Part II: a choice collection of modern relations, part 12 of 12

RELAT. XXVIII. The Confessions of certain Scotch Witches, taken out of an authentick Copy of their Trial at the Assizes held at Paisley in Scotland, Feb. 15. 1678. touching the bewitching of Sir George Maxwel.

THe Tenour of the Confessions taken before Justices: As first of Annabil Stuart of the age of Fourteen years, or thereby; who declared that she was brought in the presence of the Justices for the crime of Witchcraft; and declared, that on Harvest last, the Devil in the shape of a Black man came to her Mothers House, and required the Declarant to give her self up to him; and that the Devil promised her that she should not want any thing that was good. Declares, that she being enticed by her Mother Jannet Mathie, and Bessie Weir, who was Officer to their several meetings, she put her Hand to the crown of her Head, and the other to the sole of her Foot, and did give herself up to the Devil. Declares, that her Mother promised her a new Coat for doing of it. Declares, that her Spirits name was Enippa, and that the Devil took her by the Hand and nipped her Arm, which continued to be sore for half an hour. Declares, that the Devil in the shape of a black man lay with her in the Bed under the Clothes, and that she found him cold. Declares, that thereafter he placed her nearest himself. And declares, she was present in her Mothers house when the Effigies of Wax was made; and that it was made to represent Sir George Maxwel. Declares, that the black man, Janet Mathie, the Declarant's Mother (whose Spirit's name was Landlady;) Bessie Weir, whose Spirit's name is Sopha; Margaret Craige, whose Spirits name is Rigerum; and Margaret Jackson, whose Spirit's name is Locas, were all present at the making of the said Effigies; and that they bound it on a Spit, and turned it before the Fire; and that it was turned by Bessie Weir, saying, as they turned it, Sir George Maxwel, Sir George Maxwel; and that this was expressed by all of them, and by the Declarant. Declares, that this Picture was made in October last. And further declares, that upon the third day of January Instant, Bessie Weir came to her Mother's house, and advertised her to come to her Brother John Stuart's upon the night following. And that accordingly she came to the place, where she found Bessie Weir, Margery Craige, Magaret Jackson, and her Brother John Stuart, and a man with black Clothes, a blue Band, and white Hand-cuffs with hogers, and that his Feet were cloven. And the Declarant sate down by the Fire-side with them, when they made a Picture of Clay, in which they placed Pins in the Brest and Sides: And declares, that they placed one in every Side, and one in the Breast. Declared, that the black man did put the Pins in the Picture of Wax; but is not sure who put in the Pins in the Picture of Clay. Declares, that the Effigies produced are the Effigies she saw made. Declares, that the black mans name is Ejoall. This Declaration was emitted before James Dunlop of Husil, William Gremlaye, &c. Jan. 27. 1677. Ita est. Robertus Park Notarius Publicus, &c.

The second Confession is of John Stuart, who being interrogate anent this crime of Witchcraft, declared, That upon Wednesday the third day of January Instant, Bessie Weir in Pollocton came to the Declarant late at night, who being without doors near his own house, the said Bessie Weir did intimate to him, that there was a meeting to be at his house the next day: And that the Devil under the shape of a black man, Margaret Jackson, Margery Craige, and the said Bessie Weir, were to be present. And that Bessie Weir required the Declarant to be there, which he promised. And that the next night, after the Declarant had gone to bed, the black man came in and called the Declarant quietly by his name. Upon which he arose from his Bed, and put on his Clothes, and lighted a Candle. Declares, that Margaret Jackson, Bessie Weir, and Margery Craige did enter in at a Window in the Gavil of the Declarant's house. And that the first thing that the black man required, was, that the Declarant should renounce his Baptism, and deliver himself up wholly to him: Which the Declarant did, by putting one hand on the crown of his Head, and the other on the sole of his Foot. And that he was tempted to it by the Devil's promising that he should not want any pleasure, and that he should get his heart filled on all that shall do him wrong. Declares, that he gave him the name of Jonas for his Spirits name. Declares, that thereafter the Devil required every one of their consents for the making of the Effigies of Clay for the taking away the life of Sir George Maxwel of Pollock, to revenge the taking of the Declarants Mother Jannet Mathie. Declares, that every one of the persons above named gave their consent to the making of the said Effigies, and that they wrought the Clay, and that the black man did make the figure of the Head and Face and two Arms to the said Effigies. Declares, that the Devil set three Pins in the same, one in each side, and one in the Breast: And that the Declarant did hold the Candle to them all the time the Picture was making. And that he observed one of the black man's Feet to be cloven: and that the black man's Apparel was black: and that he had a bluish Band and Handcuffs; and that he had Hogers on his Legs without Shoes: and that the black man's Voice was hough and goustie. And further declares, that after they had begun the forming of the Effigies, his Sister Annabil Stuart, a Childe of thirteen or fourteen years of age, came knocking at the Door, and being let in by the Declarant, she staid with them a considerable time, but that she went away before the rest, he having opened the Door to her. Declares, that the rest went out at the Window at which they entred. Declares, that the Effigies was placed by Bessie Weir in his Bedstraw. He further declares, he himself did envy against Sir George Maxwel for apprehending Jannet Mathie his Mother: And that Bessie Weir had great malice against this Sir George Maxwel; and that her quarrel was, as the Declarant conceived, because the said Sir George had not entred her Husband to his Harvest-service; and also declares, that the said Effigies was made upon the fourth day of January Instant, and that the Devil's name was Ejoall. Declares that his Spirits name was Jonas, and Bessie Weir's Spirits name, who was Officer, was Sopha; and that Margaret Jackson's Spirit's name was Locas; and that Annabil Stuart's, the Declarant's Sister's was Enippa; but does not remember what Margery Craige's Spirit's name was. Declares, that he cannot write. This Confession was emitted in the presence of the Witnesses to the other Confession, and on the same day. Ita est. Robertus Park Notarius Publicus, &c.

The Confession of Margaret Jackson Relict of Tho. Stuart in Shaws, who being examined by the Justices anent her being guilty of Witchcraft, declares, That she was present at the making of the first Essigies and Picture that was made in Jannet Mathie's house in October, and that the Devil in the shape of a black man, Jannet Mathie, Bessie Weir, Margery Craige, and Annabil Stuart, was present at the making of the said Essigies, and that it was made to represent Sir George Maxwel of Pollock, for the taking away his life. Declares, that fourty years ago, or thereabout, she was at Pollockshaw-croft, with some few sticks on her back, and that the black man came to her, and that she did give up herself unto the black man from the top of her Head to the sole of her Foot; and that this was after the Declarants renouncing of her Baptism; and that the Spirit's name which he designed her was Locas. And that about the third or fourth of January Instant, or thereby, in the night-time when she awaked, she found a man to be in bed with her, whom she supposed to have been her Husband, though her Husband had been dead twenty years or thereby, and that the man immediately disappeared: and declares that this man who disappeared was the Devil. Declares, that upon Thursday the fourth of January Instant, she was present in the house of John Stuart at night when the Effigies of Clay was made, and that she saw the black man there, sometimes sitting, sometimes standing with John Stuart; and that the black man's Clothes were black, and that he had white Handcuffs. And that Bessie Weir in Pollockton, Annabil Stuart in Shaws, and Margery Craige were at the aforesaid time and place of making the said Effigies of Clay; and declares, that she gave her consent to the making of the same; and declares that the Devils name who compeired in the black man's shape was Ejoall. Sic subscribitur. Ita est. Robertus Park Notarius Publicus, &c.

Now follow the Depositions of certain persons agreeing with the Confessions of the abovesaid Witches.

A[…]dr. Martin Servitour to the Lord of Pollock, of the age of Thirty years or thereby, Depones, That he was present in the house of Jannet Mathie Pannal when the Picture of Wax produced was found in a little hole in the Wall at the back of the Fire. Depones, that Sir George his Sickness did fall upon him about the eighteenth of October or thereby. Depones, that the Picture of Wax was found on the ** of December, and that Sir George his Sickness did abate and relent about the time the Picture of wax was found and discovered in Jannet Mathie's house. Depones, that the Pins were placed in the right and left sides, and that Sir George Maxwel of Pollock his pains, as he understood by Sir George's complaining of these pains, lay most in his right and left sides. And depones, that Sir George his pains did abate and relent after the finding of the said Picture of Wax and taking out of the Pins as is said. And depones, that the Pannal Jannet Mathie has been by fame and bruite reputed a Witch these several years by past. And this is the truth as he shall answer to God. Sic Subscrib. Andr. Martin.

Laurence Pollock Secretary to the Lord of Pollock, sworn and purged of partial Counsel, depones as follows, That on the ** day of December he was in the Pannal Jannet Mathie's house when the Picture was found; and that he did not see it before it was brought to the Pannal's door. Depones, that Sir George Maxwel of Pollock's sickness did seize upon him about the fourteenth of October or thereby, and he did continue in his Sickness or Distemper for six Weeks or thereby. Depones, that Sir George his Sickness did abate and relent after the finding of the said Picture of Wax and taking out of the Pins that were in the Effigies. Depones, that by open bruit and common fame, Jannet Mathie, and Bessie Weir, and Margery Craige, are brandit to be Witches. Depones, that the truth is this as he shall answer it to God. Sic Subscrib. Laurence Pollock.

Lodovic Stuart of Auchunhead being sworn and purged of partial Counsel, depones, That Sir George his Sickness fell upon him the fourteenth or fifteenth of October or thereby. Depones, that he was not present at the finding of the Picture of Wax; but that he had seen Sir George Maxwel of Pollock after it was found; and having seen him in his Sickness oftentimes before, he did perceive that Sir George had sensibly recovered after the time that the said Picture was said to be found, which was upon the 11th or 12th of December. Depones, that Jannet Mathie and Margery Craige two of the Pannals are by report of the Country said to be Witches. Depones, that he having come to Pollock he did see Sir George Maxwel, whose pains did recur, and that his pains and torments were greatly encreased in respect of what they were before the finding of the Picture of Wax. Depones, that upon the 8th of January when they left the said Sir George Maxwel of Pollock, the Deponent James Dunlop of Housil, Allan Douglace, and several others, did go to the house of John Stuart Warlock in Pollock-shaw, and there he found a Picture of Clay in the said John Stuart's Bedstraw. Depones, that there was three Pins in the said Picture of Clay, and that there was one in each side, and one in the Breast. And depones, that being returned to Sir George his house, Sir George told the Deponent that he found great ease of his pains, and that it was before the Deponent Housil and the rest did reveal to him that they had found the said Picture of Clay; and further depones, that to his own observation he did perceive that Sir George had sensibly recovered. Depones, that they took the said John Stuart Pannal Prisoner with them at the finding of the said Effigies. And depones, that this is truth as he shall answer it to God. Sic Subscrib. Lodowick Stuart.

There follow more Depositions in the Copy, but these are the most for our purpose, and enough to discover that the Consession of those Witches are no Fables nor Dreams.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THese Confessions and Depositions are transcribed out of the Copy in the same Scottish Dialect that I found them; and several words there are which I profess I understand not, as those for example concerning the black mans Voice, that it was hough and goustie: But if the voice of this black man be like that of his who appeared to the Witches whom Mr. Hunt examined, they may signifie a big and low voice.

There is another Scottish Trial of Witches amongst Mr. Glanvil's Papers, with the same general subscription that this has, viz. Robert Martin Clerk to the Justice Court. But that is of too old a date, it being in the year 1590, to comply with the title of our Stories. But it being a true Copy of Record so Authentick, though not so fresh, it may haply not be amiss briefly to name some Effects, Kinds, or Circumstances of Witchcraft therein mentioned; such especially as have not occurred in the foregoing Stories; as the giving and taking away power from sundry mens Genitalmembers, For which Jannet Clark was accused.

That which is observable in John Fiene is, that the Devil appeared to him not in black, but in white raiment; but proposed as hellish a Covenant to him as those Fiends that appear in black. As also lying dead two or three hours, and his Spirit tane, (as the Phrase in the Record is) […]is being carried or transported to many Mountains, and, as he thought, through the world, according to his own Depositions. His hearing the Devil preach in a Kirk in the Pulpit in the night by candle-light, the Candle burning blue. That in a Conventicle of Witches, whose names are specified in the Record, he with the rest at parting kissed the Devil's Breech; the Record speaks more broadly. His skimming on the Sea in a Boat with those of his gang, and his foretelling the leak in the Queens Ship by the help of the Devil. His raising Winds with the rest at the King's passage into Denmark, by casting a Cat into the Sea, which the Devil delivered to them, and taught them to cry Hola when they cast it in. His raising a Mist at the King's return from Denmark, by getting Satan to cast a thing like a Foot-ball (it appeared to John like a Wisp) into the Sea, which made a vapour or reek to arise, whereby the King's Majesty might be cast upon the Coast of England. His hearing the Devil again preach in a Pulpit in black, who after pointed them to Graves, to open and dismember the Corpse therein; which done, incontinently they were transported without words. His opening Locks by Sorcery, as one by mere blowing into a womans hand while he sa[…]e by the Fire. His raising sour Candles on the Luggs of an Horse, and another on the top of the Staff of his Rider in the night, that he made it as light as day; and how the man sell down dead at the entring within his house at his return home. His embarquing in a Boat with other Witches, and sailing over Sea, and entring within a ship, and drinking good Wine and Ale there, and sinking the Ship when they had done, with the persons in it. His kissing Satan's Breech again alter another Conventicle. His being swistly carried above in the chasing of a Cat to catch her to cast into the Sea, thereby to raise Winds, according to the prescription of Satan. His pretending to tell any man how long he should live if he told him but the day of his birth.

There are also several things in Agnes Sympson's Witchcrast, such as there scarce occur the like in the foregoing stories. As her skill in Diseases. That the sickness of Will. Black was an Elf-shot. Her heating also of them by Sorcery, and foretelling the party whether he should live or die, and others how long they should live. Her taking the sick parties pains and sickness upon herself for a time, and then translating it to a third person. Her use of long scriptural Prayers and Rhymes containing the main points of Christianity, so that she may seem to have been not so much a white Witch as an holy woman. And yet it is upon Record that she made a Covenant with the Devil in the shape of a man, and in suchlike hellish manner as other Witches do. But when she sought for answers from the Devil upon any occasion, he appeared to her in the shape of a Dog; but the formula of her dismissing of him, was, The charging him to depart on the Law he lives on, as she did when she dismist him after her consulting him about the old Lady Edmonston's sickness; but her invocation was, Elva, come and speak to me, who came in the likeness of a Dog. Her sailing with her fellow-Witches in a Boat to a Ship, where the Devil caused her to drink good Wine, she neither seeing the Mariners, nor the Mariners her. But after all, the Devil raised a Wind whereby the ship perished. Her baptizing, and using other Ceremonies upon a Cat, with other Witches, to hinder the Queen's coming into Scotland. Her raising of a Spirit to conjure a Picture of Wax for the destroying of Mr. John Moscrope.

Hitherto I have brought but small shreds out of this ancient Record, but I will conclude with a full Paragraph, it containing the Confession of Agnes Sympson to King James then King of the Scots: Which is this.

Item, Fyled and convict for sameckle as she confest before his Majesty, that the Devil in mans likeness met her going out in the Fields from her own house at Keith betwixt five and six at Even, being alone, and commandit her to be at North-bervick-Kirk the next night. And she past then on Horseback, conveyed by her good-son called John Couper, and lighted at the Kirk-yard, or a little before she came to it, about eleven hours at Even. They danced along the Kirk-yard, Geilie Duncan plaid to them on a Trump, John Fien mussiled led all the rest; the said Agnes and her Daughter followed next. Besides, there were Kate Grey, George Moilis Wife, Robert Greirson, Katharine Duncan, Bessie Right, Isabel Gilmore, John Graymaill, Duncan Buchanan, Thomas Barnhil and his Wife, Gilbert Macgil, John Macgil, Katharine Macgil, with the rest of their Complices above an hundred persons, whereof there were six Men, and all the rest Women. The Women made first their homage, and then the Men. The Men were turned nine times widdershins about, and the Women six times. John Fien blew up the Doors and blew in the Lights, which were like mickle black Candles sticking round about the Pulpit. The Devil startit up himself in the Pulpit like a mickle black man, and every one answered Here. Mr. Robert Greirson being named, they ran all hirdie girdie, and were angry: for it was promised he should be called Robert the Comptroller, alias Rob the Rowar, for expriming of his name. The first thing he demandit was, if they keept all promise, and been good Servants, and what they had done since the last time they had conveined. At his command they opened up three Graves, two within and ane without the Kirk, and took off the joynts of their Fingers, Toes, and Neise, and parted them amongst them: and the said Agnes Sympson got for her part a Winding-sheet and two Joynts. The Devil commandit them to keep the Joynts upon them while they were dry, and then to make a powder of them to do evil withal. Then he commandit them to keep his Commandments, which were to do all the evil they could. Before they departed they kiss'd his Breech; the Record speaks more broad, as I noted before. He had on him ane Gown and ane Hat, which were both black: and they that were assembled part stood and part sate: John Fien was ever nearest the Devil at his left Elbock, Graymaill keeped the door.

I have retained the Scotch Dialect here also, for the more Authentickness of the matter, and have adjoyned this large Paragraph, the Confession therein contained being in all probability a more special occasion of King James his changing his opinion touching the Existence of Witches, which he was, as is reported, inclinable to think to be but a mere conceit before. For he was then but young, not passing five or six and Twenty years of age when this Examination was had before him. And part of the Third Chapter of his Second Book of his Daemonologie seems to be a Transcript of this very Confession. Wheresore this being so considerable an occurrence touching a business of such moment, the bringing in here so old a Story amongst those of fresher memory, will, I hope, bring along with it its own excuse.

Thus have we contrived all the Relations in Mr. Glanvil's Papers which were thought considerable, into this second Part of his Saducismus Triumphatus. He once intended to subjoyn thereto an Answer to Webster, Wagstaff, and the Author of the Doctrine of Devils, as you may observe from the first Section of his Proof of Apparitions, &c. from holy Scripture: but partly by bringing in already the chief things in that rude draught begun, into what is here published, and partly by stating the Question truly and with right judgement, he has prevented himself, and made that labour needless. As indeed in a manner it ever was, their Objections against Mr. Glanvil's Opinion on these points, being wondrous weak, sorry and sophistical, and such as it were pity that any man of parts who can bestow his time better should squander it away in confuting such trisles.

There is nothing that makes any least shew of strength, but that touching the palpability of the consistency of the Bodies of the Familiars of Witches, as if it weakened our Saviour's Argument to his Disciples for his Resurrection, where he bids them handle him and see, for a Spirit has not Flesh and Bones as they see him have. And he bids Thomas thrust his Hand into his Side, that they might be sure he was no Spectre or Spirit, but the very Christ with his Flesh, Bloud, and Bones as he had before his Crucifixion; and they were as well ascertained of this, as sense, nay the surest sense, that of Touch or Feeling, could make them, that he had really Flesh and Bones, and such a temperament as humane Bodies have. Nor can any cavil avail against this from the Familiars of Witches, that will not as well weaken the assurance that we converse with such or such a Friend, but with some Spectre like him; So that the Allegation is as weak as peevish and malicious. And if he should doubt whether it was his real Friend, or some Spectre, if his Friend should offer himself, as our Saviour did, to be touched, searched and felt, would not any body think it were sufficient assurance? But for a perverse Caviller or crazy Sceptick, what is it that will satisfie them?

But it may be it will be said, that there be concomitant considerations that will assure the party it is his Friend and not a Spectre. And are there not concomitant considerations here also? The ancient Prophecies, and Christ's own Prediction that he should rise from the dead out of the Grave. And that God is a God of truth, and not of unfaithfulness and imposture: Which assurance is of a more high and divine Tenour than that of feeling his Body. And therefore our Saviour saith to Thomas; THOMAS, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed, Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed: For it is a sign that a more noble and heavenly principle is awakened in them, that dispels that thick Mist of Sceptical stupor and dulness. It is a sign they are of a more holy, pure, and refined temper. And besides all this, What Spectre ever challenged any one to make such a Trial as this, to seel whether he was not very Flesh and Bone as real men are, when he would impose upon any? Or how is it proved, though Spirits can bring their Vehicle to a palpable consistency, that they can turn it into such as shall seel of the same articulate palpableness of Flesh and Bone and Temperament that are in living men? Till this appear by confest experience to be in the palpable consistency of Familiars or Spirits that transact with Witches, the Allegation is infinitely weak upon that account also, as weak as spightful and perverse. But the Hag-Advocates will alledge any foolish thing, rather than seem to be able to say nothing.

In the mean time I think it here seasonable to declare, that though this intended Edition of Saducismus Triumphatus had not the happiness to be perfected by the ingenious Author's own hand before his death, yet such Materials he left behind him, and the work in such a forwardness, that things being put together in that order and distinctness which they are, the Discourse may prove as useful for the reclaiming men from Saducism, though perhaps not altogether so delightful, as if his own hand had had the last polishing of it. And the publishing of it will also do him that right in the eyes of the world, that (whereas he was suspected haply for some complaisance towards some persons that were over-inclinable to Hobbianism, to have shrunk from the sense of such noble Theories, with which his mind was enlightned in the morning of his days) it from hence may appear that these things stuck close to him, and that he entertained them with a sincere warmth all along, as is evident from these Papers then private within his own Study-walls. As the profession of them broke out from him most expresly when he lay on his Death-bed, as his intimate friend Mr. Thomas Alcock largely sets down in a Letter written to Dr. H. More. And I think that is the time, if ever that men will speak their thoughts freely, as the Poet hath observed in the like case,

Nam vere voces tum demum pectore ab imo
Ejiciuntur, & eripitur persona, manet res.

To this Sense,

Then 'tis men from their Hearts their Mind declare,
Cast off their Vizards, shew their faces bare.