An Exact Narrative of many Surprizing Matters of Fact
Uncontestably wrought by an Evil Spirit or Spirits, in the House of Master Jan Smagge, Farmer, in Canvy-Island, near Leigh in Essex, upon the 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th of September last, in the Day-time;
In the Presence of The Reverend Mr Lord, Curate to the said Island, Jan Smagge, Master of the House, and of several Neighbours, Servants and Strangers, who came at different times, as Mr Lord’s particular Care to discharge his Duty, and their Curiosity led them to this Place of Wonders.
Together with A Short Account of some of the Extraordinary Things credibly said to have formerly disturbed the House, both before and since Mr Smagge came into it: The utmost Caution being used not to exceed the Truth in the minutest Circumstance.
In a Letter from Malden in Essex, to a Gentleman in London.
London. Printed and Sold by John Morphew near Stationers-Hall. 1709.
Whereas I have been represented by some persons, as the author of the following narrative, I do hereby positively declare, that I was so far from being any ways concerned in it, that I was wholly ignorant of its being drawn up, till I saw it in print. However, I think my self obliged to own, for the sake of vindicating the truth, that I believe all reported, to be matter of fact, as being an eye-witness of the greatest part, and of several other material passages which the writer has omitted.
Nov. 29. 1709. Robert Lord, Curate of Canvy-Island.
Sir, Though you may be a little surprised at the subject of this letter; yet waving all other business, I am resolved to entertain you at present with a relation of certain injurious pranks played by some restless goblin, or spirits, or else by their grand chieftain the prince of the power of the air, the best attested, and most amazing of the kind our age has produced. And it concerns not the matter in hand that passage be conformable to what we account method; or by a due dependence or chain of things one upon another, point out some plain end or meaning, as is natural and obvious in our prosecuting business: but rather what you are mainly to regard, is, that your authority be clear and sufficient; That the matters of fact said to be performed by these infernal guests are really done by them, and not counterfeit or imposture; or as to ends and meanings, their exploits are generally riddles: Sometimes they seem to want power to reveal somewhat – at another time they seem to have power, and nothing to reveal – Again, sometimes they appear stinted as to time, and so can’t utter themselves –
Recollect the case of the spirit’s appearing to Mr K’s daughters at M.E.
Otherwhile they shall stay a long time, and show no will of having any thing to utter. So that they are no more to be understood in what they would have, than we can tell what it is that comes, what we see and hear, which we are wholly unable to do; though that we do see and hear, and that somewhat comes, we have all the conviction our senses are capable of administering to us.
Vide Devil of Mascon, translated at the request of Mr Boyle, and facts of this kind, related by Bishop Fowler, Dr Moor, Mr Glanvil, and Mr Baxter.
Not but that I am persuaded there have been instances, and am duly aware of the ill manners it would be to insinuate the contrary; where spirits or apparitions have spoken and acted as if on principles on the correctest thought and reason; and consonant thereto, have disclosed to those unto whom they have appeared absolute secrets, and truths unknown before.
Neither am I obliged to meddle with that knotty argument, what restraints departed souls are necessarily subject to, or liberties they may possibly be allowed, by the economy of the spiritual world: Whether in the nature of the thing they can any more return hither, than we can make a visit into their mysterious regions; or how consistent it is with orthodox religion, they should have power so to do, and by putting on humane garb and figure, or any other way disturb our world, having once taken their leave o fmatter: But leaving the solution of these difficulties to the intelligent, it is enough to suppose that we have demonstration that a spirit or departed soul does some way, and may be innumerable ways and means, adapt to their immaterial capacities, altogether beyond our ken and conceptions, effect such things as are commonly, and in a more eminent manner in the following relation, attributed to them.
Besides, it is probable that the devil, who by his implacable enmity to man is ever compassing the earth to work his ruin, when he cannot succeed in his main enterprises, his temptings of the righteous and upright to forego their integrity, then takes up with smaller games, and being unable to do us the mischief he would, affrights and hurts us all he can, and to that end acts a more immediate part himself, in many of these scaring apparitions and freaks, then we are aware of.
Methinks the following account in many of its circumstances, bespeaks Satan to be at this sort of exercise, and that though God was pleased to permit him, or his agents, in such an unpresidented manner, unless in the case of Job, to damage the house, yet it was with such limitations as that it could not hurt any of the people present: As for instance, the tile and stone thrown into the house hot, came so miraculously slow, and the other stones in such manner, as plainly argued his power to be restrained: And then for the glass, when Mr Lord sat under it writing, and at other times, with a great deal of company, stood right before it, and a seeming violent dash to break the windows; the Glass, as is natural upon such a blow given, we find did not fly out, but drop leisurely and perpendicularly down, not unlike icicles falling from the eaves of a house, on a thaw:
Although it ought to be here noted, that notwithstanding these gracious interpositions of our heavenly preserver, yet what was permitted was very terrible to every spectator: And I am assured, amongst the rest, to some who would not have believed a word of the story, had they not been there themselves. It is therefore very disingenuous, as well as foolish for any to ridicule and laugh at things of this nature, because all are not witnesses to them: It is time enough – such haply sometime may; and it is more manly to show the parts and courage then in demeaning themselves better than others, than to gibe now.
Though Dr Brown gives them a course sort of reason, why they are not to expect it. v. Religio Medici, Part 1, Sect. 30.
In the interim, let them constantly bear in Mind, the case of the poor maid, what dismal convulsions she for a long time struggled under; and how she may still be a sufferer, by impressions abiding on her mind, even as long as she lives. But to proceed to the narrative, every circumstance of which, I might tell you, has been as curiously collected and examined, by Mr D. and my self, as by you or any others they could have been; and that from several hands, at separate times, all agreeing in the thing:
But I rather choose to say only, We are satisfied, referring you, and our Middlesex friends, to the merits of the account; engaging, that all the reputable persons therein named, will respectively be ever ready to attest the truth of it, even to the conviction (provided demonstration can gain upon him) of the most fanciful incredulous person: Here being particularised without reserve, (I mean as to the principal part hereof) Time, Place, Names, and all he can ask; which commonly, in relations of this nature are partly concealed, because such families would otherwise be obnoxious to great inconveniences, by reason of the crowds that would be continually resorting to them, but in being particular at present, I am satisfied I do Mr Smagge and his neighbours no injury: Canvy-Island being a very retired place, and most that from the adjacent parts might be inclined to go, having been there already; or, are by other means amply satisfied.
‘Twas this reason you know, caused Mr N in E S to take such effectual care to conceal the wonderful apparition of a deceased person in his house.
First then for your more clear and familiar understanding of the whole, I shall briefly cast an eye back, to the supposed beginning of these disturbances, and then go on as orderly as my materials will admit.
This now dwelling-house of Jan Smagge, standing in Canvy-Island in the County of Essex, is said to have been built, and for a great while inhabited by a certain person deceased; who, with his wife, were looked upon in their lifetime, jointly to have scraped together in the said house, by fraudulent and oppressive means, a considerable lump of pelf. Having for a long time carried on this grovelling employ, the wife, being in a declining condition, went to London to be advised for her health; but sickness increasing, and she conceiving she should die, desired the man, with whom she lodged, that happened to be the same person that now lives in the said disturbed house, to acquaint her husband, she would be buried in a place called Benfleet, near Canvy-Island, where her deceased children lay: To which he answered, It was all one where the body was disposed, so the soul was happy.
This discourse passed about six o’clock in the evening, in the summer time. Immediately on which, Jan Smagge affirms, he received a hard stroke, or stroking on the arm, from the wrist, upwards to the shoulder; and then felt the chair, that he sat in, to shake in an extraordinary manner. He looked under the chair, and about him, to see what caused the motion, but discerned nothing. His wife and the sick person were in the room, but both distant from him. One might excusably conceit, from what has since occurred, that this stroke and shaking, were an earnest, or presage his guest designed him more of the same sort of greetings after her departure.
In two or three days the said person died, and her husband was sent for and acquainted with her mind; but he, probably to save charges, buried her in town. The funeral being over, he returned to his habitation in Canvy-Island, and in few years made his exit also, which the old inhabitants compute to be upwards of 30 years since. Presently upon his death, unaccountable noises were frequently heard in the house, to the great trouble of those that succeeded him in it. Such as forcibly opening and shutting the doors at noon-day, no one being near them, or the least wind or breeze of air stirring to do it: Nay, whilst the people have had the doors in their hands, they have been violently snatched from them, and shut to and fro, with exceeding quickness, for many times together.
Jan Smagge himself once saw the parlour door thus shut to and fro in his predecessor’s time; and asking about it, was answered by the woman of the house, that it was common with them. A great table, or form in the hall, has been removed out of its place, and no body to meddle with it. Sometimes a noise has been as though horses came and rubbed against the outside of the house; and this in a particular manner once occurred, when some strangers were there carousing themselves with smoke and liquids, who instantly all ran out of the doors, but saw nothing; however, broke up upon it.
At last the noises of this kind were such that some neighbours, yet living, affirm, particularly John Tony, Farmer, a man of honest character, and that would not report a lie, they have heard a din and clattering, as though a thousand horses with chains were hurrying about the grounds at once; the servants and people that then dwelt in the house, hearing the same. These molestations continually increasing, the inhabitants generally say, means were certainly used, as the vulgar term is, to lay the spirit by a charm, or like device; some saying they knew the man by whom it was done; remember the time, and have seen the book with which he did it. And further tell, that most horrible noises and distractions filled the house whilst the work was about. The spirit in different hideous shapes appearing, and was so fierce and boistrous, out of all rule, that he had like to have carried off the conjurer; but who at last, with much ado, is said to have fixed it for 21 years.
But mark, I insert not this passage, as attested with that power and evidence, as will be anon produced in other matters: However, whether the spirit, when so reported, was laid, or not laid (which congruous to what is before hinted of their appearing, may, for what we know, and all that’s probable to the contrary through the wiles of Satan, by such indirect measures, be seemingly done. He may have power, and his ends in it too, by these kind of ceremonies to amuse us, and draw deluded souls into farther temptation, that poor Man can’t fathom or account for). Or whether the house be invested with more than one, noises have still from time to time been since heard; though all say not with that terror and loudness as before.
To wit, since that a woman has been heard to come upstairs, and at the top to vanish. The latches of doors to be lifted up. A great light seen in the hall, in the night by the Master, when none have been up, and neither candle nor fire in the house. A servant-man of probity, and a conscientious principle, who would not report a lie, and not subject to fancy, or a pusillanimous fear, and has lived a great many years in the house, does aver he has diverse times heard, seemingly, the chinking of money at his bedside; and one time a woman, as he supposed, by the rustling of her petticoats, to walk about his bed the whole night, till towards day-break, and then in appearance to go away, clapping the door with a great force after her.
The appearance of the aforesaid deceased person, as having on a grey coat, such as he used to wear in his lifetime, has been twice seen standing at an old barn in the fields, that formerly was his. One of the times the man who saw him went into the barn, thinking it had really been somebody, but saw nothing, and the barn empty. Good-wife Reynolds, a neighbour, about four in the morning, in the summer time, saw a tall man walk along at the side of the house to one of the fore doors, and then seemed to her to go in, the door all the while continuing to close shut. A face in daytime was seen by a person who sat in the kitchen, to reach out itself, and look in at a back door.
The aforesaid servant-man, in May or June last, on a Sunday morning, heard a great whistle, in the manner of a call, about the house, but no one to be seen. About 3 or 4 days after that, towards evening, being yet light, he again, with the maid and another person there, heard, as under the hall window, where at that instant he and one of them were standing on the inside, the same kind of whistle as before; but as he said, more loud, long and shrill; on which they immediately ran out and searched strictly, but saw nothing.
After this he heard the latch of the back door twice distinctly drawn up, and fall down loud and hard. A neighbour passing by in the evening saw a woman standing by a gate that goes to the barn. About two months since, near dusk, but light enough to distinguish objects, Mary Moss, the maid (a young person in her 17th year) going out of the back door into the yard, saw a man leaning upon an old cartwheel standing there; at which she returned in, telling what she had seen. The boy, a youth in his 18th year, at the same interim, being on the other side of the house, saw a man leaning on the garden-pales, at which, being a fearless kind of spark, he cried out, Who have we here? At his speaking which words, the apparition rose up, and walked away towards the corner of the house, where he lost sight of it. The boy then came in, and went upstairs to tell the man what he had seen; whilst he was doing it, the maid said she saw a face peep in at the hall window. The man was then called down, and immediately with the Master and youth, went all round the house, but could find nothing.
A fortnight after this, the maid going out again in the evening (scarcely yet dusk) of the back door, to the rain cistern, to rinse her milk pails, saw a woman leaning upon the gutter that carries the water into the cistern; as soon as the maid had fixed her eyes upon it, she discerned it to move towards her; at which, greatly affrighted, she threw down the pails and ran skreeking and trembling indoors, the appearance of the woman coming after her, and brushing hard against her just as she entered the house. All within were greatly surprised at this, and Mr Smagge that moment ran out again, searched as before, but saw nothing.
At the beginning of this month, an aquaintance of Mr Smagge, that lives at Benfleet, came in to rest himself till the tide was gone out; and about 2 in the afternoon, he heard a great whistling, in the manner aforesaid, for three or four times; on which supposing somebody to call, he went out, but whilst he was gone, the maid hearing the whistling too, thinking it had been some one to speak with her master, came downstairs, but he returning, said he could see nobody. On which, one present answered, This is… (i.e. the aforesaid deceased person). He used to be a mighty whistler to his sheep. The man replied, Whoever it is, he has made a fool of me, and has a good strong breath of his own.
After this, nothing occurred till Saturday the 10th Instant; the first of five days wherein the notable things following were transacted, and which principally occasioned my writing you this letter.
About 4 this afternoon, as the maid was scrubbing cheeses at the north side of the kitchen with her face towards the south door, she observed the two cats that were sitting on the cell of the door, on a sudden to run as if scared, unto the barn, a good stone’s cast from the house. Instantly upon which she saw the shadow as of a man coming to the door, which she thought might be someone coming from the harvest field, but immediately a chicken almost full grown, was by an invisible hand thrown with great force into the kitchen within a yard and half of where she stood. The maid then scared too, cried out to one that was in a farther room called the parlour, the hall and a short passage lying betwixt that and the kitchen: Oh! Come hither, there is some body killing the chicken. The person presently came, and seeing the wing to stir, stooped to take it up, hoping to recover it, but perceiving it just dead, they both presently ran out, and searched all round the house and barn etc. but could see nobody.
And here it is necessary, as well in relation to what follows, as to what is already said, to tell you that this house by its standing alone and on plain and open ground, without lane or hedge about it, is so situate, and the prospect on all sides free, that it is impossible any clothed with material bodies, could be able to conceal themselves in staying; or considering the continual quick pursuits were made after a disturbance given, to carry themselves off, without discovery.
The harvest people too, this time were at work just before the house the same side the chicken was thrown inof, and it is more than probable would have spied who had done it, had they been visible: But the strangest part of this feat is yet to tell you: When Mr Smagge and others of the family were come home, the chicken in the presence of them all was curiously examined, as to the way it might come by its death: and the mouth being first opened there were found crammed into the entrance of the throat 76 barley-corns; then feeling the neck as it were broke, the feathers being first plucked, they slit the skin of the neck up to see that, and instead of broken, found it nicely cut asunder both flesh and bone as with a keen knife, without the least roughness, but as absolutely smooth and even as a radish can be cut, and the two ends when put together to join as completely as two parts of a radish can do, which as the head was on, and not the least scratch or impression on the out side of the neck, and the whole body entire, exceeds without farther proof, all the moral causes and operations in the world.
Tuesday, Sept. 13th. In the afternoon an odd jarring was twice distinctly heard at one of the fore doors, called the passage-door, by a person that sat night in the parlour adjoining to the passage, and who the last time, which was considerably louder than the other, rose up and out of curiosity, though there was no wind stirring, went to make a judgement whether the like noise could be made by the wind, and trying found art as well as strength requisite to do it.
About 4 or 5 of the clock, an extraordinary bounce, as with a foot, was given to the same door, at which the maid came hastily out of the kitchen, believing some stranger there; but the the person sitting in the window, immediately as the bounce came, and that nobody was there; which on her opening the door, finding to be so, she returned into the kitchen. The other person remaining in the parlour, in a little time heard a second bounce, as of a stone thrown against the boards, under the window where she sat; at which, calling the maid, they went out, but saw nothing. The person that had all this time been in the parlour alone, beginning now to apprehend these to be some of the old usual disturbances, stepped into the parlour again, with a design to put by what she was about, and come away; but was hardly there before she heard the glass break in the hall, which room lies between the parlour and the kitchen, and the maid skreeking, she then went back, and they found three panes broken in the middle window. Then, not having dispatched in the parlour, she returned again thither, but presently she heard more glass break in the hall, and the maid scream as before; they then found two panes more broken.
At this, the aforesaid person went into the harvest field to acquaint the Master and work-folks what had passed at home: at her return she met the maid and a neighbour’s child with her, sitting half way by a gate; on which she said to the maid, What do you here? Here! replies she, there’s no staying at home, for as soon as you was gone, being afraid, I went out, and sat with the child upon the threshold of the door, and immediately all the windows in the hall were broken with a terrible clatter (the threshold where they sat being just on the side, and in sight of the window) and on my crying out, What’s that? the child here answered Why? ’tis the devil breaking the windows. This child was but three years and half old, which reminds me of the proverb, children and fools, etc.
When they came back to the house, the broken glass was increased to 19 panes and a piece, and the casement, that before was shut, open. When Mr Smagge came home, pretty much surprised at what he saw, was advised to send for the minister, whose house was a short half mile from this; he presently came, and telling the broken panes, made this observation, that the lead, except that of two or three panes, was all bowed outward, which, supposing the blow (was it done by a blow) given on the same side, seems impossible.
Wednesday, Sept 14. About 7 or 8 o’clock in the morning a great stone was thrown in at the fore door, and going through a part of a short passage the said door opens into, and that is betwixt the hall and parlour, came three or four yards into the hall. The door being open when the stone came in was shut upon it. Presently after this, Mr Lord, which is the name of the minister, came in, and one there showed him the stone; and then walking some time in the hall together, questionless not wanting a subject to discourse upon, a great knock was given upon the table close by them, and immediately following it, a noise of breaking of glass in the parlour. Mr Lord, and that other person, instantly ran into the parlour and found three panes broke, and a large piece of pantile sticking in the window; after they had viewed it with wonder on the inside, they went to see it without.
Mr Lord observing the place where the tile stuck to be above the reach of any ordinary man, and the tile to hang in such a strange geometric manner betwixt the broken lead and glass, that one can scarcely think a less artist than he that cut the chicken’s neck could so place it.
This was the first time Mr Lord heard any thing except the knock just before on the hall table, and who on his entering the parlour adjured it, in the name of God, to tell what it was, but nothing was answered. Mr Lord’s business after this called him away till evening, and the maid and one more are left again in the house. It was not long before they heard a great rattling on the pantiles of the beer room; the maid heard it twice and the other person three times, which caused one of them to look therein, and then the maid went out, the other person abiding within; and it was heard by both to clatter atop of the tiles that were directly over the head of the one, and in full sight of the other. The roof of this beer room adjoining to the kitchen, the roof of the milkhouse adjoining to the hall, and that of the little parlour to the other parlour, running down shed-wise on the north side from the house; but nothing was seen.
After this, Master Smagge came in, and as he was walking with another in the hall, heard glass break; he immediately ran and found it was the kitchen window. Soon after he went out agin, and the maid and one other remained in the house. As they were standing in the kitchen, looking towards the back door, the door open, and the coast clear; they saw a piece of tile come in of the said door, about two foot from the ground, but very leisurely; and yet so straight, as though it had moved on a line; and then, in a languid manner, after its creeping thus five or six yards in their sight, touching against the gown of one of them (who but the arch-juggler could so throw it?) fell down near her feet. The other, who was the maid, ran to catch it up, but let it fall, crying, It burnt her; and a little blister, in touching it, was raised on her fore-finger. The other person then put the tile into her apron, and carried it over a long field to show it to the master and work-folks, who all felt it yet warm.
The windows of the beer-room were broke again after this; and it now drawing towards noon, all was quiet till five or six o’clock in the evening. The maid was then milking just before the house, some others being with her, and the window of the parlour that faced, and was within three or four yards of them, was on the sudden in an extraordinary manner broken. Nobody was then in the house, and none but the invisibles could do it from without, and not be seen.
After this, as the Good man was standing talking with Goodwife Grinaway, — Reynolds, and others, part without and part within the kitchen fore-door, two or three violent knocks were given upon the wall betwixt and close by them. Night coming on, Mr Lord returned to set up with Mr Smagge, and after the reading some Chapters and Psalms, they heard a plain jinging of glass, on which Mr Lord left off reading, and went to Prayers, and nothing more was heard that night.
Thursday, Sept. 15. Mr Lord, considering what had hitherto passed, thought it fit to attend all this day in the house, and fetched his notes, went and sat in the hall to study. In some time he and another that was in the hall heard breaking of glass in the parlour, on which they both quickly ran in, Mr Lord adjuring it as before, but nothing was seen or any answer made. The window was this time broke in a different place, and the large tile that Mr Lord left sticking in it the day before, probably to such as came, and that did that execution, and that even now they saw there, was removed from where it was and artificially set under the table. He then went and sat down again to his study, but in a little while the window of the hall, against his back as he sat, were with a more forcible dash and clatter than ever, broken; though the other person that stood right against the window, that very interim, saw nothing strike against it, and the glass not to spatter out, but fall down on the ledge. At this, Mr Lord immediately rose up and adjured it a third time, saying In the Name of God, what is it? If it be the pleasure of God that we may know what it is? But no answer was made.
After this, Mrs Weakling came, daughter in law as I understand to the Good man of the house; she had not been long there before more glass was broken in the parlour, which whilst she, Mr Lord, and others, went to see, a loud new noise, as of somewhat falling, was heard in the hall, whither they immediately returning, found a whole Dutch brick, somewhat smaller than ours, to lie under the table. Whilst they were looking on it, a rattling was first heard, and then more glass to break in the beer room; Mr Lord, Mrs Weakling and others being in the hall, and the maid and her mother being then in the kitchen, so that the beer room was, as it were, on a side of them all. Mr Lord now retired home for a little time; and at his return found the report spread abroad of these matters, drew several people to the house, as, besides Mrs Weakling he left there, Goodman Lane, Strangers and others. Whilst all were attending, some in the hall and some in the kitchen, a knocking came in the hall, and upon it more breaking of glass heard, which they found to be in the milkhouse. The breaking of this window was particular, in that a joint of a large wooden gutter, that conveys the rain into the cistern, was also removed from its place, and the broken glass and lead bowed in, as though it had been forcibly thrust with two large balls.
Next succeeding this, two of the company, standing in the kitchen, the others in the hall and elsewhere, they saw a stone with some dirt and straws upon it, the bigness of a turkey-egg, come as from the crevice of the fore door, which as the door was close shut, one could not thrust a small hazelnut through. I say came as from, not in of the crevice, because one of the persons, who was not above half a yard from it and looking that way, discerned it not till it was an inch within side (so that how it came there we have no account), but closely observing its progress, afterwards clearly saw it to take a kind of half circle, but so slow, as though its motion had proceeded from a regular piece of clockwork, and then gently, as if let down by a spring, descend to the ground about a foot and a half from the said crevice.
This stone was also hot, and being presently taken up, by the person next to it, in her apron, she called Mr Lord, who with the other company, came, and all feeling it found it too hot to grasp in the hand. Mr Lord then said, consider this stone – this is enough to convince anyone, for besides the amazing circumstance how it came in, and its being hot, this straw and dirt upon it, could not be in the form you see it, had it been heated by a material fire.
I could not get all the particulars that passed this day, but what with rattlings upon the pantiles, throwing of stones, breaking the glass, and knockings, Mr Lord told the disturbances to be thirteen several times in all.
Friday, Sept. 16. Mr Lord lay here again last night, and all was silent, and this morning some occasions calling him home, he returned not till the afternoon. As he was coming to the house he met Mrs Skilder, Goodwife Cause, Grinway, etc. and one of them having a child in her arms. Mr Lord said to her, if she came to see disturbances of this nature, she ought not to bring a child with her to be frighted; at which they went back with the child, and soon followed him. Whilst he was showing to them (Goodwife Snusher, etc. in all 7 or 8 persons), in what manner the demon or demons had played those pranks, and troubled the place, they heard more breaking of glass. Mr Lord, as through all this melancholy scene, when present he always did, led the way to see where it was, and in the little parlour adjoining the other parlour, which window till now had escaped untouched, he saw one pane broken, on which he and all the company ran to the outside, and they found lying on the end of the gutter, just by the window, a pantile, or large piece of one, with which by a red streak on the lead that seemed to be marked therewith, they supposed the window to be broken.
Whilst all were looking here and nobody within, the window of the other parlour that in like manner faced them as they stood, was with a furious loud dash broken as from the inside, in the fight of them all; the pieces of glass not flying out, but gradually falling down on the ledge as usual. One there cried she saw somewhat white strike against it, which by the rest, thought he breaking was not seen, and blow heard by all, was not observed. Mr Lord at that moment rushed into the room, and one of the company calling to him, Sir, will you go alone? He anwered, If you have faith follow me; she replying, I hope I have faith in God through Christ, it can’t hurt me; hastened, even as the words were pronounced, in after him; which was of the passage door, that by its standing and nearness so favoured their speed that had a bird broken the window, it could not by the help of its wings have escaped their seeing it. On their coming into the parlour, they found a piece of allum the bigness of a common sized orange, that had formerly been laid by Mr Smagge in the hall, to be put into a clean scoured chamber-pot which stood under the window. This they guessed the glass was broken with, and to be that white one of the company saw; Who now with the rest, pretty well recovered from their surprise, followed Mr Lord and the other person into the parlour, not omitting thoroughly to view the piece of allum also. Presently after this more glass was broken in the beer room. Mr Lord being then obliged to go and bury a corpse, the other company dispersed and the house was for some time left alone.
New spectators quickly came, viz. Mr Bell, Mr Weakling and his Daughter, Mrs Cooper, Mr James and her son, etc. These took their seats in the hall, and having stayed a little while, knocks, the usual warning before breaking of glass, were heard. Presently upon it a most amazing blow was given against the hall window, that greatly feared all there. Mr Weakling sitting directly over against it, said he saw somewhat, but could not describe it; Mrs James’s son said he plainly discerned a white stick; the rest did not apprehend anything it was done with, only heard the blow and saw the glass broken. All in the hall instantly ran out, some of one door, and the rest of the other; which doors, as if they were contrived on purpose, open so opportunely on both sides the said window (and the situation of the house in general, as is before described), there was no place of concealment near enough for any mortal to have had recourse to, in ten times the space the people were getting out. So that indubitably somewhat swifter in its flight than flesh and blood, must be the sole author and actor in all. Well! Everyone now again are out of the house, and whilst 3 or 4 of them stood gazing just against the hall window, at the shattered glass, and astonishing form thereof, which all round the house is now much the same, they plainly saw the glass broken as before, from within, and a piece of stone or brick to come through and fall down on the outside.
All the company now retiring, the following accident closed the whole. The maid and boy having milked, going into the house, Goodman Reynolds came, and sitting a little while talking with the maid, she cried, a stone fell sharp on her toe, on which Goodman Reynolds rose up and went away. Presently after that, the maid crossing the kitchen by the door, that through the hall looks into the parlour, she heard the parlour door skreek, which causing her to look that way she saw it stand half open, and then a man, quite opening it, to come out, and put it half too, as she saw it at first; he came a little towards the hall and then (which I shall give you in her own words) “Looked with his eyes so sharp, — and turned his head so quick about, — and looked towards the windows; — his countenance pale and ghastful; seeming to have on a short grey coat, a whitish hat, with a white stick in his hand, which he held by the middle, truncheon-like.”
All this while, as she gives the account, she was rather taken up with the earnest gazing on, than aware of fear. But then, he moving forward towards the milk-house, this seized her with such terror that she ran skreeking out of the house in an agony; the boy, scared at seeing her, running out affrighted too. She made her way directly to Mr Lord’s, resolving never to enter the house more. After a very ill night there, she was taken the next morning by a reflection on her fright, and repeating some of the circumstances of it, with such a miserable fit, as none thought she would ever have come out of alive: at first vomiting blood, and then foaming at the mouth and nose, to the great amazement of the many that came to see her. Mr Lord, who throughout this sore visitation, discharged his sacred function ina ready and constant attendance in advising Mr Smagge to a fast and prayers in the family —, and suitably applying himself to every one, as the occasion required; and for which the utmost respect and thanks are due to him from all, while she lay in this deplorable condition, prayed by her; and as, at times, she seemed sensible, exhorted her, in the properest manner, to pray, to put her truth in God, etc.
With God’s blessing, in two or three hours the fit went off, and by my spy, sent thither the 25 Instant, I hear she is indifferent well, and that the house, unto that day, had not afterwards been disturbed.
The disturbances the last day were 12 several times.
There is one odd passage I had almost forgot, but which you may depend upon for truth, viz. that it was generally reported among the people of the island, for some months before these last molestations began, that the 21 years were this summer expired, for which the spirit was said to be laid.
I am, sir, etc.
St. Michael and All Angels, 1709.
Postscript.
Having thus gone through the particulars, give me leave by way of postscript, to add this short, not unsuitable reflection. If, as some learned suppose, the souls of sensual and wicked men by reason of their wholly abandoning themselves to worldly lusts whilst living, and the gross inclinations quite unsuited to spiritual enjoyments, they carry out of the world with them do, by a kind of natural tendency after death, often haunt, or hover about their graves, places of abode, or stages on which their impious crimes were acted; as though (to speak in Dr Scott’s words) “They had an outrageous desire of being embodied again, tat so they might be capable of repeating their old sensual pleasures, and acting over the brutish scene anew”. Methinks it is reasonable to believe that the unjust crafty miser, and they that grind the faces of the poor, are leaders and chieftains in this range of beings. The manifest aims that those groveling mistaken wretches, all their lives show if they could, makes it no wonder they, of all others, come back again upon the same errand, if they can.
These sins, the foregoing relation intimates to you, those unhappy ones gave themselves up to, who are the supposed cause of the various disturbances that make the subject thereof; and if so, how long, poor forlorn souls! They may yet wander about the house and places where they were once such eminent drudges for naught, none can tell. I rather mention this, because of the mighty increase there is of late of these sort of sinners. Formerly one arch-designing knave, extortioner and oppressor of the poor, that builds up his fortune a more savage way than by rapine and plunder, was accounted an intolerable pest to the whole country where he lived; but now every village and corner (I wish the poison were spread no higher) has one of these vermin planted in it; who wait, like birds of prey, to strike their talons into the first innocent or needy person that presents. The poor, without any study, they easily make their prey, and crush to death; and others, who are not poor, but by reason of non-age, widowhood, some exigence, or the like, become exposed to their snares; they hedge the concerns of such into their hands, and quickly make them so. But let these (worse than literally man-eaters) consider, that unless by a due restitution, and all that the solemn work of repentance alls for at their hands, they timely cleanse themselves, the cries of such widows, orphans and distressed persons, will surely pursue them to judgement, and bring upon them the consuming wrath of the righteous majesty on high, that will prey upon them for every.
Wherefore, for the use of such, supposing they read not the Bible, I have here collected the following texts whereby they may take a view both of their Sin, and their Doom.
St. Matth. 7. 12. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.
1 Thess. 4. 6. That no man go beyond or defraud his brother in any manner; because that the Lord is the avenger of all such.
Lev. 19.11 Ye shall not deal falsely; neither lie one to another.
Psal. 55.23. Deceitful men shall not live out half their days.
Job. 5.13. He taketh the wife in their own craftiness.
1 Cor. 3. 19. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
Job. 27. 8. For what is the hope of the Hypocrite, though he has gained, when God taketh away his soul?
Exek. 22.13.14. Behold therefore I have smitten mine hand at they dishonest gain. can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong in the days that I shall deal with thee?
St. Luk 12.20, etc. But God said unto him, thou fool, this night, etc.
Eph. 5.5. A covetous man, who is an idolater, hath no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.
1. Cor. 5. 11. With an extortioner, we are bidden, not to eat.
St. Luke 3.13. Exact no more, than that which is appointed you.
Ezek. 45.9.10. Take away your exactions, faith the Lord God, ye shall have just balances, etc.
Deut. 24. 12. And if the man be poor thous shalt not sleep with his pledge.
Deut. 24.13. In any case thou shalt deliver him his pledge again, when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment and bless thee.
Prov. 30. 14. There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw-teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the Earth, adn the needy from among men.
Exod. 22.22.23. Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any way and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.
Zech. 7.10. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor.
Mal. 2.5. I will be a swift witness against — those that oppress the hireling in his wages — and that turn aside the stranger from his right.
Prov. 14.31. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his maker, but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor.
Deut. 24.14. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy.
St James 5.4. Behold the hire of the labourers, which have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, (or what is the same in our modern oppressors beating them below the customary rates). Crieth; and the cries of them which have reaped, have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
Prov. 22.22.23. Rob not the poor, because he is poor; neither oppress the afflicted in the Gate, for the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Psal. 72.4. He shall break in pieces the oppressor.
2.Pet.2.9. He reserves the unjust unto the day of Judgement to be punished.
Job. 27.13.14. This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive from the Almighty; if his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
Amos. 8, 4.6.7. Hear this, o ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail; that buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat. The Lord hath sworn by the Excellency of Jacob, surely I will never forget any of their Works.
I am, once more, Sir, etc.
FINIS.