Part II: a choice collection of modern relations, part 9 of 12

ADVERTISEMENT.

This story was also sent from Mr. E. Fowler to Dr. H. More, concerning which he further adds by way of Postscript, that Mr. Greatrix told this story to Mrs. Foxcraft at Ragley, and at her request he told it a second time in her hearing at the Table. My Lady Roydon being then present, inquired afterwards concerning it of My Lord Orory, who confirmed the truth of it, acknowledging all the circumstances of this Narrative to My Lady Roydon to be true except that passage, That the Spectre told the Man that he was that day going about an unlawful business. And Mr. Fowler further adds, that since an eminent Doctor in this City told me that My Lord told him, that he saw at his own house a Man taken up into the Air.

Lastly, I find Dr. H. More in a Letter to Mr. Glanvil, affirming that he also heard Mr. Greatrix tell the story at My Lord Conway's at Ragley, and that he particularly inquired of Mr. Greatrix about the Mans being carried up into the Air above Mens heads in the room, and that he did expresly affirm that he was an Eye-witness thereof.

RELAT. XIX. The miraculous Cure of Jesch Claes a Dutch Woman of Amsterdam, accompanied with an Apparition.

THe Narrative taken by a Dutch Merchant from her own Mouth begins thus. A miraculous Cure upon Jesch Claes, a Woman about fifty years of Age: For this many years well known to my self and the Neighbours. This Woman for fourteen years had been lame of both Legs, one of them being dead and without feeling, so that she could not go but creep upon the ground, or was carried in Peoples Arms as a Child, but now through the power of God Almighty she hath walked again. Which came to pass after this manner, as I have taken it from her own Mouth.

In the year 1676. about the 13th or 14th of this Month October, in the Night between one and two of the Clock, this Jesch Claes being in bed with her Husband who was a Boatman, she was three times pulled by her Arm, with which she awaked and cryed out, O Lord! What may this be? Hereupon she heard an answer in plain words: Be not afraid, I come in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Your malady which hath for many years been upon you shall cease, and it shall be given you from God Almighty to walk again. But keep this to your self till further answer. Whereupon she cried aloud, O Lord! That I had a light, that I might know what this is. Then had she this answer, There needs no light, the light shall be given you from God. Then came light all over the room, and she saw a beautiful Youth about Ten years of Age, with Curled Yellow Hair Clothed in White to the Feet, who went from the Beds-head to the Chimney with a light which a little after vanished. Hereupon did there shoot something or gush from her Hip, or diffuse it self through her Leg as a Water into her great Toe, where she did find life rising up, felt it with her hand, crying out, Lord give me now again my feeling which I have not had in so many years. And further she continued crying and praying to the Lord according to her weak measure.

Yet she continued that day Wednesday, and the next day Thursday, as before till Evening at six a Clock. At which time she sate at the fire dressing the food. Then came as like a rushing noise in both her Ears, with which it was said to her Stand. Your going is given you again. Then did she immediately stand up that had so many years crept, and went to the door. Her Husband meeting her being exceedingly afraid drew back. In the mean while she cryed out, My dear Husband I can go again. The Man thinking it was a Spirit drew back, saying, you are not my Wife. His Wife taking hold of him said, My dear Husband I am the self same that hath been Married these Thirty years to you. The Almighty God hath given my going again. But her Husband being amazed drew back to the side of the room, till at last she claspt her hand about his neck, and yet he doubted and said to his Daughter, is this your Mother? She answered, yes Father, this we plainly see. I had seen her go also before you came in. This Person dwells upon Princes Island in Amsterdam.

ADVERTISEMENT.

This account was sent from a Dutch Merchant procured by a Friend for Dr. R. Cudworth, and contains the main Particulars that occur in the Dutch Printed Narrative, which Monsieur Van Helmont brought over with him to my Lady Conway at Ragley, who having inquired upon the Spot when he was there at Amsterdam, though of a Genius not at all credulous of such Relations, found the thing to be really true. As also Philippus Limbergius in a Letter to Dr. H. More, sent this Testimony touching the party cured, That she was always reputed a very honest good Woman, and that he believed there was no fraud at all in the business.

RELAT. XX. An house haunted some Thirty years ago or more at or near Bow, not far from London, and strangely disturbed by Daemons and Witches.

A Certain Gentleman about Thirty years ago or more, being to Travel from London into Essex, and to pass through Bow, at the request of a Friend he called at a house there, which began then to be a little disquieted. But not any thing much remarkable yet, unless of a young Girl who was pluckt by the Thigh by a cold hand in her bed who dyed within a few days after.

Some weeks after this his occasions calling him back he passed by the same house again, but had no design to give them a new visit, he having done that not long before. But it happening that the Woman of the house stood at the Door, he thought himself engaged to ride to her and ask how she did? To whom she answered with a sorrowful Countenance; That though she was in tolerable health, yet things went very ill with them, their house being extreamly haunted especially above stairs, so that they were forced to keep in the low rooms, there was such flinging of things up and down, of Stones and Bricks through the Windows and putting all in disorder. But he could scarce forbear laughing at her, giving so little credit to such stories himself, and thought it was the tricks onely of some unhappy Wags to make sport to themselves and trouble to their Neighbours.

Well says she, if you will but stay a while you may chance to see something with your own Eyes. And indeed he had not stayed any considerable time with her in the street, but a Window of an upper room opened of it self (for they of the Family took it for granted no body was above stairs) and out comes a piece of an old Wheel through it. Whereupon it presently clapt to again. A little while after it suddainly flew open again and out come a Brick-bat, which inflamed the Gentleman with a more eager desire to see what the matter was, and to discover the Knavery. And therefore he boldly resolved if any one would go up with him, he would in to the Chamber. But none present durst accompany him. Yet the keen desire of discovering the cheat, made him adventure by himself alone into that Room. Into which when he was come, he saw the Bedding, Chairs and Stools, and Candlesticks, and Bedstaves, and all the furniture rudely scattered on the floor, but upon search found no mortal in the Room.

Well! he stays there a while to try conclusions, anon a Bedstaff begins to move, and turn it self round a good while together upon its Toe, and at last fairly to lay it self down again. The curious Spectator, when he had observed it to lye still a while, steps out to it, views it whether any small string or hair were tyed to it, or whether there were any hole or button to fasten any such string to, or any hole or string in the Ceiling above; but after search, he found not the least suspicion of any such thing.

He retires to the Window again, and observes a little longer what may fall out. Anon, another Bedstaff rises off from the ground of its own accord higher into the air, and seems to make towards him. He now begins to think there was something more than ordinary in the business, and presently makes to the door with all speed, and for better caution shuts it after him. Which was presently opened again, and such a clatter of Chairs, and Stools, and Candlesticks, and Bedstaves, sent after him down Stairs, as if they intended to have maimed him, but their motion was so moderated, that he received no harm, but by this time he was abundantly assured, that it was not mere Womanish fear or superstition that so affrighted the Mistress of the house. And while in a low Room he was talking with the Family about these things, he saw a Tobacco-pipe rise from a side Table, no body being nigh, and fly to the other side of the Room, and break it self against the wall for his further confirmation, that it was neither the tricks of Waggs, nor the fancy of a Woman, but the mad frolicks of Witches and Daemons. Which they of the house being fully perswaded of, roasted a Bedstaff, upon which an Old Woman a suspected Witch came to the House, and was apprehended, but escaped the Law. But the House was after so ill haunted in all the Rooms, upper and lower, that the house stood empty for a long time after.

ADVERTISEMENT.

This Story is found amongst Mr. Glanvil's Papers, written to him from Dr. H. More, who says, some three months before, he had received it from the parties own mouth, that was at the haunted house in Bow, and saw the motion of the Bedstaves and Tobacco-pipe, &c. And I very well remember, that about Thirty or Forty years ago, there was a great fame of an house haunted at Bow, and such like feats us this Spectator saw, was rumoured of it, and the time agrees with that of this Spectator or Eye-witness of the above recited Feats. And a Book was then said to be Printed, though I never saw any but one of late without any date of the year, the things then being in Fieri, when it was Printed. And they seem to referr to the same haunted place, though the Pamphlet names Plaisto for Bow. But the haunting of which the fame went so many years ago I very well remember was Bow. But whether Bow was talked of instead of Plaisto, it being a place near, and of more note, I know not. And Paul Fox a Weaver, was the Man whose house was haunted in Plaisto according to that Pamphlet.

If the Gentleman that so well remembers the strange things he saw, had not forgot the Mans name whose house was haunted (and the strangeness of those things would six themselves in his memory, even whether he would or no, when the name of the Master of the house might easily in Thirty or Forty years time slide out of it) we might be sure whether it were Plaisto or Bow. But I am sure the fame went of Bow, though the Pamphlet name Plaisto, and that might make the abovesaid Party, who told Dr. More the story, six the Scene without all scruple in Bow.

But methinks I hear the Reader complain, that it was a great omission in Mr. Glanvil, that he did not inquire of Dr. More who this party was that told him the story, it seeming an headless piece without that part. Wherefore I find in a Paper (whose Title is Doctor More's Particulars about the Stories) these words in answer to Mr. Glanvil. That it is Dr. Gibbs a Prebendary of Westminster, and a sober intelligent person. And some dozen lines after, Dr. More says, Dr. Gibbs told the story to my self, and to Dr. Outram, who brought me to him. And I have told you already, that he is a person of understanding and integrity. He has also some Sermons in Print as I take it.

But for as much as it was about three months after Dr. More had received this account of the story from Dr. Gibbs, that he wrote to Mr. Glanvil, it is not to be expected that he related it in the very same words, and in every punctilio as he heard it. But I dare undertake for him that for the main, and that which makes to the evincing of Witchcraft, and the ludicrous Feats of Daemons, that he hath committed no errour therein, nor set down any thing whose substance was not related to him by the Reverend Dr. Gibbs.

RELAT. XXI. Mr. Jermin's story of an house haunted, and what disturbance himself was a Witness of there at a visit of his Wife's Sister.

ONe Mr. Jermin Minister of Bigner in Sussex, going to see a Sister of his Wife's, found her very Melancholy, and asking her the reason, she replyed, You shall know to morrow morning. When he went to Bed there were two Maids accompanied him in his Chamber, and the next day he understood that they durst not go into any Room in the house alone.

In the night, while he was in his Bed, he heard the trampling of many feet upon the Leads over his head, and after that the going off of a Gun, upon which sollowed a great silence. Then they came swiftly down Stairs into his Chamber, where they fell a wrestling and tumbling each other down, and so continued a great while. After they were quiet, they fell a whispering and made a great buzz, of which he could understand nothing. Then one called at the door, and said, Day is broke, come away. Upon which they ran up Stairs as fast as they could drive, and so he heard no more of them.

In the morning his Brother and Sister came in to him, and she said, Now Brother you know why I am so melancholy, aft[…]r she had askt him how he had slept, and he had answered, I never rested worse in my life, having been disturbed a great part of the night with tumblings and noises. She complained that her Husband would force her to live there, notwithstanding their being continually scared. Whereto the Husband answered, Their disturbers never did them any other mischief.

At Dinner they had a Physician with them, who was an acquaintance. Mr. Jermin discoursing about this disturbance, the Physician also answered that never any hurt was done, of which he gave this instance: That Dining there one day, there came a Man on Horseback into the yard in mourning. His Servant went to know what was his business, and found him sitting very melancholy, nor could he get any answer from him. The Master of the House and the Physician went forth to see who it was. Upon which the Man clapt Spurs to his Horse, and rode into the house up Stairs into a long Gallery whither the Physician followed him, and saw him vanish in a fire at the upper end of the Gallery. But though none of the Family received hurt at any time; yet Mr. Jermin fell into a Feaver with the disturbance he experienced that indangered his Life.

ADVERTISEMENT.

Mr. Scot and his Wife heard this Narrative from Mr. Jermin's own mouth. And I also have heard it from Mr. Scot, who is a Minister of London, and the Authour of a late excellent good Treatise, which is entitled, The Christian Life, &c.

RELAT. XXII. Contained in a Letter of Mr. G. Clark, to Mr. M. T. touching an house haunted in Welton near Daventry.

SIR,

I Send you here a Relation of a very memorable piece of Witchcraft as I suppose, which would fit Mr. More gallantly. I first heard the story related to Sir Justinian Isham by a Reverend Minister, of his own experience. Sir Justinian would have had me gone to the place, which I could not then do. But a little after going to visit a friend, and not thinking of this, my friend told me the story, the place being near him, and the principal man concerned in the story being a Relation of his, and one that I my self had some acquaintance with. He had occasion to go to this Mans house for some deeds of Land, and I went with him for satisfaction touching this story, which I had to the full, and in which I could not but acquiesce, though otherwise I am very chary, and hard enough to believe passages of this nature.

The Story is this, At Welton within a Mile of Daventry in Northamptonshire, where live together Widdow Cowley, the Grandmother, Widdow Stiff the Mother, and her two Daughters. At the next house but one, live another Widdow Cowley, Sister to the former Widdow Cowley, Moses Cowley my acquaintance her Son, and Moses his Wife, having a good Estate in Land of their own, and very civil and orderly people. These three told me, that the younger of the two Daughters, ten years of age, Vomited in less than three days, three Gallons of Water to their great Admiration. After this the elder Wench comes running, and tells them, that now her Sister begins to Vomit Stones and Coals. They went and were Eye-witnesses, told them till they came to Five hundred. Some weighed a quarter of a pound, and were so big, as they had enough to do to get them out of her mouth, and he professed to me, that he could scarce get the like into his mouth; and I do not know how any one should, if they were so big as he shewed the like to me. I have sent you one, but not a quarter so big as some of them were. It was one of the biggest of them that were left and kept in a bag. This Vomiting lasted about a fortnight, and hath Witnesses good store.

In the mean time they threw hards of Flax upon the fire, which would not blaze though blown, but dwindled away. The Bed-clothes would be thrown off the Bed. Moses Cowley told me, that he laid them on again several times, they all coming out of the Room, and go but into the Parlour again, and they were off again. And a strike of Wheat standing at the Beds feet, set it how they would, it would be thrown down again. Once the Coffers and things were so transposed, as they could scarce stir about the Room. Once he laid the Bible upon the Bed, but the Clothes were thrown off again, and the Bible hid in another Bed. And when they were all gone into the Parlour, as they used to go together, then things would be transposed in the Hall, their Wheel taken in pieces, and part of it thrown under the Table. In their Buttery their Milk would be taken off the Table, and set on the ground, and once one Panchion was broken, and the Milk spilt. A seven pound weight with a ring was hung upon the Spigot, and the Beer mingled with Sand and all spoiled, their Salt mingled most perfectly with Bran.

Moses his Mother said that their Flax was thrown out of a Box, she put it in again, it was thrown out again; she put it in again and lockt the Box, trying by the hasp or lid (as they use to do) whether it was fast, it was so. But as soon as her back was turned the Box was unlocked, and the Flax was thrown out again. Moses said that when he was coming out of the Parlour, he saw a loaf of Bread tumbled off the form, and that was the first thing he saw. After a Womans Patten rose up in the house, and was thrown at them. He heard the Comb break in the Window, and presently it flew at them in two pieces. A Knife rose up in the Window, and flew at a Man, hitting him with the haft. An Ink-glass was thrown out of the Window into the floor, and by and by the stopple came after it. Then every day abundance of stones were thrown about the house which broke the Windows, and hat the People, but they were the less troubled, because all this while no hurt was done to their Persons, and a great many People being in the room the wheat was thrown about amongst them.

I was in the house where I saw the Windows which were still broken, and the People themselves shewed me where the several particulars were done. The Grandmother told me that she thought she had lost half a strike of Wheat, and the like happened to some Fitches in the Barn. One Mr. Robert Clark a Gentleman being hat with the stones, bad the Baker at the Door look to his Bread well, and by and by a handful of crums were thrown into his lap. They could see the things as they came, but no more.

At last some that had been long suspected for Witches were Examined, and one sent to the Gaol, where it is said she plays her pranks, but that is of doubtful credit. I asked the Old Woman whether they were free now. She said that one Night since, they heard great knockings and cruel noise, which scared them worse than all the rest, and once or twice that week her cheese was crumbled into pieces and spoiled. I was there about May-day, 1658. This is all that I remember at present. I have heard several other stories, and two or three notable ones lately from Mens own Experience, which in reason I was to believe as I did. But in my Judgment this outgoes all that I know of, it having so much of sense and of the day time, so many and so credible Witnesses beyond all cavil and exception. I will trouble you no further, but commending you to the protection of God Almighty, I take my leave and rest

Loddington May 22th. 1658. Yours, G. Clark.