How The Wonders of the
Invisible World came to be written we have already seen.[99] Its author had “a
talent for sudden composures.” We have seen what a scrap-bag was his Memorable
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 confessing; next an abstract of the rules of
Perkins, Gaule, and Bernard 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 manifestation. 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. “Having 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 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 condemned.” He pleads not only Sewall’s
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 expediting 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, September 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 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.[100] A “second edition,” 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,[101] as no. V. of the Historical Series of W. Elliot Woodward
(Roxbury, 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 Wonders at all, but only the witchcraft pages of his
Magnalia.
[99]. See pp. 194-195.
[100]. 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.
[101]. 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.)
The Wonders of the
Invisible World. Observations As well Historical as Theological, upon the
Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the Devils. Accompany’d with
I. Some Accounts of the
Grievous Molestations, by Dœmons 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 Counsils,
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
prevent 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.[102]
Published by the
Special Command of His Excellency, the Governour of the Province of the
Massachusetts-Bay in New-England.[103]
[102]. Title-page of
original.
[103]. 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 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.
’Tis, as I remember,
the Learned Scribonius,[104] who Reports, 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 Buffetings 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
Frowardness, 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 unadvised 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 prodigious Things that are happening
among us: and because I 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 comfortably 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,[105] 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 Countrey, a Thousand Leagues off, where I
have, it may be, More, or however, more Considerable Friends, than in My
Own;[106] 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 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 Parters
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 Representations.
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,[107] 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 Thankfulness 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 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,
I Live by Neighbours
that force me to produce these Undeserved Lines. But now, as when Mr.
Wilson,[108] beholding a great Muster of Souldiers, had it by a Gentleman then
present said unto him, “Sir, I’l 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 presently 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.[109]
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. For my own part, I was not
Present at any of Them;[110] 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,[111] I 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.[112] 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 intend something
further in these Collections;[113] 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 Summer 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 endeavours of Our Honourable Rulers, to detect the
abominable Witchcrafts which have been committed in the Country; Humbly Praying
that the discovery of those mysterious and mischievous wickednesses, may be
perfected.”[114] 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- joyce that God is
Glorified; and pray that no wrong steps of ours may ever sully any of His
Glorious Works.[115]
[104] 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 recte
cognoscendis et puniendis Physiologia), and in English by Baxter, Worlds of
Spirits, p. 104.
[105] 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 prodigious 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.”
[106] It is of England,
of course, that he speaks.
[107] 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.
[108] Doubtless the
Rev. John Wilson (d. 1667), the first minister of Boston.
[109] There now follow
the miscellaneous matters described in the introduction, making up more than
half of his volume.
[110] 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 himself (see the
letter mentioned on p. 194, note 5) on the score of ill health.
[111] From the
governor; see above, p. 194, and p. 250.
[112] See introduction.
[113] Meaning,
doubtless, Hale and Noyes. See p. 206, above.
[114] 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.
[115] 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).
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.[117] But the Government
requiring 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 who had the promise of being a King
in Satans Kingdom, now going to be Erected: he was Accused by nine persons for
extraordinary Lifting, and such Feats of Strength, as could not be done without
a Diabolical Assistance. And for other such Things he was Accused, until about
Thirty Testimonies were brought in against him; nor were these judg’d the half
of what might have been considered for his Conviction: however they were enough
to fix the Character of a Witch upon him according to the Rules of Reasoning,
by the Judicious Gaule,[118] in that Case directed.
II. The Court being
sensible, that the Testimonies of the Parties Bewitched use to have a Room
among the Suspicions or Presumptions, brought in against one Indicted for
Witchcraft, there were now heard the Testimonies of several Persons, who were
most notoriously Bewitched, and every day Tortured by Invisible Hands, and
these now all charged the Spectres of G. B. to have a share in their Torments.
At the Examination of this G. B. the Bewitched People were grievously harassed
with Preternatural Mischiefs, which could not possibly be Dissembled; and they
still ascribed it unto the Endeavours of G. B. to kill them. And now upon his
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 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’d, That in their Torments, G. B. tempted them to go unto a
Sacrament, unto which they perceived him with a sound of Trumpet Summoning of
other Witches, who quickly after the Sound would come from all Quarters unto
the Rendezvouz. One of them falling into a kind of Trance, afterwards affirmed,
That G. B. had carried her into a very high Mountain, where he 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 Testimony born
against you? Which cast him into very great confusion.
III. It has been a
frequent thing for the Bewitched people to be entertained with Apparitions of
Ghosts of murdered people, at the same time that the Spectres of the witches
trouble them. These Ghosts do always affright the Beholders more than all the
other spectral Representations; and when they exhibit themselves, they cry out,
of being Murdered by the witchcrafts or other violences of the persons who are
then in spectre present. It is further considerable, that once or twice, these
Apparitions have been seen by others at the very same time that they have shewn
them selves to the Bewitched; and seldom have there been these Apparitions but
when something 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 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.[119] And it was noted, That these were the
vertuous wife and Daughter of one at whom this G. B. might have a prejudice for
his being serviceable at Salem-village, from whence himself had in Ill Terms
removed some years before: and that when they dy’d, which was long since, there
were some odd circumstances about them, which made some of the Attendents there
suspect something of witchcraft, tho’ none Imagined from what Quarter it should
come.
Well, G. B. being now
upon his Triall, one of the Bewitched persons was cast into Horror at the
Ghosts of B’s two deceased wives then appearing before him, and crying for
Vengeance against him. Hereupon several of the Bewitched persons were
successively called in, who all not knowing what the former had seen and said,
concurred in their Horror of the Apparition, which they affirmed that he had
before him. But he, tho’ much appalled, utterly deny’d that he discerned any
thing of it; nor was it any part of his Conviction.
IV. Judicious Writers
have assigned it a great place in the Conviction of witches, when persons are
Impeached by other Notorious witches, to be as Ill as themselves; especially,
if the persons have been much noted for neglecting the Worship of God. Now, as
there might have been Testimonies Enough of G. B’s Antipathy to Prayer and the
other Ordinances of God, tho’ by his profession singularly obliged there-unto;
so, there now came in against the prisoner the Testimonies of several persons,
who confessed their own having been Horrible Witches, and ever since their
confessions had been themselves terribly Tortured by the Devils and other
Witches, even like the other Sufferers; and therein undergone the pains of many
Deaths for their Confessions.
These now 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
Witches[120] were condemn’d, I don’t Remember that there was any considerable
further Evidence, than that of the Bewitched, and then that of some that
confessed. We see so much already against G. B. But this being indeed not
Enough, there were other things to render what had already been produced credible.
V. A famous Divine[121]
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;[122] yet he had often done things beyond the strength of a Giant. A
Gun of about seven foot barrel, and so heavy that strong men could not steadily
hold it out with both hands; there were several Testimonies, given in by
Persons of Credit and 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 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 Evidence likewise brought in, that he made nothing of
Taking up whole Barrels fill’d with Malasses or Cider, in very Disadvantagious
Postures, and Carrying of them through the Difficultest Places out of a Canoo
to the Shore.
Yea, there were Two
Testimonies that G. B. with only putting the Fore-Finger of his Right hand into
the 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 that many
such things have been Whispered among the Neighbourhood. There were also some
other Testimonies, relating to the Death of People, whereby the Consciences of
an Impartial Jury were convinced that G. B. had Bewitched the persons mentioned
in the Complaints. But I am forced to omit several passages, in this, as well
as in all the succeeding Trials, because the Scribes who took Notice of them,
have not Supplyed me.
VII. One Mr. Ruck,
Brother in Law to this G. B., Testify’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 to think, that he then step’d aside, only that
by the assistance of the Black Man, he might put on his Invisibility, and in
that Fascinating Mist, gratifie his own Jealous humour, to hear what they said
of him. Which trick of rendring themselves Invisible, our Witches do in their
confessions pretend that they sometimes are Masters of; and it is the more
credible, because there is Demonstration that they often render many other
things utterly Invisible.
VIII. Faltring, Faulty,
unconstant, and contrary Answers upon Judicial and deliberate examination, are
counted some unlucky symptoms of guilt, in all crimes, Especially in
Witchcrafts.[123] Now there never was a prisoner more Eminent for them, than G.
B. both at his Examination and on his Trial. His Tergiversations,
Contradictions, and 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,[124] which the Court presently[125] knew, as soon as they heard it. But he
said, he had taken none of it out of any Book; for which, his evasion
afterwards was, that a Gentleman gave him the discourse in a manuscript, from
whence he Transcribed it.
IX. The Jury brought
him in guilty: But when he came to Dy, he utterly deny’d the Fact, whereof he
had been thus convicted.[126]
[116] 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, executed 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).
[117] 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 all
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.”
[118] 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 his 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.
[119] The wife and the
daughter of Deodat Lawson; see p. 148.
[120] I. 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 Shadwell.
[121] John Gaule again:
this is the fifth of his “more certain” signs. (Select Cases, p. 82.)
[122] But see, on the
contrary, page 301.
[123] He is quoting
John Gaule -- the first of his “more certain” signs (Select Cases, pp. 80-81).
[124] 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, wrongfull
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.”
[125] “Presently” then
meant “at once.”
[126] 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 criticisms 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).
I. She was Indicted for
Bewitching of several persons in the Neighbourhood, the Indictment being drawn
up, according 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, and generally ascribed unto an horrible
Witchcraft. There was little Occasion to prove the Witchcraft, it being Evident
and Notorious to all Beholders. Now to fix the Witchcraft on the Prisoner at
the Bar, the first thing used, was the Testimony of the Bewitched; whereof
several 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 Testify’d the
Apparition of Ghosts unto the Spectre of Bishop, crying out, You Murdered us!
About the Truth whereof, there was in the matter of Fact but too much
Suspicion.
II. It was 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, as the shaking of her Head, or
the Turning of her Eyes, they presently and painfully fell into the like
postures. And many of the like Accidents now fell out, while she was at the
Bar. One at the same time testifying, That she said, She could not be Troubled
to see the Afflicted thus Tormented.
III. There was
Testimony likewise brought in, that a man striking once at the place, where a
Bewitched person said, the Shape of this Bishop stood, the Bewitched cried out,
that he had Tore her Coat, in the place then particularly 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 Confess’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. Looking 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 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 Apparition 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, Quarrell’d with
Bly. Soon after which, the Sow was taken with strange Fits, Jumping, Leaping,
and knocking her head against the Fence; she seem’d Blind and Deaf, and would
neither eat nor be suck’d. Whereupon a neighbour said, she believed the
Creature was Over-Looked; and sundry other circumstances concurred, which made
the Deponents 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 visited by the Guests which had formerly been so
troublesome; his kinsman being at the same time strook speechless and unable 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 frivolous and foolish errands, that they suspected she came indeed
with a purpose of mischief. Presently whereupon his eldest child, which was of
as promising Health and Sense as any child of its Age, began to droop
exceedingly; and the 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 hereupon taken with terrible fits, whereof his Friends thought
he would have dyed: indeed he did almost nothing but cry and Sleep for several
Months together; and at length his understanding was utterly taken away. Among
other Symptoms of an Inchantment upon him, one was, that there was a Board in
the Garden, whereon he would walk; and all the invitations in the world could
never fetch him off. About Seventeen or Eighteen years after, there came a
Stranger to Shattocks House, who seeing the Child, said, “This poor Child is
Bewitched; and you have a Neighbour living not far off, who is a Witch.” He
added, “Your Neighbour has had a falling out with your Wife; and she said in
her Heart, your Wife is a proud Woman, and she would bring down her Pride in
this Child.” He then Remembred, that Bishop had parted from his Wife in
muttering and menacing Terms, a little before the Child was taken Ill. The
abovesaid Stranger would needs carry the Bewitched Boy with him to Bishops
House, on pretence 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 controversy with Bishop about her fowles, going well to
Bed, he did awake in the Night by moonlight, and did see clearly the likeness
of this oman grievously oppressing him; in which miserable 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
Lords day, with the doors shutt about him, he saw a Black Pig approach him; at
which he going to kick, it vanished away. Immediately after, sitting down, he
saw a Black thing Jump in at the Window, and come and stand before him. The
Body was like that of a Monkey, the Feet like a Cocks, but the Face much like a
mans. He being so 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
Disenabled, and it vanished away. He presently went out at the Back-Door, and
spyed this Bishop, in her Orchard, going toward her House; but he had not power
to set one foot forward unto her. Whereupon returning into the House, he was
immediately accosted by the Monster he had seen before; which Goblin was now
going to Fly at him; whereat he cry’d out, “The whole Armour of God be between
me and you!” So it sprang back, and flew over the Apple Tree, shaking many
Apples off the Tree, in its flying over. At its Leap, it flung Dirt with its
Feet against the 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 demanded why? she Reply’d, “Because
Folks count me a Witch.” He answered, “No Question, but he will grind it for
you.” Being then gone about six Rods from her, with a small Load in his Cart,
suddenly the Off-wheel slump’t and sunk down into an Hole upon plain ground, so
that the Deponent was forced to get help for the Recovering of the wheel. But
stepping Back to look for the Hole which might give him this disaster, there
was none at all to be found. Some time after, he was waked in the Night; but it
seem’d as Light as Day, and he perfectly saw the shape of this Bishop 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 formerly Lived, they
did in Holes of the said old Wall find several Poppets,[128] 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
Jury of Women found a preternatural Teat upon her Body,[129] 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 immediately a Dæmon 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.
[127] As 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.
[128] 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.)
[129] See below, p.
436, and note 1.
I. Susanna Martin,
pleading Not Guilty to the Indictment of Witchcraft brought in against her, there
were produced the evidences of many persons very sensibly and grievously
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.
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 Prisoner; and see what there might occur, to render these
Accusations further credible. Whereupon, John Allen, of Salisbury, testify’d,
That he refusing, because of the weakness of his Oxen, to Cart some Staves, at
the request of this Martin, she was displeased at it; and said, “It had been as
good that he had; for his Oxen should never do him much more Service.”
Whereupon this Deponent said, “Dost thou threaten me, thou old Witch? I’l throw
thee into the Brook”: Which to avoid, she flew over the Bridge, and escaped.
But, as he was going home, one of his Oxen Tired, so that he was forced to
Unyoke him, that he might get him home. He then put his Oxen, with many more,
upon Salisbury Beach, where Cattle did use to get Flesh. In a few days, all the
Oxen upon the Beach were found by their Tracks, to have run unto the mouth of
Merrimack-River, and not returned; but the next day they were found come ashore
upon Plum-Island. They that sought them used all imaginable gentleness, but
they would still run away with a violence that seemed wholly Diabolical, till
they came near the mouth of Merrimack-River; when they ran right into the Sea,
swimming as far as they could be seen. One of them then swam back again, with a
swiftness amazing to the Beholders, who stood ready to receive him, and help up
his Tired Carcass: But the Beast ran furiously up into the Island, and from
thence, through the Marishes, up into Newbury Town, and so up into the Woods;
and there after a while found near Amesbury. So that, of Fourteen good Oxen,
there was only this saved: the rest were all cast up, some in one place, and
some in another, Drowned.
IV. John Atkinson
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 Chamber, 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 more drops of Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad.
There was likewise the print of her two Feet just without the Threshold; but no
more sign of any Footing further off.
At another time this
Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto an Husking of Corn, at her
House; and she said, If he did not come, it were better that he did! He went
not; but the Night following, Susanna 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,[131] 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 Handled!
VII. John Kembal
testifyed, that Susanna Martin, upon a Causeless Disgust, had threatned him,
about a certain Cow of his, That she should never do him any more Good: and it
came to pass accordingly. For soon after the Cow was found stark Dead on the
dry Ground, without any Distemper to be discerned upon her. Upon which he was
followed with a strange Death upon more of his Cattle, whereof he lost in One
Spring to the value of Thirty Pounds. But the said John Kembal had a further
Testimony to give in against the Prisoner which was truly admirable.
Being desirous to
furnish himself with a Dog, he applied himself to buy one of this Martin, who
had a Bitch with Whelps in her House. But she not letting him have his Choice,
he said, he would supply himself then at one Blezdels. Having mark’d a puppy
which he lik’d at Blezdels, he met George Martin, the Husband of the prisoner,
going by, who asked him, Whether he would not have one of his 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 Darkish Colour; and
it shot backwards and forwards between his Legs. He had the Courage to use all
possible Endeavours of Cutting it with his Ax; but he could not Hit it; the
Puppy gave a jump from him, and went, as to him it seem’d, into the Ground.
Going a little further, there appeared unto him a Black Puppy, somewhat bigger
than the first, but as Black as a Cole. Its motions were quicker than those of
his Ax; it Flew at his Belly, and away; then at his Throat; so, over his
Shoulder one way, and then over his Shoulder another way. His heart now began
to fail him, and he thought the Dog would have Tore his Throat out. But he
recovered himself, and called upon God in his Distress; and Naming the Name of
Jesus Christ, it Vanished away at once. The Deponent Spoke not one Word of
these Accidents, for fear of affrighting his wife. But the next Morning, Edmond
Eliot going into Martins 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 approch’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 in some
Evidence at the Court, against this Martin, quickly thereupon this Martin came
behind her, while she was milking her Cow, and said unto her, “For thy defaming
me at Court, I’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 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
Susanna Martin standing on his Left-hand, as the Light had done before; but
they changed no words with one another. He could scarce find his House in his
Return; but at length he got home, extreamly affrighted. The next day, it was
upon Enquiry understood, that Martin was in a miserable condition by pains and
hurts that were upon her.
It was further testify’d
by this Deponent, That after he had given in some Evidence against Susanna
Martin, many years ago, she gave him foul words about it; and said, He should
never prosper more; particularly, That he should never have more than two Cows;
that tho’ he 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.
XI. 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
perfectly Awake, plainly saw Susanna Martin approach him. She came to him, and
forceably Bit him by the Finger; so that the Print of the Bite is now so long
after to be seen upon him.
XII. But besides all of
these Evidences, there was a most wonderful Account of one Joseph Ring,
produced on this Occasion.
This man has been
strangely carried about by Dæmons, from one Witch-Meeting to another, for near
two years together; and for one Quarter of this Time, they have made him and
kept him Dumb, tho’ he is now again able to speak. There was one T. H.[132] 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 Demonstrations to the Neighbours, that he had
indeed been so transported. When he was brought unto these Hellish meetings,
one of the First things they still[133] did unto him, was to give him a knock
on the Back, whereupon he was ever as if Bound with Chains, uncapable of
Stirring out of the place, till they should Release him. He related, that there
often came to him a man, who presented him a Book, whereto he would have him
set his Hand; promising to him, that he should then have even what he would;
and presenting him with all the Delectable Things, persons, and places, that he
could 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, Scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world; and she
did now throughout 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!
[130] 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.
[131] In 1669. She was
then bound over to the Superior Court, but was discharged 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.)
[132] Thomas Hardy, of
Great Island, near Portsmouth. See Records, I. 216.
[133] Always.
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 Witchcrafts, 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 persons, 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 suspicion of
witchcraft, then urged against her. And there now came in Testimony, of
Preternatural Mischiefs, presently befalling some that had been Instrumental to
Debar her from the Communion, whereupon she was Intruding.
IV. There was a
particular Deposition of Joseph Safford, 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 unperswadeably, even like one Enchanted, began
to take this Womans part. How being soon after propounded, as desiring an
Admission to the Table of the Lord, some of the pious Brethren were unsatisfy’d
about her. The Elders appointed a Meeting to hear Matters objected against her;
and no Arguments in the world could hinder this Goodwife Safford from going to
the Lecture. She did indeed promise, with much ado, that she would not go to
the Church-Meeting, yet she could not refrain going thither also. How’s Affayrs
there were so Canvased, that she came off rather Guilty than Cleared;
nevertheless Goodwife Safford could not forbear taking her by the Hand, and
saying, “Tho’ you are Condemned before men, you are Justify’d before God.” She
was quickly taken in a very strange manner, Frantick, Raving, Raging and Crying
out, “Goody How must come into the Church; she is a precious Saint; and tho’
she be Condemned before Men, she is Justify’d before God.” So she continued 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 Sorry to see Safford at the Church-Meeting
mentioned. Safford after this declared herself to be afflicted by the Shape of
How; and from that Shape she endured many Miseries.
V. John How, Brother to
the Husband of the prisoner 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 haps have been Omitted,[135] 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 mischievous 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 Sherwin, 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 unaccountably 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 considered. 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 manner, as they could ascribe to nothing but Witchcraft. As
also, that How giving her some Apples, when she had eaten of them she was taken
with a very strange kind of 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 Husband of this How, the mare was within a Day or two taken in a
strange condition. The Beast seemed much Abused; being Bruised, as if she had
been Running over the Rocks, and marked where the Bridle went, as if burnt with
a Red hot Bridle. Moreover, one using a Pipe of Tobacco for the Cure of the
Beast, a blew Flame issued out of her, took hold of her Hair, and not only
Spread and Burnt on her, but it also flew upwards towards the Roof of the Barn,
and had like to have set the Barn on Fire. And the Mare 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 Torment her
Body, yet she could not Hurt her Soul: and, That the Truth of this matter would
appear, when she should be Dead and Gone.
X. Francis Lane testify’d,
That being hired by the Husband of this How to get him a parcel of Posts and
Rails, this Lane hired John Pearly to assist him. This Prisoner then told Lane,
that she believed the Posts and Rails would not do, because John 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.
XI. Afterwards there
came in the Confessions of several other (penitent) Witches, which affirmed
this How to be one of those, who with them had been baptized by the Devil in
the River at Newbery-Falls: before which, he made them there kneel down by the
Brink of the River and Worship him.
[134]. 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.
[135]. 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).
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 Grievously Tormented them, by Biting,
Pricking, Pinching, and Choaking of them. It was further deposed, that while
this Carrier was on her Examination, before the Magistrates, the Poor People
were so Tortured that every one expected their Death upon the very Spott; but
that upon the binding of Carrier they were eased. Moreover the Look of Carrier
then laid the Afflicted People for Dead; and her Touch, if her Eye at the same
Time were off them, raised them again. Which things were also now seen upon her
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 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 Journeyes, 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 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 Corruption ran out of it. For
six weeks it continued very bad; and then 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 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 accordingly came to Pass; for he had a Thriving and well-kept
Cow, which without any known cause quickly fell down and Dy’d.
VII. Phebe Chandler
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, 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
Recovered.
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 undoing of her and her Children, by Enticing
them into the Snare of the Devil.
X. Another Lacy, who
also Confessed her share in this Witchcraft, now Testify’d, That the Prisoner
was at the Witch-Meeting, in Salem Village, where they had Bread and Wine
Administred unto them.
XI. In the Time of this
Prisoner’s Trial, one Susanna 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 Curiosities, with which the Witchcraft now upon us has
entertained us. And I shall Report nothing but with Good Authority, and what I
would Invite all my Readers to examine, while tis yet Fresh and New, that if
there be found any mistake, it may be as willingly Retracted, as it was
unwillingly Committed.
[136] 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 innocent, Carrier and all.”
Important for her case are, beside the Records of Salem Witchcraft (II. 54-68,
198-199), the documents preserved by Hutchinson (Massachusetts, 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.
I. Tis very Remarkable
to see what an Impious and Impudent Imitation of Divine Things is Apishly
affected by the Devil, in several of those matters, whereof the Confessions of
our Witches and the Afflictions of our Sufferers have informed us.
That Reverend and
Excellent Person, Mr. John Higginson,[137] in My Conversation with him, Once
invited me to this Reflection; That the Indians which came from far to settle
about Mexico, were in their Progress to that Settlement, under a Conduct of the
Devil, very strangely Emulating what the Blessed God gave to Israel in the
Wilderness.
Acosta[138] is our
Author for it, that the Devil in their Idol Vitzlipultzli governed that mighty
Nation. He commanded them to leave their Country, promising to make them Lords
over all the Provinces possessed by Six other Nations of Indians, and give them
a Land abounding with all precious things. They went forth, carrying their Idol
with them, in a Coffer of Reeds, supported by Four of their Principal Priests;
with whom he still Discoursed, in secret, Revealing to them the Successes, and
Accidents of their way. He advised them, when to March, and where to Stay, and
without his Commandment they moved not. The first thing they did, wherever they
came, was to Erect a Tabernacle, for their False God; which they set always in
the midst of their Camp, and there placed the Ark upon an 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 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 Instruments with Invisibility? But a
Blasphemous Imitation of certain Things recorded about our Saviour, or His
Prophets, or the Saints in the Kingdom of God.
[137] Senior minister
at Salem Town. See also p. 248, note 2, and pp. 398, 399-402.
[138] It is the Spanish
Jesuit, Joseph Acosta, who in his Natural and Moral History 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.
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 World[139] unto some unlawful purposes, by means of a Confederacy
with Evil Spirits. Yet one would wonder how the Evil Spirits themselves can do
some things: especially at Invisibilizing of the Grossest Bodies. I can tell
the Name of an Ancient Author, who pretends to show the way, how a man may come
to walk about Invisible, and I can tell the Name of another Ancient Author, who
pretends to Explode that way. But I will not speak too plainly, Lest I should
unawares Poison some of my Readers, as the Pious Hemingius did one of his
Pupils, when he only by way of Diversion recited a Spell, which, they had said,
would cure Agues.[140] This much I will say; The notion of procuring
Invisibility, 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 Spindle: tho’ no body else in the Room, could see either the Spectre or
the Spindle. At last, in her miseries, giving a Snatch at the Spectre, she pull’d
the Spindle away; and it was no sooner got into her hand, but the other people
then present beheld, that it was indeed a Real, Proper, Iron Spindle, belonging
they knew to whom; which when they Lock’d up very safe, it was nevertheless by
Dæmons 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 happened; in the family of one Pitman, at
Manchester.
Thirdly, A young man,
delaying to procure Testimonials for his Parents, who being under confinement
on Suspicion of Witchcraft, required him to do that Service for them, was
quickly pursued with odd Inconveniences. But once above the Rest, an Officer
going to put his Brand on the Horns of some Cows, belonging to these people,
which tho’ he had 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
afterwards 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.[141]
[139] 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.
[140] It is the great
Danish theologian Nicholas Hemming (Niels Hemmingsen) who tells this story of
himself in his Admonitio de Superstitionibus Magicis vitandis (Copenhagen,
1575), fol. C2 verso.
[141] “And thou shalt
be to me a great Apollo” -- i. e., a great revealer of mysteries. For their
unriddling see p. 370, below.
III. If a Drop of Innocent
Blood should be shed, in the Prosecution of the Witchcrafts among us, how
unhappy are we! For which cause, I cannot express my self in better terms, than
those of a most Worthy Person, who lives near the present Center of these
things.[142] “The Mind of God in these matters, 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 they knew
not whose Evil Hands. As I am abundantly satisfy’d, That many of the
Self-Murders committed here, have been the effects of a Cruel and Bloody
Witchcraft, letting fly Dæmons upon the miserable Seneca’s;[143] thus, it has
been admirable 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 Buzzes[144] of Atheism and Blasphemy, as has made them even run Distracted
with Terrors: and some long Bow’d down under such a Spirit of Infirmity, have
been 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 pull’d her out,
and carried her unto the Sea-side, there to drown her; but she calling upon
God, they left her, tho’ not without Expressions of their Fury. From that very
Time, this poor Whetford was utterly spoilt, and grew a Tempted, Froward, Crazed
sort of a Woman; a vexation to her self, and all about her; and many ways
unreasonable. In this Distraction she lay, till those women were Apprehended,
by the Authority; then she began to mend; and upon their Execution, was
presently and perfectly Recovered, from the ten years madness that had been
upon her.
[142]. It has been
suggested that this means the Rev. John Higginson, the venerable 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.
[143]. The philosopher
Seneca, it will be remembered, was an advocate of suicide and ended his own
life thus.
[144]. Whisperings.
IV. ’Tis a thousand
pitties, that we should permit our Eyes to be so Blood-shot with passions, as
to loose the sight of many wonderful Things, wherein the Wisdom and Justice of
God, would be Glorify’d. Some of those Things, are the frequent Apparitions of
Ghosts, whereby many Old Murders among us, come to be considered. And, among
many Instances of this kind, I will single out one, which concerned a poor man,
lately Prest unto Death, because of his Refusing to Plead for his Life.[145] I
shall make an Extract of a Letter, which was written to my Honourable Friend,
Samuel Sewal, Esq.,[146] by Mr. Putman,[147] to this purpose;
The Last Night my
Daughter Ann was grievously Tormented by Witches, Threatning that she should be
Pressed to Death, before Giles Cory. But thro’ the Goodness of a Gracious God,
she had at last a little Respite. Whereupon there appeared unto her (she said)
a man in a Winding Sheet; who told her that Giles Cory had Murdered him, by
Pressing him to Death with his Feet; but that the Devil there appeared unto
him, and Covenanted with him, and promised him, He should not be Hanged. The
Apparition said, God 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;[148] who found the
man bruised to Death, and having clodders of Blood about his Heart. The Jury,
whereof several are yet alive, brought in the man Murdered; but as if some
Enchantment had hindred the Prosecution of the Matter, the Court Proceeded not
against Giles Cory, tho’ it cost him a great deal of Mony to get off.
Thus the Story.
The Reverend and Worthy
Author, having at the Direction of His Excellency the Governour, so far Obliged
the Publick, as to give some Account of the Sufferings brought upon the
Countrey by Witchcraft; and of the 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. 1692. William Stoughton Samuel Sewall. [145]. As to the case of Giles Corey
see below, pp. 366-367.
[146]. Judge Sewall, of
the court.
[147]. Thomas Putnam,
of Salem Village, whose wife and daughter played so large a part as accusers.
[148]. Of Salem
Village. A son of John Endicott, the first governor of the Bay colony, and
himself much honored as a physician.