University of Virginia Library

Newbury, Nov. 18, 1678.

Went yesterday to the haunted house with Mr. Russ
and Mr. Richardson, Rebecca and Aunt Rawson being
in the companie. Found the old couple in much
trouble, sitting by the fire, with the Bible open before
them, and Goody Morse weeping. Mr. Richardson
asked Goodman Morse to tell what he had seen and
heard in the house; which he did, to this effect: That
there had been great and strange Noises all about the
house, a banging of doors, and a knocking on the
boards, and divers other unaccountable Sounds; that
he had seen his box of Tools turn over of itself, and the
tools flie about the room; Baskets dropping down the
Chimnie, and the Pots hanging over the fire smiting
against each other; and, moreover, the Irons on the
hearth jumping into the pots, and dancing on the table.
Goodwife Morse said that her Bread-tray would upset
of its own accord, and the great woolen Wheel would
contrive to turn itself upside down, and stand on its
end: and that when she and the Boy did make the
beds, the Blankets would fly off as fast as they put
them on, all of which the boy did confirme. Mr.
Russ asked her if she suspected anie one of the mischief;
whereupon, she said she did believe it was done
by the seaman Powell, a cunning man, who was wont
to boast of his knowledge in astrology and astronomy

having been brought up under one Norwood, who is
said to have studied the Black Art. He had wickedly
accused her grandson of the mischief, whereas the
poor Boy had himself suffered greatly from the Evil
Spirit, having been often struck with stones and bits of
boards, which were flung upon him, and kept awake
o'nights by the diabolical noises. Goodman Morse
here said that Powell, coming in and pretending to
pity their lamentable case, told them that if they would
let him have the Boy for a day or two, they should be
free of the trouble while he was with him; and that
the Boy going with him, they had no disturbance in
that time; which plainly showed that this Powell had
the wicked Spirits in his keeping, and could chain
them up, or let them out, as he pleased.

Now, while she was speaking, we did all hear a
great thumping on the Ceiling, and presentlie a piece
of a board flew across the room against the chair
on which Mr. Richardson was sitting; whereat, the
two old people set up a dismal groaning, and the Boy
cried out, “That's the Witch!” Goodman Morse
begged of Mr. Richardson to fall to praying, which he
presentlie did; and, when he had done, he asked Mr.
Russ to follow him, who sat silent and musing a little
while, and then prayed that the worker of the disturbance,
whether diabolical or human, might be discovered

and brought to light. After which there was no
noise while we staid. Mr. Russ talked awhile with the
Boy, who did stoutly deny what Caleb Powell charged
upon him, and showed a bruise which he got from a
Stick thrown at him in the Cow-house. When we
went away, Mr. Richardson asked Mr. Russ what he
thought of it. Mr. Russ said, the matter had indeed a
strange look, but that it might be nevertheless the
work of the Boy who was a cunning young Rogue, and
capable beyond his years. Mr. Richardson said he
hoped his Brother was not about to countenance the
scoffers and Sadducees, who had all along tried to
throw doubt upon the matter. For himself he did look
upon it as the work of invisible Demons, and an awful
proof of the existence of such, and of the deplorable
condition of all who fall into their hands; moreover,
he did believe that God would overrule this malice of
the Devil for good, and make it a means of awakening
sinners and lukewarm Church members to a sense of
their danger.

Last night, brother Leonard, who is studying with
the learned Mr. Ward, the Minister at Haverhill, came
down, in the companie of the worshipful Major Saltonstall,
who hath business with Esquire Dummer and
other Magistrates of this place. Mr. Saltonstall's lady,
who is the daughter of Mr. Ward, sent by her husband

and my brother, a very kind and pressing invitation
to Rebecca and myself to make a visit to her;
and Mr. Saltonstall did also urge the matter strongly.
Soe we have agreed to goe with them the day after
to-morrow. Now, to say the truth, I am not sorrie to
leave Newbury, at this time, for there is soe much talk
of the bewitched House, and such dismal stories told of
the power of invisible Demons, added to what I did
myself heare and see yesterday, that I can scarce sleep
for the trouble and disquiet this matter causeth. Doct.
Russ, who left this morning, said, in his opinion, the
less that was said and done about the Witchcraft the
better for the honor of the Church and the peace of the
Neighborhood; for it might, after all, turn out to be
nothing more than an “old wife's fable;” but if it
were indeed the work of Satan, it could, he did believe,
do no harm to sincere and godlie People, who lived
sober and prayerful lives, and kept themselves busy in
doing good. The doers of the Word seldom fell into
the snare of the Devil's enchantments. He might be
compared to a wild Beast, who dareth not to meddle
with the traveller who goeth straightway on his Errand,
but lieth in wait for such as loiter and fall asleep by
the wayside. He feared, he said, that some in our day
were trying to get a great Character to themselves, as
the old Monks did, by their skill in discerning Witchcrafts,
and their pretended conflicts with the Devil in
his bodilie shape; and thus while they were seeking to
drive the enemy out of their neighbor's Houses, they
were letting him into their own Hearts, in the guise of
deceit and spiritual pride. Repentance, and works
meet for it, were the best exorcism; and the savor of
a good life driveth off Evil Spirits, even as that of the
fish of Tobit, at Ecbatana, drove the Devil from the
chamber of the Bride into the uttermost parts of Egypt.
“For mine own part,” continued the worthie man, “I
believe the Lord and Master, whom I seek to serve, is
over all the powers of Satan; therefore doe I not heed
them, being afraid onlie of mine own accusing conscience
and the displeasure of God.”

We are all loath to lose the good Doctor's companie.
An Israelite indeed! My Aunt, who once tarried for
a little time with him for the benefit of his skill in
Physick, on account of sickness, tells me that he is as
a father to the people about him, advising them in all
their temporal Concerns, and bringing to a timely and
wise settlement all their Disputes, soe that there is nowhere
a more prosperous and loving society. Although
accounted a learned Man, he doth not perplex his
hearers, as the manner of some is, with dark and difficult
questions, and points of doctrine, but insisteth
mainly on holiness of life and conversation. It is said

that on one occasion, a famous schoolman and disputer
from abroad, coming to talk with him on the matter of
the damnation of Infants, did meet him with a Cradle
on his shoulder, which he was carrying to a young
Mother in his neighborhood, and when the Man told
him his errand, the good Doctor bade him wait until he
got back, for said he, “I hold it to be vastly more important
to take care of the bodies of the little Infants
which God in his love sends among us, than to seek to
pry into the mysteries of His will concerning their
souls.” He hath no salary or tythe, save the use of a
House and Farm, choosing rather to labor with his own
hands than to burthen his neighbors; yet such is their
love and good will, that in the busy seasons of the Hay
and Corn harvest, they all join together and help him
in his fields, counting it a special privilege to do so.