An Account how John Aldin, Senior, was dealt with
at Salem-Village.
John Aldin Senior, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, Marriner, on the
28th Day of May, 1692, was sent for by the Magistrates of Salem, in the County
of Essex, upon the Accusation of a company of poor distracted, or possessed
Creatures or Witches; and being sent by Mr. Stoughton,[256] arrived there the 31st
of May, and appeared at Salem-Village, before Mr. Gidney,[257] Mr. Hathorn, and
Mr. Curwin.
Those Wenches being present, who plaid their jugling tricks, falling down,
crying out, and staring in Peoples Faces; the Magistrates demanded of them
several times, who it was of all the People in the Room that hurt them? one of
these Accusers pointed several times at one Captain Hill, there present, but spake
nothing; the same Accuser had a Man standing at her back to hold her up; he
stooped down to her Ear, then she cried out, Aldin, Aldin afflicted her; one of
the Magistrates asked her if she had ever seen Aldin, she answered no, he asked
her how she knew it was Aldin? She said, the Man told her so.
Then all were ordered to go down into the Street, where a Ring was made;
and the same Accuser cried out, “there stands Aldin, a bold fellow with
his Hat on before the Judges, he sells Powder and Shot to the Indians and French,
and lies with the Indian Squaes, and has Indian Papooses.” Then was
Aldin committed to the Marshal's Custody, and his Sword taken from him; for
they said he afflicted them with his Sword. After some hours Aldin was sent for
to the Meeting-house in the Village before the Magistrates; who required Aldin
to stand upon a Chair, to the open view of all the People.
The Accusers cried out that Aldin did pinch them, then, when he stood
upon the Chair, in the sight of all the People, a good way distant from them, one
of the Magistrates bid the Marshal to hold open Aldin's hands, that he might not
pinch those Creatures. Aldin asked
them why they should think, that he should come to that Village to afflict those
persons that he never knew or saw before? Mr. Gidney bid Aldin confess, and
give glory to God; Aldin said he hoped he should give glory to God, and hoped
he should never gratifie the Devil; but appealed to all that ever knew him, if they
ever suspected him to be such a person, and challenged any one, that could bring
in any thing upon their own knowledge, that might give suspicion of his being
such an one. Mr. Gidney said he had known Aldin many Years, and had been at
Sea with him, and always look'd upon him to be an honest Man, but now he did
see cause to alter his judgment: Aldin answered, he was sorry for that, but he
hoped God would clear up his Innocency, that he would recall that judgment
again, and added that he hoped that he should with Job maintain his Integrity till
he died. They bid Aldin look upon the Accusers, which he did, and then they fell
down. Aldin asked Mr. Gidney, what Reason there could be given, why Aldin's
looking upon
him did not strike
him down as well; but no reason was given that I heard.
But the Accusers were brought to Aldin to touch them, and this touch they said
made them well. Aldin began to speak of the Providence of God in suffering
these Creatures to accuse Innocent persons. Mr. Noyes asked Aldin why he
would offer to speak of the Providence of God. God by his Providence (said Mr.
Noyes) governs the World, and keeps it in peace; and so went on with Discourse,
and stopt Aldin's mouth, as to that. Aldin told Mr. Gidney, that he could assure
him that there was a lying Spirit in them, for I can assure you that there is not
a word of truth in all these say of me. But Aldin was again committed to the
Marshal, and his Mittimus written, which was as follows.
Letter
To Mr. John
Arnold, Keeper of the Prison in Boston, in the County of
Suffolk.
Whereas Captain John Aldin of Boston, Marriner, and Sarah Rice, Wife of
Nicholas Rice of Reding, Husbandman, have been this day brought before us,
John Hathorn and Jonathan Curwin, Esquires; being accused and suspected of
perpetrating divers acts of Witchcraft, contrary to the form of the Statute, in that
Case made and provided: These are therefore in Their Majesties, King William
and Queen Marys Names, to Will and require you, to take into your Custody, the
bodies of the said John Aldin, and Sarah Rice, and them safely keep, until they
shall thence be delivered by due course of Law; as you will answer the contrary
at your peril; and this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under our hands
at Salem Village, the 31st of May, in the Fourth Year of the Reign of our
Sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, now King and Queen over
England, etc., Anno Dom. 1692.
John Hathorn,
Assistants. Jonathan Curwin,
