The Devil in Britain and America

The Magus, or Celestial Intelligencer, being a complete system of Occult Philosophy… By Francis Barrett, F.R.C… London: Printed for Lackington, Allen and Co., Temple of the Muses, Finsbury Square. 1801.

A Collection of Scarce and Valuable Tracts, on the most Interesting and Entertaining Subjects: but chiefly such as relate to the History and Constitution of these Kingdoms. Selected from an infinite number in print and manuscript, in the Royal, Cotton, Sion, and other public, as well as private, Libraries; particularly that of the late Lord Somers. The Second Edition, revised, augmented, and arranged by Walter Scott, Esqre… London: Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies, Strand; W. Miller, Albemarle Street; R. H. Evans, Pall Mall; J. White and J. Murray, Fleet Street; and J. Harding, St James’s Street. 1809.

Newes from Scotland, Declaring the damnable life of Doctor Fian, a notable Sorcerer, who was burned at Edenborough in Ianuarie last 1591. Which Doctor was register to the deuill, that sundrie times preached at North Baricke Kirke, to a number of notorious Witches. With the true examinations of the said Doctor and witches, as they uttered them in the presence of the Scottish king. Discouering how they pretended to bewitch and drowne his Maiestie in the sea comming from Denmarke, with such other wonderfull matters as the like hath not bin heard at anie time. Published according to the Scottish copie. Printed for William Wright. [This is a reprint of a rare tract by H. Freeling, for the members of the Roxburghe Club, 1816.]

Memorialls, or The Memorable Things that fell out within this island of Brittain from 1638 to 1684. By the Rev. Mr. Robert Law. Edited from the MS. by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, Esqre… Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co. 1818.

The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Edmonton in the County of Middlesex… By William Robinson Gent, F.S.A… London: Printed for the Author… 1819.

A Collection of Rare and Curious Tracts on Witchcraft and the Second Sight; with an Original Essay on Witchcraft. Edinburgh: Printed for D. Webster, 35, West College Street. 1820.

Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft, addressed to J. G. Lockhart, Esqre., by Sir Walter Scott, Bart. London: John Murray, Albemarle Street. 1830.

Lectures on Witchcraft. Comprising a History of the Delusion in Salem in 1692. By Charles W. Upham, Junior Pastor of the First Church in Salem. Boston: Carter, Hender and Babcock. 1831.

Criminal Trials in Scotland, from A.D. 1488 to 1624. Embracing the entire Reigns of James IV. and V., Mary, Queen of Scots, and James VI. Compiled from the Original Records and MSS., with Historical Notes and Illustrations, by Robert Pitcairn, Esq., Writer to his Majesty’s Signet, F.S.A. Scot, and Hon. F.S.A. Perth, etc. Edinburgh: William Tait, Princes Street; and Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, London. 1833.

The Darker Superstitions of Scotland, illustrated from History and Practice. By John Graham Dalyell, F.A.S.E. Edinburgh: Waugh and Innes; W. Curry Junior and Co., Dublin; and Whittaker and Co., London. 1834.

A Collection of Rare and Curious Tracts relating to Witchcraft in the Counties of Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincoln, between the years 1618 and 1664. Reprinted verbatim from the Original Editions… London: John Russell Smith, 4, Old Compton Street, Soho. 1838.

Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions. By Charles Mackay… London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street… 1841.

The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut… By J. Hammond Trumbull… Hartford: Brown and Parsons. 1850.

The Pioneer History of Illinois, containing the Discovery, in 1673, and the History of the Country to the Year 1818, when the State Government was organized. By John Reynolds. Belleville, Ill.: Published by N. A. Randall. 1852.

The History of New England, from 1630 to 1649. By John Winthrop, Esq., First Governor of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, from his Original Manuscripts, with Notes… By James Savage, President of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. 1853.

Domestic Annals of Scotland, from the Reformation to the Revolution. By Robert Chambers… W. and R. Chambers, Edinburgh and London. 1858.

Witch Stories. Collected by E. Lynn Linton… London: Chapman and Hall, 193, Piccadilly. 1861.

La Sorcière. J. Michelet. Deuxième Édition, revue et augmentée. Bruxelles et Leipzig: A. Lacroix, Verboeckhoven et Cie, Éditeurs, Rue Royale, 3, Impasse du Parc. 1863.

La Sorcière: The Witch of the Middle Ages. From the French of J. Michelet, by L. J. Trotter… London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co., Stationer’s Hall Court. 1863.

Records of Salem Witchcraft. Copied from the Original Documents. Privately printed for W. Elliot Woodward. Roxbury, Mass. 1864.

Salem Witchcraft; with an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects. By Charles W. Upham. Boston: Wiggin and Lunt. 1867.

Some Miscellany Observations on our present Debates respecting Witchcrafts, in a Dialogue between S. and B. By P. E. and J. A. Philadelphia: Printed by William Bradford for Hezekiah Usher. 1692. Boston Congregational Quarterly reprints, № 1. 1869. [This tract is by the Rev. Samuel Willard, of the Old South Church, Boston. S. and B. probably stand for Salem and Boston. S. takes the part of the magistrates, B. that of the clergy. This tract is mentioned by Calef in his ‘More Wonders of the Invisible World.’]

Cotton Mather and Witchcraft. Two Notices of Mr. Upham his Reply. [By Charles Wentworth]. Boston: T. R. Marvin and Son, 131, Congress Street; London, Henry Stevens, 4, Trafalgar Square. May, 1870.

Demonology and Devil Lore. By Moncure Daniel Conway, M.A… London: Chatto and Windus, Piccadilly. 1879.

The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws against, and Trials of, Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions, together with Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales relating to Mythology, Days and Weeks, Miracles, Poets and Superstition, Monarchs, Priests and Philosophers, Druids, Demonology, Magic and Astrology, Divination, Signs, Omens and Warnings, Amulets and Charms, Trials by Ordeal, Curses and Evil Wishes, Dreams and Visions, Superstition in the Nineteenth Century. By James Grant. Leith: Reid and Son, 35, Shore; Edinburgh: W. Paterson; London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co. 1880.

Bibliographical Notes on Witchcraft in Massachusetts. By George H. Moore, LL.D., Superintendent of the Lenox Library. Read before the American Antiquarian Society, April 25th, 1888. Worcester: Printed for the Author. 1888.

Scottish Review, October, 1891, Edinburgh.

Boston Monthly Magazine, vol. i., p. 251.

Congregational Quarterly, vol. x., p. 154.

Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, vol. ii., p. 249; vol. vii., p. 505; vol. xiv., p. 207.

The Galaxy, vol. xix., p. 358.

Christian Examiner, vol. xi., p. 240.

American Monthly Review, vol. i., p. 140.

American Whig Review, vol. iii., p. 60.

North American Review, vol. cvi., p. 176.

New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. xiii., p. 193.

Southern Review, N.S., vol. iii., p. 306.

The Hesperian, vol. i., p. 191.

Congregational Review, vol. ix., p. 201.

Harper’s Magazine, vol. lxix., p. 99.

Magazine of American History, vol. xiv., p. 458.

New Englander, vol. xliv., p. 788.

THE END

1

The old writers and the old maps probably meant mosquitoes when they said ‘Here be Divells.’

2

‘A Discourse of the Subtill Practises of Deuilles by Witches and Sorcerers,’ etc. By G. Gyfford. Lond., 1587.

3

Chap. iv.

4

‘The Discouerie of Witchcraft, etc., by Reginald Scot, Esqre,’ 1584, p. 377.

5

‘The Just Devil of Woodstock; or, a True Narrative of the Several Apparitions, the Frights and Punishments, inflicted upon the Rumpish Commissioners Sent thither, to Survey the Mannors and Houses belonging to His Majestie.’ London; printed in the year 1660.

6

‘The Woodstock Scuffle; or Most Dreadfull Apparitions that were lately seene in the Mannor-House of Woodstock, neere Oxford, to the great Terror and Wonderful Amazement of all there, that did Behold them.’ 1649.

7

‘Palpable Evidence of Spirits and Witchcraft, in an Account of the Fam’d Disturbance by the Drummer, in the House of M. Mompesson, etc.’ London, 1668.

8

The writer was the Rev. Joseph Glanville, M.A., F.R.S., Chaplain in Ordinary to King Charles II., Rector of the Abbey Church, Bath, and a Prebendary of Worcester.

9

‘The Dæmon of Burton; or, A True Relation of Strange Witchcrafts, or Incantations, lately practised at Burton, in the Parish of Weobley, in Herefordshire. Certified in a Letter from a Person of Credit in Hereford.’ London, 1671.

10

Herefordshire.

11

Ewell.

12

‘Strange and Wonderful News from Yowel in Surry, giving a True and Just Account of One Elizabeth Burgiss, who was most strangely Bewitched,’ etc. London, 1681.

13

‘Discours des Sorciers,’ by Henry Boguet (Lyon, 1608), p. 417.

14

Whooping.

15

Shriek.

16

A sheaf or bundle.

17

Table.

18

Hiccoughing.

19

Or bannocks, oat cakes.

20

A hump.

21

A hedgehog.

22

Sleight, cunning.

23

These extracts are from an English translation of Olaus Magnus, 1658.

24

A Finn is even now reckoned to be a very uncanny person on board ship, and to be able to control the weather.

25

The same selling of winds used to be done both in the Isle of Man and the Orkneys.

26

‘Demonologie,’ lib. ii., cap. v.

27

‘The Discouerie of Witchcraft,’ lib. i., cap. iii.

28

The Spectator, No. cxvii.

29

Lib. iii., cap. i.

30

A bat.

31

Lib. i., cap. iv.

32

‘A Dialogue concerning Witches and Witchcrafts,’ by George Giffard. London, 1603.

33

‘The Discovery of Witches,’ etc., by Matthew Hopkins, Witch-finder. London, 1647.

34

Bairns, or children.

35

Warts.

36

Gyves or fetters.

37

Torture.

38

Notes and Queries, Series IV., vol. viii., p. 44.

39

Gentleman’s Magazine, 1759, p. 93.

40

Ed. 1730, p. 187.

41

A dove or wood-pigeon.

42

‘A Rehearsall both Straung and true, of hainous and horrible acts committed by Elizabeth Stile, alias Rockingham, Mother Dutten, Mother Deuell, Mother Margaret, Fower notorious Witches, apprehended at Winsore in the Countie of Barks, and at Abbington arraigned, condemned and executed on the 26 daye of Februarie last, Anno 1579.’

43

‘A true and iust Recorde of the Information, Examination and confession of all the Witches, taken at S. Oses in the Countie of Essex: whereof some were executed, and other some entreated according to the determination of lawe,’ etc. London, 1582.

44

A mole.

45

‘The Wonderful Discouerie of Elizabeth Sawyer, a Witch, late of Edmonton,’ etc. London, 1621.

46

‘A Treatise of Witchcraft,’ etc., by Alex. Roberts, B.D. London, 1616.

47

Ay.

48

‘The full Tryals, Examination, and Condemnation of four Notorious Witches at the Assizes held at Worcester on Tuseday the 4th day of March,’ etc. London, 1647.

49

‘A Collection of Modern Relations of Matter of Fact concerning Witches and Witchcraft upon the Persons of People,’ etc. London, 1693.

50

‘Doctor Lamb revived; or, Witchcraft condemned in Anne Bodenham.’ London, 1653.

51

‘The History of Witches and Wizards,’ etc., by W. P. London, 1700 (?).

52

‘The History of Witches and Wizards,’ etc., by W. P. London, 1700 (?).

53

‘A Collection of Modern Relations of Matter of Fact concerning Witches and Witchcraft upon the Persons of People,’ etc. London, 1693.

54

‘Witchcraft Farther Display’d.’ London, 1712.

55

A solar was an upper chamber.

56

Patrick Adamsone, Archbishop of St. Andrew’s.

57

Fever and ague.

58

Palpitation of the heart.

59

Weakness of the back and loins.

60

Flux.

61

A salve.

62

Large clasp-knives.

63

Contrary to the course of the sun.

64

Hand.

65

Weaver’s.

66

Paw.

67

Tips.

68

Always.

69

Mutilated.

70

Wet.

71

A piece of flat wood, somewhat like a cricket bat, with which, in washing, the clothes are beaten.

72

Be allayed.

73

Shapes and trims.

74

Hollow-backed.

75

Gruffly.

76

Alive.

77

Jerk.

78

Touch.

79

A coat of mail.

80

Crow.

81

Bean-straws.

82

Besom.

83

Cattle.

84

Webs of cloth.

85

Stroking or rubbing.

86

Sciatica.

87

Haunch.

88

Frightened.

89

Ends.

90

One or more.

91

Grains of barley.

92

Chopped up together.

93

In a fold of his plaid.

94

A quaigh, or cup.

95

Hard.

96

Lingering sickness.

97

Stubble.

98

‘History of Scotland,’ by David Scott. London, 1727.

99

Lyne, or Linne, in Ayrshire.

100

Battle of Pinkie, September 10, 1547.

101

Grieving much.

102

Weeping.

103

Child-bed; in old French, gisante, a woman that lies in.

104

Hailed.

105

Dwindled away.

106

Provoked.

107

Frightened.

108

Trust.

109

In baptism.

110

Riven, drawn asunder.

111

Went.

112

Fairyland.

113

Ewe.

114

Went.

115

Sift or strain.

116

Thinking if.

117

Likewise.

118

Wishing.

119

Buried.

120

Gate.

121

I have before me at this present writing seventeen volumes of American magazines containing articles on witchcraft in America, and that is not an exhaustive list.

122

‘The Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut, prior to the Union with New Haven Colony, May, 1665,’ by J. Hammond Trumbull (Hartford, 1850), vol. i. p. 77.

123

‘Records,’ vol. ii., p. 575.

124

The New Englander, November, 1885, p. 817.

125

For this and much else relating to witchcraft in Massachusetts, I am indebted to that most exhaustive book, ‘Salem Witchcraft,’ etc., by Charles W. Upham (Boston, 1867).

126

Hutchinson, ‘History of Massachusetts Bay,’ 1767, vol. i., p. 179.

127

Hutchinson, ‘History of Massachusetts Bay,’ 1767, vol. i., p. 187.

128

‘Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcrafts and Possession,’ etc., by Cotton Mather (Boston, 1689), p. 1.

129

Major Pearson, at the sale of whose library the British Museum acquired the ‘Roxburghe Ballads.’