The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3)Mather, Cotton
History
The Witchcraft Delusion in New England: Its Rise, Progress, and Termination (Vol. 3 of 3)
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England
Ann Putnam swore, that on the 20th of April, 1692, she saw the
_Apperishtion_ of Mr. Burroughs who tortured her in a terrible Manner;
told her he had had three Wives, and had bewitched two of them to
death; had killed Mistress Lawson because she was so unwilling to
go from the Village; had killed Mr. Lawson's Children because he
went to the Eastward with Sir Edmond [Andros] and preached so to the
Soldiers; had bewitched a great many Soldiers to death when Sir _Edmon_
was there, &c. At another time she swore that the two Wives of Mr.
Burroughs appeared to her in their Winding-sheets, and told her how
they were murdered. Also Mrs. Lawson and her Daughter Ann appeared
in the same Manner; also another Woman who told her she was Goodman
Fuller's first Wife, and that Mr. Burroughs killed her, because of a
Difference between her Husband and him.
Simon Willard, aged about 42 Years, was at the House of Mr. Robert
Lawrence, of Casco Bay, in Sept., 1689; saw Mr. Burroughs show where he
took hold of the Gun of about seven foot Barrel, which was behind the
Lock; and Mr. B. said he held it out with one Hand by so taking it, but
the Deponent did not see him do it. Willard commanded the Fort at Casco.
Thomas Greenslett, aged about 40 Years, said he was at Capt. Joshua
Scottow's at Black Point, about the breaking out of the late Indian
War, where he saw Mr. B. lift a Gun of six foot Barrel or there-about,
by putting the Forefinger of his right Hand into the Muzzle; holding
it out at Arm's Length. Lieut. Richard Hunnewell and John _Greinslett_
being present. The above are a few Specimens of the Evidence on which
Mr. Burroughs was condemned and executed.
[62] Several of those Girls before mentioned, swore to about the same
thing.
[63] The Girl who made oath to this was Mercy Lewis. It took place on
the 9th of May, 1692, as she said: "Mr. Burroughs carried me up to an
exceeding high Mountain and shewed me all the Kingdoms of the Earth,
and told me he would give them all to me if I would writ in his Book,
and if I would not, he would thro me down and break my Neck: but I
tould him they were none of his to give, and would not writ if he
throde me down on a hundred pichforks."--_Records S. W._ ii, 118.
[64] This is only Dr. Mather's Abridgment of the Record, it will be
remembered. "Sus. Sheldon testifyed that Burroughs two Wives appeared
in their Winding-sheets, and said that Man killed them. He was bid to
look upon Sus. Sheldon. He looked back and knockt down all (or most) of
the afflicted who stood behind him."--_Ibid._ ii, 109.
[65] By the Testimony extracted in Note 61, it will be seen that the
Doctor's Statement is rather beyond the Record. He may have, and
doubtless had more than is now extant.
[66] See Note 153, Page 163, Vol. I.
[Bridget Bishop's _Indictment_.]
_The Indictment of_ Bridget Bishop.
_Anno Regni Regis & Reginæ Willielmi & Mariæ, nunc Angliæ, &c. quarto._
[_Essex_ ss.]
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