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play, but who is required to stay in
the house, to sit still, and to read
from out the leather-covered Bible
that lies open on the table before him.
"But I would like to go out and
slide down hill!" begs the boy.
"Have you read yer ten chapters
yit?" asks the old dame.
"N-no!"

"Wal, read on."

to be an old and infirm man, he was made to figure unhappily in the first legal investigation of New England witchcraft. This was in 1679-'81, or more than ten years before the Salem witchcraft, and it constitutes a page of hitherto unpublished Massachusetts history. Mr. and Mrs. Morse resided in a plain, wooden house, that still stands at the head of Market street, in what is now Newburyport. William had been a farmer, but his sons had now taken the homestead, and he was supporting himself and wife by shoe-making. His age was almost three score years and ten, and he was a reputably worthy man, then just in the early years of his dotage. His wife, the "goody Elizabeth," was a Newbury woman, and apparently some few years her husband's old couple, and resided with them. senior.

I think I see the worthy old couple there in the old square room of a winter's night. On one side of the fire-place sits the old man in his hard arm-chair, his hands folded and his spectacles awry, as he sonorously snores away the time. Opposite him sits the old lady, a little, toothless dame, with angular features half-hidden in a stiffly-starched white eap, her fingers flying over her knitting-work, as precisely and perseveringly she "seams,"" narrows," and "widens." At the old lady's right hand stands a cherry table, on which burns a yellow tallow candle that occasionally the dame proceeds to snuff. On the floor is no carpet, and the furniture is poor and plain. A kitchen chair sets at the other side of the table, and in it, or on it, sits a half-grown boy, a ruddy, freckled country boy, who wants to whistle, and prefers to go out and

And the lad obeys. He is reading aloud; he is not a good reader; the chapters are in Deuteronomy; but that stint must be performed every evening- ten chapters after six o'clock; and at eight he must go to bed. If he moves uneasily in his chair, or stops to breathe, he is reprimanded.

The boy was the grandson of the

Under just such restrictions he was kept. Bright, quick, and full of boy life, he was restless under the enforced restraint.

In the neigborhood resided a Yankee school-master named Caleb Powell, a fellow who delighted in interfering with the affairs of his neighbors, and in airing his wisdom on almost every known subject. He noticed that the Puritan families kept their boys too closely confined; and, influenced by surreptitious gifts of cider and cheese, he interceded in their behalf. He was regarded as an oracle, and was listened to with respect. Gran'ther Morse was among those argued with, and being told that the boy was losing his health, etc., etc. by being "kept in" so much, he at once consented to give him a rest from the Bible readings and let him play out of doors and at the houses of the neighbors. Once re

leased, the lad declared that he "should not be put under again." Fertile in imagination, he soon devised a plan.

At that time a belief in witchcraft was universal, and afforded a solution of everything strange and unintelligible. The old shoemaker firmly believed in the supernatural agency of witches, and his roguish grandson knew it. That he might not be obliged to return to the scripture readings, the boy practised impositions on his grandfather, to which the old man became a very easy dupe.

No one suspected the boy's agency except Caleb Powell. That worthy knew the young man, and believed that there was nothing marvellous or superstitious about the "manifestations." Desirous of being esteemed learned, he laid claim to a knowledge of astrology, and when the "witchcraft" was the town talk, he gave out that he could develop the whole mystery. The consequence was that he was suspected of dealing in the black art, and was accused, tried, and narrowly escaped with his life.

On the court records of Salem is entered,

"Dec. 3, 1679. Caleb Powell being complained of for suspicion of working with ye devil to the molesting of William Morse and his family, was by warrant directed to the constable, and respited till Monday."

Dec. 8, (Monday.) Caleb Powell appeared

and it

was determined that ye sd. Morse should present ye case at ye county court at Ipswich in March."

This order was obeyed, and the trial came on. The following is a specimen of the testimony there given:

"William Morse saith, together

with his wife, that Thursday night being November 27, we heard a great noyes of knocking ye boards of ye house, whereupon myselfe and wife looks out and see nobody, but we had stones and sticks thrown at us so that we were forced to retire.

"Ye same night, ye doore being lockt when we went to bed, we heerd a great hog grunt in ye house, and not be disturbed in willing to go out. That we might our sleep, I rose to let him out, and I found a hog and the door unlockt.

"Ye night next I had a great awl that I kept in the window, the which awl I saw fall down ye chimney into ye ashes. I bid ye boy put ye same awl in ye cupboard which I saw done, and ye door shut too. Then ye same awl came down ye chimney again in our sight, and I took it up myselfe.

"Ye next day, being Saturday, stones, sticks and pieces of bricks came down so that we could not quietly eat our breakfast. Sticks of fire came downe also at ye same time.

"Ye same day in ye afternoon, my thread four times taken away and come downe ye chimney againe; my awl and a gimlet wanting came down ye chimney. Againe, my leather and my nailes, being in ye cover of a ferkin taken away, and come downe ye chimney.

"The next, being Sunday, stones, sticks and brickbats came downe ye chimney. On Monday, Mr. Richardson [the minister], and my brother was there. They saw ye frame of my cow-house standing firm. I sent my boy to drive ye fowls from my hogs' trough. He went to ye cow-house, and ye frame fell on him, he crying with ye hurt. In ye afternoone ye potts hanging over ye fire did dash so vehemently, one against another, that we did sett down one that they might not dash to pieces. I saw ye andiron leap into ye pott and dance, and leap out, and again leap in, and leap on a table and there abide. And my wife saw ye andiron on ye table. Also, I saw ye pott

turn over, and throw down all ye water. Againe we see a tray with wool leap up and downe, and throw ye wool out. and saw nobody meddle with it. Againe a tub's hoop fly off, and nobody near it. Againe ye woolen wheele upside downe, and stood upon its end, and a spade set on it. This myself, my wife, and Stephen Greenleaf saw. Againe my tools fell downe on ye ground, and before my boy would take them they were sent from him. Againe when my wife and ye boy were making ye bed, ye chest did open and shutt, ye bed-clothes would not be made to ly on ye bed, but flew off againe.

We saw a keeler of bread turn over. A chair did often bow to me. Ye chamber door did violently fly together. Ye bed did move to and fro. Ye barn-door was unpinned four times. We agreed to a big noise in ye other room. My chair would not stand still, but was ready to throw me backward. Ye catt was thrown at us five times. A great stone of six pounds weight did remove from place to place. Being minded to write, my ink-horne was hid from me, which I found covered by a ragg, and my pen quite gone. I made a new pen, and while I was writing one eare of corne hitt me in ye face, and sticks, stones, and my old pen were flung att me. Againe my spectickles were throwne from ye table, and almost into ye hot fire. My paper, do what I could, I could hardly keep it. Before I could dry my writing, a monmouth hat rubbed along it, but I held it so fast that it did only blot some of it. My wife and I being much afraid that I should not preserve ye writing, we did think best to lay it in ye Bible. Againe ye next night I lay it there againe, but in ye morning it was not to be found, till I found it in a box alone. Againe while I was writing this morning I was forced to forbeare writing any more, because I was so disturbed by many things constantly thrown att me."

Anthony Morse testified,

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"Occasionally, being to my broth er Morse's hous, he showed to me a pece of brick, what had several tims come down ye chimne. I sitting in ye cornar towck that pece of brick in my hand. Within a littel spas of time ye pece of brick was gone from me I know not by what meanes. Quickly after it come down chimne. Also in ye chimne cornar I saw a hammar on ye ground. Their bein no person nigh it, it was sodenly gone, by what meanes I know not; but within a littel spas it fell down chimne, and also

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a pece of wood a fute long. "Taken on oath Dec. the 8, 1679, before me,

JOHN WOODBridge,

Commissioner."

Thomas Hardy testified,—

"I and George Hardy being at William Morse his house, affirm that ye earth in ye chimne cornar moved and scattered on us. I was hitt with somewhat; Hardy hitt by a iron ladle; somewhat hitt Morse a great blow, butt itt was so swift none could tell what itt was. After we saw itt was a shoe."

Rev. Mr. Richardson testified,"Was at Bro. Morse his house on a Saturday. a Saturday. A board flew against my chair. I heard a noyes in another roome, which I suppose in all reason was diabolicall."

John Dole testified,

"I saw, sir, a large fire-stick of candle wood, a stone, and a fire brandd to fall downe. These I saw nott whence they come till they fell by me."

Elizabeth Titcomb testified.—

"Powell said that he could find out ye witch by his learning if he had another scholar with him."

Joseph Myrick and Sarah Hale testified,—

"Joseph Moores often said in our hearing that if there are any Wizards he was sure Caleb Powell was one."

William Morse being asked what

he had to say as to Powell being a grudge against Powell, and, anxious

wizard, testified,

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"He come in, and seeing our spirits very low cause by our great afflictions, he said, Poore old man, and poor old woman, I eye ye boy, who is ye occasion of all your greefe; and I draw neere ye with great compassion.' Then sayd I, Powell, how can ye boy do them things?' Then sayd he, This boy is a young rogue, a vile rogue!' Powell, he also sayd that he had understanding in Astrology and Astronomie, and knew the working of spirits. Looking on ye boy, he said, You young rogue!' And to me, 'Goodman Morse, if you be willing to lett me have ye boy I will undertake that you shall be freed from any trouble of this kind the while he is with me.""

Other evidence was received for the prosecution. The defence put in by Powell was that on Monday night last, till Friday after the noone, I had ye boy with me, and they had no trouble."

Mary Tucker deposed,

"Powell said he come to Morse's, and did not see fit to go in as the old man was att prayer. He lookt in a window, and saw ye boy fling a shoe at the old man's head while he prayed."

The verdict now stands on the court record, and reads as follows,"Upon hearing the complaint brought to this court against Caleb Powell for suspicion of working by the devill to the molesting of ye family of William Morse of Newbury, though this court cannot find any evident ground of proceeding farther against ye sayd Powell, yett we determine that he hath given such ground of suspicion of his so dealing that we cannot so acquit him but that he justly deserves to beare his own shame and the costs of prosecution of the complaint."

The bad boy seems to have had a

to see that person punished, he resumed his pranks both at his grandfather's and among the neighbors.

Strange things happened. Joseph Bayley's cows would stand still and not move. Caleb Powell, having been discharged, no longer boasted of his learning. Jonathan Haines's oxen would not work. A sheep belonging to Caleb Moody was mysteriously dyed. Zachariah Davis's calves all died, as did also a sheep belonging to Joshua Richardson. Mrs. John Wells said that she saw the "imp of God in sayd Morse's hous."

Sickness visited several families, and Goody Morse, as was her custom, acted as village nurse. One by one her patients died. John Dee, Mrs. Wm. Chandler, Mrs. Goodwin's child, and an infant of Mr. Ordway's were among the dead. The rumor ran about that Goody Morse was a witch. John Chase affirmed that he had seen her coming into his house through a knot-hole at night. John Gladding saw halfe of Marm Morse about two a clocke in ye daytime." Jonathan Woodman, seeing a strange black cat struck it; and Dr. Dole was called the same day to treat a bruise on Mrs. Morse. The natural inference was that the old lady was a witch, and the cause of all of these strange things, as well as of the extraordinary occurrences in her home. Accusers were not wanting, and she was arrested. In her trial all of this evidence was put in, and her husband repeated his testimony at the Powell trial. The county court heard it, and passed the case to the General Court, from whence it was returned. The records abound in reports of

the testimony. We will only quote the evidence of Zechariah Davis, who said,

"I having offended Goody Morse, my three calves fell a dancing and roaringe, and were in such a condition as I never saw a calf in before.

A calf ran a roaringe away soe that we gott him only with much adoe and putt him in ye barne, and we heard him roar severell times in ye night. In ye morning I went to ye barne, and there he was, setting upon his tail like a dog. I never see no calf set after that manner before; and so he remained in these fits till he died."

The entry on the court record is as follows:

"Boston, May ye 30, 1680: The Grand Jury presented Elizabeth, wife of William Morse. She was indicted by ye name of Elizabeth Morse for that she not having ye fear of God before her eyes, being instigated by the Divil, and had familiarity with the Divil contrary to ye peace of our sovereign lord, the King, his crown and dignity, the laws of God and of this jurisdiction. After the prisoner was att ye barr and pleaded not guilty, and put herself on ye country and God for trial. Ye evidences being Ye evidences being produced were read and committed to ye jury"

66

Boston, May 21st of 1680: Ye jury brought in their verdict. They found Elizabeth Morse guilty according to indictment.

66

May ye 27-Then ye sentence of ye Governor, to wit, Elizabeth Morse, you are to goe from hence to ye plaice from which you came, and thence to ye plaice of execution, and there to be hanged by ye neck till you be dead; and ye Lord have mercy on your Soul!

"June ye 1st:-Ye Governor and ye magistrates voted ye reprieving of Eliz. Morse, as altests

EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary. The unfortunate woman seems to

have remained imprisoned until the meeting of the legislature. On the records of that body we find,

"Ye Deputies on perusal of ye Acts of ye Hon. Court of Assistants relating to ye woman condemned for witchcraft doe not understand why execution of ye sentence given her by ye sd. court is not executed. Her repreeval seems to us to be beyond what ye law will allow, and doe therefore judge meete to declare ourselves against it, etc. This Nov. 3d, 1680. WM. TORREY, Clerk.

Then follows this entry:

66

Exceptions not consented to by ye magistrates.

EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary." Mrs. Morse continued in prison until May, 1681. On the 14th of that month her husband petitioned for her to the honorable gen. court now sitting in Boston," begging to clere up ye truth." This petition recites a review of the testimony of seventeen persons who had testified against Goody Morse. On the 18th he petitioned "ye hon. Governor, deputy Governor, deputies and magistrates." In answer, a new hearing was granted. ed. The court record says,―

"Ye Deputyes judge meet to grant ye petitioner a hearing ye next sixth day, and that warrants go forth to all persons concerned from this court, then to appear in order to her further triall, our honored magistrates hereto consenting.

WM. TORREY, Clerk." Again the magistrates were refractory, for we find,—

"May twenty-fourth, 1681:-Not consented to by ye magistrates.

EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary." No further trial followed. Mr. Morse did not rest in his efforts for the release of his wife. He called a council of the clergymen of the neigh

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