in the Christian World, by proceeding upon unsafe principles, in condemning persons for Malefick Witchcraft.3 2. That there have been great sinful neglects in sparing others, who by their divinings about things future, or discover- ing things secret, as stollen Goods, etc., or by their informing of persons and things absent at a great distance, have implored the assistance of a familiar spirit, yet coloured over with specious pretences, and have drawn people to enquire of them : A sin frequently forbidden in Scripture, as Lev. 19. 31 and 20. 6, Isa. 8. 19, 20. and yet let alone, and in many parts of 1 See p. 416, note 5. "Burton" has merely inserted into his Kingdom of Darkness (pp. 148-159) the contents of the contemporary True and Exact Re- lation (1645) which narrates this Essex persecution. 2 The following chapters (V.-XVII.) are devoted to the nature of witch- craft and the proper means for its detection. 3 "Black Witches, or Malefick Witches," explains Hale a little earlier, are those "who by their enchantments do call in the Devils aid, for revenge, to do hurt to the bodies and health of their neighbours, or to their cattle, goods, and the like. These are the persons commonly called Witches, and against whom the spirits of men and the laws of men are most bent, for their prosecution and punishment." 426 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1697 the World, have been countenanced in their diabolical skill and profession; because they serve the interest of those that have a vain curiosity, to pry into things God hath forbidden, and concealed from discovery by lawful means. And of others that by their inchantments, have raised mists, strange sights, and the like, to beget admiration, and please Spectators, etc., When as1 these divinations and operations are the Witchcraft more condemned in Scripture than the other. 3. But to come nigher home, we have cause to be humbled for the mistakes and errors which have been in these Colonies, in their Proceedings against persons for this crime, above fourty years ago and downwards, upon insufficient presump- tions and presidents2 of our Nation, whence they came. I do not say, that all those were innocent, that suffered in those times upon this account. But that such grounds were then laid down to proceed upon, which were too slender to evidence the crime they were brought to prove; and thereby a founda- tion laid to lead into error those that came after. Ma)- we not say in this matter, as it is, Psal. 106. 6. We have sinned with our fathers? And as, Lam. 5. 7. Our fathers have sinned and are not, and we have born their iniquities? And whether this be not one of the sins the Lord hath been many years contending with us for, is worthy our serious enquiry. If the Lord punished Israel with famine three years for a sin of mis- guided zeal fourty years before that, committed by the breach of a Covenant made four hundred years before that: 2 Sam. 21. 1, 2, Why may not the Lord visit upon us the misguided zeal of our Predecessors about Witchcraft above fourty years ago, even when that Generation is gathered to their Fathers. 4. But I would come yet nearer to our own times, and be- wail the errors and mistakes that have been in the year 1692. In the apprehending too many we may believe were innocent, and executing of some, I fear, not to have been condemned; by following such traditions of our fathers, maxims of the Common Law, and Presidents2 and Principles, which now we may see weighed in the balance of the Sanctuary, are found too light. I heartily concur with that direction for our pub- lick prayers, emitted December 17, 1696, by our General Assembly, in an order for a general Fast, viz. " That God 1 7. e., "whenas" : whereas. * Precedents. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 427 would shew us what we know not, and help us wherein we have done amiss, to do so no more: And especially that whatever mistakes on either hand, have been fallen into, either by the body of this people, or any order of men, referring to the late tragedy raised among us by Satan and his Instruments, through the awful Judgment of God: He would humble us therefore, and pardon all the errors of his Servants and People, that desire to love his Name, and be attoned to his land." I am abundantly satisfyed that those who were most concerned to act and judge in those matters, did not willingly depart from the rules of righteousness. But such was the darkness of that day, the tortures and lamentations of the afflicted, and the power of former presidents, that we walked in the clouds, and could not see our way. And we have most cause to be humbled for error on that hand, which cannot be retrieved. So that we must beseech the Lord, that if any innocent blood hath been shed, in the hour of temptation, the Lord will not lay it to our charge, but be merciful to his people whom he hath redeemed, Deut. 21. 8, And that in the day when he shall visit, he will not visit this sin upon our land, but blot it out, and wash it away with the blood of Jesus Christ. 5. I would humbly propose whether it be not expedient, that some what more should be publickly done then1 yet hath, for clearing the good name and reputation of some that have suffered upon this account, against whom the evidence of their guilt was more slender, and the grounds for charity for them more convincing. And this (in order to our obtain- ing from the Lord farther reconciliation to our land,) and that none of their surviving relations, may suffer reproach upon that account. I have both read and heard of several in En- gland, that have been executed for Capital crimes, and after- wards upon sence of an error in the process against them, have been restored in blood and honour by some publick act. My Lord Cook2 relates a story. A man going to correct a Girle his Neice, for some offence, in an upper room, the Girle strove to save her self, till her nose bled, and wiping it with a cloath, threw the bloody cloath out at the window, and cryed Murder; and then ran down staires, got away and hid her self. Her Uncle was prosecuted by her friends upon suspicion of 1 Than. J Sir Edward Coke, 428 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1697 Murdering her, because she could not be found. He declared that she made her escape, as above said. Then time was al- lowed him to bring her forth, but he could not hear of her within the time, and fearing he should dy if she could not be found, procures another Girle very like her, to appear in Court, and declare she was his Neice that had been missing : But her relations examine this counterfeit, until they find her out, and she confesseth she was suborned and counterfeited the true Neice. Upon these presumptions the man was found guilty of Murdering his Neice, and thereupon executed. And after his execution his true Neice comes abroad and shews her self alive and well. Then all that saw it were convinced of the Uncles innocency, and vanity of such presumptions. The Printing and Publishing of this relation Vindicates the good name of the Uncle, from the imputation of the crime of Murder. And this is one end of this present discourse, to take off (so far as a discourse of this nature can) infamy from the names and memory of such sufferers in this kind, as do not deserve the same. 6. Here it may be suitable for us to enquire, What the Lord speaks to us by such a stupendeous providence, in his letting loose Satan upon us in this unusual way? Arts. 1. We may say of this, as our Saviour said of his washing his disciples feet, Joh. 13. What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shall know hereafter. The Judgments of the Lord are a great deep, Psal. 36. 6. How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. 2. Yet somewhat of his counsel at present for our instruction may be known, by comparing the Word and works of God together. 1. As when Joshua the high Priest though an holy chosen man of God, stood before the Angel, Satan stood at his right hand to resist him, or to be his adversary : And the advantage Satan had was by the filthy garments Joshua was clothed with before the Angels : That is, some iniquity which yet was not passed away, Zech. 3. 1, 3, 4. So we may say here were among Gods own Children filthy garments. The sins of Luke- warmness, loss of our first love, unprofitableness under the Gospel, slumbering and sleeping in the wise, as well as foolish Virgins, worldliness, pride, carnal security, and many other sins. By these and such like sins the accuser of the Breth- 1G97] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 429 ren got advantage to stand at our right hand (the place of an Accuser in Courts of Justice) and there accuse us and resist us. 2. When the Egyptians refused to let Israel go to sacrifice and keep a feast to the Lord in the Wilderness : The Lord cast upon [them] the fierceness of his wrath, by sending Evil Angels among them, Psal. 78. 49. Egypts sins were (1 .) Coveteousness ; they would not let Israel go, because they gained by their labours. (2.) Contempt of God and his Instituted Worship, and Ordinances. They did not count them of such concern- ment, that Israel should go into the Wilderness to observe them. Both these sins have too much increased in our Land. (1.) Coveteousness, an inordinate love of the World gave Satan advantage upon us. (2.) Contempt of Gods Worship and In- stituted Ordinances. The Errand of our Fathers into this Wilderness, was to Sacrifice to the Lord; that is, to worship God in purity of heart and life, and to wait upon the Lord, walking in the faith and order of the Gospel in Church fellow- ship; that they might enjoy Christ in all his Ordinances. But these things have been greatly neglected and despised by many born, or bred up in the Land. We have much forgotten what our Fathers came into the Wilderness to see. The sealing Ordinances of the Covenant of Grace in Church-Communion have been much slighted and neglected; and the fury of this Storm raised by Satan hath fallen very heavily upon many that lived under these neglects. The Lord sends Evil Angels to awaken and punish our negligence : And to my knowledge some have been hereby excited to enter into the Chamber of Gods Ordinances, to hide themselves, until the indignation be over past. 3. David when he removed the Ark from Kirjathjearim, had the Ark put into a new Cart, which should have been car- ried by the Kohathites. Numb. 3. 31. And David thought this was right, until the Lord slew Uzza for touching the Ark : But then he looked more exactly into the will of God; and confesseth that the Lord made a breach upon them, because they sought him not after the due order, 1 Chron. 13. 5, 7, 9, 10, and 15. 11, 12, 13. Had not the Lord made that breach upon them, they had persisted securely in their error. So I may say in this case. In the prosecution of Witchcraft, we 430 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1697 sought not the Lord after the due order; but have proceeded after the methods used in former times and other places, until the Lord in this tremendous way made a breach upon us. And hereby we are made sensible that the methods formerly used are not sufficient to prove the guilt of such a crime. And this I conceive was one end of the Lords letting Satan loose to torment and accuse so many; that hereby we may search out the truth more exactly. For had it not been for this dreadful dispensation, many would have lived and dyed in that error, which they are now convinced of. 4. The Lord delivered into the hand of Satan the Estate, Children, and Body of Job, for the tryal of Jobs faith and patience, and proof of his perfection and uprightness. So the Lord hath delivered into Satans hand mens Children and Bodies, yea names and estates into Satans hand for the tryal of their faith and patience, and farther manifestation of the sincerity of their professions. 7.1 From that part of the discourse which shews the power of Satan to torment the bodies, and disturb the minds of those, he is let loose upon, Chap. 6, I would infer, that Satan may be suffered so to darken the minds of some pious Souls, as to cause them to destroy themselves by drowning, hanging, or the like. And when he hath so far prevailed upon some, that formerly lived a Christian life, but were under the prevalency of a distracting Melancholy at their latter end, We may have Charity that their Souls are Saved, notwithstanding the sad conclusion of their lives. I speak not to excuse any that having the free use of their reason willingly destroy themselves, out of pride, discontent, impatience, etc. Achitophel who out of height of Spirit because his Counsel was not followed, and to prevent Davids executing of him, for his rebellion and treason, destroyed himself, hath left his name to stink unto all genera- tions.2 And Judas who for his unparalelled treachery in be- traying his Master, and the Lord of life, was justly left to hange himself ; and the rope breaking or slipping he fell down head long, or with his face down ward, so that he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out, Math. 27. 5. with Act. 1. 13, left by his sin and punishment in the last act of 1 Such is the numbering of the original. *The story of Ahithophel is to be found in II Samuel xv.-rvii. 1697] HALE, A MODEST INQUIRY 431 his life the black character of a Son of perdition. But those that being out of their right minds, and hurried by an evil Spirit, as persons under a force to be their own executioners, J are not always to be ranked with these. 8. Seeing we have been too fierce against supposed Male-* fick Witchcraft, let us take heed we do not on the contrary become too favourable to divining Witchcraft: And become like Saul who was too zealous against the Gibeonites, and at last turned to seek after one that had a familiar Spirit, to his own destruction. Let us not, if we can help it, suffer Satan to set up an ensuring office for stolen Goods. That after he hath brought the curse of God into the house of the thief, by tempting him to steal, he may not bring about the curse into the houses of them from whom the goods were stolen, by allur- ing them to go to the god of Ekron to enquire. That men may not give their Souls to the Devil in exchange, for his restoring to them their goods again, in such a way of divination. The Lord grant it may be said of New England, as is prophecyed of Judah, Mic. 5.12. / will cut off Witchcrafts out of thine hand, and thou shalt have no more soothsayers. 9. Another extream we must beware of, is, viz. Because our fathers in the beginning times of this Land, did not see so far into these mysteries of iniquity, as hath been since discov- ered, Let us not undervalue the good foundations they laid for God and his people, and for us in Church and Civil Govern- ment. For Paul that eminent Apostle knew but in part; no wonder then, if our Fathers were imperfect men. In the purest times in Israel, there were some Clouds^of ignorance over-shadowing of them. Abraham, David, and the best Patriarchs were generally ignorant of the sin of Polygamy. And although Solomon far exceeded Nehemiah in wisdom; yet Nehemiah saw farther into the evil of Marrying Outlandish Women, than that wisest of Kings, and meer fallen men. Neh. 13. 26. Josiah kept the Passeover more exactly, than David, and all the Reforming Kings of Judah, 2 Chron. 35. 18. All the godly Judges and Kings of Judah were unacquainted with, and so negligent of the right observation of the feast of Tabernacles, until it came to Nehemiahs time : And he under- stood and revived an ordinance of God, that lay buried in oblivion, near about a thousand years. Now he that shall 432 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1697 reject all the good in doctrine and practice, which was main- tained, professed and practiced by so many Godly leaders, be- cause of some few errors found among them, will be found to fight against God. A dwarf upon a giants shoulders, can see farther than the giant. It was a glorious enterprize of the beginners of these Col- onies, to leave their native Country to propagate the Gospel : And a very high pitch of faith, zeal, and courage that carryed them forth, to follow the Lord into this wilderness, into a land that was not sown. Then was New England holiness to the Lord, and all that did devour them, or attempted so to do, did offend, and evil did come upon them. And the Lord did graciously remember this kinchiess of their Youth, and love of their Espousals; In granting them many eminent tokens of his favour; by his presence with them in his Ordinances, for the Conversion of Souls, and edifying and comforting the hearts of his Servants : By signal answering their prayers in times of difficulty: By protecting them from their Enemies; By guid- ing of, and providing for them in a Desart. And the Lord will still remember this their kindness unto their Posterity, unless that by their Apostasy from the Lord, they vex his Holy Spirit, to turn to be their Enemy : And thereby cut off the Entail of his Covenant Mercies; which God forbid. Oh that the Lord may be with us, as he was with our Fathers; and that he may not leave us, nor forsake us! Finis. INTRODUCTION To those who know what elements made up the earliest population of Virginia it is needless to point out why there we find no such abiding fear of the Devil and his minions as among the religious exiles of New England. There no Mosaic law was enacted into statute; and the well-known Cavalier sym- pathies of the colony suggest why the mid-century witch- panic of England's Presbyterian counties found there no echo. Fear of witches, indeed, Virginia did not wholly escape; biri her witch-terrors found their source in folk-lore more than jn theology, and, though her courts could not keep altogether clear of the matter, their influence seems to have been almost wholly a restraining one. The testimony of their records has, in part at least, been diligently ferreted out,1 and the historian of the social and economic life of the colony has summarized it in a lucid chapter2 which is the best introduction to the single episode here to be narrated. By the middle of the century the bandying of the abusive name of "witch" was calling forth actions for slander and vigorous rulings by the courts; and in 1656 a clergyman from Scotland brought against one William Harding the only legal process which is known to have ended in conviction and a penalty — ten stripes and banishment from the county. Suits enough from that time on there were; but they were brought by the accused for damages, or failed to convince the jury. Especially that southeastern region known 1 Notably by Mr. Edward W. James, who published his gleanings first in the William and Mary College Historical Quarterly (I.-IV.— 1892-1896), then in the Lower Norfolk County Virginia Antiquary (I.-III.). 2 Philip Alexander Bruoe, Institutional History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, I. 276-289. 435 436 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES as "Lower Norfolk County," and, above all, its eastern strip, along the Atlantic, which in 1691 became Princess Anne County, seems to have been disturbed by these suspicions. There in 1675 and 1679 juries of women had been impanelled to search Jane Jenkins and Alice Cartwright, " according to the 118th chapter of Dalton," for the Devil's marks;1 and there in 1698 Anne Byrd appealed in vain to a court against wild charges of "riding" her neighbors as a witch. In that same year Grace Sherwood, wife of James Sherwood, planter, a woman in middle life whose father, John White, had long dwelt there as carpenter and planter, was accused by one John Gisburne of bewitching his hogs and cotton. She with her husband brought an action for slander, but lost it, and was unsuccessful against Anthony Barnes, who charged her with ing his wife and then escaping through the keyhole in the suape of a black cat. It was this Grace Sherwood against whom in 1706 was brought that culminating action for witch- craft to which belong the following papers. Her story has been often told — and often with a generous use of the imagina- tion. More than once the records have been printed, as by President Gushing of Hampden-Sidney in the Collections (I. 67-68) of the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society and by Henry Howe in his Historical Collections of Virginia (Charleston, 1845), pp. 436-438; but most fully and carefully by Edward W. James, whose pages in the William and Mary College Quarterly (III. 190-192, 242-245; IV. 18-20) have fur- nished our text. It has, however, been collated afresh with the record at Princess Anne by the editor of the present vol- ume— and not without correction. It will be noticed that the 1What is meant is of course that paragraph of Michael Dalton's many- editioned handbook of procedure, The Countrey Justice, which, prescribing tests for the detection of witches, avers that the witch's imp, or familiar, "hath some big or little teat upon their body, and in some secret place, where he sucketh them." "And besides their sucking, the Devil leaveth other marks upon their body," which "being pricked will not bleed, and be often in their secretest parts, and therefore require diligent and careful search." INTRODUCTION 437 court clerk uses a sort of short-hand, abbreviating sometimes by a lavish use of "superiors" (as "somd" for "summoned," "Ex1*" for "Excellency"), sometimes by mere omission of letters. The peculiarities of the text are such that in this instance we have preserved forms which it is now more usual to expand into shapes more easily legible; but the obscurer signs (as "y" for "th," or "ff" for "F," or the stroke above a final "con" to make it "cion") have not been reproduced.1 1 Though the old record book through which these entries are scattered is still in good condition, the passages relating to this interesting case are begin- ning to suffer from wear, and from the first four lines of the entry for July 5, which come at the bottom of a page, a few words have crumbled away, and are preserved only by the transcripts. In the margin of the entry for May 2 are the words "Ag* Grace Sherwood for witchcraft," and in that of the entry for June 6 the words " Bousch Attr for Queen vs. Sherwood " THE CASE OF GRACE SHERWOOD Princess Ann ss. At a Court held the 3d of Jaw* 170f . Whereas Luke Hill and uxor1 Somd Grace Sherwood to this Court2 in Suspetion of witchcraft and she fayling to apear it is therefore ordr that attachm* to the Sherr3 do Issue to Attach her body to ansr the sd Som next Court. [Under February 6, 1705/6.] Suite for Suspition of witchcraft brought by Luke Hill ag* Grace Sherwood is ordr to be referr till to rnorr0. [Under February 7, 1705/6.] Whereas a Compl* was brought ag* Grace Sherrwood on Suspition of witchcraft by Luke Hill, etc. : and the matter being after a long time debated and ordr that the sd Hill pay all fees of this Compl* and that the sd Grace be here next Court to be Searched according to the Compl* by a Jury of women to decide the sd Diff err : and the Sherr is Likewise ordr to Som an able Jury accordingly. [Under March 7, 1705/6.] Present: Col° Edward Moseley, Lieu* [Col°] Adam Thor- rowgood, Majr Henry Sprat, Captn Horatio Woodhouse, Mr Jn° Cornick, Captn Henry Chapman, Mr Wm Smith, Mr Jn° Richason, Captn Geo : Handcock, Justices. 1 Luke Hill and wife. Against them in December, 1705, Grace Sherwood had brought action for assault and battery, claiming £50 of damages and receiving twenty shillings. What this affray may have had to do with the charge of witch- craft does not appear. *The court was the county court, its members a group of "gentlemen of the county, called justices of the peace." Their names appear just below, in the entry for March 7. Such a panel of the court heads the record of each of the sessions named, but its repetition has seemed unnecessary. Grace Sherwood's case was only one of many dealt with at each session. Usually only four or five justices were present. * Sheriff. 1706] CASE OF GRACE SHERWOOD 439 Whereas a Complaint have been [made] to this Court by Luke Hill and his wife that one grace Sherrwood of this County was and Have been a Long time Suspected of witchcraft and have been as Such Represented wherefore the Sherr at the last Court was ordd to Som a Jury of women to this Court to Serch her on the sd Suspicion, She assenting to the Same. And after the Jury was impannelld and Sworn and Sent out to make Due inquirery and Inspection into all Cercumstances, After a Mature Consideracion They bring in this verditt : wee of the Jury have Serch" Grace Sherwood and have found Two things like titts wth Severall other Spotts : Elizh Barnes, forewoman, Sarah Norris, Margrtt Watkins, Hannah Dinnis, Sarah Good- acre, Mary Burgess, Sarah Sergeant, winifred Davis, Ursula Henly, Ann Bridg8, Ezable waples, Mary Cotle.1 [Under May 2, 1706.] Whereas a former Compl* was brought ag* Grace Sherwood for Suspicion of Witchcraft, wch by the Atturny Genr11 Report to his Excly in Councill was to2 Generall and not Charging her with any perticular Act, therefore represented to them that Princess Ann Court might if they thought fitt have her ex- 1 At this point the court reached the limit of its powers, and Luke Hill, doubtless at its instance, petitioned the highest tribunal of the colony, the General Court, i. e., the Governor and Council, informing them that "one Grace Sher- wood of Princess Anne County being suspected of witchcraft upon his complaint to that county court that she had bewitched the petitioner's wife, the court ordered a jury of women to search the said Grace Sherwood who upon search brought in a verdict against the said Grace, but the court not knowing how to proceed to judgment thereon, the petitioner prays that the Attorney Generall may be directed to prosecute the said Grace for the same." But the attorney general, to whom on March 28 the matter was referred, reported on April 16 that he found the charge too general and that the county court ought to have made a fuller examination of the matters of fact, and that "pursuant to the directions and powers to County Courts given by a late act of Assembly" they ought, if they thought there was sufficient cause, to have committed the accused to the general prison of the colony, "whereby it would have come regularly before the Generall Court." Wherefore he suggested "that the said County Court do make a further Enquiry into the matter," and, if they find cause for action, to follow the said law; and it was ordered that a copy of his report "be sent to the court of Princess Anne County for their direction in the premises." (Cf. Palmer's Calendar of Virginia, State Papers, I. 100 : at some points this corrects Mr. James's readings, at others needs correction by them.) 'Too. 440 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1706 amined De Novo, and the Court Being of Oppinion that there is great Cause of Suspicion Doe therefore ordr that the Sherr take the Said Grace into his Safe Costody untill She Shall give bond and Security for her Appearance to the next Court to be examined Denovo and that the Constable of that precinkt go with the Sherr and Serch the Sd graces House and all Sus- picious places Carfully for all Images1 and Such like things as may any way Strengthen The Suspicion, and it is likewise Ordered that the Sherr Som an Able Jury of Women, also all Evidences as Cann give in anything ag* her in Evidence, in behalf of our Soveraign Lady the Queen, To Attend the next Court Accordingly. [Under June 6, 1706.] Whereas Grace Sherwood of this County have been Com- plained of as a person Suspected of Witchcraft, and now being Brought before this Court in ordr for examinacion, this Court have therefore requested mr Maxm11 Boush to present In- formacion ag* her as Councill in behalf of our Soveraign Lady the Queen in order to her being brought to a regular Try all. Whereas an Informacion in Behalf of her Magty was pre- sented by Luk Hill, to the Court in pursuance To Mr Genr11 Attrys Tomson report on his Excellcy ord in Councill the 16th Aprill Last About Grace Sherwood being Suspected of Witch- craft, have thereupon Sworn Severall Evidences ag* her by w4* it Doth very likely appear. [Under June 7, 1706.] Whereas at the Last Court an ordr was past that the Sherr should Sommons an able Jury of Women to Serch Grace Sher- wood on Suspicion of witchcraft, wch although the Same was performed by the Sherr yet they refused And did not appear, it is therefore ordr that the Same persons be againe Somd by the 1 Such "images," of course, as witches were believed to make of those they wished to afflict (see above, pp. 104, 163, 219, 228). "They have often," says Dalton, whose book these justices doubtless had open before them, "Pictures of Clay or Wax (like a Man, etc., made of such as they would bewitch) found in their House, or which they roast, or bury in the Earth, that as the Picture con- sumes, so may the parties bewitched consume." 1706] CASE OF GRACE SHERWOOD 441 Sherr for their Contempt To be Dealt wth according to the uttmost Severity of the Law, and that a new Jury of Women be by him Somd To appear next Court to Serch her on the aforesaid Suspicion, and that he likewise Som all evidences that he Shall Be informed of as materiall in the Complaint, and that She continue in the Sherr Costody unless She give good bond And Security for her Appearance at the next Court, and that She be of the Good behaviour towards her Majestic and all her Leidge people in the mean time. [Under July 5, 1706.] Present, Mr Jn° Richason, Captn Jn° Moseley, Captn Henry Chapman, Captn Wm Smyth, Justices. Whereas for this Severall Courts the Business between luke hill and Grace Sherwood on Suspicion of witchcraft have Been for Severall things omitted, perticularly for want of a Jury to Serch her, and the Court being Doubtfull That they Should not get one this Court, and being willing to have all means possible tryed either to acquit her or to Give more Strength to the Suspicion that She might be Dealt wth as Deserved, there- fore it was Ordrd that this Day by her own Consent to be tried in the water by Ducking,1 but the weather being very Rainy and Bad Soe that possibly it might endanger her health, it is therefore ordrd that the Sherr request the Justices pre- cisely to appear on wednessday next by term of the Clock at the Court house, and that he Secure the body of the Sd Grace till that time to be forth Coming, then to be Dealt wth as afore sd. Jn° Richason, Henry Chapman.2 [Under July 10, 1706.] Whereas Grace Sherwood being Suspected of witchcraft have a long time waited for a Fit uppertunity For a Further Examinacion, and by her Consent and Approbacion of this Court, it is ordr that the Sherr take all Such Convenient assis- tance of boats and men as Shall be by him thought Fitt, to meet at Jn° Harpers plantacion in ordr to take the Sd Grace forthwith and put her into above mans Debth and try her how 1 As to this water ordeal for witches see above, p. 21, and note 3. 1 These gentlemen were doubtless a committee charged with the matter. 442 NARRATIVES OF THE WITCHCRAFT CASES [1706 She Swims Therein, alwayes having Care of her life to preserve her from Drowning, and as Soon as She Comes Out that he request as many Ansient and Knowing women as possible he Cann to Serch her Carefully For all teats spotts and marks about her body not usuall on Others, and that as they Find the Same to make report on Oath To the truth thereof to the Court, and further it is ordr that Som women be requested to Shift and Serch her before She goe into the water, that She Carry nothing about her to cause any Further Suspicion. Wheras1 on complaint of Luke hill in behalf of her Majesty that now is ag* Grace Sherwood for a person Suspected of witchcraft, and having had Sundry Evidences Sworne ag* her, proving Many Cercumstances to which She could not make any excuse or Little or nothing to say in her own Behalf, only Seemed to Rely on what the Court should Doe, and there- upon consented to be tryed in the Water and Likewise to be Serched againe, w°h experim*8 being tryed and She Swiming when therein and bound Contrary To Custom and the Judg* of all the Spectators, and afterwards being Serched by Five antient weomen who have all Declared on Oath that She is not like them nor noe Other woman that they knew of, having two things like titts on her private parts of a Black Coller, being Blacker than the Rest of her Body, all which Cercumstance the Court weighing in their Consideracion Doe therefore ordr that the Sherr take the Sd Grace Into his Costody and to Com- mit her body to the Common Goal of this County there to Secure her by irons, or otherwise there to Remaine till Such time as he Shall be otherwise Directed in ordr for her coming to the Common Goale of the country2 to bee brought to a Future Tryall there.3 Edward Moseley and Mr. Richason.4 1 This entry is made later on the same day : the court had merely taken a recess for the "ducking." 1 1. e., at Williamsburg. See p. 439, note 1. s If, at the next session of the General Court, Grace Sherwood came up for trial, the records are missing, and probably perished in the burning of the State Courthouse in 1865. She at least survived the trial; for in 1708 she was confess- ing judgment for six hundred pounds of tobacco, and in 1733 willing her estate to her three sons. It is not till 1740 that the proving of that will shows her deceased. 4 Perhaps the committee that drafted this verdict. INDEX INDEX Abbot, Abiel, History of Andaver, 180 n., 242 n. Abbot, Benjamin, testifies against Martha Carrier, 241, 242. Abbot, Nehemiah, testifies against Elizabeth How, 239. Abbot, Sarah, testimony, 242. Abraham, 431. Acosta, Joseph, 245; Natural and Moral History of the Indies, 245 n. Adams and Stiles, History of Ancient Wethersfield, 48 n. Addington, Isaac, proclamation for day of prayer, 385, 386. Admonitio de Superstitionibus Magicis vitandis, by Nicholas Hemming, 247, 247 n. Ady, Thomas, A Candle in the Dark, 222, 222 n.; A Perfect Discovery of Witches, 222, 222 n. Ahithophel, story of, 427 n. Albany, N. Y., destruction of docu- ments in fire at, 43. Alciati, Andrea, Italian jurist, 424 n.; opposes witch persecution, 424 n. Alden, John, of the Mayflower, 170 n. Alden, Capt. John, 187 n., 188 n., 352 n. ; suspected of witchcraft, 170, 170 n., 171, 178, 178 n.; account of trial for witchcraft, 352-355; fast at house of, 355 n.; Judge Sewall reads sermon for, 355 n.; prayer for, 355 n.; acquittal, 383. Alden, Rev. Lucius, describes house of George Walton, 61 n. Allen, Rev. James, 362, 362 n.; min- ister of First Church in Boston, 97, 97 n., 118. Allen, John, testifies against Susanna Martin, 230, 231. Allen, Small, member of grand jury, 86. Allyn, John, secretary of the colony of Connecticut, 34 n. Amazeen, John, an Italian, 62, 74; ar- rests George Walton, 76 n. America and West Indies, Calendar of State Papers, 76 n. American Antiquarian Society, 255, 255 n., 256 n.; Proceedings, 91 n., 186 n., 197 n., 207 n., 215 n.; Dr. Samuel F. Haven, librarian of, 256, 256 n.; Isaiah Thomas, president of, 256 n.; papers of Samuel Mather in, 256 n. American Criminal Trials, Chandler, 347 n., 380 n. American Historical Magazine, 18 n. Andover, Mass., cases of witchcraft, 180, 180 n., 371-374, 419-422; Dane, Rev. Francis, pastor at, 420 n. Andover, Historical Sketches of, by S. L. Bailey, 180 n., 242 n., 366 n., 420 n., 423 n. Andover, History of, by Abiel Abbot, 180 n., 242 n. Andover, Witchcraft at, by Sarah Loring Bailey, 420 n. Andrew, Daniel, 366 n. Andros government, 76 n.; overthrow in New England, 348 n. Annals of Witchcraft, by S. G. Drake, 31 n., 410 n. Another Brand Pluck' d Out of the Burn- ing, 258 n. Anthony, Allard, sheriff of New York, 45. Apollonius of Tyana, 302, 302 n. Arnold, John, prison keeper, warrant for prisoners, 354-355. Ashcom, Charles, accuses Margaret Mattson of witchcraft, 86. Assemblies Catechism, The, by John Cotton, 113. Assistance to Justices of the Peace, An, by Joseph Keble, 411, 412, 412 n. Atkinson, John, testifies against Su- sanna Martin, 231. Atkinson, Sarah, testifies against Su- sanna Martin, 234, 235. 445 446 INDEX Aves, Samuel, testimony relative to case of Margaret Rule, 337. Ayres, Good wife, 21 n. Bailey, Rev. John, 362, 362 n.; min- ister at Watertown, Conn., 124 n. Bailey, Sarah Loring, Historical Sketches of Andover, 180 n., 242 n., 366 n., 420 n., 423 n.; Witchcraft at Andover, 420 n. Baillehache, Jean de, 10 n. Baker, Thomas, service as juror, 44, 44 n. Balding, Thomas, attestation of, 87. Ballard, Joseph, asks accusers who af- flicted wife, 371-372, 374. Ballard, Mrs. Joseph, 180, 180 n., 371- 372. Barbadoes : Hooton, Oliver, merchant of, 69; Parris, Rev. Samuel, engaged in West Indian trade, 153 n. Barefoot, Capt. Walter, deputy col- lector for province of New Hamp- shire, 67, 67 n., 72; witness of stone throwing in house of George Walton, 69. Barker, Abigail, account of confession, 374-375. Barker, William, preservation of in- dictment, 380 n.; confesses witch- craft, 419-422. Barnard, Rev. Thomas, 375, 375 n. Barnes, Anthony, accuses Grace Sher- wood of witchcraft, 436. Barnes, Elizabeth, forewoman of wo- man jury, 439. Barnes, John, member of grand jury, 85, 86. Bassett, Goodwife, confesses witchcraft, 410 n. Batcheler, John, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Baxter, Richard, 92; The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits, 98, 98 n., 208, 320 n., 416, 416 n. Bayard, Nicholas, marries Judith Var- leth, 19 n. Beale, William, 371 n. Beard, 4. Beaumond, Mr., see Baillehache, Jean de. Belknap, Dr. Jeremy, 291, 376 n.; The Remainder of the Account of the Salem Witchcraft, 376 n. Bellingham, Gov. Richard, 410 n. Bellomont, Earl of, governor of Massa- chusetts and New York, 292 n. Benham, Joseph, 385 n. Benham, Winifred, acquitted of witch- craft, 385, 385 n. Bentley, Rev. William, 187 n., 371 n. Bernard, Rev. Richard, 330, 330 n., 412; Guide to Grand-Jurymen . . . in cases of Witchcraft, 163, 304 n., 416, 416 n.; rules for detection of witches, 205. Berwick, Me., 259 n. Beverly, Mass., Rev. John Hale, min- ister at, 397. Bezac, Edward, member of petty jury, 86. Bibber, Sarah, addicted to fits, 154, 154 n., 155, 344. Biles, William, attended Council, 85. Biographical Dictionary, Eliot, 293 n. Bishop, Bridget (alias Oliver), 249, 378, 419 n., 422, 422 n.; trial for witch- craft, 223-228, 229, 397, 397 n.; false accusations against, 356, 356 n. Bishop, Edward, 347 n.; husband of Bridget, 225; accused of witchcraft, 347; escapes from prison with wife, 370. Bishop, George, New England Judged, 35 n.; 43 n., 44 n. Bishop, Samuel, 370. Black, G. F., xviii, 207 n. Black, Mary, a negro, accused of witch- craft, 347. Black-Man, appearance of, 309, 310, 312. Black witchcraft, 425, 425 n. Blathwayt, William, letter to, 198 n. Bly, John, testifies against Bridget Bishop, 225, 228. Bly, William, testifies against Bridget Bishop, 228. Bodleian Library, 150 n. Body of Liberties, Massachusetts laws, 181 n., 363 n. Bolton, Robert, History of the County of Westchester, 42 n. Borden, Matthew, witness of stone throwing in house of George Walton, 69. Boston, Mass. : Mather, Increase, min- ister of North Church, 3; Old South INDEX 447 Church, 22 n., 97, 97 n., 118, 177, 186 n. ; Morse, William, wife tried for witchcraft, 31 n.; Broughton, Thomas, merchant at, 37 n.; Allen, James, minister at First Church, 97, 97 n., 118; Moodey, Joshua, associ- ate minister of First Church, 97, 97 n., 118; Willard, Rev. Samuel, pastor of Old South Church, 97, 97 n., 118; Public Library, 151; Thacher, Rev. Thomas, first minister of Old South Church, 177 n.; justices, 185; Wil- son, Rev. John, first minister at, 213, 213 n.; Mather, Cotton, re- plies to ministers at, 214, 214 n.; Jones, Margaret, executed at, 408, 408 n. Boston, History and Antiquities of, 151 n., 295 n. Boston, Memorial History of, W. F. Poole in, 256, 256 n., 292 n., 295 n., 307 n., 408 n., 410 n. Boston Record Commissioners' Reports, 291 n., 295 n. Boush, Maximilian, prosecutes Grace Sherwood, 440. Boyle, Robert, 16; governor of the Cor- poration for the Spread of the Gospel in New England, 16 n.; Philosophi- cal Works, 16 n. Bracy, Thomas, attestation of, 87. Bradbury, Capt. Thomas, 366 n. Bradbury, Mary, convicted of witch- craft, 185 n., 366, 366 n. Bradford, William, 187 n. Bradstreet, Capt. Dudley, justice of the peace, 180, 180 n.; accused of witchcraft, 372. Bradstreet, Gov. Simon, 372 n., 412; condemns proceedings against witch- craft, 184. Braintree, Mass.: Fiske, Rev. Moses, minister at, 109 n.; Thompson, min- ister at, 409, 409 n. Brand pluck'd out of the Burning, A, by Cotton Mather, xiii, 258 n., 259- 287; introduction to, 255-258. Branford, Conn., 137 n.; Rev. Abra- ham Pierson, minister at, 139, 139 n. See also Tocutt. Brattle, Thomas, 168, 186 n., 187 n., 188 n., 248 n., 291, 376 n.; member of Royal Society, 167; treasurer of Harvard College, 167; biographical sketch, 167, 168; introduction to letter of, 167, 168; Letter of, 169- 190. Bridgers, Ann, member of woman jury, 439. Brigham, C. S., librarian of American Antiquarian Society, xiii, 256 n. Bristol, R. I., Rev. Benjamin Wood- bridge, minister at, 65, 65 n. Broadbent, Joshua, Boston Tory, 362 n. Brookhaven, L. I., case of witchcraft from, 43. Brookhaven, Town of, Records, 44 n. Broughton, Thomas, merchant of Bos- ton, 37 n. Brown, William, wife strangely af- flicted by Susanna Martin, 234. Bruce, Philip Alexander, Institutional History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, 435, 435 n. Brunning, John, Memorable Providences published by, 93. Bulkeley, Rev. Gershom, Witt and Doom, 411 n. Burgess, Mary, member of woman jury, 439. Burroughs, Rev. George, 241 n., 378, 379, 417-419; execution of, 177 n., 215-222, 360-361; graduate of Har- vard College, 215n.; minister at Wells, Me., 215 n.; accused of afflict- ing Ann Lawson by witchcraft, 217, 218; treatment of wife and daughter, 220, 221 ; speech declaring innocence, 360-361; testimony against, 421, 421 n. Burton, R., The Kingdom of Darkness, 416, 416 n., 425, 425 n. Buxton, John, complaint of, 347. Byfield, N., condemns proceedings against witchcraft, 184. . Byrd, Anne, charged with witchcraft, 436. Caen, France, 10, 10 n. Calamy, Edmund, Continuation, 150 n. Calef, Judge John, funeral sermon for, 293 n. Calef, Robert, a Boston merchant, xiii, 152 n., 153 n., 201 n., 215 n., 380 n., 397, 413 n.; More Wonders of the Invisible World, 124 n., 207, 208, 448 INDEX 289-393, 294 n.; free from supersti- tion, 291; biographical sketch, 291- 295; arrival in America, 292; auto- graphs, 292 n.; article by W. S. Har- ris on, 292n.-293n., 295 n.; chil- dren of, 293, 295 n. ; Cotton Mather's reference to book of, 293-294; re- tires to Roxbury, 294-295; burial- place, 295; reprints of book, 295; memoir by S. G. Drake, 295 n.; wife of, 295 n.; aim in writing book, 297; call to vindicate the truth, 301 ; com- parison of the powers of God and the Devil, 301; evils arising from doc- trine of devils and witchcraft, 303- 304; letters to Cotton Mather, 329- 333, 338-341; letters from Cotton Mather, 333-337; opinion of Cotton Mather, 388, 388 n. Calef, Robert, Jr., xiii, 291, 291 n.-292, 292 n., 295 n. Calef pedigree, 291 n.-293 n. Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, A mer- ica and West Indies, 76 n., 198 n., 201 n., 202 n., 362 n. Cambridge Jests, The, 112. Cambridge Platonism, 5, 246. Camerarius, Philip, 4. Candle in the Dark, A, by Thomas Ady, 222, 222 n. Carlton, William, 295. Carpenter, Samuel, member of grand jury, 85; attended Council, 88. Carrier, Andrew, 363 n. Carrier, Martha, of Andover, 241, 241 n., 379, 418, 418 n., 419 n.; trial and execution, 177 n., 241-244, 360, 360 n., 361, 361 n.; accused of witch- craft, 241-244, 421, 421 n.; asserts innocence, 241 n.; own children tes- tify against, 421, 421 n. Carrier, Richard, 243, 363 n., 419, 419 n. Cartesian philosophy, 171. Carthage, Fourth Council of, 303, 303 n. Cartwright, Alice, 436. Gary, Captain Nathaniel, 349 n.; ac- count of wife's trial for witchcraft, 349-352. Gary, Mrs. Nathaniel, imprisoned fof witchcraft, 178-180; account of trial for witchcraft, 349-352; escape from Cambridge prison, 352 n. Cases of Conscience, by Increase Mather, 149, 194 n., 304 n., 357, 357 n., 377, 377 n., 383 n., 389. Casus Medicinales, by Balthasar Ti- maus von Guldenklee, 319 n. Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits, The, by Richard Baxter, 98, 98 n., 208, 320 n., 416, 416 n. Chamberlain, Elizabeth, marries Mar- tin Lumley, 56. Chamberlain, Richard, 35 n., 76 n.; lodged at house of George Walton, 35 n.; biographical sketch, 55-57; Lithobolia or Stone-Throwing Devil, 58-77. Chambers, Robert, Domestic Annals of Scotland, 300 n. Chandler, American Criminal Trials, 347 n. ; William Barker's indictment preserved by, 380 n. Chandler, Phebe, accuses Martha Car- rier of witchcraft, 243. Chapman, Capt. Henry, justice of the peace, 438, 441. Charlestown, Mass.: Morton, Charles, minister at, 97, 97 n.; witchcraft cases, 349, 382. Chever, G. F., articles by, 371 n. Chiever, Mr., present at Salem execu- tions, 361 n. Christmas celebration, Puritan horror of, 274, 274 n. Christ's Fidelity the only Shield against Satan's Malignity, by Rev. Deodat Lawson, 158 n., 159 n. Church of England, 168. Chyrurgion, treatise of, 319, 319 n. City Island, L. I. Sound, 47 n. Clark, Elizabeth, affidavit of, 61 n. Clark, Mary, 151 n. Clark, Miss, see Mrs. Towne. Clark, Walter, deputy governor of Rhode Island, 69, 69 n.; witness of stone throwing in house of George Walton, 69, 69 n. Clarke, Samuel, 4; Mirrour . . . of Examples, 10 n. Claypoole, James, 86. .Clayton, William, attended Council, 85. Cloyse, Sarah, 161, 161 n., 347 n.; committed for witchcraft, 346. Cock, John, 87. Cock, Lasse, attended Council, 85, 86. INDEX 449 Coffin, Joshua, History of Newbury, 31 n. Coke, Institutes, 374 n. Cole, Ann, afflicted with fits, 18; ef- fect of demons on, 18, 20 n.; influ- ence of Dutch family on, 18-19; story of, 18-21, 113. Cole, Matthew, killed by lightning, 20 n. Collet, Jeremiah, member of petty jury, 86. Cologne, Henricus ab Heer, physician of, 266, 266 n. Colonial Entry Books, 198 n., 202 n. Colonial Records of Connecticut,, 135 n. Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Publications, 371 n., 375 n. Colve, Gov. Anthony, dismisses case against Katharine Harrison, 52 n. Coman, Richard, testifies against Brid- get Bishop, 225. Common Law, by Joseph Keble, 412, 416. Connecticut, witch cases, 18 n.; Al- lyn, John, secretary of the colony , of, 34 n.; Court of Assistants, 48 n.; Winthrop, John, governor of, 93 n. Connecticut as a Colony and as a Stale, by F. Morgan, 18 n. ConnecticuttColonialRecords,'L9n.,42Q.., 48 n., 135 n., 410 n. Connecticut, Colonial, The Witchcraft Delusion in, by J. M. Taylor, 18 n., 48 n. Connecticut Historical Society, Col- lections, 411 n. Connecticut, Witchcraft in, by C. H. Levermore, 52 n. Continuation, by Edmund Calamy, 150 n. Cook, Arthur, witness to stone throw- ing in house of George Walton, 69, 69 n. ' Cook, John, accuses Bridget Bishop of witchcraft, 224. Coolin, Annakey, accuses Margaret Mattson of witchcraft, 87. ( Corey, Giles, 154 n., 250, 295; pressed to death, 366, 367, 367 n. Corey, Martha, convicted of witch- craft, 154-156, 157, 343-344, 366, 367. Cornell University, President White Library, 160 n. Cornick, John, justice of the peace, 438. Corwin, Jonathan, member of Court of Assistants, 158, 158 n.; of Court of Oyer and Terminer, 178, 178 n., 185 n., 353, 355. Coscinomancy, 181 n. Cotle, Mary, member of woman jury, 439. Cotton, Rev. John, 137 n.; law of Moses as codified by, 42; Cotton Mather, grandson of, 91; Milk for Babes, 113; The Assemblies Cate- chism, 113; preacher to Indians, 309, 309 n. Cotton Mather and Salem Witchcraft, by W. F. Poole, 91, 91 n. Cotton Mather, the Puritan Priest, by Barrett Wendell, 91, 91 n. Countrey Justice, The, by Michael Dai- ton, 163 n., 304 n., 436, 436 n. Court of Assistants, 355 n. Court of Assizes, description of, 43, 43 n. Court of Oyer and Terminer, see Oyer and Terminer, Court of. Cranfield, Edward, first royal governor of New Hampshire, 60. Criminal Law of England, The Use of Torture in, 102 n. Crocker, Hannah Mather, granddaugh- ter of Cotton Mather, 255, 255 n., 256 n. ; gift of Mather papers, 256 n. Crouch, Nathaniel, publisher, 416 n. Cudworth, Ralph, Intellectual System, 246 n. Cummings, Isaac, depositions of, 239, 240. "Curiosities," by Cotton, Mather, 245- 250. Curwin, Jonathan, see Corwin. Gushing, President, Hampden-Sidney College, 436. Daemonolatreia, by Nicolas Remy, 424, 424 n. Dalton," Michael, 440 n.; The Coun- trey Justice, 163 n., 304 n., 436, 436 n. Dane, Deliverance, account of confes- sion, 374-375. 450 INDEX Dane, John, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Dane, Rev. Francis, pastor at Andover, 420 n. Danforth, Thomas, deputy governor of Massachusetts, condemns proceed- ings against witchcraft, 184; judge of Superior Court, 382, 383. Danvers, Mass., see Salem Village. Danvers, Hanson, 342 n. Danvers Highlands, 152 n., 153 n. Darter, Edward, member of petty jury, 86. Daston, Sarah, death of, 383; impris- oned for witchcraft, 383, 383 n. Davenport, Rev. John, 5, 137 n.; bio- graphical sketch, 12 n. David, King of Israel, 429, 431. Davis, History of WaUingford and Meri- den, 385 n. Davis, Winifred, member of woman jury, 439. Day, John, member of grand jury, 85. Dean, J. W., article in New England Historical and Genealogical Register, 58 n. Declaration of the Ground of Error, A, etc., by George Fox, 81 n. De Hceretico Comburendo, 374 n. Delaware, The Swedish Settlements on the, by Amandus Johnson, 83 n. Delaware County, Pennsylvania, His- tory of, by Smith, 84 n., 87 n., 88 n. Delaware River, colony of William Penn on the, 82, 83; Swedish colony on the, 83. Delft, Devil appears in shape of a boy at, 137. De Magnetica Vulnerum Curatione, by Jan Baptista van Helmont, 319 n. Demons, effect on Ann Cole, 18, 20 n.; effect on Elizabeth Knap, 22, 23; haunt house of William Morse, 23- 32; cause disturbance in house of Mr. Mompesson, 32 n.; feats of, 59, 60; appear in various forms to Martha Goodwin, 110-126; appear to wife of Thomas Putnam, 156-158; persecute Mercy Short, 261-268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 282, 285, 286; description of, 297- 298. Dennis, Hannah, member of woman jury, 439. Desborough, Nicholas, of Hartford, strangely molested, 33-34. Deusing, Antonius, treatise by, 319 n. Devils, see Demons; Satan. Devils, The Doctrine of, by John Wag- staffe, 6. Dialogues, Pope Gregory, 4. Diary of Cotton Mather, edited by Worthington C. Ford, 91 n.; see also Mather, Cotton, j Dictionary of Vulgar Terms, by Grose, 300 n. Discoverie of Witches, by Thomas Potts, 163 n., 219 n. Diseases ascribed to witchcraft, 319 n. Doctrine of Devils proved to be the Grand Apostacy of these Later Times, The, William Sewel, translator of, 82 n. Documents and Records relating to the Province of New Hampshire, 61 n. Documents relating to the Colonial His- tory of New York, 19 n. Dow, George Francis, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 151; records case of Eliza- beth How, 237 n. Downer, Robert, accuses Susanna Mar- tin of witchcraft, 232, 232 n. Drake, S. G., 153 n., 295; Annals of Witchcraft, xviii, 31 n., 52 n., 410 n.; editor of The Witchcraft Delusion in New England, 151 n., 208, 343 n.; memoir of Calef, 295 n. Drystreet, Henry, accuses Margaret Mattson of witchcraft, 86; member of grand jury, 86. Ducket, Thomas, member of grand jury, 85. Dudley, Joseph, judge in New York, 195 n. Duke's Laws, 43 n. Dunton, John, 148, 207. Dutch Calvinism, leaders of, 41. Duxbury, Mass., effects of thunder- storm at, 14-15. Eames, Rebecca, convicted of witch- craft, 366; indictment extant, 380. Earl, Mr., of Colchester, story of, 9. INDEX 451 \f Earle, Robert, testimony relative to case of Margaret Rule, 337. Easthampton, Mass., case of witch- craft at, 42; Elizabeth Garlick in- dicted for witchcraft at, 42; letter from Governor Winthrop, 42 n. Easthampton, Town of, Records of the, 42 n. East Riding, L. I., 45, 45 n. Eaton, Theophilus, governor of New Haven colony, 140, 140 n. Eliot, Biographical Dictionary, 293 n. Eliot, Edmund, testifies against Su- sanna Martin, 233, 234. Elliott, Andrew, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Elson, Abraham, 19 n. Emerson, John, clerical schoolmaster at Salem, 37 n., 377 n. Enchantments Encountered, by Cotton Mather, 205. Endicot, Dr. Zorobbabel, 250. Endicott, John, governor of Massachu- setts, 250 n. England, punishment of witches in, 374 n.; witchcraft in, 215 n. England and Ireland, Collection of sun- dry tryals in, by Joseph Glanvil, 416. English, Mary, 347 n.; accused of witchcraft, 347. English, Philip, 151 n., 347; imprison- ment and escape, 178, 178 n., 187, 371; arrested for witchcraft, 371 n.; biographical sketch, 371 n. English, Mrs. Philip, 188 n. English Law, History of, by Pollock and Maitland, 367 n. Episcopius, disbeliever in witchcraft, 41. Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences, by Increase Mather, 6, 6 n., 8-38, 65 n., 1 13, 303, 398, 410 n. Essex, England, persecution of witches in, 425, 425 n. Essex County, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of, edited by George Francis Dow, 151. Essex Institute, Proceedings, 153 n. ; Collections, 198 n., 360 n., 370 n., 371 n. Esty, Isaac, 347. Esty, Mary, xiv, 347 n.; accused and convicted of witchcraft, 347, 366, 367; petition to judges, 368-369. Eton College, 9. Euer, Robert, foreman of grand jury, 85. Evans, Nathaniel, member of petty jury, 86. Evelith, Joseph, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Falkner, Abigail, conviction, 366; ac- cused of witchcraft, 420, 420 n.; children testify against, 421, 421 n.; neighbors testify against, 421, 421 n. Farmington, Conn., Samuel Hooker, pastor at, 19, 19 n. Farnworth, Richard, Witchcraft Cast out from the Religious Seed and Israel of God, 81 n., 82. Faustus, Dr., stories of, 137. Fisher, John, member of grand jury, 85. Fisk, Thomas, reasons for judging Re- becca Nurse guilty, 358-359; fore- man of jury at Salem trials, 388. Fisk, Thomas, Jr., juryman at Salem trials, 388. Fisk, William, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Fiske, John, New France and New En- gland, 153 n. Fiske, Rev. Moses, minister at Brain- tree, 109 n. Flower, Enock, member of grand jury, 86. Ford, Worthington C., 306 n.; Diary of Cotton Mather, edited by, 91 n. Foster, Ann, confesses her share in witchcraft, 244; conviction, 366, 367 n.; attends witch meeting, 418; imprisonment, 418, 418 n., 419 n. Foster, Rose, afflicted by witchcraft, 420, 420 n. Fowler, S. P., 295; account in Proceed- ings, Essex Institute, 153n.; Salem Witchcraft, 207. Fox, George, A Declaration of the Ground of Error, etc., 81 n.; power to detect witchcraft, 81, 82. Foxcroft, Francis, condemns proceed- ings against witchcraft, 184. France, nine hundred executed for witchcraft, 424, 424 n. French, attack upon frontier towns, 199. 452 INDEX Frith, Dr., apparitions appearing to, 9. Fry, Deacon, wife imprisoned for witch- craft, 180. Further Account of the Tryals of the New- England Witches, 148, 149 n. Garland, John, service as juror, 45. Garlick, Elizabeth, indicted for witch- craft, 42. Gaule, John, rector of Great Stough- ton, England, 216, 216 n., 239, 304 n., 330; rules for detection of witches, 205; Select Cases of Conscience touch- ing Witches and Witchcrafts, 216 n., 219, 219 n., 221. Gedney, Major Bartholomew, member of Court of Oyer and Terminer, 170, 170 n., 185, 353, 353 n., 355. Genealogical Dictionary, by Savage, 100 n. Gerrish, Rev. Joseph, 369 n. Gibbons, John, member of petty jury, 86. Gisburne, John, accuses Grace Sher- wood of witchcraft, 436. Glanvil, Joseph, 98, 98 n.; A Blow at Modern Sadducism, 5; defence of ghosts and witches, 5; Saddu- cismus Triumphatus, 6, 6 n., 33 n., 405 n.; Collection of Modern Rela- tions, or, Collection of Sundry tryals in England and Ireland, 33 n., 262 n., 416. Glover, Goodwife, 412, 412 n.; trial for witchcraft, 103-106, 111, 124 n. Good, Dorcas, a child, 160, 160 n.; put in chains, 349 n. Good, Sarah, 414, 414 n.; imprison- ment, 159, 159 n.; afflicts Mercy Short, 259, 260, 260 n.; child ac- cused of witchcraft, 345; chains for, 349 n.; trial and execution of, 357- 358. Goodacre, Sarah, member of woman jury, 439. Goodall, Goodwife, 155; affliction of, 344. Goodell, A. C., Further Notes on the History of Witchcraft in Massachu- setts, 373 n. Goodwin, Benjamin, 100 n., 124 n. Goodwin, Hannah, 100 n. Goodwin, John, a mason, 99, 294; wife distinguished for virtue and piety, 99; children afflicted, 99-128, 129, 143, 255, 276, 276 n., 412, 413. poodwin, John, Jr., 100 n., 124 n. Goodwin, Martha, 100 n.; demons ap- pear in various forms to, 110-126; ministers pray for, 118, 121. Goodwin, Mercy, 100 n. Goodwin, Nathaniel, 100 n. Goulart, Simon, 4. Granite Monthly, 293 n. Graves, Thomas, condemns proceed- ings against witchcraft, 184. Gray, Samuel, accuses Bridget Bishop of witchcraft, 224; false testimony against Bridget Bishop, 356, 356 n. Great Minifords Island, 47. Green, Dr. S. A., Groton in the Witch- craft Times, 360 n. Greensmith, Nathaniel, executed at Hartford, 20, 20 n. Greensmith, Rebecca, imprisonment, 19, 19 n.; executed for witchcraft, 20, 20 n. Gregory, Pope, Dialogues, 4. Grevius, demonstrates iniquity of tor- ture, 41. Griggs, Dr. William, physician to Salem Village, 154, 154 n., 155,342 n., 344. Griscom, Andrew, member of grand jury, 85. Grose, Dictionary of Vulgar Terms, 300 n. Groton, town of, 188 n. Groton in the Witchcraft Times, by Dr. S. A. Green, 360 n. Guard, Robert, accused of witchcraft, 88. Guide to Grand Jury Men, by Richard Bernard, 163 n., 416, 416 n. Guldenklee, Balthasar Timaus von, Casus Medicinales, 319 n. Gummere, Amelia Mott, Witchcraft and Quakerism, by, 81 n., 88 n. Haart, Balthazer de, service as juror, 45. Hadley, Mass., story of Philip Smith, deacon of the church at, 131-134. Haigue, William, attended Council, 85. INDEX 453 Hale, Rev. John, 70 n., 152 n., 158, 158 n., 184, 206, 214 n.; present at Salem executions, 361 n.; changes views on witchcraft, 369-370; credu- lous of witchcraft, 397; graduate of Harvard College, 397; minister at Beverly, 397; witness against Dorcas Hoar and Bridget Bishop, 397, 397 n.; biographical sketch, 397, 398; ca- reer of, 398 n.; A. Modest Inquiry, 399-432. Hale, Sir Matthew, 374 n.; English witch-trial, 215 n.; Trial of Witches, 416, 416 n. Hall, George, reformation of, 11. Hall, Mary, trial and release from charge of witchcraft, 44-48. Hall, Ralph, trial and release from charge of witchcraft, 44-48; charged with murder of George Wood and child, 46. Hall case, first printed in the National Advocate, 43. Hallett, William, loses place by open- ing house to Baptist preaching, 44 n.; service as juror, 44, 44 n. Hampden-Sidney College, President Gushing, 436. Handcock, Capt. George, justice of the peace, 438. Hanson, Danvers, 342 n., 349 n. Harding, William, 435. Hardy, Thomas, of Portsmouth, 236, 236 n. Harper, John, 441. Harris, Benjamin, a bookseller, 152. Harris, W. S., article in the Granite Monthly on Robert Calef, 292 n.- 293 n., 295 n. Harrison, James, attended Council, 85. Harrison, Katharine, order relating to removal from West Chester, 49-51; trial, 48; given liberty to remain in West Chester, 51-52; Governor Colve dismisses case against, 52 n. Harrison papers, 43. Hartford, Conn., witchcraft cases, 18, 18 n., 19, 19 n., 20, 20 n., 33-34, 135, 135 n., 136, 385, 410, 410 n.; Stone, Samuel, teacher in church, 19, 19 n. ; Greensmith, Nathaniel and Rebecca, execution of, 20, 20 n.; Desborough, Nicholas, strangely molested at, 33- 34; Johnson, Mary, trial of, 135, 135 n., 136; woman sentenced to be whipped, 135 n. Hartford, A Case of Witchcraft in, by C. J. Hoadly, 18 n. Hartford, History of the First Church in, 19 n. Hartlib, Samuel, biographical sketch, v 12 n. Harvard College: Mather, Increase, president of, 3, 15n.-16n.; Mather, Cotton, fellow of, 15n.-16n.; Brat- tle, Thomas, treasurer of, 167; Lev- erett, president of, 167; Burroughs, Rev. George, graduate, 215 n.; Hale, Rev. John, graduate, 397. Harvard University, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of, Sibley, 3 n., 93 n., 168 n., 183 n., 215 n., 377 n., 398 n. Hastings, John, foreman of petty jury, 86. Hathorn, John, see Hawthorne. Haven, Dr. Samuel F., librarian of the American Antiquarian Society, 256, 256 n. Hawthorne, John, 160, 206; magis- trate at Salem Village, 155, 155 n., 156, 158 n., 160; assistant, 344, 347, 348, 355. Hawthorne, Susanna, 187 n. Haynes, Rev. Joseph, 19, 19 n. Heer, Henricus ab, physician of Co- logne, 266, 266 n. Helmont, Jan Baptista van, De Mag- netica Vulnerum Curatione, 319n.; Tractatus de Morbis, 319 n. Hemming, Nicholas, Admonitio de Su- perstitionibus Magicis vitandis, 247, 247 n. Hendrickson, Jacob, enters into a re- cognizance for wife's appearance, 85, 87. Hendrickson, Yeshro (Gertrude), trial for witchcraft, 85. Henly, Ursula, member of woman jury, 439. Herrick, Henry, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Herrick, Mary, complaint against Mrs. Hale, 369, 369 n. Hewes, William, member of petty jury, 86. 454 INDEX Hibbins, Ann, executed for witchcraft, 410, 410 n. Higginson, Rev. John, 160, 160 n., 206; minister at Salem, 245, 248 n., 398; Epistle regarding witchcraft, 399- 402. Hill, Captain, 353. Hill, Luke, sues Grace Sherwood for witchcraft, 438, 438 n,, 439 n., 440, 441. Historical Collections, Topsfield Histor- ical Society, 151 n. Historical Essay concerning Witchcraft, by Dr. Hutchinson, 222 n. Historical Magazine, 42 n., 57, 61 n., 91 n., 379 n. Historical Series, by W. Elliot Wood- ward, 208, 295. Historical Sketches of Andover, by Sarah Loring Bailey, 180 n., 420 n. Historical Society, Massachusetts, Pro- ceedings, 151. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Memoirs of, 83 n. History and Antiquities of Boston, 151 n. History of Andover, by Abiel Abbot, 180 n. History of Delaware County, Pennsyl- vania, by Smith, 84 n., 87 n., 88 n. History of Massachusetts, by Hutchin- son, 151 n. History of Newbury, by Joshua Coffin, 31 n. History of the First Church in Hartford, by Walker, 19 n. Hoadly, C. J., A Case of Witchcraft in Hartford, 18 n. Hoar, Dorcas, conviction for witch- craft, 366, 366 n.; estate seized, 371; Hale, Rev. John, witness against, 397, 397 n. Hobbs, Abigail, conviction for witch- craft, 366. Hobbs, Deliverance, accuses Bridget Bishop, 224; warrant for, 347; at- tends witch meeting, 417, 417 n., 418. Hobbs, William, accused of witchcraft, 347. Hobs, Deborah, see Hobbs, Deliverance. Holland, conjurer in, 137; status of witchcraft in, 41. Holmes, Thomas, attended Council, 85. Holy Duties of the Devout Soul, The, 282, 282 n. Hondorff, 4. Hooker, Rev. Samuel, pastor at Farm- ington, 19, 19 n. Hooton, Oliver, merchant, of Barba- does, 69; witness of stone throwing, 69. Hopkins, Matthew, 363 n. ; witch- finder, 216 n., 423, 423 n. Hortado, Antonio, dwelling near the Salmon Falls, 37. Hortado, Mary, narrative told by Rev. Joshua Moodey, 37 n.; sundry ap- paritions of Satan, 37, 38. How, Elizabeth: Dow, F. G., records case of, 237 n.; loyalty of blind hus- band and daughter, 237 n. ; denied admission into Ipswich church, 237, 237 n., 238; accusations against, 237-240; trial and execution, 237- 240, 357, 379; baptized by Devil, 240. How, James, 240. How, John, accuses Elizabeth How of witchcraft, 238, 239. Howe, Henry, Historical Collections of Virginia, 436. Howell, Southampton, 42 n., 44 n. Howell, H., publisher, 208. Hubbard, Elizabeth, maid, 154, 154 n. Hunt, Josiah, 48 n. Hunt, Thomas, appears in behalf of Katharine Harrison, 48 n., 50; com- plaint against a woman, 48, 48 n. Hussey, John, witness of stone throw- ing, 69. Hutchinson, Francis, Historical Essay concerning Witchcraft, 222 n. Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas, information relating to William Morse, 31 n.; History of Massachusetts, 43 n., 150- 151, 232 n., 241 n., 375 n., 410 n. Icarus, 302, 302 n. Indian, apparition of Black-Man to, 309; afflicted by witchcraft, 348, 348 n. Indian medicine-men, 42. Indians, troubles occasioned by, 16; at- tack upon frontier towns, 199; cap- ture Mercy Short, 259 n. ; in Mexico, 245. INDEX 455 Indians in New England, A Brief His- tory of the War with, by Increase Mather, 16 n. Indies, Natural and Moral History of the, by Joseph Acosta, 245 n. Ingersol, Nathaniel, deacon of church in Salem Village, 152, 153, 153 n. Institutes, Coke, 363 n., 374 n. Intellectual System, by Ralph Cud- worth, 246 n. Ipswich, Mass. : Powell, Caleb, trial of, 31 n.; How, Elizabeth, denied ad- mission to church, 237, 237 n., 238; witchcraft case, 237-240. Israel, kings of, 429, 431. Jacobs, George, trial and execution, 177, 360, 361; accused of witchcraft, 371; wife accused, 371. Jacobs, Margaret, confesses to false testimony, 364-366; imprisoned for witchcraft, 364 n., 365; acquittal of, 366, 366 n. Jacobs, Rebecca, indictment extant, 380 n. James I., statute of, 83, 84, 380 n. James, Edward W., William and Mary College Quarterly, 435 n., 436, 439 n. Jeffrey, George, hit by stone, 75. Jenkins, Jane, 436. Jennings, Samuel, governor of West Jersey, 69, 69 n.; witness of stone throwing at George Walton's, 69, 69 n. Job, 430. John Carter Brown library, 93 n. John, Indian slave of Rev. Samuel Parris, 153 n., 351 n. Johnson, Amandus, The Swedish Set- tlements on the Delaware, 83 n. Johnson, Elizabeth, imprisonment, 135 n., 382, 382 n.; accused of witch- craft, 420, 420 n. Johnson, Mary, Magnolia contains story of, 135 n.; information from Samuel Stone concerning, 135 n., 136; trial, 135, 135 n., 136; con- fesses witchcraft, 410, 410 n. Jones, Hannah, accused by George Walton of witchcraft, 60 n., 61 n., 73 n., 75 n.; not punished, 76 n. Jones, Margaret, executed at Boston, Mass., 408, 408 n. Joshua, 427. Josiah, 431. Judas Iscariot, 430. Jurors, at Philadelphia, 85, 86; Massa- chusetts act establishing qualifica- tion for, 362 n.; testimony from Fisk, 358. Jury, woman, 439. Justification, Treatise of, by Samuel Willard, 113. Justin Martyr, 302; Quaestiones et Responsiones ad Orthodoxos, 302 n. Juxon, Richard, life of, 11. Keble, Joseph, 163 n.; Statutes, 163; An Assistance to Justices of the Peace, 163 n., 411, 412, 412 n.; Common Law, 412, 416. Keith, governor of Pennsylvania, 83. Kembal, John, accuses Susanna Martin of witchcraft, 232-233, 234. Kendal, Goodwife, accused of witch- craft, 409, 410. Kieft, Gov. William, fear of Indian medicine-men, 42. King, Winifred, 385 n. Kingdom of Darkness, by R. Burton, 416, 416 n., 425, 425 n. King Philip's war, 4. Kinsman, John, member of petty jury, 86. Knapp, Elizabeth, 183, 183 n., 187 n.; story of, 21-23; effect of demons on, 22, 23. Lacy, Mary, confesses share in witch- craft, 244; convicted of witchcraft, 366, 367 n.; attends witch meeting, 418, 418 n., 419, 419 n. Lacy, Mary, Jr., attends witch meet- ing, 419. Lake, H., of Dorchester, reference to wife, 408 n., 409 n. Lancashire witches, 219, 219 n. Lancaster, Mass., 361 n. Lane, Francis, testifies against Eliza- beth How, 240. Late Memorable Providences, by Cotton Mather, 92. Lawson, Ann : Burroughs, Rev. George, accused of afflicting by witchcraft, 218. 456 INDEX Lawson, Rev. Deodat, 167, 214 n., 215 n., 413 n.; A Brief and True Nar- rative of Witchcraft at Salem, Mass., 145-164, 341 n.; London edition of Salem sermon, 147 n., 149; Moore, G.H., letter from, 150, 150 n.; sermon on witchcraft, 158, 158 n.; Christ's Fi- delity the only Shield against Satan's Malignity, 158 n., 159 n.; wife of, 218, 218 n. Lawson, Thomas, 150. Leisler, Jacob, service as juror, 44 n., 45. Leverett, president of Harvard Col- lege, 167. Levermore, C. H., "Witchcraft in Con- necticutt," in the New Englander, 18 n, 52 n., 385 n. Lewes, Mercy, maid, 154, 154 n., 155, 347; accuses witches of impiety, 160, 161; affliction of, 344; vision, 346. Libanius, 303, 303 n. Libraries of the Mathers, by Julius H. Tuttle, 256 n. Library of American Biography, 261 n. Library of American Literature, 149 n. Library of Old Authors, by John Rus- sell Smith, 7, 149 n., 207. Lightning, changes needle of compass, 14. Lince, Denis, member of grand Jury, 85. Lincoln, Dr. Charles H., 256 n. Lithobolia, by Richard Chamberlain, 58-77; dedicated to Martin Lumley, 58,59. London Gazette, 300 n. Long Island, witchcraft in, 42; given name of Yorkshire, 45 n. Long Island Witts, Early, 44 n. Longfellow, Henry W., 170 n. Lonicer, 4. Louder, John, accuses Bridget Bishop of witchcraft, 226, 227. Louis XIV., 189 n. Lovelace, Francis, 49, 51, 52. Lower Norfolk County Virginia Anti- quary, 435 n. Lumley, Martin, marries Elizabeth Chamberlain, 56; Lithobolia dedi- cated to, 58, 59. Lunt, W. W., student of Calef pedigree, 293 n. Luther, Martin, 10. Lynde, Joseph, member of the Coun- cil, 178, 178 n. Magnolia, by Cotton Mather, 16 n., 24 n., 126 n., 134 n., 135 n., 208, 259 n., 309, 309 n., 357 n., 377 n., 388 n., 398. Maitland, see Pollock. Martha's Vineyard, 309 n. Martin, Abigail, afflicted by witch- craft, 420, 420 n. Martin, George, 233. Martin, Susanna, 229, 229 n., 422, 422 n. ; accusations relating to witch- craft, 230-235; strangely afflicted, 234; protests innocence, 236; trial and execution, 229-236, 357. Martin, Walter, member of petty jury, 86. Mary Magdalen, 120. Mason, John, grant of land in New Hampshire to, 55, 76 n. Mason, Robert, proprietorship in New Hampshire recognized, 56, 57. Massachusetts: Stoughton, William, lieutenant-governor, 93 n., 183 n., 212 n.; laws, 181 n.; archives, 186 n.; Mather, Increase, agent for restora- tion of charter, 193; witchcraft con- ditions, 196-202, 408, 408 n.; Endi- cott, John, first governor, 250 n.; Phips, Sir William, arrival with new charter, 348-349. Massachusetts Centinel, 88. Massachusetts, Colonial Society of, Publications, 371 n., 375 n., 383 n. Massachusetts, Final Notes on Witch- craft in, by G. H. Moore, 202 n., 367 n. Massachusetts, Further Notes on the His- tory of Witchcraft in, by A. C. Good- ell, 373 n. Massachusetts Historical Society: Ma- ther Papers, 18 n.; Collections, 18 n. 91 n., 168, 168 n., 366 n., 371 n. 376 n., 389 n., 398 n.; Proceedings 12 n., 41 n., 76 n., 151, 195 n., 202 n. 222 n., 262 n., 291 n., 292 n., 306 n. 307 n. Massachusetts, History of, by Thomas Hutchinson, 43 n., 232 n., 241 n., 346 n., 375 n. Massachusetts, Records of, 363 n. INDEX 457 Mather, Rev. Cotton, 91, 141 n., 148 n., 153 n., 160 n., 177, 177 n., 206, 211, 219 n.,222 n., 241 n., 245-250, 261 n., 267 n., 270 n., 272 n., 273, 273 n., 276, 276 n., 280, 280 n., 282, 282 n., 284, 284 n., 293 n., 316 n., 348 n., 389 n., 397 n. ; fellow of Harvard Col- lege, 15 n.-16 n.; Memorable Prov- idences, 15 n., 92, 93-126, 205, 320 n., 410 n., 413, 414, 416; The Wonders of the Invisible World, 15 n., 149 n., 150 n., 196 n., 204, 205-208, 209- 251, 255, 293, 295, 297, 297 n., 304, 330 n., 357, 370, 377, 377 n., 378, 378 n., 414, 416, 422, 423; Magnolia, 16 n., 24 n., 126 n., 134 n., 135 n., 208, 259 n.,309, 309 n.,357 n., 377 n., 388 n., 398; tale of the bedstaff in the Magnolia, 24 n. ; grandson of John Cotton, 91; biographical sketch, 91, 92; Memorable Provi- dences, 92; dedicatory epistle to Wait Winthrop, 93, 94, 95; Speedy Repentance Urged, 93 n. ; address on witchcraft, 95, 96, 97; reflections on Memorable Providences, 98; de- scribes effect of witchcraft on John Goodwin's children, 99-126; wife of, 117; prayers for Goodwin children and Capt. Alden, 129, 355 n.; life of Phips, 188 n., 388 n., 389; "return" of witch-cases, 194, 194 n.; causes of Gov. Phips's changingattitude, 195 n . ; Enchantments Encountered, 205; cor- respondence, 212, 213, 307, 329-341; replies to Boston ministers, 214, 214 n.; refers to execution of Rev. George Burroughs, 215 n., 222 n.; "Curiosi- ties," 245-250; granddaughter, 255, 255 n., 256 n.; A Brand pluck' d out of the Burning, 259-287; visits Mercy Short, 260, 260 n.; reference in diary to Calef's book, 293-294; Some Few Remarks, 293 n., 294, 348 n.; Diary, 294 n., 323 n., 385 n.; visit to Salem, 323n.-324n.; pres- ent at Salem executions, 361, 361 n.; Calef's opinion, 388, 388 n. Mather, Rev. Increase, 137 n., 167, 180, 180 n., 183 n., 304 n., 357 n., 362, 362 n., 376 n., 388 n.; choice of career, 3; minister of North Church in Boston, 3; preacher in England, 3; student at Dublin, 3; instigator of "reforming synod," 3-4; method of arousing men to religion, 3-4; biographical sketch, 3-7; president of Harvard College, 3, 15n.-16n.; marshals hosts of New England or- thodoxy, 6; Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences, 6, 6 n., 8-38, 65 n., 113, 303, 398, 410n.; Remark- able Providences illustrative of the Earlier Days of American Colonisa- tion, 6-7; A Brief History of the War with the Indians in New-England, 16 n.; A Relation of the Troubles which have hapned in New-England, 16n.; condemns "water test," 21 n.; of Cotton Mather, 91; Mather Papers, 97 n.; Mystery of Christ, 113; Cases of Conscience, 149, 194 n., 304 n., 357 n., 377 n., 383 n., 389; condemns proceedings against witchcraft, 184; agent for restoration of Massachu- setts charter, 193; visits so-called confessors at Salem, 376 n. Mather, Samuel, papers in American Antiquarian Society, 256 n. Mather Library, 256 n. Mather Papers, 18 n., 31 n., 37 n., 62 n., 65 n., 97 n., 194 n.; experiences of Nicholas Desborough in, 34 n.; gift from Hannah Mather Crocker, 256 n. Mathers, Libraries of the, by Julius H. Tuttle, 256 n. Matteson, David M., 163 n. Mattson, Margaret, trial for witchcraft, 85, 86; jury finds not guilty of witch- craft, 87, 87 n. Mattson, Neels, recognizance of fifty pounds for wife, 85, 87, 87 n. Maule, Thomas, merchant of Salem, New England, 69, 70 n.; witness of stone throwing in house of George Walton, 69, 70 n. Mayflower, John Alden, of the, 170 n. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 83 n. Memorable Providences, by Cotton Mather, 15 n., 92, 93-126, 205, 320 n., 410 n., 413, 414, 416. Memorial History of Boston, W. F. Poole in the, 256, 256 n., 389 n. Mercury, 303. Merrimack River, 231. 458 INDEX Mexico, reflection on Indians in, 245; Vitzlipulzli, idol of Indiana, 245. Middle Ages, tales of vision and appari- tion, 4. Milborne, William, called before the Council, 196 n.-197 n. Milk for Babes, by John Cotton, 113. Mill, Anthonio de, service as juror, 45. Millard, Thomas, member of grand jury, 86. Miller, Rev. John, comments by, 195 n. Milton, Mass., Rev. Peter Thacher, minister at, 109 n. Ministers, convocation for guidance in matters of witchcraft, 200 n. Mirrour . . . of Examples, by Samuel Clarke, 10 n. Miscellanea Curiosa, 286, 286 n. Modest Inquiry, A, by Rev. John Hale, 397-132. Mohra, case of witchcraft at, 196 n. Moll, Hermann, Atlas, 195 n. Mompesson, Mr., demons disturb house, 32 n.; story of, 32-33. Moodey, Rev. Joshua, 187 n., 188 n., 329 n., 362, 362 n. ; minister at Ports- mouth, 31 n., 65 n.; relates narrative of Mary Hortado, 37 n.; associate minister of First Church, Boston, 97, 97 n., 118. Moore, George H., 186 n., 194 n., 210 n.; Notes on the Bibliography of Witch- craft in Massachusetts, 91 n., 148 n., 197 n., 207 n., 215 n., 385|n.; letter from Deodat Lawson published by, 150, 150 n.; Final Notes on Witch- craft in Massachusetts, 197 n., 202 n., 367 n., 373 n. More, Henry, 98, 98 n.; leader of the Cambridge Platonists, 5; publishes Glanvil's book on Sadducism, 6, 6 n. More Wonders of the Invisible World, by Robert Calef, 124 n., 207, 208, 289-393, 294 n. Morgan, F., Connecticut as a Colony and as a State, 18 n. Morse, William, house haunted by de- mons, 23-32; Governor Hutchin- son's account of, 31 n. ; John Stiles, grandson, 31 n.; wife tried for witch- craft, 31 n. Morton, Charles, minister at Charles- town, 97, 97 n. Moseley, Col. Edward, justice of the peace, 438, 441, 442. Mosse, Thomas, member of grand jury, 85. Mullener, Thomas, 239 n. Munro, Alexander, service as juror 45. Murray, Edward, attended Council. 88. Mystery of Christ, by Increase Mather, 113. Nashaway, see Lancaster, Mass. Nation, 207 n. National Advocate, 43. Natural and Moral History of the Indies, by Joseph Acosta, 245 n. Neelson, Anthony, recognizance of fifty pounds for Margaret Mattson, 87, 87 n. Nehemiah, 431. Nevins, W. S., Witchcraft in Salem Vil- lage, 153 n. New Amsterdam, becomes New York, 45 n. New Amsterdam, Records of, 19 n. New England, 137 n., 179, 179 n.; "re- forming synod" to cure evils, 3-4; method of arousing men to religion, 4; Puritanism, 5; Mather marshals hosts of orthodoxy, 6; Indians, 16, 16 n. ; influence on other colonies, 42 ; Calef s description of witchcraft in, 297-299; Andros government over- thrown, 348 n. New-England, A Brief History of the War with the Indians in, by Increase Mather, 16 n. New-England, A Relation of the Troubles which have hapned in, by Increase Mather, 16 n. New England, The Witchcraft Delusion in, ed. by S. G. Drake, 151 n., 208, 343 n. New England Historical and Genealog- ical Register, 35 n., 48 n., 58 n., 160 n., 186 n., 197 n., 232 n., 242 n., 291 n., 292 n., 295 n., 365 n., 375 n., 384 n., 385 n., 409 n., 410 n., 423 n. New England Judged, Bishop, 35 n., 43 n., 44 n. New England Magazine, 18 n., 153 n. New England Witches, Further Account of the Trials of, 148, 149 n. New Englander, 18 n., 52 n., 385 n. INDEX 459 New France and New England, by John Fiske, 153 n. New Hampshire: Chamberlain, Rich- ard, secretary of the province, 35 n., 55-57; Mason, John, grant of land to, 55, 76 n.; Mason, Robert, rec- ognition of proprietorship, 56, 57; Cranfield, Edward, first royal gov- ernor, 60; Barefoot, Walter, dep- uty collector for the province, 67, 67 n., 72. New Hampshire, Documents and Rec- ords relating to the Province of, 61 n. New Hampshire Historical Society, Provincial Records in Collections, 61 n., 62 n., 76 n.; Vaughn's Jour- nal in Collections, 76 n. New Hampshire, Probate Records of the Province of, 35 n., 61 n. New Hampshire Provincial Papers, 76 n. New Haven colony, Theophilus Eaton, governor of, 140, 140 n. New Haven, Records of the Colony of, 239 n., 410 n. New Netherlands, witchcraft in, 41. New York, Documentary History of, O'Callaghan, 43. New York, Documents relating to the Colonial History of, 19 n. New York Genealogical and Biograph- ical Record, 19 n., 43 n., 48 n. New York Historical Society, Collec- tions, 195 n. New York, History of, Smith, 43. New York in the Seventeenth Century, History of the City of, 42 n. NewYork, Minutes of the Executive Coun- cil of, by Paltsits, 43, 48 n., 52 n. New York Public Library, 151 n., 410 n.; List of Books relating to Witchcraft in the United States, 207 n. New York, witchcraft in, 42. Newbury, History of, by Joshua Coffin, 31 n. Newbury, Mass., strange happenings in house of William Morse at, 23-32. Nicolls, Gov. Richard, aids Court of Assizes to draw code of laws, 43 n.; serves as juror, 44 n., 45. Niles's Weekly Register, 43. Noble, John, paper by, 375 n. Nonconformists Memorial, The, Palm- er's revision of, 150 n. Norris, Sarah, member of woman jury, 439. North American Review, 91 n. Notes on the Bibliography of Witchcraft in Massachusetts, by George H. Moore, 91 n., 148 n., 197 n., 207 n., 215 n. Notestein, Witchcraft in England, 216 n., 363 n. Nottingham, Earl of, letter to, 202 n. Noyes, Rev. Nicholas, minister at Salem, 141 n., 155, 155 n., 172, 172 n., 184, 206, 214 n., 359 n.; present at executions, 361 n. ; credulous of witchcraft, 369, 397. Nurse, Francis, farmer, 153 n. Nurse, Rebecca, wife of Francis Nurse, 153, 153 n., 347 n., 367; accusations, 155, 156, 157, 344-345; trial and execution, 157-159, 357-360; rea- sons of Thomas Fisk for convic- tion, 358-359 ; excommunication, 359, 359 n.; testimonials of Christian be- havior, 360, 360 n. Oakes, Dr. Thomas, attends Goodwin children afflicted by witchcraft, 101, 101 n. Obinson, Mrs. William, imprisoned for witchcraft, 179, 179 n., 180. Obinson, William, 179 n. Observations on our Present Debates re- specting witchcrafts, 187 n. O'Callaghan, Documentary History of New York, 43. Offor, George, 7. Old South Church, see Boston, Mass. Orne, Richard, member of grand jury, 85. Osborn, Sarah, 414, 414 n.; imprison- ment, 159 n.; chains for, 349 n. Osgood, Capt., imprisonment of wife, 180. Osgood, Mary, account of confession, 374-375, 375 n. Owen, Griffith, attended Council, 88. Oxford Jests, The, 112. Oxfordshire, Natural History of, by Robert Plot, 266, 266 n. Oyer and Terminer, Court of, 186 n., 199, 200 n., 201, 212, 229, 237, 241, 355, 387 n.; members, 355, 355 n.; close of, 373, 373 n. 460 INDEX Paine, R. D., Ships and Sailors of Old Salem, 188 n., 371 n. Paisley, Scotland, witch cases at, 300 n. Palmer, Calendar of Virginia State Papers, 439. Paltsits, Victor Hugo, Minutes of the Executive Council of New York, 43. Panton, Capt. Richard, 48, 48 n., 49, 50. Parker, Alice, convicted of witchcraft, 366, 367. Parker, Mary, convicted of witchcraft, 366. Parris, Elizabeth, 153 n., 155, 160 n.; affliction of, 160, 160 n., 344. Parris, Rev. Samuel, 184, 374; en- gaged in West Indian trade, at Bar- bados, 153 n. ; minister at Salem Village, 153, 153 n., 160 n., 161, 341; grant of land to, 341; invitation to ministers to pray for afflicted, 342; credulous of witchcraft, 397; fam- ily afflicted, 413, 414. Parsons, Hugh, 410 n. Parsons, John, member of grand jury,86. Parsons, Mary, 409 n., 410, 410 n. Paul the Apostle, 431. Peache, Bernard, accuses Susanna Mar- tin of witchcraft, 231, 232. Pearly, John, trouble with Elizabeth How, 240. Pebody, John, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Penn, William, charter for colony con- tains no reference to witchcraft, 82, 83; colony on the Delaware, 82, 83; attended Councils at Philadelphia, Pa., 85, 88. Pennsylvania, Governor Keith of, 83. Pennsylvania, Memoirs of the Historical Society of, 83 n.; Minutes of the Pro- vincial Council of, 84 n., 88 n. Perfect Discovery of Witches, A, by Thomas Ady, 222, 222 n. Perkins, John, 366 n. Perkins, Rev. William, 239 n.; rules for detection of witches, 205; Dis- course of the Damned Art of Witch- craft, 304 n. ; recommends torture in cases of witchcraft, 363 n. Perkins, Thomas, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Perley, Timothy, Elizabeth How af- flicts daughter of, 240. Perly, Thomas, Sr., juryman at Salem trials, 388. Philadelphia, Pa., Councils at, 85, 85 n., 88. Phillips, John, of Dorchester, 409 n. Phillyps, Thomas, member of grand jury, 85. Phips, Lady, accused of witchcraft, 201 n., 377 n. Phips, Sir William, governor of Massa- chusetts, 167, 209 n., 210 n., 280, 280 n., 339 n., 377, 377 n., 379 n., 382 n., 384, 384 n., 391; appoint- ment as high sheriff of New En- gland, 193; head of expeditions against Nova Scotia and Quebec, 193; knighthood of, 193; supports Increase Mather against other New England commissioners, 193; fitness for governorship, 193-194; biographical sketch, 193, 195; causes of changing attitude, 195 n.; correspondence, 196-202; stops printing of discourses, 197; stops proceedings against witches in New England, 197-198, 201, 201 n., 328 n.; shows that innocent are wrongly accused, 197, 199; ap- points a commission to try sus- pected witches, 199; releases persons charged with witchcraft, 200, 422; arrival with new charter, 348-349; orders irons put on those in prison, 349. Phips, Life of, by Cotton Mather, 188 n., 388 n., 389. Pierson, Rev. Abraham, minister at Branford, Connecticut, 139, 139 n. Piles, Robert, member of petty jury, 86. Piscataqua, home of George Walton on island in, 35 n.; boat of George Wal- ton on, 67, 68. Platonists, group at Cambridge, 5; Henry More leader of, 5. Pleas of the Crown, 374 n. Plot, Robert, Natural History of Ox- fordshire, 266, 266 n. ; secretary to Royal Society, 266 n. Pollock and Maitland, History of En- glish Law, 367 n. Poole, Matthew, 4; biographical sketch, 8 n., 9 n.; design for recording of illustrious Providences, 8; Synopsis Criticorum, 8, 9 n. INDEX 461 Poole, W. F., 188 n., 232 n., 242 n.; in New England Hist, and Geneal. Register, 31 n., 409 n.; Cotton Mather and Salem Witchcraft, 91, 91 n.; "Witchcraft at Boston," in Memo- rial History of Boston, 91 n., 256, 256 n., 292 n., 295 n., 307 n., 389, 408 n., 410 n. ; student of the witch- craft problem, 257, 258. Pope, Mrs., 154, 154 n., 155, 345; af- fliction of, 344. Portsmouth, N. H., Rev. Joshua Moodey, minister at, 31 n., 65 n. Post, Mary, suspected of witchcraft, 382, 382 n. Potts, Thomas, Discoverie of Witches, 163 n., 219 n. Powell, Caleb, seaman, indicted for witchcraft, 31 n. Prescot, Doctor, 242. President White Library, Cornell Uni- versity, 160 n. Pressy, John, testifies against Susanna Martin, 235. Probate Records of the Province of New Hampshire, 35 n., 61 n. Proclamation for day of prayer, 385, 386. Procter, Elizabeth, trial of, 360. Procter, John, trial and execution, 177, 177 n., 360, 361-364; committed with wife for witchcraft, 34, 347; prayers denied for, 361-362; letter requesting change of magistrates, 362-364. Providences, by j Cotton Mather, see Memorable Providences', by Increase Mather, see Essay for the Recording, etc. Providences, illustrious, design for re- cording, 8, 12-13, 18; at Ports- mouth, N. H., 34. Provincial Records, in New Hampshire Historical Society, Collections, 61 n., 62 n., 76 n. Pudeater, Ann, conviction for witch- craft, 366, 366 n., 367. Puritanism, 3, 4, 5, 6. Puritans, Perkins's book on witchcraft authority of the, 304. Pusey, Caleb, attended Council, Phil- adelphia, Pa., 88. Putnam, Ann, 250, 250 n., 345, 347, 350 n.; affliction of, 154, 154 n., 155, 158, 344. Putnam, John, 370 n. Putnam, Nathaniel, 347. Putnam, Thomas, 160, 250 n.; demons afflict wife of, 154 n., 155, 156-158, 159, 345; letter to Judge Samuel Sewall, 250; complaint of, 347. Quaestiones et Responsiones ad Ortho- doxos, by Justin Martyr, 302 n. Quakerism, Mary Wright punished for, 43 n.; Richard Smith punished for, 44 n. Quakerism, see Witchcraft and Quaker- ism. Quinby, John, witness in witchcraft case, 50. Rambo, Gunner, member of grand jury, 86. Randolph, Edward, 56, 72, 72 n., 76 n. Records of New Amsterdam, 19 n. Records of Salem Witchcraft, by W. E. Woodward, 31 n., 380 n. Records of the Court of Assistants, 31 n. Redd, or Reed, Wilmot, convicted of witchcraft, 366, 367, 367 n. Reformation, 4. "Reforming synod," Increase Mather author of the convening of, 3-4. Remarkable Providences illustrative of the Earlier Days of American Coloni- sation, by Increase Mather, 6-7; see also Essay for the Recording, etc. Remy, Nicolas, Damonolatreia, 424, 424 n. Rhode Island, 351 n., 352. Rice, Sarah, accused of witchcraft, 354. Richards, Ann, accuses Robert Guard of witchcraft, 88. Richards, Major John, 185 n.; accusea Robert Guard of witchcraft, 88; letter from Cotton Mather, 194 n.; member of Court of Oyer and Ter- miner, 185 n., 355; judge of Superior Court, 382, 383. Richason, John, justice of the peace, 438, 441, 442. Ring, Jervis, testifies against Susanna Martin, 235. Ring, Joseph, demons trouble, 235, 236. Rogers, Ann, husband and child vic- tims of witchcraft, 46, 47. Rogger, John, testifies against Martha Carrier, 243. 462 INDEX Roman church, 304 n. Rotterdam, 137. Roxbury, The Town of, 295 n. Royal Society, Thomas Brattle, mem- ber of, 167; Robert Plot, secretary to, 266 n. Rule, Margaret, 255, 258, 258 n., 287, 384 n.; account of the afflictions of, 296, 306 n., 307 n., 308-341; besieged by spectres, 311-313, 314-315; prayers for deliverance, 316-317; questions asked of, 325-327; testi- mony relative to case of, 337-338. Sadducism, A Blow at Modern, by Jo- seph Glanvill, 5. Saducismus Triumphatus, by Joseph Glanvill, 6, 6 n., 405 n. Safford, Joseph, deposition of, 238; wife testifies against Elizabeth How, 238. Salem, Mass., 141 n., 152, 152 n., 171, 172, 179, 187; Emerson, John, school- master of, 37 n. ; Maule, Thomas, merchant of, 69, 70 n.; witches' testi- mony, 81 n.; Winthrop, Wait, mem- ber of court at trials, 93, 93 n.; cases of witchcraft, 145-164, 174-176, 186 n., 196, 215-244, 341-383, 386- 387; Essex Institute at, 151 ; Sewall, Samuel, judge in trials at, 160 n.; Sewall, Stephen, clerk of the courts, 160, 160 n.; Gedney, Bartholomew, a justice at trials, 170, 170 n., 185; justices, 170, 171, 173, 174 n., 185; witchcraft the rock on which the- ocracy shattered, 197 n. ; meeting- house, 229; Higginson, Rev. John, minister at, 245, 248 n., 398; Mather, Cotton, preaches at, 323n.-324n.; ministers excommunicate Rebecca Nurse, 359, 359]n.; methods to extort confession, 363, 363 n.; jurymen, 386, 386 n., 387, 388. Salem Village, 152, 152 n.-153 n., 180; Lawson, Rev. Deodat, pastor at, 147; cases of witchcraft, 147-148, 152-164, 341-367, 372; Ingersol, Nathaniel, deacon of church in, 152, 153, 153 n. ; Parris, Rev. Samuel, minister at, 153, 153 n.; Griggs, Doctor, physician to, 154, 154 n., 155; Hawthorne, John, magistrate at, 155, 155 n. Salem Witchcraft, by C. W. Upham, 91, 91 n., 149 n., 151, 151 n., 153 n., 207, 215 n., 237 n., 295, 342"n., 347 n., 359, 360 n., 366 n. Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather, by C. W. Upham, 91, 91 n., 188 n., 194 n., 222 n., 379 n. Salem Witchcraft, Records of, by W. El- liot Woodward, 31 n., 151, 151 n., 155, 222 n., 229 n., 241 n., 343 n., 346 n., 349 n., 356 n., 357 n., 360 n., 363 n., 366 n., 367 n., 371 n., 380 n., 417 n., 419 n., 421 n. Salem Witchcraft, Remainder of the Ac- count of the, by Dr. Belknap, 376 n. Salisbury, Mass., witchcraft cases, 185 n., 230, 231, 366, 366 n. Salmon Falls, N. H., 259 n.; dwelling of Antonio Hortado near, 37. Saltonstall, Major N., condemns pro- ceedings against witchcraft, 184; member of Court of Oyer and Ter- miner, 185 n., 355, 355 n. Sargent, William, member of Court of Oyer andTerminer, 185 n., 186 n., 355. Satan, form of appearance, 20; Mary Hortado troubled by, 37, 38; appari- tions of, 138-140. Satan's Invisible World Discovered, George Sinclar, 6, 6 n. Saul, King of Israel, 431. Saunderling, James, accuses Margaret Mattson of witchcraft, 86. Sayer, Samuel, juryman at Salem trials, 388. Scot, Reginald, protests against witch- craft, 41. Scotland, Domestic Annals of, by Rob- ert Chambers, 300 n. Scotland, witchcraft in, 300, 300 n. Scott, Margaret, convicted of witch- craft, 366, 367. Scripture witchcrafts, 222 n. Scylla and Charybdis, 404 n. Seager, Goodwife, 20 n. Searle, Thomas, service as juror, 45. Seatalcott, see Brookhaven. Select Cases of Conscience touching Witches and Witchcrafts, by John Gaule, 216 n., 219, 219 n., 221. Seneca, 249, 249 n. Sergeant, Sarah, member of woman jury, 439. INDEX 463 Sergeant, William, see Sargent. Setauket, see Brookhaven. Sewall, Judge Samuel, 147, 185, 195 n., 241 n., 378, 397, 398; member of Court of Oyer and Terminer, 160 n., 185 n., 186 n., 355; Diary, 186 n., 200 n., 260 n., 352 n., 355 n., 361 n., 366 n., 385 n.; letter from Thomas Putnam, 250; reads sermon for John Alden, 355 n.; member of Superior Court, 382, 383; fears error in Salem trials, 386, 386 n., 387; requests prayers of congregation, 387 n. Sewall, Stephen, clerk of the court at Salem, 160, 160 n., 206. Sewel, William, translator of The Doctrine of Devils proved to be the Grand Apostacy of these Later Times, 82 n. Shattock, Thomas, accuses Bridget Bishop of witchcraft, 225, 226; child bewitched, 380 n. Sheafe, Jacob, 177 n. Sheldon, Susanna, testifies against Martha Carrier, 244. Sherwin, Goodwife, testifies against Elizabeth How, 239. Sherwood, Grace, 437 n.; The Virginia Case of, 433-442; accused of witch- craft, 436; wife of James Sherwood, 436; accuses Luke Hill of assault, 438 n.; complained of by Luke Hill, 438, 439 n., 440, 441; searched by jury of women, 439 n., 440, 441 ; pros- ecuted by Maximilian Boush, 440; committed for witchcraft, 442, 442 n. ; last will and testament, 442 n. Sherwood, James, 436. Shippen, Edward, attended Council, Philadelphia, Pa., 88. Ships and Sailors of Old Salem, by R. D. Paine, 188 n., 371 n. Short, Mercy, 255, 256, 257, 258, 258 n., 287 n., 316, 384 n.; captured by Indians, 259; case of, 259-287; affliction from witchcraft, 259, 260, 260 n., 261, 307 n., 310; visited by Cotton Mather, 260, 260 n.; demons persecute, 261-268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 275, 278, 279, 280, 282; demons cease to trouble, 277, 278, 285, 286; apparition of a good spirit to, 283, 284. Sibley, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Harvard University, 3 n., 168 n., 183 n., 215 n., 377 n., 398 n. Sibly, Mary, 342 n. Sims, Mr., present at Salem executions, 361 n. Sinclar, George, Satan's Invisible World Discovered, 6, 6 n. Smith, George, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, 84 n., 87 n., 88 n. Smith, J., publisher, 208. Smith, John Russell, Library of Old Authors, 7, 149 n., 207. Smith, Philip, deacon of the church at Hadley, 131-134; effect of witchcraft on, 132; Magnolia contains story of, 134 n. Smith, Rebecca, long fast of, 266. Smith, Richard, punished for Quaker- ism, 44 n. Smith, William, justice of the peace, 438, 441. Smith, William, History of New York ,43. Socrates, 303. Solomon, King of Israel, 431. Some Few Remarks, by Cotton Mather, 293 n., 294, 348 n. Some Miscellany Observations, 187 n. Southampton, adoption of law of Moses as codified by Rev. John Cotton, 42; death penalty for witchcraft, 42. Southampton, by Howell, 42 n., 44 n. Southampton, Town of, The First Book of Records of the, 42 n. Speedy Repentance Urged, by Cotton Mather, 93 n. Sprague, Martha, afflicted by witch- craft, 420, 420 n. Sprat, Major Henry, justice of the peace, 438. Stacy, William, testifies against Brid- get Bishop, 227, 228. Stephens, Lieutenant, 373. Stevens, 180, 180 n. Stickney, Matthew A., 291 n., 292 n. Stiles, John, grandson of William Merse, 31 n. Stone, Rev. Samuel, teacher of the Church in Hartford, 19, 19 n.; in- formation concerning Mary John- son, 135 n., 136. Stone-throwing Devil, see Lithobolia. 464 INDEX Stone throwing in house of George Walton, 62-68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. Stories of Salem Witchcraft, 153 n. Story, vThomas, attended Council, Phil- adelphia, Pa., 88. Stoughton, William, lieutenant-gov- ernor of Massachusetts, 183 n., 194, 194 n., 206, 210 n., 212 n., 353, 353 n., 378, 379 n.; chief justice in witch cases, 185 n., 194, 355, 382 n., 383; nominee of Mather's, 194 n. ; letter to Cotton Mather, 212, 213. Stratford, witchcraft in, 408, 408 n. Stuyvesant, Peter, governor of New Netherland, 18 n. ; intercession for Judith Varlet, 42; prescribes appeal to Governor and Council in cases re- lating to witchcraft, 42. Suffolk justices, 185. Superior Court, creation of, 200 n.; pro- ceedings of 200, 200 n.-201. Swan, Timothy, suffers by witchcraft, 423, 423 n. Sweden, witchcraft in, 316. Swedish colony on the Delaware, 83. Swedish Settlements on the Delaware, The, by Amandus Johnson, 83 n. Symcock, John, attended Council, 85, 86. Symonds, Capt. John, service as juror, 44, 44 n. Synopsis Criticorum, by Matthew Poole, 8, 9 n. Talcott, Capt. John, treasurer of Con- necticut colony, 50, 50 n. Taylor, Chris., attended Council, 4, 85. Taylor, J. M., The Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Connecticut, 18 n., 48 n., 385, 411. Telesmata, 302 n. Thacher, Margaret, widow of Rev. Thomas Thacher, 177 n., 178. Thacher, Rev. Peter, minister_at Mil- ton, 109 n. Thacher, Rev. Thomas, first minister of Old South Church, Boston, 177 n. Thomas, Isaiah, president American Antiquarian Society, 256 n. Thompson, minister at Braintree, 409, 409 n. Thornton, Thomas, testimony rela- tive to case of Margaret Rule, 337- 338. Thorrowgood, Lieut. [Col.] Adam, jus- tice of the peace, 438. Thunderstorms, effect at Duxbury, Mass., 14-15; work of Satan, 17 n.; see also Lightning. Tiler, Hannah, account of confession, 374-375. Tiler, Mary, account of confession, 374-375. Tituba, a slave, 151 n., 153 n., 351 n.; imprisonment, 159 n., 343, 343 n.; confesses witchcraft, 413, 414, 415; suffers from witchcraft, 415. Tocutt, Conn., confession of a boy at, 137-140, 141. Toothaker, Allin, accuses Martha Car- rier of witchcraft, 242, 243. Topsfield Historical Society, Historical Collections of, 151 n., 237 n., 357 n., 360 n., 366 n. Towne, Mrs., and Miss Clark, Topsfield in the Witchcraft Delusion, 237 n. Townsend, Roger, appears in behalf of Katharine Harrison, 50. Tractatus de Morbis, by Jan Baptista van Helmont, 319 n. Treatise of Justification, by Samuel Willard, 113. Trial of Witches, by Sir Matthew Hale, 416, 416 n. Trithemius, a German scholar, 391, 391 n. True Account of the Tryals, 207. True and Exact Relation, 425 n. Truth and Innocency Defended, 377 n. Tuttle, Julius H., The Libraries of the Mathers, 256 n. Tyler, Goodwife, accused of witchcraft, 376 n. Upham, C. W., 210 n.; Salem Witch- craft, 91, 91 n., 149 n., 151, 151 n., 153 n., 207, 215 n., 237 n., 342 n., 347 n., 359 n., 360, 366 n.; Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather, 91, 91 n., 188 n., 194 n., 222 n., 379 n. Upland Court, Record of, 83 n. Usher, Hezekiah, a merchant, 178, 178 n., 187 n. Uzza, 429. Vanculin, John, affidavit of, 86. Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Schuyler, 41. INDEX 465 Varlet, Judith, imprisoned for witch- craft, 18 n., 20 n.; marries Nicholas Bayard, 19 n.; intercession of Gov- ernor Stuyvesant for, 42. Varlet, Capt. Nicholas, 18 n. Vaughn's Journal, in New Hamp- shire Historical Society, Collections, 76 n. Virginia, Mary Watkins sold to, 384. Virginia Case of Grace Sherwood, The, 433-442. Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society, Collections, 436. Virginia, Historical Collections of, by Henry Howe, 436. Virginia, Institutional History of, in the Seventeenth Century, by Philip Alex- ander Bruce, 435, 435 n. Virginia State Papers, Calendar of, Palmer, 439. Vitzlipultzli, idol of Mexican Indians, 245. Wade, Robert, member of petty jury, 86. Wagstaffe, John, The Doctrine of Dev- ik, 6. Walcot, Jonathan, commander of mili- tia, 153, 153 n. Walcot, Mary, 153, 153 n., 154, 155, 158. Walford, Jane, trial for witchcraft, 61 n. Walford, Jeremiah, 76 n. ; widow, mar- ries John Amazeen, 62 n. Walford, Thomas, a blacksmith, 61 n.; settles in New Hampshire, 61 n. Walker, History of the First Church in Hartford, 19 n. Wallingford, Conn., 385, 385 n. Wattingford and Meriden, History of, Davis, 385 n. Walton, Abishag, 35 n. Walton, Alice, noted for piety, 35 n.; wife of George Walton, 35 n. Walton, George, strange disturbances hi house, 34-36, 62-68, 71, 73; resi- dence on island in Piscataqua, 35 n.; prosperous Quaker, 35 n., 55, 57, 61 ; demon troubles, 36, 37; information concerning, by Mather, 37; accuses Hannah Jones, 60 n., 61 n.; house described, 61 n.; stone throwing in house, 62-68, 70-74; boat on Pis- cataqua, 67, 68; witnesses to stone throwing in house, 69, 69 n., 70; stone throwing in field, 69, 72, 73, 74 n., 75; arrested for wood cutting, 76 n. Wandall, Thomas, service as juror, 44 n., 45. Waples, Ezable, member of woman jury, 439. Wardwell, Samuel, convicted of witch- craft, 366, 367; indictment extant, 380 n. Wardwell, Sarah, executed for witch- craft, 382, 382 n. "Water test" for witches, condemned, by Increase Mather, 21 n. Waters, Anthony, service as juror, 44, 44 n. Waters, Edward, complaint against a woman suspected for a witch, 48, 50. Watertown, Conn., Rev. John Bailey, minister at, 124 n. Watkins, Margaret, member of wo- man's jury, 439. Watkins, Mary, confesses witchcraft, 383, 384; sold to Virginia, 384. Webb, Henry, a merchant, 177 n. Webster, John, 6. Weekly Register, Niles's, 43. Wells, Me., Burroughs, Rev. George, minister at, 215 n.; witchcraft case, 215 n. Wendell, Barrett, Cotton Mather: the Puritan Priest, 91, 91 n. Wenham, Mass., witchcraft cases, 237- 240, 369, 369 n. West Chester, N. Y., case of Katha- rine Harrison, 48-52. Westchester, County of, History of the, by Robert Bolton, 42 n. West-Indian slaves, 342 n. Wethersfield, Conn., woman sentenced to be whipped at, 135 n. Wethersfield, History of Ancient, by Adams and Stiles, 48 n. Weyer, Johann, writes on cruelties of witchcraft, 41; opposes witch perse- cution, 424 n.; De Prestigiis Demo- num, 424, 424 n. Whelford, 249. White, John, a planter, 436. Whitehead, Benjamin, member of grand jury, 85. 466 INDEX Whiting, Rev. John, pastor at Hart- ford, 18 n. Whiting, John, Quaker, 377 n. Wierus, see Weyer. Wilcox, Barnaby, member of grand jury, 86. Wild, John, 347, 347 n. Wild, Sarah, accused of witchcraft, 347; trial and execution of, 357-358. Wilkins, John, testimony relative to case of, 337. WiXL and Doom, by Rev. Gershom Bulkeley, 411 n. Willard, John, 361 ; executed for witch- craft, 177, 177 n. Willard, Josiah, 50, 50 n. Willard, Rev. Samuel, 50 n., 186 n., 188 n., 360, 362, 362 n.; pastor at Groton, Conn., 22, 22 n.; pastor of Old South Church, Boston, Mass., 22 n., 97, 97 n., 118; Treatise of Jus- tification, 113; sermon of, 183 n.; condemns proceedings against witch- craft, 184. William and Mary College Quarterly, Ed- ward W. James in, 435 n., 436, 439 n. Williams, Abigail, 345, 347, 350 n.; strangely afflicted, 153, 153 n., 154, 155, 158, 342 n., 344; accuses witches of impiety, 160. Williams, Dan., testimony relative to case of, 337. Williamsburg, Va., 442 n. Wilson, Rev. John, first minister of Boston, 213, 213 n. Wilson, Sarah, account of confession, 374-375. Winsor, The Literature of Witchcraft, xviii. Winthrop, John, governor of Connect- icut, 12 n., 93 n., 185 n., 186 n.; let- ter to the men of Easthampton, 42 n. Winthrop, John, governor of Massa- chusetts, 93 n. Winthrop, Wait, Dedicatory Epistle from Cotton Mather, 93, 94, 95; member of Court of Oyer and Ter- miner, 93 n., 185 n., 186 n., 355; of Superior Court, 382, 382 n. Witchcraft, in Europe, xv-xvi; de- fended by Joseph Glanvill, 5; water test, 21 n.; Bekker and Episcopius disbelieve in, 41; Holland the refuge from persecution, 41; New Nether- land free from, 41; writers against, 41; Long Island the seat of, 42; New England's influence on other colonies, 42; New York not wholly free from, 42; Southampton's code relating to, 42; Stuyvesant, Governor, prescribes appeal to the Governor and Council, 42; Fox, George, power to detect, 81, 82; Penn's charter for colony contains no reference to, 82, 83; Mather, Cot- ton, address relating to, 95, 96, 97; sermon by Rev. Deodat Lawson on, 158, 158 n.; persons affected by, 141- 143, 161-164; Bradstreet, Simon, condemns proceedings against, 184; Byfield, N., condemns proceedings against, 184; Danforth, Thomas, condemns proceedings against, 184; Foxcroft, Francis, condemns pro- ceedings against, 184; Mather, In- crease, condemns proceedings against, 184; Saltonstall, Major N., con- demns proceedings against, 184; Wil- lard, Rev. Samuel, condemns pro- ceedings against, 184; fast for min- isters to be led in right way toward, 186 n.; Stoughton, William, chief jus- tice in cases of, 194; Phips, Sir Wil- liam, attitude toward, 196-202, 328 n., 422; Mohra, case at, 196 n.; protest against conviction upon bare testimony, 197 n.; plot predicted, 211; English trial, 215 n.; trials for, at Salem, 215-244; Poole, W. F., stu- dent of, 257, 258; Calef's description of New England's condition, 297-299; Scotland, cases in, 300, 300 n.; evils arising from doctrine of, 303-304; be- comes a principal ecclesiastical en- gine, 304; Swedish, 316; White Spirit, appearance of, 316, 317; diseases as- cribed to, 319 n.; tortures recom- mended by Perkins, 363 n.; results of trials for, 373-374, 374 n.; punish- ment for, 374, 374 n.; Epistle regard- ing/from Rev. John Higginson, 399, 402; France, nine hundred persons executed, 424, 424 n.; black, 425, 425 n.; malefick, 425, 425 n.; see also Salem Witchcraft. Witchcraft, Annals of, by S. G. Drake, 31 n., 52 n., 410 n. INDEX 467 Witchcraft and Quakerism, by Amelia Mott Gummere, 81 n. Witchcraft at Andover, by Sarah Loring Bailey, 420 n. Witchcraft at Boston, by W. F. Poole, 91 n. Witchcraft at Salem, Mass., A Brief and True Narrative of, by Deodat Lawson, 145-164, 341 n. Witchcraft Cast out from the Religious Seed and Israel of God, by Richard Farnworth, 81 n., 82. Witchcraft Delusion in Colonial Con- necticut, by J. M. Taylor, 18 n., 48 n., 385, 411 n. Witchcraft Delusion in New England, The, ed. by S. G. Drake, 151 n., 208, 343 n. Witchcraft, Delusion, Topsfield in the, by Mrs. Towne and Miss Clark, 237 n. Witchcraft, Discourse of the Damned Art of, by Rev. William Perkins, 304 n. Witchcraft, Guide to Grand-Jurymen . . . in cases of, by Rev. Richard Bernard, 304 n. Witchcraft, Historical Essay Concerning, by Dr. Hutchinson, 222 n. Witchcraft in England, Notestein, 216 n., 363 n. Witchcraft in Hartford, A Case of, by C. J. Hoadly, 18 n. Witchcraft in Massachusetts, Final Notes on, by G. H. Moore, 197 n., 202 n., 367 n., 373 n. Witchcraft in Massachusetts, Notes on the Bibliography of, by G. H. Moore, 91 n., 148 n., 197 n., 207 n., 215 n., 385 n. Witchcraft, in Salem Village, by W. S. Nevins, 153 n. Witchcraft in the United States, List of Books relating to, in New York Li- brary, 207 n. Witchcraft, Records of Salem, by W. El- liot Woodward, 151, 155 n., 180 n. Witchcraft, Stories of Salem, 153 n. Witchcraft Times, Groton in the, by Dr. S. A. Green, 360 n. Witchcrafts, Observations on our Pres- ent Debates respecting, 187 n. Witches, A Perfect Discovery of, by Thomas Ady, 222, 222 n. Witches, stories of, 138; rules for de- tection of, 205, 304 n.; trials of, 215- 244; invisibility of, 246-247, 248; effects following execution of, 248- 249; Hobbs, Deliverance, attends meeting of, 417, 417 n., 418; Foster, Ann, attends meeting of, 418; Lacy, Mary, attends meeting of, 418, 418 n., 419, 419 n. ; Hopkins, Matthew, hunts, 423, 423 n.; Alciati, Andrea, opposes persecution of, 424 n.; Weyer, Jo- hann, opposes persecution of, 424 n.; persecution in Essex of, 425, 425 n.; water test for, 441, 441 n. Witches, Trial of, by Sir Matthew Hale, 416, 416 n. Witches and Witchcrafts, Select Cases of Conscience touching, by Gaule, John, 216 n., 219, 219 n., 221. Wittenberg, case of young man at, 10 n. Wolcott, Mary, affliction of, 344. Wonders of the Invisible World, by Cot- ton Mather, 15 n., 149 n., 150 n., 196 n., 204, 205-208, 209-251, 255, 293, 295, 297, 297 n., 304, 330 n., 357, 370, 377, 377 n., 378, 378 n., 414, 416, 422, 423. Wood, George, witchcraft practised on, 45, 46. Wood, Martha, accuses Elizabeth How of witchcraft, 239. Woodbridge, Rev. Benjamin, minister at Bristol, R. I., 65, 65 n., 75. Woodhouse, Capt. Horatio, justice of the peace, 438. Woodward, W. Elliot, Records of Salem Witchcraft, 31 n., 151, 151 n., 155 n., 222 n., 229 n., 241 n., 357 n., 360 n., 363 n., 366 n., 367 n., 371 n.; His- torical Series, 208, 295. Worlds of Spirits, The Certainty of the, by Richard Baxter, 98, 98 n. Wright, Mary, punished for Quaker- ism, 43 n.; tried for witchcraft, 43, 43 n. Yattman, John, member of grand jury, 8ft York, Duke of, bestowal of Dutch ter- ritory on, 42. Yorkshire, name given to Long Island, 45 n. Zwinger, Theodor, 4. /> *> OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY . . . V This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. enewals 310/825-9188 Ob 2002 •JUL 2 4 199P REC'D QL JAN 1 6 2001 m ^ »/. SflCTD IK. M JUN 1 6 2002 DEC •-' L 005 113 837 8