The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination, (Vol. 1 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
VI. _Samuel Gray_[156] testifi'd, That about fourteen Years ago, he
wak'd on a Night, and saw the Room where he lay full of Light; and that
he then saw plainly a Woman between the Cradle, and the Bed-side, which
look'd upon him. He rose, and it vanished; tho' he found the Doors all
fast. Looking out at the Entry-door, he saw the same Woman, in the
same Garb again; and said, _In God's Name, what do you come for?_ He
went to Bed, and had the same Woman again assaulting him. The Child
in the Cradle gave a great Screech, and the Woman disappeared. It was
long before the Child could be quieted; and tho' it were a very likely
thriving Child, yet from this time it pined away, and after divers
Months, died in a sad Conditon. He knew not _Bishop_, nor her Name; but
when he saw her after this, he knew by her Countenance, and Apparel,
and all Circumstances, that it was the Apparition of this _Bishop_,
which had thus troubled him.
VII. _John Bly_[157] and his Wife testifi'd, That he bought a Sow
of _Edward Bishop_, the Husband of the Prisoner; and was to pay the
Price agreed, unto another person. This Prisoner being angry that she
was thus hindred from fingring the Mony, quarrell'd with _Bly_. Soon
after which, the Sow was taken with strange Fits; Jumping, Leaping,
and Knocking her Head against the Fence; she seem'd Blind and Deaf,
and would neither Eat nor be Suck'd. Whereupon a Neighbour said, she
believed the Creature was _Over-looked;_ and sundry other Circumstances
concurred, which made the Deponents believe that _Bishop_ had bewitched
it.
VIII. _Richard Coman_[158] testifi'd, That eight Years ago, as he lay
awake in his Bed, with a Light burning in the Room, he was annoy'd
with the Apparition of this _Bishop_, and of two more that were
strangers to him, who came and oppressed him so, that he could neither
stir himself, nor wake any one else, and that he was the Night after,
molested again in the like manner; the said _Bishop_, taking him by
the Throat, and pulling him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered
for this Cause to lodge with him; and that Night, as they were awake,
discoursing together, this _Coman_ was once more visited by the Guests
which had formerly been so troublesom; his Kinsman being at the same
time strook speechless, and unable to move Hand or [68] Foot. He had
laid his Sword by him, which these unhappy Spectres did strive much to
wrest from him; only he held too fast for them. He then grew able to
call the People of his House; but altho' they heard him, yet they had
not power to speak or stir; until at last, one of the People crying
out, _What's the matter?_ The Spectres all vanished.
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