The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England WitchesMather, Cotton
History
The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately Executed in New-England, to which is added A Farther Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches
Mather, Cotton
Witchcraft -- New England -- Early works to 1800
V. _Bernard Peache_ testifi'd, That being in Bed, on the Lord's-day
Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then saw _Susanna
Martin_ come in, and jump down upon the Floor. She took hold of this
Deponent's Feet, and drawing his Body up into an Heap, she lay upon him
near Two Hours; in all which time he could neither speak nor stir. At
length, when he could begin to move, he laid hold on her Hand, and
pulling it up to his Mouth, he bit three of her Fingers, as he judged,
unto the Bone. Whereupon she went from the Chamber, down the Stairs, out
at the Door. This Deponent thereupon called unto the People of the
House, to advise them of what passed; and he himself did follow her.
The People saw her not; but there being a Bucket at the Left-hand of the
Door, there was a drop of Blood found upon it; and several more drops of
Blood upon the Snow newly fallen abroad: There was likewise the print of
her 2 Feet just without the Threshold; but no more sign of any Footing
further off.
At another time this Deponent was desired by the Prisoner, to come unto
an Husking of Corn, at her House; and she said, _If he did not come, it
were better that he did!_ He went not; but the Night following, _Susanna
Martin_, as he judged, and another came towards him. One of them said,
_Here he is!_ but he having a Quarter-staff, made a Blow at them. The
Roof of the Barn, broke his Blow; but following them to the Window, he
made another Blow at them, and struck them down; yet they got up, and
got out, and he saw no more of them.
About this time, there was a Rumour about the Town, that _Martin_ had a
Broken Head; but the Deponent could say nothing to that.
The said _Peache_ also testifi'd the Bewitching the Cattle to Death,
upon Martin's Discontents.
VI. _Robert Downer_ testified, That this Prisoner being some Years ago
prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, _He believed she
was a Witch._ Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, _That some She-Devil
would shortly fetch him away!_ Which words were heard by others, as well
as himself. The Night following, as he lay in his Bed, there came in at
the Window, the likeness of a _Cat_, which flew upon him, took fast hold
of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and almost killed him.
At length he remembred what _Susanna Martin_ had threatned the Day
before; and with much striving he cried out, _Avoid, thou She-Devil! In
the Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Avoid!_
Whereupon it left him, leap'd on the Floor, and flew out at the Window.
And there also came in several Testimonies, that before ever _Downer_
spoke a word of this Accident, _Susanna Martin_ and her Family had
related, _How this +Downer+ had been handled_!
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