Witchcraft and superstitious record in the south-western district of ScotlandWood, J. Maxwell (John Maxwell)
History
Witchcraft and superstitious record in the south-western district of Scotland
Wood, J. Maxwell (John Maxwell)
Folklore -- Scotland; Witchcraft -- Scotland
This relation is attested, as to what they particularly saw, heard, and
felt, by Andrew Ewart, minister of Kells; James Monteith, minister of
Borgue; John Murdo, minister of Crossmichael; Samuel Spalding, minister of
Parton; William Falconer, minister of Kelton; Charles Macklellan of
Colline, William Lennox of Millhouse, Andrew Tait in Torr, John Tait in
Torr, John Cairns in Hardhills, William Macminn, John Crosby, Thomas
Macminn, Andrew Paline, &c.
"The Laird o' Coul's Ghost: an Eighteenth Century Chapbook. An Account of
Mr Maxwell, Laird of Coul, his Appearance after Death to Mr Ogilvie, a
Minister of the present Establishment at Innerwick." (Abridged.)
Upon the third day of February, 1722, at seven o'clock at night, after I
had parted with Thurston [his name Cant], and was coming up the Burial
Road, one came riding up after me: upon hearing the noise of his horse's
feet, I took it to be Thurston, but upon looking back, and seeing the
horse of a greyish colour, I called "Who is there?" The answer was, "The
Laird of Coul [his name Maxwell], be not afraid." Then looking to him by
the help of the dark light which the moon afforded, I took him to be
Collector Castellow designing to put a trick upon me, and immediately I
struck at him with all my force with my cane, thinking I should leave upon
him a mark, to make him remember his presumption; but being sensible, I
aimed as well as ever I did in my life, yet my cane finding no resistance,
but flying out of my hand the distance of about 60 feet, and observing it
by its white head, I dismounted and took it up, and had some difficulty
in mounting again, what by the ramping of my horse and what by reason of a
certain kind of trembling throughout my whole joints, something likewise
of anger had its share in the confusion; for, as I thought, he laughed
when my staff flew away. Coming up with him again, who halted all the time
I sought my staff, I asked once more "Who he was?" He answered, "The Laird
of Coul." I enquired, "If he was the Laird of Coul, what brought him
hither?" and "What was his business with me?"
_Coul_--The reason of my waiting on you is that I know you are disposed to
do for me a thing which none of your brethren in Nithsdale will so much as
attempt, though it serve to ever so good purposes. I told him I would
never refuse to do a thing to serve a good purpose, if I thought I was
obliged to do it as my duty. He answered, since I had undertaken what he
found few in Nithsdale would, for he had tried some upon that subject, who
were more obliged to him than ever I was, or to any person living: I drew
my horse, and halted in surprise, asking what I had undertaken?
_Ogilvie_--Pray, Coul, who informed you that I talked at that rate?
_Coul_--You must know that we are acquainted with many things that the
living know nothing about. These things you did say, and much more to that
purpose; and all that I want is that you fulfil your promise and deliver
my commissions to my loving wife.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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