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
9. _Sarah Atkinson_ testified, 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 bragg'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 herself have been wet up to the Knees, if she had then come so
far; but _Martin_ reply'd, _She scorned to be drabbled!_ It was noted
that this Testimony upon her Tryal, cast her into a very singular
confusion.[92]
10. _John Pressy_ testified, that being one Evening very unaccountably
bewildred near a Field of _Martin_, 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 Rood
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 recovered, 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 Rood, 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 af[131]frighted. 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 testified 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.[93]
11. _Jarvis Ring_ testified that about Seven Years ago he was
oftentimes 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 forcibly bit him by the
Finger; so that the print of the bite is now so long after to be seen
upon him.
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