The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3) — John Shaqi
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 2 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
A Mrs. Mary Calfe died at Concord, N. H., August 10, 1817, aged
ninety-eight Years. Her first Husband was Samuel Bradley, who was
killed by the Indians, August 11th, 1746. She afterwards married Robert
Calfe, Esq., of Chester, in the same State. This is on the Authority of
Mr. Bouton, in his _History of Concord_, who, in another Place, says
Calfe's Name was Richard. Whether Richard or Robert, he was probably a
Descendant of James, the only surviving Son of Robert, the "Merchant of
Boston." The maiden Name of Mrs. Calfe was Folsom.
When the Federal Constitution of New Hampshire was adopted (1788,)
John Calfe, Esq., was chosen Secretary of the Convention. He was also
Secretary in 1791, when the Constitution was revised. His Son Joseph
died at Hampstead, N. H., August 6, 1854, aged 79. A John Calef was
in the Old Mill Prison, England, 1789. Jeremiah Calef, a Native of
Exeter, N. H., died at Northfield, 23d February, 1856, aged 73 Years,
10 Months. James, an only Brother of Jeremiah, died at Sanbornton, 30th
March, 1856, aged 71.
Robert Calef was an eminent Ship-master between Boston and London
before the Revolution. His Arrival on one Occasion is thus noticed in
the _Gazette and News-Letter_ of April 5th, 1764: "In Captain Calef
came Passengers, the Captains, Edward Wendell, John Marshall, and
Doctor Marshall of this Town. Mrs. McTaggart, and her Son Gray of this
Town, died of the Smallpox in London." The Autographs of several of
the Name of Calef (always so spelt) are in the Writer's Possession
from 1755 to 1780. In 1755, Joseph was engaged in supplying Ships
with Water. In 1767, Joseph Calef, probably the same, was largely
in the leather Trade. He was a Tanner, and his Tan-yard was in the
Neighborhood of the Old Boston Theatre.
What Time the Family of Robert Calef came to this Country has not been
ascertained. It was probably in the latter Half of the seventeenth
Century, and our Author may have had his Education before his
Emigration. This View may be considered probable, from a Passage in his
Preface to the _More Wonders_, &c.
After the Above was written, it came to my Notice, that in a Volume
issued by the _Mass. Hist. Soc._, were some Extracts from the _Diary_
of Cotton Mather. Also the following, concerning Robert Calef, in a
Memorandum-book of Dr. Belknap: "Robert Calef, Author of _More Wonders
of the Invisible World_, was a Native of England; a young Man of
good Sense, and free from Superstition; a Merchant in Boston. He was
furnished with Materials for his Work by Mr. Brattle, of Cambridge; and
his Brother, of Boston; and other Gentlemen, who were opposed to the
_Salem_ Proceedings. E. P." [Ebenezer Pemberton?]
[Illustration]
MORE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD:
Or, The Wonders of the ==Invisible World,== Display'd in Five Parts.
Part I. An Account of the Sufferings of _Margaret Rule_, Written by
the Reverend Mr. C. M.
P. II. Several Letters to the Author, _&c._ And his Reply relating
to Witchcraft.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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