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
Altho' _Kembal_ had
mentioned the Matter to no Creature living.
VIII. _William Brown_[169] testifi'd, That Heaven having blessed
him with a most Pious and Prudent Wife, this Wife of his, one day
met with _Susanna Martin:_ but when she approach'd just unto her,
_Martin_ vanished out of sight, and left her extreamly affrighted.
After which time, the said _Martin_ often appear'd unto her, giving her
no little trouble; and when she did come, she was visited with Birds,
that sorely peck'd and prick'd her; and sometimes, a Bunch, like a
Pullet's Egg, would rise in her Throat, ready to choak her, till she
cry'd out, _Witch, you shan't choak me!_ While this good Woman was in
this extremity, the Church appointed a Day of Prayer, on her behalf;
whereupon her Trouble ceas'd; and she saw not _Martin_ as formerly; and
the Church, instead of their Fast, gave Thanks for her Deliverance.
But a considerable while after, she being Summoned to give in some
Evidence at the Court, against this _Martin_, quickly thereupon this
_Martin_ came behind her, while she was milking her Cow, and said unto
her, _For thy defaming me at Court, I'll make thee the miserablest
Creature in the World_. Soon after which, she fell into a strange
kind of distemper, and became horribly frantick, and uncapable of any
reasonable Action; the Physicians de[75]claring, that her Distemper was
preternatural, and that some Devil had certainly bewitched her; and in
that condition she now remained.
IX. _Sarah Atkinson_[170] testify'd, That _Susanna Martin_ came from
_Amesbury_ to their House at _Newbury_, in an extraordinary Season,
when it was not fit for any to Travel. She came (as she said, unto
_Atkinson_) all that long way on Foot. She brag'd and shew'd how dry
she was; nor could it be perceived that so much as the Soles of her
Shoes were wet. _Atkinson_ was amazed at it; and professed, that she
should her self have been wet up to the knees, if she had then came
so far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorn'd to be Drabbled!_ It was
noted, that this Testimony upon her Trial, cast her in a very singular
Confusion.
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