Chapter VIII: Section III: The Proofs produced by Testimony (1)

The following pages, for brevity’s sake, present only the
extracts from some of the oaths and numerous testimonies of
those who oppose and of those who favor the cause. With all
these witnesses I am intimately acquainted. I took these
testimonies from their lips, for the most part, separately.
I wrote them; read them in their hearing, and obtained
their approbation of what I had written. I made but little
alteration in their language, because I chose that their
testimonies should appear in their own native simplicity.
Therefore the philological critic has no employment here.
Among the testimonies of the opponents, I have left nothing
unextracted, which, in my apprehension, could seem to
afford any argument in their favor; or from which, to
my recollection, they themselves have ever deduced any
argument for their purpose. If, however, I have failed
here or in any other respect, they will doubtless have
opportunity to make it known.

For the most remarkable occurrences, I have generally
selected only two or three witnesses, not for the want of
more, by any means, but because the patience of the reader
must not be exercised by tedious repetition more than is
necessary for the present design.

EXTRACTS FROM THE OATHS.

_Deposition of Capt. Paul Simson._

About the first of August, 1800, Mr. H. and his wife came to my house and desired me to go to Mr. Blaisdel’s with them. After we got there, they said the Spirit sent for me.

I went down into the cellar, and soon after it rapped. I asked what it wanted. It told me that I had done wrong; I had become hard against her--that I had disbelieved. I told her I had. She said that satan had tempted me and that I had sinned. I asked her if she loved Christ. She said, yes, I do. I told her the work of the saints was to praise God. Yes, she said, and Christ too, and broke out in singing alleluias.

At another time she ordered us to place ourselves two and two, and she would follow us to Capt. M’s, and ordered us to sing a Psalm as we went. In going there I never saw her. As we walked back, I walked behind. I looked back and saw her. She appeared to me dressed all in white; as bright a white as ever I saw, and had the appearance of a woman and bigness. PAUL SIMSON.

* * * * *

_The Deposition of Mrs. Sarah Simson._

On August 7, Mr. Blaisdel came to my house and said the voice had sent him for more witnesses, and that Mr. Simson and I must go to his house. I was very much affrighted, and could not think what he wanted. He said the Spirit had sent him for more witnesses, and that I must go. I then told him that Mr. Simson said the apparition had appeared at our house the night before. My husband and I then went with him. After we had been there some time, there was a knocking--some spoke to her. She then asked if we wanted to know who she was. It was answered, yes. She then said three times, “I was once N---- B----.” There were many questions asked, which she answered very directly. I asked, are you from happiness or misery? To which she answered. “I am from above, and am come on God’s message;” and fell to singing alleluias.

After discoursing some time, she said she was going to appear to us, and we must place ourselves two and two and come into the cellar, and she would shew herself. We complied. I was of the last couple who went into the cellar. It was my desire not to see her. She said, those who did not desire to see her, should not. I saw nothing. And though she was so near to me, as I was told by P---- B----, as that I could touch her if I had put out my hand, and I looked to see her; yet, as I had said I did not want to see her, I could not see her. I also, while in the field looked to see her, yet I did not see her. SARAH SIMSON.

* * * * *

The next deposition was given by one who looks upon the
whole scene to be a great deception, some how or other.

_The Deposition of Mr. Thomas Uran._

In August 11, 1800, I was at the house of A. Blaisdel. I went on purpose to hear and see what I could concerning a Spirit which was said to be there. In the evening there was a knocking round the house; but nothing spake. We all concluded there would be nothing said or seen. The next morning about day-break, there seemed to be knockings round the house, and in the chamber, and round my bed. We immediately got up, and going down I took a candle, lighted it, and went into the cellar alone, examining if there was no one there to deceive us. I could not see any body. I came back. Mr. Blaisdel, with all in the house went down cellar--we heard a knocking. Some one spake in the name of God, and asked what she wanted. She asked if we wanted to know who she was. We answered, yes. She told us she was once N---- B----. She then said to me, “you have often said that I am a devil or a witch.” I then asked her, if she was from the God of heaven or from misery. She answered, “I am from above, praising God and the Lamb;” she then broke out in praise. She then told us that she had come to warn us from sin, and that if there was not a change before the soul left the body, we should be forever miserable. She then told us the danger a sinner was in, out of Christ, and told us that she should rise in the day of judgment against us. I told her I had a great desire that she should appear. And then she appeared to us all who had a desire to see her.

She appeared like a person who was wrapped in a white sheet, appearing and disappearing several times. It was near sun rise at this time.

She then told us that was the day that Christ rose from the dead, and that it was God’s precious time, and must be kept unto him.

Lydia, (Mrs. Butler) was not in the cellar while the foregoing talk was. The Spirit asked me if I would not clear Lydia; I answered I would, for it was not she who talked. THOMAS URAN.

* * * * *

_Deposition of Capt. George Butler._

When I was called to talk with this voice, I asked, “who are you?” It answered, “I was once your wife.” The voice asked me, “Do you not remember what I told you when I was alive.” I answered, “I do not really know what you mean.” The voice said, “Do you not remember I told you I did not think I should live long with you. I told you that if you was to leave me I should never wish to change my condition; but that if I was to leave you, I could not blame you, if you did.”

This passed between me and my first wife, while she was alive, and there was no living person within hearing, but she and myself, and I am sure that this was never revealed to any person, and no living person could have told it to me before the voice did. As Lydia (Mrs. Butler) and I stood side and side alone,[23] she had her left arm round me and her right hand hold of the forward part of my waistcoat, her head leaning against my breast. There was something appeared to my view right before me, like a person in a winding sheet and her arms folded under the winding sheet, and on her arm there appeared to be a very small child. By this appearance I did not know possibly but I might be deceived. I reached out my left hand to take hold of it. I saw my hand in the middle of it, but could feel nothing. The same evening it appeared and disappeared to me three times. GEORGE BUTLER.

_Hancock, ss._--_Sullivan_, August 6, 1800. Personally
appeared Paul Simson, Sarah Simson, Thomas Uran and George
Butler, who, being carefully examined as to the truth
of the above declarations, made solemn oath that the
statements were true.

The Testimonies by difference of opinion have naturally two
parts, that of the opponents and that of the adherents.

The first part presents the attestation of those who
consider these phenomena as a scene of wickedness.

TESTIMONY I.

_Testimony of Miss H. G._

August 9, 10. I was at the house of Mr. Blaisdel, by the persuasion of others; for as to myself I made very light of the matter, supposing that the whole was the contrivance of certain persons, and I believe still that nothing good appeared there.

We heard rappings, and these sounds were spoken to, but no answer obtained. After much altercation (which is needless to rehearse) we all came out of the cellar, and all went off, except a few persons, of whom I was one. Some of Mr. Blaisdel’s family uttered severe expressions against those who went off and did not believe. “What do you want they should believe,” said I; “for my part I see nothing to believe.” Immediately Mrs. Butler came in from the entry very much affrighted, “If any one desires to be convinced,” said she, “let him look there in the entry.” I looked there and saw nothing. Soon after this, while Mrs. Butler was sitting on the foot of a bed, we heard a sound right against her on the outside of the house. Mr. Butler told her to speak to it. At first she refused. They told her she must. Then she said to it, “If I am guilty stay away; if I am clear in the name of the Lord clear me.” The Spirit then rapped very hard, so as to shake the house. Some of the company said she must go into the cellar. “So I must,” said she; “if I do not, she will come into the room: and if she does, I shall die.[24] Who will go with me.” D---- A---- said she would go. They went,[25] and soon after we all went down. Then I plainly heard the voice say to Mrs. Butler, “Go up, that the people may not think it is you who speaks.” I saw her go up into the room, and heard at the same time the voice in the cellar. Mr. Blaisdel asked the Spirit whence she came. She answered, “I am from heaven. I am with God and with Christ--angels and seraphim, praising God. Glory, glory, glory.” Mr. Blaisdel asked why she did not manifest herself in the fore part of that night to all the people. She answered, “I was not permitted to come where there was so much sin.” The Spirit then said to Mr. Blaisdel, “Ask the people if they are convinced.” He did so; and I among the rest answered that I was. But I think otherwise now. God knew who would be there the forepart of that night. Why did he send her? Then the Spirit said, “I must appear;” and by her direction we placed ourselves in order. Then I saw a white appearance, at first not more than a foot in height, but it appeared larger and larger, and more plainly, and when it came nearer to me, I was struck with fear and left the cellar; but others told me that afterwards they saw the Spirit plainly.

August 13-14, I again went to Mr. Blaisdel’s with forty-seven persons. The Spirit now told us again that she was from heaven, and that she was once N---- H----. After much conversation the Spirit said that some of the people were faint, and could not hear all that was to be said, and that we must go up and refresh ourselves. “You must go with me to two places this night,” said she, “and you must be ready at one o’clock.” “What o’clock is it now,” said Mr. Blaisdel; she said, “twelve, twelve, twelve.” We went up immediately and looked on the watch, and it was exactly twelve. In a short time, hearing the usual sign, we returned. Among many other words which I do not remember, Mr. Downing asked the Spirit if she knew him; she answered, “yes,” and called him by name. He asked if she was ever at his house. She answered that she had been once there with her mother. At length she told us that we must go up and she would walk with us behind, with Mrs. Butler. But you must walk in order, two and two, said she, singing a Psalm: for God is a God of order. Some person asked when she would be ready. She said, “I will let you know.” Some person again asked what o’clock it was. She answered, _one_. We went up and again looked on the watch and it was _one_. We attended prayer, and immediately after she knocked. A Psalm was chosen, which the greatest number of us could best remember, and it was sung as we walked. I was now far forward and did not see the Spirit. When we came to Capt. Millar’s, the Spirit rapped there, and Capt. Millar with Capt. Paul Blaisdel and some others, went into the cellar, and I heard them talk, but could not understand what was said to them. Then word came to us that we must stand out in the field before the house--that she would appear before us, and walk with Mrs. Butler, that the people might be convinced that Mrs. Butler had told the truth in relating that she had walked with her before. Then we all stood before the house. Mrs. Butler put on a black cloak, and when she had walked a little distance from us, as before directed by the Spirit, I heard her groan bitterly, and soon after I saw the appearance of a woman in white, walking with her. Suddenly Mrs. Butler sung a part of that hymn called New Jerusalem. Then she came to us and we all went back in order to Mr. Blaisdel’s. I then looked back and saw a person in white walking with Mrs. Butler. After we returned to the house, Mrs. Butler appeared very weary and exhausted. I asked her at what time the Spirit came to her. She told me it was after she had walked a little distance from the people. “When you heard me groan, said she, then I saw it coming toward me. I am always more afraid when I only see it, than I am after it has spoken to me:[26] and she now told me not to be scared; that she was not come to hurt me, and that if I would sing a hymn, it would expel my fears.” HANNAH GATCOMB.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY II.

_Testimony of Mr. Paul Simson, Jun._

August 9, 1800. I was at Mr. A. Blaisdel’s, with many more, and heard the sound of knocking. It was addressed, and a voice answered, but I could not understand it. Several persons spoke, but received no satisfactory answer. The people generally concluded that the whole affair was some deception. Therefore they went off and I among them. But my reflections on that singular knocking, induced me to say to two young men, “If you will go back, I will, and find out something more, if possible; for I am no more satisfied now, than I was before I went to that house.” We went back. Mr. Blaisdel asked us why we returned. I told him that we had all gone off with the opinion that the whole affair was a scheme contrived by his daughters, and nothing more, and I meant if possible, to find them out. “You must think as you please,” said he, “I am clear, and I believe my family is.” I told him I wished to see all his family sitting in one part of the room. They complied. Then I took a candle and stood in the midst of the room. After several minutes, something rapped near where two of us stood, and from thence removed to several parts of the house. “What do you think of it,” said Mr. Blaisdel? “It appears, said I, to be strange.” “We will go into the cellar,” said Mr. Blaisdel, “and, if you think any body is there, search the cellar through with a candle;” we did so. I came out last and was careful and watched, so that I was sure that no person went down. Also the outer door was fast. Then again we heard the sound of knocking. It was addressed, and conversation followed, in the midst of which Mr. Blaisdel said to me, “If you think any living person talks, go forward and grasp that person.” I went forward a few steps, but was so convinced that no body was there, that I considered all further attempts as useless.

After much discourse, which I cannot remember, the Spirit told us that we must go up and come down again in order, two and two, and she would appear to us. We did so, and I saw the apparition at first about two feet in height; but, as it drew nearer to me, it appeared as tall as a person. I saw this appearance passing _close by me and from me five or six times_. At last it diminished to about a foot in height and then vanished. PAUL SIMSON, Jun.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY III.

_Testimony of Miss Sally Martin._

August 13, 1800, I was at Mr. Blaisdel’s house, with more than forty people, besides their own family, and heard knockings. We all wondered, when we heard a sound on one side or corner of the house; the next sound on the opposite side or corner, and a third sound equally distant from the second, and so on for a number of sounds, while the succession was as rapid as one sound could be clearly distinguished from another. We were sure that no person, nor even several persons, could make sounds so distant from each other in such quick succession, even were it possible for them to be in or near the places of these sounds, without discovery. By the desire of the Spirit and Mr. Blaisdel, we went into the cellar. Mr. Blaisdel told the people to stand back and give the Spirit room, and not crowd so near her, “don’t crowd her,” said he, “she cannot talk if you crowd her.”

When we were placed, Mr. Blaisdel ordered the candle to be blown out, and stood before the company next to the Spirit.[27] When these things were done, the affair was become as dark to me, as the cellar was. I heard much conversation with several people by a voice which I never heard before. This voice at last told us to go up and go to a certain house and she would go with us. We did as the voice told us: and, as we went, I saw a personal form, as white as any thing could possibly appear, walking by Mrs. Butler’s side, with locked arms. When we came to the only outer door of the house, I saw this form at a distance from me, abroad, though near the house, I went in and heard a knocking immediately under the floor. In two or three minutes I heard the same voice that I had heard before, talking with Capt. Millar.

By the desire of the voice, we stood before the house that she might appear to us. There I saw the personal form as plainly as ever I saw a living person: and I saw the same form vanish before me in a moment.

SALLY MARTIN.

On this testimony a few observations must detain the
reader. We are liable to be deceived two ways: by the
appearance of truth where it is not, and by the appearance
of deception where it is not.

Did not such an occasion as this require order? The Spectre
was about to communicate to the assembly an important
message. Could they enjoy the best advantage to hear and
attend to it, while they were changing places,--crowding
and interrupting one another? Is not a voice better
understood by any auditory, if there be some intermediate
space between the speaker and hearer? What did they want a
candle for, unless they wanted to be deceived? The Spectre
was white; so is a deceiver by a candle. The Spectre told
them the exact time of night; so could a deceiver by a
candle. Did they want a candle in order to see her? They
had learned, or might have learned already, that she could
make herself as visible without a candle, as any person
living could with it. Four nights before this, she appeared
to fourteen persons in this very place, and six persons saw
the hand pass through the apparition.

Two nights before this, she appeared to about twenty
people, forming an ellipsis, within which she slowly passed
round so near the circumference several times, that every
one of them might have handled her with deliberation, and
she had also expressed her desire to give satisfaction by
this experiment.

Therefore it was not because she was afraid to be seen or
handled, that Mr. Blaisdel made this arrangement; but for
reasons possibly unknown to us. But _probably_ one of them
was this: On the night of this testimony, August 13, it
was one design of the Spectre to confirm what was past,
by conducting as she had before, May 28.[28] That is: by
appearing only to two or three persons, while to all others
in the assembly, though conversing with her, she should
remain invisible. This, we are assured, by testimony 11 and
14, part 2nd, was now performed. On the above May 28, a
third person thought he saw her, but was not sure; for he
supposed he might be deceived by some change of the candle
light.

Hence we easily see that those two persons who saw her on
this night of August 13, while she invisibly discoursed
with the assembly, obtained more satisfaction for others,
if not for themselves, that what they saw was reality, than
if there had been a candle; especially if we consider that
several women of the assembly were dressed in white.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY IV.

_Testimony of Capt. James Millar._

August 7. Mr. Blaisdel came to my house and desired me to go to his own, where I might hear and see for myself. He also went to Capt. Samuel Simson’s with the same request. Capt. Simson and his wife, S---- B----, and N---- G----, who were there, came with him to my house, and we all went to Mr. Blaisdel’s. When we had been there some minutes, Capt. Simson, by desire, prayed. His prayer was immediately followed by a knocking, and we all went into the cellar. Mr. Blaisdel asked what was wanted, and who it was. It answered, “I was once N. H.” I asked, “How was man made?” “Out of the dust,” said the voice, “Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. You have the Bible, and that is God’s truth, and do you abide by it. Love God and keep his commandments.” After some conversation with Mrs. Simson and others, she said, “I must go,” and we heard no more. It was now broad day-light, the outer cellar door being open, and utterly impossible that any living person should be there, but those whom we could see and know. The voice was about six feet from me.

August 9. I went to that house with many people, among whom I observed much disorderly behaviour. The Spirit spake but little, and I returned with a resolution to go no more to that house on such an errand.

August 14. Just before day-light, I heard singing, as I lay in bed, approaching to my house. Presently, by my leave, my house was filled with people, and I heard knockings on the floor. By the desire of certain persons, I went into the cellar with Capt. P---- B----. After some discourse of the voice with him, which I understood not, I heard sounds of knocking near me. I asked, what do you want of me. It answered, “I have come to let you know that I can speak in this cellar as well as in the other.[29] Are you convinced?” I answered, “I am.” “Now,” said the voice, “the company must be solemn and stand in order before your door, I am going to appear. Now do you remember that I was once N. H.” We went up and complied with her direction, and I saw a personal shape coming toward us, white as the light. By the Spectre’s order, as I was informed, Mrs. Butler went toward her. “Lydia,” said the Spectre, “you are scared. You must sing.” Then she sung an hymn. The Spirit came almost to us; then turned, and Mrs. Butler with her, and went several rods towards Capt. Simson’s and appeared to take her by the hand to urge her on further; and disappeared in our sight.

Mrs. Butler returned and informed the company, as I was told, that if they would walk to Mr. Blaisdel’s solemnly as to a funeral, the Spirit would walk with Mrs. Butler behind them. The company did so. But I being far forward, saw nothing. Mrs. Butler had expressed her unwillingness to go to Capt. Simson’s, and was excused, as she afterwards told us. JAMES MILLAR.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY V.

_Testimony of Mrs. M. G._

On the 4th of August, 1800, about two hours before day-light, while I slept in Mr. Blaisdel’s house, I was waked by the sound of knocking. I got up, and with about twenty others went into the cellar. There I heard such a voice speaking to us as I never heard before nor since. It was shrill, but very mild and pleasant.

Mr. Blaisdel, in addressing the voice, said that several persons, (of whom I was one) had come from a distance to obtain satisfaction, and desired that she would tell us who she was, and the design of her coming. She answered, “I was once N. H. and after I was married, I was N. B.” After much conversation upon the design of her coming, she appeared to us. At first the apparition was a mere mass of light: then grew into personal form, about as tall as myself. We stood in two ranks about four or five feet apart. Between these ranks she slowly passed and repassed, so that any of us could have handled her. When she passed by me, her nearness was that of contact; so that if there had been a substance, I should have certainly felt it. The glow of the apparition had a constant tremulous motion. At last the personal form became shapeless--expanded every way, and then vanished in a moment.

Then I examined my own white gown and handkerchief, but I could no more see them than if they had been black.

Nothing more being now seen or heard, we were moving to go up, when the voice spake again and desired us to tarry longer. We did so, and the Spirit talked with us another hour, even till broad day-light. She mentioned to us the ill treatment which Mr. Blaisdel’s family had suffered by reproach and false accusation, and told us that they would, on her account, be more despised and ridiculed in time to come, than they had been already.

Her discourse concluded by a solemn exhortation to the old, the middle aged and the young. The present life, she said, was but a moment, in which we must be renewed or be miserable forever.

In her address to the youth she observed that it was now the Lord’s day, and that we must retire to our homes, read the Bible, pray and keep the day holy. It was then she uttered these lines of Dr. Watts.

“This is the day when Christ arose
So early from the dead;
Why should I keep my eyelids closed,
And waste my hours in bed?”

After speaking much more which I cannot remember, she sang praises and left us.

Her notes were very pleasant. Her words were in no higher style than common, yet were they exceedingly impressive. MARY GORDON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY VI.

_Testimony of Mrs. Sally Wentworth._

On the 2d of January 1800, Hannah Blaisdel came to Mr. Butler’s house and informed me that the extraordinary voice which they had heard, had declared itself to be that of my sister, and that I must go to her father’s house.

I told her to her face that I did not believe it.

The next day I received the same message by three other persons, two of which belonged to two other families, and returned the same answer. Nevertheless, to give satisfaction, Capt. Butler, Mr. Wentworth and I went with them to that house. Capt. Butler and I examined the cellar with a candle, and in a few minutes after, Lydia and I went down there. Capt. S----n and some others, went with us, but none of them stood before us. While I held Lydia by the arm, we heard the sound of knocking. Lydia spoke, and a voice answered, the sound of which brought fresh to my mind that of my sister’s voice, in an instant; but I could not understand it at all; though it was within the compass of my embrace, and, had it been a creature which breathed, it would have breathed in my face, and I had no impediment of hearing. But Lydia told me that it said, “We must live in peace and be united.” Then we came up. But Capt. S----n with Lydia and others, went down again. I passed through the room which led to the cellar into another room, and there I was much surprised when I plainly understood by the same kind of voice, still speaking in the cellar, these words, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness;” and other sentences, which I cannot remember. This is testified by several others who were with me.[30]

From this time I cleared Lydia as to the voice, and accused the devil.

August 8, I was there again with about thirty others, and heard much conversation. Her voice was still hoarse and thick, like that of my sister on her death bed,[31] but more hollow. Sometimes it was clear, and always pleasant. A certain person did, in my opinion very unwisely, ask her whether I was a true Christian. The reply was, “She thinks she is, she thinks she is. She is my sister.”

August 13-14, I heard the same voice in the same place, and did then believe it was that of my sister. She talked much with Capt. S----n, and exhorted the people. Mr. Sp----r asked her if I believed that she was my sister. The answer was, “She believes now.” By the direction of the Spirit we went to Capt. M----r’s, but I never saw her.

Sometime after this, Mr. Butler brought to me from the Spectre, the private conversation which I know I had with my sister in her lifetime, at a certain hour, when we were alone together, and which he declares he never knew before; as a token that I was her sister. It is true I had never revealed it to any person, and I do not believe that my sister ever did; but could not some evil spirit hear that conversation, and afterwards personate my sister, and reveal it to Capt. Butler? For what purpose should my sister become visible to us?--There was certainly no dispute nor difficulty in my father’s family or that of Mr. Butler’s, which could be any reason for her coming. SALLY WENTWORTH.

Mrs. Wentworth had now an opportunity to hear the voice of
Lydia and the voice of the Spectre in the same time and
place, that she might have the best advantage to judge
whether or not there was the least agreement between them.
And that Lydia had never learned to utter two voices in the
same minute, the one her natural voice, the other the dying
voice of this woman’s sister, appears from the certainty
that through all the time of the Spectre’s last sickness
and death, Lydia was two hundred miles distant from her.

When Mrs. Wentworth heard in the east room that sentence
of the ghost, “I am the voice of one crying in the
wilderness;” this was the only time in which the ghost
uttered these words for that day, as several witnesses
(nem. con.) declare. Hence it follows that this was the
exact minute when Captain Simson, in the cellar, within
eight feet of the voice, and free from deafness, heard only
a sound, while they who stood by him understood the words
plainly. (Compare this with a sentence in Test. 4, 2d part.)

The reality of the token appears from the undoubted
veracity of Mrs. W., her inflexible opposition and the oath
of Capt. Butler, the reputed dupe of the whole business.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY VII.

_Testimony of Mr. Jeremiah Bunker._

On August 9, 1800, I went to Mr. Blaisdel’s, where there were about twelve people.

After hearing the discourse of the Spectre, she appeared before us and disappeared several times. She came close by me and three or four others several times, so that each of us could have handled her. The personal shape, when it disappeared, first changed to a substance, without form, and then vanished in a moment where it was: and after a short space, the full personal form appeared again in a moment. These changes I observed several times. I thought then and ever since that the whole was a deception. For I cannot see how there could be such a clear personal shape, where no living person was. She was in the shape of a person as much as any person could be. JEREMIAH BUNKER.

* * * * *

The second part presents the attestation of those who favor
the cause, or at least have not appeared openly against it.

TESTIMONY I.

_Testimony of Mr. Abner Blaisdel._

May 29, 1800. The Spectre conversed with three of my family. To dispel their fears, she introduced her conversation by these words: “I have come again,[32] be not afraid, I will not hurt you, I did not come here to hurt you, I am a friend to you all.” One of them answered, “I cannot help being afraid.” “You need not be,” said the Spectre, “you need not be. I never did hurt you, did I?” No: it was answered: “And I shall not hurt you,” said the Spectre. “Put your things in place.[33] Conduct as formerly: for nothing will hurt you.”

To Capt. Butler the Spectre said, “Be kind to your wife: for she will not be with you long. She will have but one child and then die.” It was now that the Spirit sent a token to Mrs. Hooper, her mother, by which Mrs. Hooper declares she must have been her daughter.

August 6. I had for some time heard that my father was sick, but had since received no news from him. I ventured to ask how my father did; “He is in heaven,” said she, “praising God with the angels.” I afterwards found by other means, that my father died seven days before this. He lived two hundred miles from me.

When she left us at this time, the voice sounded in the air further and further from us, uttering these words: “I am in heaven, praising God and the Lamb with angels, archangels, cherubim and seraphim. Glory, glory, glory to God and the Lamb. I am going, I am going, I am going to Christ.”

August 8. About thirty people came to my house. That night the Spectre had much solemn conversation with them on religious subjects. Mr. N. H----n expressed his desire to handle her, and she gave him liberty. Some times the inimitable voice would sound ten or twelve feet from us, then close to our face, then again at a distance: and these changes were instantaneous. After broad day-light, the outer door being open, when we could plainly see each other, the voice spake to all, and said, “Let any one who pleases, come and handle me: for Christ says that a spirit hath not flesh and bones.”

Some person then said to Mr. H----n, “Now if you want to handle her why don’t you go?”

Then he crowded through the people to the place where the voice was still speaking, and said, “I find nothing here to handle.”

August 9, 1800. We placed ourselves in order, according to the direction of the Spectre; and a white appearance, at first very small, rose before me and grew to a personal stature and form. It stood directly before Capt. Butler, while he and his wife stood beside each other. I saw him put his hand on the apparition, and I saw his hand pass through it. Then it vanished. There were now about twelve persons here.

On August 11, she discoursed with about twenty persons, of whom I was one. “I come,” said she, “to warn you against sin, and if there is not a change before the soul leaves the body, you will be forever miserable.”

After the Spirit had spoken many things of this nature, Mr. U. expressed his desire to see her, “You shall see me,” said she, “I will appear to you all.” She appeared and disappeared before us several times, and talked while she appeared. She came close to us, and some said they saw the child in her arms. My son P. observed it, and said, “Her child is now in her arms;” “So it is,” said she, “so it is.”

When it was day-light, she told us that this was the day when Christ rose from the dead--that it was God’s precious time and must be kept holy, and that she must return to carry on the work of praise, and then sang praises and left us.

Next morning, while I was at work in my field, I was told that the Spirit had sent for me. I went into my house, heard a voice, but saw nothing.

This voice, which declared itself to be N. H. said, “Call for my parents, P. S. S. C., his wife and others, who appear to you to know Christ, that they may hear and see; for they will tell the truth.” I performed the errand, and those persons came with more than forty others that night. I went into the cellar and asked who should come. “They must all come,” said she, “leave not a soul behind.” I gave the information and they complied. The Spirit first asked her parents whether they believed she was her daughter: and they said, “yes.” “Do you want to see me?” said she. And they said, “No.” She asked her father if he was ready to go with her, if the Lord should call him. “I am afraid I am not,” said he, “but the Lord can make me willing.” “That is right,” she answered. Then after conversing with her mother, in a very affecting manner, she said to both, “You were my dear parents once; but now you are no more to me than others.” Then to Capt. P. S. she said, “You have become hard against me.” “So I have,” said he. “Do you love Christ?” “Yes, I do,” said she, “yes I do.” P. S. “Then you love me.” “Yes, I do. Do you not remember that soon after I was married, you told me that I was married to G. B. and how happy I should be, if I was married to Christ: and I said I was not; but I wished I was.” P. S. “Yes, I remember it very well.” “Now I am married to Christ,” said she, “now I am married to Christ, now I am married to Christ.”

“You used to meet with us at my house, and once, at the time of a certain prayer, I observed you to be much affected.” “Yes, I was,” said she, “and the Lord was then breaking my heart.”

I then spake to her myself, and said, I never knew that you experienced a change of nature before you died, and I should be glad if you would tell when you experienced it. It was, said she, when I laid upon my death bed. Then she spake to her parents, and reminded them of the conversation which had passed between them at that time, respecting the loss of her child. Then it was, said she, that I received my change.

After much other conversation, which I do not remember, the Spirit said to us, “There is one of this family, who is not here.” Some person asked if we should go and call him. She said, “No; I am going where he is. They say I can appear no where but here; but I mean to convince them that I can appear in other places. I must appear before you all this night, and go to the next house and to another. You must all go up and be ready to walk with me. But you must walk in order, two and two, solemnly, as if you were following a friend to the grave. For the Lord is a God of peace and not of confusion. Sing a Psalm as you walk, and I will walk with Lydia after you.” We all went up, and in about an hour after, we heard the token, and placed ourselves before the door, and hearing it again, we walked on to Capt. M’s, and the Spirit knocked under his floor. He and my son went down and, after conversing with my son, she told Capt. M. who she was, and the purpose of her coming to his house, and asked him if he was satisfied, and he told her that he was. Then she directed him to go up and tell the people to stand in order before the door and she would appear before them in the field. They did so, and she appeared to them and disappeared, as some of them informed me. By her direction we walked back to my house in the same order, and then I saw her plainly about thirty feet from me, in the form and stature of a person; white as the light and moving after us like a cloud, without ambulatory motion. ABNER BLAISDEL.

I have discoursed with all these persons, except two or
three, whose names are mentioned in this testimony, and
they all attest to almost all the facts which are here
related, as being known to them.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY II.

_Testimony of Miss Mary Card._

I am not only a witness to many things in the preceding relation, but I further declare that, on August 13, about two o’clock in the day, while Mr. Blaisdel was gone for evidence, the Spirit knocked, and M. M. and I went near to the place of the sound and asked what was wanted.

The Spirit answered “I have come, I have come. Make room for I am coming among you.”[34] I pleaded that she would not. I must, I must, said she, don’t be scared. I answered we were poor sinful creatures, and could not help it, and again earnestly entreated her not to come.

I now plainly saw her appear in shining white; and she asked me if any person in the house wanted to see her. I then called on Miss P. C. who in the same hour had said that “though she had heard the voice speak, she would not believe it was that of a ghost.” I asked her now to come and see her, and she did. Now, said the ghost, satisfy yourselves. Here I am, here I am, satisfy yourselves. Miss P. C. answered that she was satisfied.[35] The ghost then spake several other things which I cannot remember. M. CARD.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY III.

_Testimony of Miss Margaret Miller._

I was present at the same time, and heard all that is here declared by Miss Mary Card. I saw the apparition, and heard her speak at the same time. M. MILLER.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY IV.

_Testimony of Capt. Paul Simson._

January 3, 1800, I was at the house of Mr. Blaisdel. His son P. desired me to go with him into the cellar. I went down with him and his two sisters, and Mrs. C. M.

I heard a rapping, and asked in the name of Christ what it wanted. I heard a voice considerably loud, but could not understand it. But some who were present, told me that it said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make his paths strait. Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”

After some silence it rapped again. I spake to it in the name of Christ, and said, if there was any thing it could utter for peace, to utter it. It answered, “I am not to be trifled with. I am not to be trifled with. I am not to be trifled with. Peace, peace, peace.”[36]

Then they all went up, except Lydia and myself, and I held her by the hand. She was much terrified, and said, “I feel so I cannot stay: I must go up.” Stay awhile, said I, perhaps it will speak again. “I cannot,” said she, and began to urge me away. I consented, and when we had come up, she told me what I had myself perceived, that the cellar began to grow light, where the voice was uttered and that she heard a rushing noise.

Sometime after I was in the same cellar with a number of people and heard a plain voice; clearly understood by others, but not at all by myself, though as near to it as others and free from deafness. The voice appeared to me inimitable.

August 8, I was there again with thirty others and heard the conversation of the Spectre with several persons. Mr. N. H. mentioned his desire to handle her. “Handle me and see,” said she, “for Christ tells you that a spirit is not flesh and bones.”

Mr. T. U. said, “if you are a happy soul, intercede for me.” The reply was, “None but Christ intercedes.” “There are among us,” said Mr. U., “several denominations of Christians: Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and Methodists. Which of all these are right?” The voice answered, “There are good and bad of all these sorts for the elect’s sake.”[37]

In August 13-14, while I was at the same house, the Spirit informed us that she could not speak freely in the night of August 9, because the behaviour of the people had been so rude, but expressed her joy in discoursing with christians. You know, said I, a thousand times more than any of us. Yes I do, said she. Mr. Blaisdel said to me, you stand too near her. Then I asked, do I stand too near you? No, said she, stand as near as you please. I felt surprised, and said, it was a wonderful event. Yes, the spirit replied, it is a wonderful event indeed--do you not remember what you told me, just after I was married that if I was married to Christ, how happy I should live? Yes, I answered, I remember it very well. She exhorted the young people and told them that without a change they would be miserable.

After this, the spirit expressed her resolution to convince us that Mr. Blaisdel and his family were clear of the evils alleged against them.

They say I am a witch and a devil, said she; and they said that Christ was a devil. The spirit said other things, which I remember not.

At last she told them she was about to appear in order to convince them. Then by her direction we went up, and having prayed together, and heard the token, we walked on to Capt. M’s, singing the 84th Psalm. I was one of the foremost of the company and did not see it then; but the greatest number of those who were behind me, said they saw it plainly.

When we were at Capt. M’s house, we stood in the field, while Mrs. Butler, in great fear, walked with the Spirit before us,[38] a few rods toward Capt. Simson’s; and then returned and told us that we must walk back, two and two, to her father’s house singing, and the spirit would follow us back. We did so. Mr. D. and I walked behind all, except Mrs. Butler, in order if possible to see the apparition. When we had walked about fifteen rods, I saw a white appearance forward of us to the left hand. As we passed by it, it fell in after us and walked with Mrs. Butler.

Mr. D. and I turned and looked upon them, and heard them talk. We walked a little way further, stopped and looked upon them, and heard them talk again; but they spoke with so low a voice we could not understand them. The spirit appeared in personal form, white as snow, about as tall as Mrs. Butler.

It was now day-break. I turned my eyes from the object, and in half a minute looked toward it again, but it was gone. Mr. D. then told me he saw it disappear. PAUL SIMSON.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY V.

_Testimony of Mr. Samuel Ingalls._

August 13-14, 1800. I was at the house of Mr. Blaisdel in the evening, with about forty people: went into the cellar with a candle, which discovered to us the whole cellar, so that no person here could be concealed from us. The light being put out, we heard a knocking. It was spoken to, and a voice shrill and pleasant, like what I never heard before, answered, (and talked with us.) Mr. Downing asked her if she knew him, she said, yes: and called him by name three times. She often uttered her sentences three times. He asked the Spirit if she had never been at his house. The answer was that she had been there once.

Capt. P. S. said, “You know as much as a thousand of us;” “Yes, yes;” she answered, “but it will not be long before some here will know as much.”

Mr. Blaisdel asked the Spirit when she experienced her change. She answered that it was on her death bed; and then uttered the words, “Glory, glory, glory. Alleluia.”

After some silence, some person asked the Spirit, “Are you about to leave us?” She answered, “I must go when Jesus calls. I must appear and walk with you this night; but you must walk in order. I will walk behind with L. and told us that she had walked with her before.” If you do, said Mrs. Butler, I shall faint away. No, said the Spectre, you shall not faint again; and then said to the people, “If she faints again,[39] don’t you believe me.”[40]

Mrs. Butler never fainted after this. We went to Capt. M’s, and stood there. Mrs. Butler walked, as I was told she was before ordered, several rods from us, and I saw something appear white by her side, but no personal form. I heard Mrs. Butler say that when the Spirit was with her and talked with her, she was not so much afraid, as when she expected her coming. SAMUEL INGALLS.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY VI.

_Testimony of Mr. James Springer._

August 13, 1800. After much conversation with the Spectre, she told us that she must talk and appear at the house of Capt. M. because he had reported that she could not be any where but at Mr. Blaisdel’s house. And L. must walk with me, said she, that you may all see that she is one person and I another.

We walked in order to that house, and I saw the Spirit as plainly as ever I saw any person. I saw the Spirit appear and disappear several time that night. * * * * * * JAMES SPRINGER.

A part of this testimony is lost.

* * * * *

TESTIMONY VII.

_Testimony of Mr. John Simson._