A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac, Eyewitness testimonies 1
The Teſtimony and Information upon Oath of ſeveral Perſons who voluntarily offered themſelves concerning Richard Dugdale of Whalley, in the County of Lancaſter, Gardener; taken before Hugh Lord Wiloughby, and Ralph Egerton, Eſq Two of His Majeſties Juſtices of the Peace for the County of Lancaſter, at Holcomb in the ſaid County, the Nine and Twentieth day of July, 1695.
THomas Dugdale, Father of the ſaid Richard Dugdale, maketh Oath, that he conſulted one Crabtree, in behalf of his ſaid Son, then under a ſtrange Diſtemper, and had his Anſwer; that if there was Money enough he could effect the Cure: whereupon this Deponent ſeeing his Sons Body much weakned with the ſaid Crabtree's Phyſick, and his Fits more violent, did apply himſelf to Mr. Jolly a Neighbouring Miniſter, and others of his Brethren in the Miniſtry. And this Deponent ſaith, he hath ſeen his Son vomit up Stones ſeveral times, and other things. Once he declared, he muſt either vomit Gold, Silver, or Braſs Rings, and an Hair Button, and accordingly he did ſo. At other times he vomited great Stones, alſo blew Stones like Flints. One time he vomited a Stone as was an Inch and an half long, and an Inch and an half broad, having Blood upon the edges, which this Deponent and others ſtanding by him apprehended it was very painful to him. And further this Deponent maketh Oath, that one day a little before Night, walking by his ſaid Son then in a Fit, it growing dark, a Candle being brought in, the Deponent looking upon him, there was a great Stone laid upon his Belly, weighing about Twelve or Thirteen Pounds, this Deponent not knowing how it came there, nor was there any ſuch like Stones about the Houſe. Beſides Stones have been thrown at the Barn ſide, falling very thick upon the Door, yet this Deponent could never diſcover the hand which threw them, nor any Perſon imploy'd therein, altho this Deponent's Wife was hit with one of them, but without any Rurt. At other times the ſaid Richard Dugdale would caſt Gooſe-dung at this Deponent, and others ſtanding by, which he ſeem'd to fetch out of the Barn ſide; altho neither this Deponent, nor thoſe that were with him could find any there, nor diſcover any one that brought it, nor were there any Geeſe kept at the Houſe, nor other Geeſe came near it. And Laſtly, This Deponent ſaith, that his ſaid Son would run upon his Hands, and his Feet together, as faſt as moſt Men could run upon their Feet alone, and his Body would ſometimes be ſo heavy, that two or three ſtrong Men could hardly lift it up, at other times as light as a Bag of Feathers.
John Walmſly of Harwood in the ſaid County of Lancaſter, Sadler; Depoſeth, That he hath ſeen the ſaid Richard Dugdale in a Fit held in a Chair by ſix Men. And whilſt his Feet were off the ground, he hath leaped up in the Chair for two or three Hours together, as faſt as a Man can ordinarily count any thing; and hath ſo ſweated through his Cloaths, that it hath ſtood like a Dew upon them. Moreover this Deponent, hath taken the ſaid Richard Dugdale by his Shoe, betwixt this Deponents formoſt Finger, and his Thumb, another taking him at his Head, and ſo lifting him up, this Deponent could not think he weighed ſix Pounds. And farther, this Deponent faith, that Mr. Jolly the Miniſter, ſending word by him to the ſaid Richard's Father, that the Miniſters would be at his Houſe called Surey on ſuch a day; this Deponent going the ſame day he was ſpoken to with his Errand, the ſaid Richard declared it before this Deponent mentioned it, as likewiſe what Miniſters would be there. And furthermore, this Deponent upon his Oath ſaith, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale in ſome of his Fits, opening his Hand hath received written papers into it, none of the By-ſtanders knowing how they came thither. Which the ſaid Richard Dugdale had given People that were about him, alſo the ſaid Deponent hath ſeen him ſhuffle Ruſhes like Cards, and play Games on them, as tho' he had been playing with ſome other Perſon, with whom he hath chid about the Caſts, curſing and ſwearing in his Play, and then ſaid, Do not Gameſters thus. He likewiſe play'd with Ruſhes as tho' they had been Dice, uſing exactly ſeveral Expreſſions belonging to that Play; ſaying, People think this is laid on me for my Sins, But I never was a Gameſter in my Life, neither know I how to play at ſuch Games, when out of my Fits. And the ſaid Richard Dugdale did likewiſe play at Bowls, making Bowls of Ruſhes, and when he had thrown the Jack, he ſaid, I muſt now throw my Gill, then running a good way, as tho he had been running after a Bowl, ſwearing, Run, run, Flee, flee, bold a Byaſs; and ſometimes he catcht up Ruſhes, as tho'they had been Bowls, ſwearing, Sirrab, ſtandout of the way, or I'll knock out your Brains; adding, I never was a Bowter, but dont Gentlemen do thus. And this Deponent ſaith, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale had ſeveral Fits, after his being threatned with being brought before a Juſtice of Peace. And once being in his laſt Fit, when this Deponent was preſent, he declared his Affliction was through Obſeſſion, and in a Combination which ſhould never be diſcovered, whilſt the World endured. And this Deponent hath ſeen him in a Fit, as in a great Agony, with ſomething he could not ſee, and then hath been taken up, and thrown backwards, ſet upon his Head, and ſo ſtood till he was pulled down by one John Fletcher. Alſo this Deponent hath heard him Curſe and Swear, his Geſture being ſo terrible, it would have frighted a Man to come near him, and yet in a Moments time after in ſuch a fear, that he hath ſought to creep into any hole, or behind any body, to have hid himſelf, and ſo lamented himſelf, as moved the Standers-by with great Compaſſion. He would at other times have told when his Fits would begin, when they were two or three in one day, or three or four days aſunder, wherein he was never diſproved, that he knows of; which Fits commonly began with the Calf of his Leg, and wrought upward into the Cheſt of his Body, and then he was thrown down, where he would lie for a good while as dead, or breathleſs, and then would have a ſtrange noiſe in his Mouth, and Noſe, and there would be in his Boſom like Whelps before he had riſen, after which ſometime he would be very furious, ſometimes more quiet.
William Loond of Harwood Carrier, in the County of Lancaſter, maketh Oath, that he hath heard the ſaid Richard Dugdale Curſe and Swear, his Geſture being ſo terrible, it would have frighted a Man to come near him, and yet in a Moment of time after in ſuch a fear, that he hath ſought to creep into any hole, or behind any body, to have hid himſelf, and ſo lamented himſelf, as moved the Standers-by with great Compaſſion. He would at other times have told when his Fits would begin, when they were two or three in one day, or three or four days aſunder, wherein he never was diſappointed that he knoweth of; which Fits commonly begun in the Calf of his Leg, and wrought upwards into the Cheſt of his Body, and then he was thrown down, where he would lie for a good while as dead, or breathleſs, and then would have a ſtrange noiſe in his Mouth, and Noſe, and there would be in his Boſom like Whelps before he had riſen; after which, ſometimes he would be very furious, ſometimes more quiet.
Willoughby.
Ralph Egerton.
John Liveſay of Clayten, in the County of Lancaſter Skinner, maketh Oath, That the Deponent being at home with him, the ſaid Richard Dugdale, he Curſed and Swore, making anſwer to ſomething page missing his Fit, this Deponent hath taken him up about his Hipps, betwixt this Deponents Hands, and he was ſo light, this Deponent thought he could lift twenty ſuch.
The Depoſitions aforeſaid were taken at the Time and Place afore-mentioned, upon the Holy Evangeliſts before us.
Willoughby
Ralph Egerton.
The Information of divers Perſons taken before the ſaid Juſtices of Peace, at the Time and Place aforeſaid, declaring themſelves ready to do it upon Oath when required.
JAmes Abbot of Whitberk, in the County of Lancaſter, Dyer, declares, that he went on purpoſe, to ſee the ſaid Richard Dugdale at Surey, the place of his abode, having no acquaintance with him; nor had he any knowledg of this Informant, as this Informant verily believeth. When this Informant came, the ſaid Richard Dugdale being in one of his Fits ſaid, Abbot, thou thinkeſt no body knoweth thee, but I know thee well enough, thou muſt go into Cheſhire, and Staffordſhire; when as this Informant ſaith, he had not ſo much as ſuch a deſign of ſuch a Journey, to his remembrance; but accordingly it happened, that this Informant went that Journey ſoon afterwards.
John Fielding of Harword, in the County of Lancaſter, Joyner, declares, That being with the ſaid Richard Dugdale in one of his Fits, this Informant to his thinking heard of ſometing within him like Piggs ſucking of a Sow, alſo like the barking of a Dog.
John Whalley of Harwood, in the County of Lancaſter, Hair-cloth-Weaver: Informs the ſame, which John Fielding doth; and further informs the ſame with John Walmſly, as to the ſaid Richard Dugdale's Carding, Diceing, and Bowling. And moreover informs, that he this ſaid Informant, being with Richard Dugdale in one of his Fits, he ſaid, there were Lapideers (as he called them) a coming, and preſently after came a Stone which this Informant took up, and felt it to be very warm. And further informs, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale in his Fits, did ordinarily tell when the next Fit ſhould come.
William Liveſay of Whalley, in the County of Lancaſter, Shoemaker; Informs, That he being in Whalley, deſired ſeveral young Men to go along with him to Surey, (above half a Mile diſtant) but they refuſed, when the Informant came to the Barn, where the ſaid Richard Dugdale was, the ſaid Richard Dugdale tole this Informant, he had deſired ſeveral Perſons to come along with him, but they had denied him, naming Ned Dean in particular. And further informeth that the ſaid Richard Dugdale, dancing on his Feet three Yards from the Wall of the Barn, was as ſoon as one could turn himſelf, ſet ſtrainght upon his Head, and was as ſtiff as a Tree.
John Grimſhaw of Clayton, in the County of Lancaſter, Woolen-weaver; Informs that the ſaid Richard Dugdale being in a Fit, he ſaid, Nicholas, Art thou there! What peepeſt thou for? Come up. Then ſaid, Seeſt thou where thy Mother ſits? Then ſomething came to his Shoulder, and ſeveral parts of his Body; the ſaid Richard Dugdale ſeemed to be much affrighted with it. And further informs, that he coming to the Surey one Night, he, the ſaid Richard Dugdale, told Mr. John Grimſhaw, that he the ſaid Informant Grimſhaw, was coming before he came. And this Informant leaving his Horſe at a conſiderable diſtance from the place, where the ſaid Richard Dugdale was, and going into the place, where the ſaid Richard Dugdale meets him with a great noiſe, and ſaith, How now? Calling him Grimſhaew, adding, Art thou there with all thy Knives? (this Informant having at that time three or four Knives about him) telling this Informant that he could not go on Foot. And this Informant further ſaith, that when the ſaid Richard Dugdale was in his Trances (as they called them) and lying upon the Ground, he was ſometimes as light to this Informants thinking, as his Shoes and Stockings, and ſometimes as heavy as a Man could lift.
The Informations aforeſaid were taken at the Time and Place aforementioned before us.
Willoughby.
Ralph Egerton.
And Laſtly, We the ſaid Juſtices of the Peace do Certify, that the ſaid Thomas Dugdale, Father of the ſaid Richard Dugdale, did make Oath before us, that he knew not of any Deſign or Combination betwixt his ſaid Son, and any other Perſon, which might occaſion the aforeſaid ſtrange Fits and Diſturbances. Nor that he the Deponent, was any way privy thereunto; nor knoweth he of any Cheating or Deceiving Practices for Gain, or any ſuch End, Purpoſe, or Deſign Whatſoever.
Willoughby.
Ralph Egerton.
The Informations of ſeveral Perſons, who voluntarily offered themſelves concerning Richard Dugdale of Whalley, in the County of Lancaſter, Gard'ner; before Thomas Braddill, Eſq and Ralph Egerton, Eſq Two of his Majeſties Juſtices of the Peace for the ſaid County, at Darwin in the ſaid County, on the Twentieth Day of July, 1695.
JOhn Fletcher of Harwood, in the County of Lancaſter, Husbandman; declares, that he hath ſeen, the ſaid Richard Dugdale in many of his Fits, wherein he hath barked like a Maſtiff-Dog, being then as ſtrong as ten Men. For this Informant hath been one of the ten, that hath undertaken to hold him. Alſo that this Informant one time found him in the River of Calder, up to the Neck in Water, crying out, and ſaying, Wil'ſt thou drown me, Wil'ſt thou drown me; ſtriking at the ſame time upon the Water, with two Sticks. Whereupon this Informant, with the help of others by a Rope drew him out of the Water. The ſaid Dugdale being then in a dumb Fit, which began in the Water, and continued near four Hours afterwards. And farther this Informant ſaith, he found in the Barn where the ſaid Dugdale lay, a round hole in the Hay, like a Hens-Neſt, wherein were ſeven Stones laid together. And this Informant, hath taken up ſeveral Stones caſt by the ſaid Dugdale, which were warm, and hath ſeen the ſaid Dugdale, running upon his Hands and Feet barking and howling. And the ſaid Dugdale being ſat down, he hath ſeen him ſeveral times, thrown five or ſix Yards from the place. And being to help this Informant to cleave a piece of Wood, the ſaid Dugdale upon his firſt ſtroke, had his Ax flew one way, and himſelf caſt about twelve Yards from the place.
John Whitehead of Bank hey, in the County of Lancaſter, Labourer; declaceth, that being with the ſaid Dugdale, at the Surey, in one of his Fits, he found him lying upon the Barn-floor like a dead Man, at which time Mr. Ainſworth the Apothecary, and another Apothecary from Mancheſter. coming in both of them, felt the ſaid Dugdale's Pulſes, which did not b…at, and then they laid their Faces to his Mouth, to try if he breathed, but could not perceive it. And further this Informant ſaith, that at Mr. Jolly's Houſe, the Informant endeavouring to hold the ſaid Dugdale in his Fit, by the Wriſt of his Arm, could by no means do it, for this Informant's Fingers were no ſooner cloſed, but they opened again.
John Smalley of Harwood, in the Country of Lancaſter, Cooper; decl…reth that he hath ſeen the ſaid Richard Dugdale, in twenty or thirty of his Fits. ſometimes lying on the Floor, for the ſpace of four Hours very ſtiff and heavy; inſomuch that this Informant with three more have carried him out of the Ba…n. but on his coming out on his Fit, his Head and part of his Body hath been lifted up by this In…ormants Daughter, a Child then of ſeven Years old.
The Informations aforeſaid were taken at the time and place aferementioned, before the ſaid Mr. Braddill,
and me the ſaid Ralph Egerton.
The Informations of divers credible Perſons which were, and are ready to give in upon Oath, before the ſaid Juſtices of the Peace, or others at the places aforeſaid, or elſe where if deſired thereunto, as they voluntarily offer'd, and declar'd unto Mr. Tho. Jolly, and others of ſufficient Credit and Cautiouſneſs.
JOhn Fletcher further ſaith, I was one Night in Bed with Richard Dugdale, and I felt ſomething come up toward my Knees; then I felt it creep up till it came towards my Heart; then I got hold of it, and it was about the bigneſs of a little Dog or Car, and it ſlipt through my Hands as if it had been a Snig; and when we were in Bed, very often there have been ſomething in Bed knattering, as tho there had been Mice or Rats, and we ſearcht the Bed, it was not harmed, and things to our thinking have fallen in the Houſe, a if all had been broken, yet in the Morning nothing ſtir'd; and one Sabbath-day in his Fit, there was a Knife length-way in his Mouth, none knowing how it came there, where it was held ſo very faſt, that I with much ado pulled it out, and askt the Company, whether any one of them wanted a Kniſe; they all ſaid no; till one Jeremy Webſter, that was newly come in, ſaid, I had one, when I came in, and I think he cannot have got it out of my Pocket; but he finding nothing but a Sheath in his Pocket, claim'd the Knife; and it was certainly his. John Fletcher further ſaith, that when the ſaid Richard Dugdale was in a Fit, about five a Clock in the Night, John Hindle prickt a large Pin in his Feet, and he neither ſtirred nor complained at all: Beſides, in one of his Fits, I heard him tell, that he muſt vomir an Hair-Button, and a Curtain Ring, which I ſaw him do within an Hour. I have ſeen (as John Darwin before reſtified) Richard Dugdale for a quarter of an Hour together, dance upon his Knces, with as much Activity as any one on their Feet.
John Feltcher.
John Hindle ſaith, Theſe ſtrange things, I have heard Richard Dugdale do and ſay; I was by when he told, that he ſhould vomitan Hair-Button, and Curtain-Ring, which I ſaw him do within an Hour: Likewiſe I have liſted at him, when I could not lift as much as his Head for my life; at other times I have lifted at him, and could have lifted him, as if he had been but a Child. I was preſent when Richard Dugdale was in a Fit, about Eight a Clock in the Night, and I prickt a Pin into his Foot, and he neither ſtirred, nor complained at all. I was preſent at all which William Loond ſwears to, in the firſt part of his Oath.
John Hindle.
Thomas Core, ſaith, I have ſeen ſeveral times the Lump on his Breaſt or Belly, as big as a Man's Fiſt, and have heard ſtrange Voices coming out of it.
Thomas Core.
James Fielding ſaith, That the ſaid Swelling, of the ſaid Richard Dugdale, which roſe from the thick of his Leg, was about the bigneſs of a Mole (or a Mole-warp, as we call it) and did work up like ſuch a Creature, towards the Cheſt of his Body, that it got up into his Shoulder, and then he was at the worſt of his Fit. He alſo ſaith, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale did, in ſeveral of his Fits, take ſeveral things out of the Hands of ſeveral Perſons, and would by no means part with the ſaid things, but to the Party to whom they did belong; having his Eyes cloſe ſhut all the while: alſo he ſaith, that they which attempted to force the things out of his Hands, could not force them out of his Hands, how ſtrong ſoever the Perſons were, that they might ſooner pull the things in pieces, than get them from him. The ſaid Fielding alſo ſaith that the ſaid Creature, did ariſe under the ſaid Richard Dugdale's Skin, as he doth verily think. Alſo, he ſaith, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale did in his Fit leſt up ſeveral luſty Men, and the Chair wherein they held him, tho the ſaid Richard Dugdale is but of an ordinary ſtrength of Body, when out of his Fit.
James Fielding Jun.
John Smalley further ſaith (ſo doth John Fletcher witneſs with him herein, as he doth with ſeveral other Witneſſes, in ſeveral other things) that he ſaw Richard Dugdale lie four Hours in one Fit, as if he were ſtark dead, and as ſtiff as a Board; alſo when his Shoes were faſt buckled to his Feet, they did fly ſix Yards, and hit the Skel-boos in the Barn, with great force; alſo he ſaith, that Richard Dugdale was in the ſame Fit, as light as his Clothes, and as heavy as a Sack of Corn.
John Smalley alſo further ſaith, that upon occaſion, he went to the Abby in Whalley, and whilſt he was there, the ſaid Richard Dugdale ſaid, that Smalley was taking …quor at the Abby, and he takes it freely, it coſts him nothing. This he ſaid to Thomas Dugdale, as he alſo teſtifieth.
John Smalley.
Edmund Haworth at Ruſhton, Carrier; teſtifies to the Paſſage about Jeremy Webſter's Knife, as aboveſaid: Alſo to thoſe Paſſages about Richard Dugdale his vomiting ſeveral Stones, Hair-Buttons, Curtain-Rings. He moreover reſtifies, that the ſaid Richard Dugdale, in one of his Fits told him, with his Company that came along, what they had been eating at home; what diſcourſe they had by the way; what Stiles they went over; how they ſtumbled; and that the ſaid Richard Dugdale did threaten Robert Turner, to ſend his Siſter (as he called his Spirit) to give him a fall at ſuch a Fields end; which fell out accordingly: So that it ſet all the Company a trembling; and that he and three or four more were coming towards Surey, and that Richard Dugdale in a Fit ſaid, that ſuch were coming, but he would ſend them back again, which happen'd accordingly; for they did turn back near Harwood-Church. He alſo reſtifies, that a Voice ſpake in the ſaid Richard Dugdale, beſides his own Voice, he not moving his Lips; and that another Voice, as they apprehended; ſpake out of the Earth, in anſwer to him, and that he hath been one of the ſeven or nine, to carry him, and they have all been hard ſet to carry him; yet at another time, he hath himſelf alone eaſily carry'd him, and that he, and ſome others were coming, and ſuch a fear came on him, that he durſt only go betwixt his Company, and that when he came to the Surey, he found Richard Dugdale in a Fit, who askt him of his fear in ſuch a place, and told him, that his Sifter (as he called his Spirit) did croſs them in the way, but had no further power then to put him into that fright.
Henry Page of Harwood Magna, Feltmaker; certifieth, taht he ſaw Richard Dugdale dance on his Knees a good while together, not touching the Earch with any thing but his Knees. Further, that he ſaw the ſame Perſon bowl with a Bowl he had made with Ruſhes; that he heard him bark like a Maſtiff-Dog.
Henry Page.
Grace Whalley of the ſame place, teſtifieth; that ſhe heard Richard Dugdale ſnarle and bark like a Dog; that ſhe alſo heard (as ſhe and others thought) a noiſe out of his Belly, like as if a Litter of young Dogs had been ſucking there: And ſhe further teſtifieth, that ſhe helped to hold his Head, the time he vomited a Stone, weighing near three Ounces, as ſhe thinks. Further, that ſhe hath ſeen Richard Dugdale gallop round the Barn on his Hands and Feet, for half an hour together, as cleverly as any Horſe; ſhe has heard him whinying like an Horſe; and as eating Provender. She further declares, ſhe hath ſeen the ſaid Richard Dugdale dance on his Knees, not touching the Earth with his Toes; alſo that ſhe heard Richard Dugdale tell, that in one of his Fits, there would come three Lapideers at a certain time; accordingly at the time he foretold, there was thrown three Stones, ſome diſtance of time betwixt each, which were as warm as new Milk. Theſe foreſaid Paſſages ſhe ſaw, heard, and obſerved, when Richard Dugdale was in his Fits: Alſo ſhe aske Richard Dugdale, when out of his Fits, whether he knew of any thing ſpoken or done by him, whilſt in the Fit, which he utterly deny'd. Alſo ſhe teſtifies, that coming with her Brother and others to the Surey, to ſee Richard Dugdale, ſhe being the hindermoſt and coming over the Hippings, ſhe unaccountably ſlipt off one of the Stones into the Water, and could not get out until her Brother came to her help; at that time many Perſons came running out of the Barn upon ſome words Richard Dugdale ſpoke, at the ſame time in a Fit, viz. Siſter Ekel, put the hindermoſt into the Water.
Grace Whalley.
Surey, July the 31ſt. 1695.
Thomas and Ann Dugdale, Parents to Richard Dugdale, with Mary and Alice Dugdale, Siſters to Richard Dugdale, teſtify; that Richard Dugdale's Fits began ſoon after St. James's day, when they went firſt unto a Neighbouring Doctor for help, who preſcribed ſeveral things, which were obſerved without effect; whereupon the Doctor was deſired to take Richard Dugdale to his own Houſe, but refuſed; acknowledging he had done what he could, yet promiſed to ride his Horſe a Hundred Miles, if he thereby could help him. After this Richard Dugdale's Fits were more violent, ſoon after we conſulted Dr. Crabtr…e, who undertook to cure Richard Dugdale; Thomas Dugdale went along with his Son Richard Dugdale to Dr. Crabtree, where they ſtaid about a Fortnight, and upon Richard Dugdale's Fits abating, they came home; within a few days after his return, his Fits were more violent than ever: After a Fort-night ſtay at home; Thomas Dugdale and Richard Dugdale, went to Dr. Crabtree the ſecond time, where they ſtaid not ſo long as before, The Reaſons were two; Firſt Richard Dugdale was tired with the Methods Dr. Crabtree took, the Doctor confeſt that he gave the Patient Phyſick at once enough for ſix Men, which weakened Richard Dugdale ſo much, that he had Strength little enough to carry him croſs the Houſe; yet in his Fits 7 ſtrong Men could not hold him. The ſecond Reaſon was, the great Charges we were at, for it coſt us more than three Pound ten Shillings, in little time more than three Weeks; which was inſupportable, conſidering our Indigency, and no incouraging ſings of help; but the Doctors words to his Neighbours, were at firſt, that if the Father would bring Money enough he would cure Richard Dugdale, yet ſaid another time, if the Spirit in Richard Dugdale was a Water-Spirit, there was no cure for it. Some time after we conſulted Mr. Jolly, who with others in the Miniſtry upon our Requeſt were much concerned for Richard Dugdale, praying for him near twelve Months; in which time he had many ſtrange Fits, ſometimes vomited Stones, a Curtain-Ring, a large Hair-Button; in Fits would be lighter than ſo many Feathers. In the beginning of ſeveral Fits, would gape and catch with his Mouth (as a Dog at Flies) ten or eleven times together; in the end open'd his Mouth ſo oft; when we thought Spirits might come into him, and in the end leave him. In many of his laſt Fits, he told People he might be killed or cured before the 25th of March, which prov'd true; for on the 24th coming from his work on Hinfield-ſide, his laſt Fit ſeiz'd him, when he came home he was in the Fit; his Face black as a Coal: Upon this he fell down, lay a while, then recover'd out of his laſt Fit: After this Richard Dugdale had no Fit; tho once, when he had got too much Drink, he was after another manner than drunken Perſons uſually are.
Thomas Dugdale
Ann Dugdale
Mary Dugdale
Alice Dugdale.
Altham, Auguſt the 4th. 1695.
Nathaniel Waddington further teſtifieth; Firſt, That he had ſeen Richard Dugdale gallop round the Barn ſeveral times together; and heard him whinying very like a Horſe; and make a noiſe as if an Horſe had been eating Provender. Secondly, That he told things in his Fit, that neither he, nor any could by lawful art: As one time he, the ſaid Nathaniel Waddington, and his Neighbour Joſeph Hargreaves, going to Surey to ſee Richard Dugdale; they called at the Houſe of a Neighbour of theirs, to deſire the Maſter to go with them, but a Relations averſeneſs prevented him, Richard Dugdale was in a Fit at the ſame time, and ſpoke it before a great number of People that Nathaniel Waddington, and Joſeph Hargreaves were coming, that they called on ſuch a one, whom he named, and told further how that good Man's Wife hinder'd him: The latter part, viz. the diſcovery they met with from ſeveral which were with Richard Dugdale in the Bart, being ſure that things were ſo circumſtanced, that Richard Dugdale could have no intelligence: And further, Richard Dugdale's Relation was ſo particular, that it could not be an uncertain gueſs.
Further, That a certain Perſon going to ſee Richard Dugdale, took ſome Bisket, and a piece or pieces of Gold, on purpoſe, as the Perſon ſaid, to try whether Richard Dugdale could diſcover it. Soon after the Party came to the Surey, the Relator ſaw the Perſon ſtanding upon a Seat to take a fuller view of Richard Dugdale in his Fit. Richard Dagdale immediately treated her ſo very rudely, diſcover'd the Bisket, and ſaid, I will play at Cards with thee for thoſe Guineas in thy Pocket, &c. Theſe words the Relator heard Richard Dugdale ſpeak in his Fit; further, that John Fielding Joyner, related in the hearing of the ſaid Nathaniel Waddington, and others, that he, the ſaid John Fielding was working at his Calling, above thirty Miles diſtant from the Surey; and that Richard Dugdale, in one of his Fits ſaid, John Fielding is this day at ſuch a place working; and further named the piece of work which he had in hand at that time. The ſaid John Fielding, coming over to ſee his Relations, ſeveral Perſons who had heard Richard Dugdale ſpeak thoſe words, and relate ſuch ſtrange Circumſtances, came to the ſaid John Fielding, to know whether it were true; this he acknowledged; being much ſurprizd at their Relation. Thirdly, That he asked this Richard Dugdale, when he came out of his Fits, whether he could give account of any thing that paſt in the Fit; this Richard Dugdale denied, only once related a ſtrange Paſſage, that in his Fit he thought he had diſtinct ſight of a Perſon, and told the poſture he thought he ſaw him in; and the place where; many Miles from the place where Richard Dugdale had his Fit: Which things concerning that Perſon were found ture upon enquiry.
Nathaniel Waddington further teſtifies; That Richard Dugdale in his Fits, would ſometimes pretend that a good Spirit was in him, and that Richard Dugdale then, would in a long diſcourſe ſpeak againſt ſeveral Sins, viz. Drinking, Gaming, &c. bringing ſeveral pat Scriptures, naming Book, Chapter, Verſe, either whole or part, ſo much as was pertinent. Mr. John Grimſhaw examin'd the places, and found them true, and that Richard Dugdale in his Diſcourſe would uſe many pretty Similitudes.
Joſeph Hargreves, Neighbour to Nathaniel Waddington, teſtifies; That coming to the Surey, and finding the Boy laid on the Barn Boor; he, the ſaid Joſeph Hargreaves, lifted Richard Dugdale from the Ground more than once; and thinks (ſpeaking to the ſall) that Richard Dugdale did not weigh aboves Stone and a half: Further that ſix ſtrong Men could not hold him in a Fit, but that he hath drawn them all a great way, and been forced from amongſt them, hanging upon him at a Table a Yard high, that he ſaw the Lump upon his Legabout the bigneſs of a Turkey Egg, riſe towards his Body, and that he, and others have endeavoured to ſtop it, by girding a Boot-Garter above it, under the Knee, and by graſping that part with their hands, yet could not prevent its riſing into the Cheſt of his Body; that this, to his thinking, crep up his Leg like a Rat, ſometimes in motion, at times would be at a ſtand. Joſeph Hargreaves teſtifies the firſt, and third, of Nathaniel Waddington. Richard Crichly under his hand teſtifies, concerning Richard Dugdale's Strength.
Several Teſtimonials about the ſaid Richard Dugdale's Caſe do follow.
WE whoſe Names are Subſcribed, being Miniſters of the Goſpel, having read or heard the Affidavits, and Declarations taken before the Right Honourable Hugh Lord Willonghby, and Ralph Egerton Eſq two of his Majeſties Juſtices of the Peace, for the County Palatine of Lancaſter, concerning one Richard Dugdale of Surey, in the Pariſh of Wholley, do verily believe the truth of the ſame; and that the ſtrange Fits of the ſaid Dugdale were by a Diabolical Power.
Given when we met at Blackburn in Lancaſhire, on Auguſt the 6th 1695.
Thomas Crompton
Peter Aſpinwall
John Crompton
John Parr
Samuel Angier
Nathaniel Haywood
Samuel Eaton
Nathaniel Scholes.
I Do hereby teſtify (as many more will, if ther be occaſion) from my own obſervation, as an Eye and Ear-Witneſs, at the Meetings, concerning Richard Dugdale; That I do verily believe, he was then under a Diabolical Poſſeſſion or Obſeſſion. I do alſo teſtify, that he is now fully diliver'd from this Supernatural Malady; and that no other probable Means of his ſaid Deliverance may be aſſigned, but the Word of God, and Prayer with Faſting, which Spiritual Means were made uſe of by ſeveral Miniſters, with great Faithfulneſs and Diligence, for a conſiderable time together.
Witneſs my Handthis 10th of June, 1695. At Hely in Lancaſhire. Robert Whitaker Medicus.
Concerning Richard Dugdale's Certificate, which he voluntarily ſubſcribed before Jame, Gregſon, and my ſilf, with others: Which is mentioned in the laſt Page of the Surey, Demoniack, there is ſome miſtake (tho not much material:) For the words in the original are follows.
July the 10th 1695.
I Richard Dugdale, Son of Thomas Dugdale, of Surey, near Whalley in Lancaſhire, Gard'ner, do certiſy all to whom this may come: That my former ſtrange Fits were not any of them, by any Cheat, or any Art of Man, that I konw of; but as I do verily believe, were cauſed by the Devil: From whom, and from my terrible Fits, I do verily believe my Body was cieared, through the Miniſters I Prayers, at or a out Lady-day, 1690. After which I never had any more ſuch Fits; whereupon I took ſome Phyſick, for the clearing of my Body from any ill Humours, it might have gotten by my ſaid ſad Fits:
Witneſs my Hand, the Day and Year aboveſaid. Richard Dugdale. In preſence of us,
James Gregſon, his (1) Mark,
Thomas Jolly.
WE whoſe Names are Subſcribed; were preſent at many of the with in mentioned Meetings, concerning Richard Dugdale; ſo were Eye, and Ear-Witneſſes to many of the things within mentioned, and do verily believe the reſt; not doubtng, but that the ſaid Dugdale's Aſſliction, was through Poſſeſſion or Obſceſſion, by Combination, or by ſome ſecret Judgment of God, from which he was delivered, as we are fully perſwaded by the Goſpel-Means within mentioned.
William Croſs
John Duerden
Lan. Walmſly
John Baxon
John Bayley
Chriſtopher Duckworth
Leonard Barley
Juhn Marſh
James Whitaker
William Waddington
George Cockſhout
Samuel Hey
Charles Riley
James Hindle
Nehemiah Hindle
Richard Jackſon
William Barton
Chriſt Tatterſi…l
Richard Sudal
Nich. Grimſhaw
Upon occaſion of Mr. Taylor's reflecting on the Reverend Mr. Pendlebury deceaſed, Alexander Haworth gives in the following Certificate.
I Alexander Haworth, of Top-Royl, in Bury Pariſh, in Lancaſhire, Yeoman, going with the Reverend Mr. Pendlebury, to ſee Richard Dugdaie under his ſtrange Fits; at the firſt time, upon mine asking of him his opinion of the ſaid Dugdale's Fits, he anſwered, that he queſtion'd whether the ſaid D. might not be acted by ſome bodily Diſtemper in the ſaid Fits: But when the ſaid Mr. Pendlebury, had been with the ſaid D. a ſecond time, I asked him his opinion again in that Caſe; and then he had alter'd his perſwaſion concerning D. having ſeen ſuch things in him, as he judged more than natural, and he gave ſuch Reaſons for it, as alter'd my Judgment as well as his.
Dec. 25. 1697. Alexander Haworth.
Concerning the Expreſſions in Prayer, which Mr. T. falſly chargeth me with, from an Anonymous Author; I have diligently enquired of thoſe, who were moſt conſtant hearers upon the occaſion of the Surey Demoniack, and they remember not that I ever uſed the Expreſſions charg'd upon me, or any to that purpoſe, which mine Accuſer would wreſt them unto: Only one Perſon, viz. Nathanie! Waddington, doth well remember ſome Words I once uſed in Prayer, on the ſaid occaſion, and are as follows.
How if thou ſhould'ſt ſuſſer Satan to enter into ſuch Perſons, as do not believe this young Man is poſſeſt.
Which Words he underſtood not to be at all by way of Imprecation, but by way of Suppoſition, if God in Judgment ſhould ſuffer ſuch a thing for their Infidelity, as to the Caſe; and their Uncharitableneſs, as to the Party: How ſad this would be!
Nathaniel Waddington.