A Vindication of the Surrey Demoniac, Miscellany
Here follow the further Informations as to the Caſe of the ſaid Richard Dugdale, taken before the Right Honourable Hugh Lord Willoughby, and William Hulme, Eſq two of his Maieſty's Juſtices of the Peace, and Quorum, for the County Palatin of Lancaſter: Taken at the Houſe of Richard Sharples of Blakhurn, in the County aſoreſaid, the 15th, 16th, and 17th of September, 1697. Where the Informants were examin'd by the ſaid Juſtices, upon occaſion of ſeveral Paſſages, in a Book called the Surey-Impoſtor.
The Confeſſion of Richard Dugdale of Whalley, in the County of Lancaſhire, Gardner, taken before the Right Honourable Hugh Lord Willoughby, and William Hulme, Eſq two of His Majeſly's Juſtices of the Peace, and Quorum, for the ſaid County, taken at the Houſe of Richard Sharples, of Blackburn, in the County aforeſaid, the 15th day of September, Anno Domini, 1697.
IMprimis, The ſaid Richard Dugdale, anſwers and ſays, that he was in Health of Body and Mind, at the Age of Eighteen Years, or thereabours: About the Nin…eenth Year,Commonly called Weſt-by. he ſays, he was a hired Servant, with Thomas Liſter of Arnald's-bigging, in the County of York, Eſq and begged leave of his ſaid Maſter, to go to a Ruſhbearing to Whalley, and being in Drink, fell out at Whalley with a Man, and fought about dancing that Night. (He ſays) afterwards he went to his Farthers Houſe: The day afterwards he went from his Fathers Houſe, to Arnald's bigging, and on the Road, being troubled in Mind, he thought that he ſaw ſeveral Apparitions, but could not tell the reſemblance thereof. The day afterwards, he ſays, he went to make Hay, and found himſelf clogged with ſome heavineſs, that he could not work, or ſtoop; from thence, he weut to a Well about a Fields breadth from the Hall aforeſaid, and ſaw a Gallon, or Pale, ſtanding at the Well, and that he laid himſelf down to drink at the Well, and as he was drinking, there came up to him, a Neighbourwoman of good Repute, and adviſed him not to drink ſo much Water, but rather go up to the ſaid Hall, and get drink, and told him that ſo much Water was enough to ruin him; and ſays that he took her advice, and went up to the ſaid Hall, and getting ſome Drink from the Cook-Maid, he went up into his Chamber, and after ſome time being laid down upon the Bed, the Chamber-Door opened of it ſelf, as he thought, and there appeared unto him ſomething like a Smoke, or Miſt, which preſently vaniſhed, and afterwards there came partly a fear upon him. Immedtately after he thought there came unto him, the likeneſs of a Hard-favoured Man, which at that time he thought had been one Hindle, a Fellow Servant, whoſe Hair ſeemed to be clipped cloſe to his Ears, and lay very heavy upon his Breaſt, inſomuch that he asked him what he would do with him, which ſuddenly after ſpeaking, he thought the Viſion turned into the likeneſs of a naked Child; he ſays, he thought that he got hold of the naked Child by the Knee, and that the Child turned into the likeneſs of a Filmert, and went away with a ſhrill Scriek: All this was done when he was awake, as he is now to his thinking. Immediately after this, he ſays, that he was very rude, and troubleſome, inſomuch that two Women could ſcarce hold him, and that he raved of one Dr. Chew, and deſired the Woman to ſend for his Unkle, to go with him to the ſaid Doctor; who was the firſt, and laſt Phyſician he had Phyſick from. He ſays, to the beſt of his knowledg, he thought he had little advantage by the firſt Phyſick, but whether he took all or no, he cannot tell. After the firſt time of taking Phyſick from Dr. Chew, he went to one Dr.Crabtree; and the ſaid Doctor blooded him ſeveral times, the firſt of which was as black as Ink, and that Blood was got with very great difficulty. Afterwards he went to Dr. Crabtree a ſecond time, and was blooded, and took Phyſick as before, and whilſt he was with Dr. Crabtree, he ſays he was for ſome two or three days, and ſometimes a Fortnight without any Fit, and ſometimes two or three Fits of a day. He ſays, his Senſes were ſometimes taken away from him in his Fits. He ſays, ſometimes he could remember ſome Paſſages. Affter this he believes one Robert Martin adviſed his, the ſaid Dugdale's Father, to adviſe his Son to apply himſelf to one Mr. Jolly, to deſire his prayers, where he fell into a Fit, but remembers no diſcourſe he had with Mr. Jolly. He the ſaid Richard Dugdale ſays, he believes he was not poſſeſſed with an Evil Spirit. And ſays likewiſe, that he had a Fit on the 24th of March, at Evening, and on the 25th of March, in the Morning, he took Phyſick from Dr. Chew, and ſays, that the Phyſick worked well with him, and ſince that time, he ſays, he never had any Fit: But ſays, that the ſtrange things that befel him, occaſions him to believe that the Diſeaſe was not ordinary. And likewiſe ſays, that he was not in any Combination with any Perſon, or Perſons whatſoever, and that there was no Cheat, in any thing, to his knowledg. He further confeſſeth, that to his knowledg, he cannot remember that he could play any more Tricks than the reſt of the School-Boys, and he denys that he ever ſpoke any ſuch things as are laid to his charge, to the School-Maſter about the Monies, and ſays, that he is no Latin Schollar, not knows any of thoſe Sentences charged upon him, neither by heart, or otherwiſe. He ſays, he did write a Letter to Sir Edmund Aſhtou, but remembers no Latin Sentence therein. He ſays likewiſe, he never wrapped himſelf in a Blanket, in order to fright any Perſon. He ſays likewiſe, that after the Miniſters left Surey, that he had not Fits ſo often as before; but they were more violent than ever before.
Richard Dugdale. Taken before us,
Willoughby
Will. Hulme.
Concerning R. D. his Teſtimony.
It ſhould not ſeem ſtrange, that he doth not mention ſeveral Particulars mentioned in the Narrative; particularly about the beginning of his Fits; and when we began with him; and when we left of meeting at Surey; and when his Fits left him, &c. for he might eaſily forget the ſaid Paſſages in 7 or 8 years time, or be ſtreightned by the preſence and influence of ſome there preſent: but ſome of us did note down the ſaid omitted Paſſages all along, and can ſatuſy any ſober Perſon, that it was all ſo, as is expreſſed in the ſaid Narrative. He did declare ſuch things to us, and deſire ſuch things of us from firſt to laſt.
Neither ſhould it ſeem ſtrange, that he doth not expreſly own the true Cauſe of his ſaid ſtrange Fits, nor the only proper Means of his Deliverance (tho' he hath freely owned both more privately, and under his own Hand): For be is apparently overawed by thoſe, on whom he hath his dependance, as to his Livelihood, and by his Neighbours; alledging in his Excuſe, that he is a poor Man, hath a Wife and four ſmall Children: A ſemptation, that might put a ſtrong Chriſtian to it to conquer it.
Yet doth he, by the aforeſaid Information, fairly overturn Mr. T's Foundations, for he owns himſelf ſound in Body and Mind, when theſe ſtrange Fits firſt ſeized him, and diſowns them as any ordinary Diſeaſe: and tho' in his Information, he ſaith, he believes he was not poſſeſſed with an evil Spirit, he is partly to be excuſed, becauſe he himſelf little knew how he was in the ſaid Fits; but when he heard how it was with him therein from others, and conſidered of it, he did acknowledg that his ſaid ſtrange Fits were cauſed by the Devil: So I think muſt any one who exerciſeth his Reaſon, who is not blinded with Paſſion, or Partiality, where ſtat pro ratione voluntas.
He doth ſolemnly diſown ary thing of a Cheat, or Combination (that he knows of) in the Caſe, as his Father alſo doth; ſo that if it be not any ordinary Diſeaſe, nor Cheat, nor Combination, what muſt it then be? and what muſt then follow? Eſpecially when all the Informations are well weighed (which now will need fewer Grains of allowance than formerly): Now let all ſober Perſons judg of the Malady, and Remedy.
In that the Informations both private and publick are called over again before Authority, it is to take away all occaſion of ſuſpicion, as to any unfair dealing. In that there is ſome diſſerence (tho' not much material) from what is in the printed Narrative: I cannot yet learn how the Miſtake was; but the owning of this ſhews the Fidelity of the Parties concerned: And amends is abundantly made by the conſiderable additions, and the authentickneſs of all.
John Walmſly confirms what he formerly reſtified, and further adds.
I have heard R. D. in his Fit ſay, that he had a Familiar, elſehow ſhould I tell ſuch things as I do? I have ſeen R. D. ſtand upon his Feet with his Arms open, and I have ſwayed at his Arm, and hand, till I have been affraid of breaking it, and could not ſtir either his Body, or a Joint o… his Arm, or Fingers. And when it was reported that Mr. Braddill would ſend him to the Houſe of Correction, I have ſeen R. D. in a Fit ſcorn towards him by calling, John, John,) come you muſt make a Mittimus, I will ſend him away,Mr. B's Merk. (or words to this purpoſe) then he would have caſt up his Shoulder like Mr. Edleſton, and made as tho' he would have written with his Finger in the Ball of his Hand with ſcornful Laughters. I have ſeen him in his Fits at Mr. Walmſly's, Mr. Cronbock's, and Mr. Braddili's, ſo that any of them might have ſeen him for coming forth. They at Surey have come for us, to our houſe to aſſiſt them; and we have gone, and Robert Turner along with us, and taken Ropes and tied them about R. D's Middle. Robert Turner hath gone to the Hedg to get a Stake, to beat him with, but R. D. hath ſo made to him, that he hath broken, or ſhpt the Rope, ſo that we have been forced to lay hold of him. And Robert Truner hath been ſatisfied that contending with him would do no good, beſides I have ſeen D. make towards Robert Turner, when in a Fit, and offer to pull the Skale-boos down to come to him, and that Robert Turner hath gone back, leſt he ſhould have gotten hold of him, and I never could perceive that R. Dugdale either regarded Perſons, or Place, where ever he was. I have ſeen him likewiſe have his Arms about his Neck, and they have been ſo faſt, that no one could pull them aſunder, till opened of themſelves. I likewiſe once came behind him, when he was dancing, and pick'd him off the place where he was, and he turned at me again, and his Father offered to help me, but he threw him down, as faſt as he could riſe, and R. D. then got hold of my hair, and there were 5 or 6 young Men preſent, which did there endeavour to help me, but they all could not ſo much as open a Finger of D's Hand, but he held me there, till his Fingers open'd of themſelves: I likewiſe put up my hand to open his Fingers, but found that I could do no good, to my thinking, I might as well have offered to have broken a Bar of Iron. I verily think that it was no Cheat of Dugdale. As to hearing his Voice, I told Mr. Braddill it was betwixt the Surey, and Mill-Lane-Head, which he, and Mr. Barlow, took to be a Mile and an half; but I have enquired of Neighbours ſince, and we concluded it to be two Miles. Beſides, Surey ſtands in a bottom, and I do be lieve, any unbias'd Man cannot but think, that one might have heard him four Miles another way, as well as that two: For Surey ſtands cloſe to a lough River, which makes a great noiſe: Beſides Woods, and all againſt the Hand. As to the LeatherBottle Mr. T. charges me with, I utterly deny it. For I never carried Leather-Bottle, Wooden Bottle, Stone or Glaſe-Bottle, or any other Bottle, or Veſſel, to the Surey, either before that time, or at that time, or ſince, my Father, Mother, Brother, Siſters when called, will be ready to reſtify this. As to Dugdale's School-Tricks, I learned when he did, I believe three or four Years, and I never ſaw, or heard, ſuch things as Edward Slaytor doth relate.
John Walmſly.
This is fruther added to the former Confeſſion taken before us, the 16th day of September, 1697, at the Houſe of Richard Sharples, in Blockburn.
Memorandum, That ſome Paſſagesin Walmſly's Information, are thought meet to be waved, having reſletion on ſome, and not to be made uſe of, unleſs there be ſpecial occaſion them.
Willoughby
Will. Hulme.
John Liveſay of Clayton, confirms, what he had before teſtified, and further teſtifies, that Richard Dugdale was ſeemingly dead, or in a Trance, when he heard ſinging of Pſalms, as from the ſaid Dugdale's Breaſt, exactly Tunable, and in Confort to the ſinging of Pſalms in the Meeting-houſe, before the Door whereof, he lay as dead. He alſo ſays, he heard the Voice of Richard Dugdale, a Mile and a halt diſtance from the Surey, exactly ſuch as it was uſed to be, when he was with him. He ſays alſo, that at Wiſwai-Eves, near Mr. Walmſly's, he ſaw him in an Outrageous Fit, before ſeveral Gentlefolks, not leaving his Fit for fear of them, and ſaying to their Maid Nuſom, eive me the Pipe out of thy Pocket; and ſhe chanced to have one.
John Liveſay.
Dr. Whittaker teſtifies, that it was propoſed unto him, to undertake the Cure of Richard Dugdale by phyſical Means, which he deelined: For that he concluded it to be more than a Natural Diſtemper.
Robert Whittaker.
John Fletcher of Harwood teſtifies, That he knows nothing of any Papers, that were Lid in any place for Richard Dugdale to take, when he was frisking about, as Mr. T. ſuggeſts. Nor did he konw that Richard ever took any Stones from any place, in his ſaid Friskings. And he ſays, that he believes there was no trick of Legerdemain about Webſter's Knife, as appeared from his, and John Merecer's beſt Obſervations. And he ſays that he ſaw a large Pin pricked not into the Lump on his Body, but directly into his Heel, not a ſlope, but directly downward, into the Fleſh, towards his Toes. And he ſays he hnows nothing of any bodies teaching him to call Richard's Fit, a dumb Fit. And he conſirms the Information he formerly gave, to be true.
John Fletcher.
Edmund Haworth of Ruſhton, confirms the Information he formerly gave, concerning Richard Dugdale to be true, and particularly that about Robert Turner.
Edmund Haworth.
The Confeſſion of John Flelding of Harwood, a Conformiſt, taken before the Right Honourable Hugh Lord Willoughby, and Wlliam Hulme, Eſq two of His Majeſty's Juſlices of the Peace, and Quorum taken at the Houſe of Richord Sharples in Blackbuin, the 16th day of Sepember, 1697.
IMprimis, John Fielding conſeſſes and ſave, That being impowered by his Leaſe to cut down Wood, for Houſe-Boot, Plough-Boot, Cart-Boot, and Bedg-Boot; did however ask leave of his Landlord, to out down five Trees, for reqairing his Flouſe, which were by his Landlord's orders, marked out by one Edmand Ruyley, all growing on his own Tenement, one of which being a handful too ſhort, he cut it not down, but onetaler, tho' worſe in it's ſtead, which Wood not ſuſſiceing for the ſaid Houſe-repair, he hought mere to make it out, notwithſtanding which the Landlord ſued him about the ſaid Trees. Whereupon he by the advice of his Neigbours, and Friends, rendred to his Landlord five Pounds, in hopes of having it all returned him back, but his Landlord kept it all, and afterwards ſtruck him. He likewiſe ſays, having lived for many Years in Liacolnſhire, where he was Nick-named Lancaſhire Fielding, which is Threeſeere Miles diſtont from the Surey; yet coming to Surey to ſee the Demoniack, he in a Fit cried, there comes Lancaſhire Fielding. He alſo ſays, That the Certificate ſhewed before us, about his being no reputed Thief, was verily fubſeribed by his Neighbours, many more of whoſe Hands he might have got, had he deſired them.
John Fielding.
Thomas Booth of Hay-Honſes, confeſſes at the ſame time, and declares, That his former Examination was true, and furhter adds that he, and another ſtriving to lift him up, could not ſtir him off the ſpot, and yet within one quarter of an hour after, he alone did lay hold upon him, about the the Hips, and lift him up about three quarters of a Yard high, and held him for a conſiderable while, and felt him to be no heavier than his Stick, and his whole Body was ſtright and ſtiſſ, after which he having laid him down, ſaw him in his dead Fit half an hour longer, without any motion from Richard, either as he lay, or at he was lift up.
Thomas Booth. the 16th day of September, 1697. Theſe Informations were given beſere us,
Willoughbly
Will. Hulme.
John Smalley of Harwo…d eſtifies, That his Information formerly given about R. Dugdale was true, and he is certain that Richard's Shoes, ſpecified therein, were buckled juſt before the… …l…w off, nor had he any hand himſelf in looſening them, or helping them off, ſo knew of any other Perſon, or outward Means confederate, or aſſiſting in their flying off.
John Smally.
Lawrence Robertſhaw, of Harwood teſtifies, That the Information he formerly gave in the Surey-Demoniack was true.
Lawrence Robertſhaw.
William Liveſay teſtifies, That the Information he formerly gave in the Surey-Demoniack is true; and ſays he ſaw two Stones thrown into the Barn end, that Richard foretold were a coming, which he took up, and felt them more than ordinary warm. Nor did he go up and down to pick up Company, to go to the Surey; nor knows he of any Spy that went over the Fields, or any other ways to give Intelligence.
William Liveſay. The Informations were given before us, the 16th day of September, at the Houſe of Richard Sharples of Blackburn, 1697.
Willoughby
Will. Hulme.
James Abbot doth under his Hand teſtify, That when Dugdale had told me of my Cheſhire, and Staſſordſhire Journy, I came home and told our Folks, that I wondered what I might go into Cheſhire for, we none of us having any occſion thither; hard after a Letter came from Beverly, to inform us that one Eliz. Gandy would comeover to ſee her Grandfather, and from thence into Cheſhire, unto knotsford, but in all this I never thought of Staffordſhire, nor had I ever been there, not ever thought that I ſhould ever have gone thither; yet when it fell ſo out, I called to remembrance that Dugdale told me of it.
James Abbot. the 16th day of September 1697, at the Houſe of Sharples of Blackburn.
This is further added to the forme?
Confeſſion taken before us,
Willoughby
Will. Hulme.
John Jolly teſtifies, That the Private Information of Thomas. and Ann Dugdale, Parents to Richand Dugdale, with Mary and Alice Dugdale, Siſters to the ſaid Richard Dugdale, which is printed in the Surey-Demoniack, was freely declared to him by the Parties aforeſaid, at Surey, July the 31ſt 1695. And that the Information aforeſaid, was by him put down in Writing in their own words and meanings. And that all the ſaid Information was diſtinctly read over to the Parties aforeſaid, to which they then voluntarily put their Marks.
John Jolly. the 16th day of September, 1697. This was affirmed before us,
Willoughby.
William Hulme.
Joſeph Hargreaves teſtifies, That his former Confeſſion in the Surey-Demoniack is true.
Joſeph Hargreaves.
Nathaniel Waddington confeſſes, and teſtifies, That the Information he formerly gave, concerning Richard Dugdale is true, except what is mentioned about Fielding, and likewiſe what was mentioned about the Gold and Bisket, which he only heard by report. He further ſays, he was preſent when Dugdale accuſed the Gentlewoman of having Bisket in her Pocket, and chalienged her to play with her at Cards, for the Gold ſhe had in her Pocket, but ſays, he cannot tell whether ſhe had any or no, ut it was generally reported, that ſhe had both in her Pocket.
Nathaniel Waddington.
William Fort of Altham, confeſſes and trſtifies, That he ſaw Richard Dugdale in one of his Fits at his Fathers Houſe in Altham, and that for half a quarter of an hour together he ſtood ſtreight up, and was as one dead, and breathleſs, he ſays that he himſelf and others, all that while held a Candle to his Mouth, and Noſtrils, and could not in the leaſt perceive that he had any Breath in his Body. Before this, whilſt he was in his Fit, he ſays he ſaw his Body riſe up from the Ground five of ſix times, being ſtiff and ſtreight, three quarters of a Yard above Ground; and that he did not bend in any Joint whatever, but with ſudden Motions was thrown from his Back to his Belly, and ſo likewiſe from his Belly to his Back, riſing three quarters of a Yard from the Ground, as he turned himſelf. He likewiſe ſays that he heard him ſing ſome Verſes of a Pſalm in Latin, and ſome Schollars that were preſent, ſaid was true Latin.
William Fort. the 17th of September, 1697. Theſe Informations were taken before us,
Willoughby.
Will. Hulme.
The further Information of William Sellar's of Pendleton, Husbandman, concerning Richard Dugdale, which he is ready to take his Oath upon, when he is called to it, and it be within compaſe, conſidering his great Age and bodily Weakneſs.
Whereas I did heretofore make Oath, as to ſeveral Particulars of R. D's caſe, before the Right Honourable the Lord Willoughby, and Ralph Egerton, Eſq two of His Majeſty's Juſtices of the Peace, for the County of Lancaſter. I do now upon occaſion more particularly expreſs, and explain my ſaid Teſtimony, as follows.
I did lift up the ſaid Richard Dugdale ſeveral times, and becauſe I thought it very ſtrange, that he ſhould be ſo light; I do well remember that I did once my ſelf without any help, liſt him up by his Legs all at once, about a Yard form the Barnfloor, and held him up ſo long as I could well judg of his weight. R. D's Unkle being preſent, when he was as light as an Hat, or a Walking-Cane, and as ſtreight as a Cane, he was then in a dead Fit, and continued therein ſome conſiderable time, after I had laid him down again, all this I do ſaithfully teſtify.
Witneſs my Hand.
John Birch
William Sellars.
This Paper being read before the Right Honourable, the Lord Willoughby and William Hulme, Eſq was approved by them, as delive'd by John Birch to them, but could not be ſucſeribed in William Sellar's Abſence.
John Hindle teſtifies further, That he, and John Walmſly were preſent, when Dugdale had his laſt Fit in the Surey-Barn, where in his Fit R. D. ſaid it was Obſceſſion and in a Combination, and that he might never have more Fits, and it ſhould never be diſcovered while the World endured.
John Hindle.
As to the following Informations, they were brought to me after the meeting before the Juſtices at Blackbrun: And much more might be gîven in to the ſame purpoſe, if there were need for it, and that we made it our brſineſs to ſeek further Teſtimony: Tho' the thing happen'd ſo many years ago, and that the Informants teſtifying thereunto be ſo much againſt their Worldly Intereſt.
ANN Whittaker (who at that time, when R. D. had thoſe ſtrange Fits, was Servant to Major Nowel of Morton, Arnald's-Bigging.next Houſe to Surey) ſhe reſtifies; That R. D. told her that his ſaid Fits begun at Weſtby-Hall (as it's commonly called) as he was making Hay: Whereupon he came into the ſaid Hall, and laid himſelf down upon a Bed, according to the Advice of a Servant there: Then he ſaid, that 5 or 6 Evil Spirits appeared to him; and then the appearance of a Black Man did grin at him, and preſſed very fore upon him: Then both the Spirits and the Man danced upon the Floor, and then vaniſhed in a flame of Fire.
She alſo teſtifies, that at a certain time, when a Fit was coming on him at Morton, he fell a dancing and roreing hidiouſly: Then he fell to the Ground, and had ſomething riſing under his Clothes, as if it were quick; and that it begun in the very part of his Body, where (as he ſaid) that grim Man did preſs him ſore, at the firſt: Alſo, that whilſt he lay in the ſaid Fit, he did ſo ſweat, that one might wipe the Sweat off his Clothes; and all the Flaggs under him were wet therewith: She alſo teſtifies, that ſhe oft ſaw R. D, in his Fits at Surey, and that he was much what after the ſaid manner.
The ſaid Ann doth alſo teſtify, that Mr. Barton Shuttleworth, being at the ſaid Morton, upon occaſion, he followed her to Surey; ſhe her ſelf then not knowing of his following her; yet R. D. told of Mr. Barton's coming, tho'R. D. could not ſee him, nor did any Perſon tell R. D. of his coming. He did alſo in a Fit tell ſeveral young Perſons of their reſolution to go to an Ale-houſe; and that they ſpent (viz. Two-Pence a-piece): This one of Parties did conſeſs to the ſaid Ann; and that it was indeed ſo as R. D. had ſaid.
The ſaid Ann doth alſo teſtify, That her ſaid Maſter had oft occaſion, to make uſe of all the Surey-Family about his Worldly Affairs: And that ſhe never perceived any thing concerning any of them, that might give the leaſt occaſion of ſuſpicion, as to their being guilty of Withcraft, or of any cheating Practices.
Ann Whittaker,
Nicholas Haworth of Altham, Miller, teſtifies as follows: I have ſeen Richard Dugdale in his Fits, run about the Surey-Barn on all four, as faſt as any Man, that I ever ſaw, could run on his two Feet. I have ſeen the Lump in R. D's Leg riſe upward, and tho' I have endeavoured to keep it down by girding a Belt, or Boot-garter, a little above it, yet never could: So it did ſtill ſhoot under. I have heard R. D. hart and bark like any Maſtiſſ: For that I have been very much afraid of him. I have heard R. D. whilper at the Wall in the Surey-Barn, and to my thinking reſuſing to do ſomewhat; he hath fallen flat on his Back, as if ſomething had tripp'd up his Heels: After he had lain a while, he would have riſen as ſoon as a Man can trun his Hand: His riſing was ſo ſudden, that one could ſearce pereeive it.
Nicholas Haworth.
John Hindle, of Altham, teſtifies as follows: I have ſeen Richard Dugdale lie on the Sruey-Barn-Hoor in ſome of his Fits, and very ſuddenly he was ſet on his Feet, without the bending of any part of his Body, that I could perceive: I could liken it to nothing but one's ruſhing a Stick to an end. I have alſo ſeen a Lump on R. D's ſhoulder about the bigneſs of an Hen-egg, and have offer'd to hold it down, but could not, One time ſtanding behind R. D. he being then in a Fit, I heard him ſay to Mr. Carrington, Thou ſhalt be Porter of Hell Gates, thou'ſt have Brewis, and Toad-Broth.
John Hindle.
Joſhua Thomaſon, of Entwiſle, in the Pariſh of Bolton, in the County of Lancaſter, Yeoman, witneſſeth as follows: It was publickly reported about us, that a certain young Man, called Richard Dugdale, livirg at Surey, was poſſeſt of the Devil; whereupon ſeveral of my Neighbours concluding to go and ſee the ſaid Dugdle; I went with them; and coming to Surey, it happen'd to be a day appointed by the Miniſters to be ſpent in Prayer, and other Religious Exerciſes, for the ſaid D. Mr. Jolly, one of the Miniſters preſent, being earneſt in Prayer for the Party afflicted, That the Lord would free him from ſo ſad an Affliction. D. being then in one of his Fits in the Surey-Barn, with a loud Voice, ſaid many times over. O thou, crying Jolly, thou ſhalt never caſt me out. In the ſame Fit, the ſald D. cryed out, O Carlile, Carlile, Carlile, (ſo he call'd Mr. Carrington.) After this, as Mr. Jolly was ending his Prayer, and was ready to diſmiſs the Aſſembly, Mr. Carrington came to the Barn door; where kneeling down, he pull'd out a little Bible, and looking in the ſame, D. cryed out ſeveral times, Carlile, read upon the Wall. Mr. Jolly, and the other Miniſters, ſeeing Mr. Carrington, deſired him to go to Prayer. Whilſt Mr. C. was at Prayer, D. ſtill cryed out in a Language unknown to me. When Mr. C. had done praying, he apply'd his Diſcourſe to D. and ſaid, Thou declareſt thy ſelf to be an unclean Spirit, thou art ſuch a Reviler. D. and Mr. C. continu'd their Diſcourſe together a long while, one while Mr. C. ſpoke, then D. then Mr.C. I could underſtand Mr. C. very well; for he (as I ſupppoſe) anſwer'd D. very ſoberly, and with ſome Texts of Scripture: But I could not underſtand one word of D's Diſcouſe to Mr. C. and I find ſeveral Sentences, that Mr. C. then ſpake, are printed in a Book call'd the Surry Demon…ack.
At Night Mr. Jolly, Mr. Waddington, and Mr. Carrington, examin'd D. whether he had made any Contract with Satan, or no, either by writing, word, or any other way: To which D. anſwer'd, that there was no ſuch Contract that he knew of. Whereupon the Miniſters told him, that if he had made any Contract, or Bargain, with the Devil, they could not help him, unleſs he would firſt make an ingenuous Conſeſſion. D's Mother upon this, with ſeeming earneſineſs ſaid, I pray thee Richard, it thou have made any Contaact, or Bargain, conſeſs it: Thou had better conſeſs it now. To which Richard anſwered ſomewhat faintly, I know of none. Mr. Jolly asked D. how can'ſt thou then anſwer ſeveral queſtions, and tell many things, which cannot be done by Lawful Art; thou having ſeemingly whiſper'd with ſomething at an Hole, or Corner in the Barn? Mr. Jolly ſaid further, how could 'ſt thou name thoſe Perſons, that came from Haſlingden, and tell them at what Ale-houſe they called, and how much they drank, out of what Veſſels, Cans or Cups, what every one paid, whether Silver, half Pennies, or Farthings, and how many of each; and ſo particularly what change was return'd to any of the Company? to this D. anſwered, that he could not tell any of theſe out of his Fit: But in his Fit (it ſeem'd) he going to the aforeſaid hole, or place in the Barn, a Voice declar'd to him all the Anſwers, proper to the ſeveral Queſtions, which had been ask'd him: And further told him what things had been done by the Perſons aforeſaid, at a conſiderable diſtance from Surey.
Likewiſe the Miniſters examin'd D. about an Elephant-hafted Knife, which was found in his Mouth in a Fit, how he came by it? Dugdale ſaid he could not tell.
Another time, when I came to ſee D. I found him out of his Fit, and entring into diſcurce with him, he told me how his Fits began with him at firſt: Divers then preſent alſo told me, that ſtill in his foregoing Fit, his Spirit foretold when his next Fit ſhould come, and how long it ſhould continue. I ask'd how he knew when his Fit began? D. ſaid, ſtill when my Fit begins, I looſe my fight: Yet to my thinking an Old Man in a black Mantle appears in the beginning of my Fit, and goes before me over the Green, and leads ſtraightway into the Barn, if I be not there before; and I cannot but tollow him. At the end of this diſcourſe, D. did very ſuddenly riſe up from his Seat in the Houſe, and went into the Barn, there he fell flat upon his Back: When he had lain a while, he was turned on his Belly; as he lay, ſomething in the Calf of his Leg leap'd up very oft. Upon this I took his Leg betwixt my hands, yet ſtill it leap'd and ſprinted, as if I had a two-penny Chicken in my hands: And this when I ſtrove to hold it down. After this he was turned on his Pack again, ſtill I perceiv'd that leaping in the Calf of his Leg, and it jutted out as far as his Stocking could ſtretch. This after ſome time roſe up, and went up his Thigh to his Breaſt, and as it went along, it thruſt up his Clothes the height of ones Fiſt: This Lump roſe as far as the Collar of his Doublet, and then (cho' at other times his Face, and Neck, were of a white, or pale colour) his Neck and Face were as red as Blood: I could not ſee any Eyes that he had, but the holes were the ſame colour with his Face. Upon this he was ſet on his Feet in a trice, without the natural uſe of Arms, and Legs, and without bending any part of his Body: As one raiſeth a Stick, or Board to an end, very nimbly; and then he went to the aforeſaid hole, at the end of the Barn, and laid his Mouth a while to the hole.
Soon after he turn'd him about to the Company, and reeling down the Barn, came to the Ring where he uſed to dance; he ſaid, I have a Meſſage to declare to you all. In the firſt Epiſtle to the Theſſalonians, chap. 5. ver. 16. Rejoice evermore. This Verſe he expounded very handſomly and ſeriouſly; ſhewing what it was to rejoice evermore, and in what way we muſt do it: He ſpoke to this Verſe a long while in good order, and words, and from other Scriptures prov'd what he ſaid: Yet when he had done, he fleeringly ſaid, but which of us doth ſo? Then he came to the 17th verſe, and ſhew'd what it was to pray, and what to pray without ceaſing; and this as well as the former: Then ended it; ſaying, but which of us doth ſo? He alſo expounded the 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. verſes, and ended the Expoſition of every Verſe, with a But which of us doth ſo? And beſides that, at the end of the laſt ſaid, Ha! Ha! and then danced very cleverly.
After this, D. with his Hands and Arms drumm'd on his Side, and with that, and a Noiſe that he made in his Throat, any one, who had not ſeen or known his Faſhions, would have taken it to have been a Drum. I heard a Man there preſent, who had been in Ireland, ſay, that D. did then beat a March exactly, which was uſed by the Iriſh, which he never heard in England. Then he danced again, after this fell flat on the Floor, and as he lay along, a luſty ſtrong Man who had been Fellow ſervant with D. came hectoring into the Barn, and ſaid, Come Dick, they ſay thou art poſſeſt; if thou be, I can get thee holpen; but I think thou art not, for thou waſt always a good Lad. This Fellow would needs ſhake Hands with D. and talk'd over him a long while; till being perſwaded, he ſate down at the Barn-ſide. Soon after D. leap'd up, and ran to the aforeſaid Hole; and as he turn'd him about, he call'd the Man by his Name, and ſaid, Art thou come to ſee me? Thou haſt got a Bottle of Ale in Whally, and haſt left thy Horſe there. The Man ſaid, If thou can tell that (Dick) thou art poſſeſt, and I can get thee help. D. ſaid further to him, Thou thinkeſt to have another when thou goes back, and a Wheat-cake, and I'll fill thy Wheat-cake with Sparrow-bills; and in ſuch a L…ne I'll break thy Neck. The Man ſaid, I fear thee not, and all the Devils in Hell to help thee. After this D. ſtoop'd down, and gathered up a deal of Ruſhes; which he would, but could not, make a Thumb-rope of; however he drew them out a pretty length, and got them about the Man's Neck, with which D. hurl'd him about, as if he had been a little Dog; and the Man could not, with all his Strength, get looſe, till the Ruſhes broke. The Man after this was extream tame and quiet.
D. diſcover'd many things of ſeveral Perſons, particularly a Woman, who came from wards Burnly: D. came up to her, ſnook't and ſmelt at her, call'd her by her Name, and ſaid, O art thou there; thou got ſome Stone-fruit at ſuch a place, (which D. nam'd) as thou came, and thou intend'ſt to have more. The VVomam bluſh't and ſlipt away.
Then D. fell flat on the Earth again, and as he lay he began to draw himſelf on a Root, and then harred and barked like as any Maſtiff; a Maſtiff which then lay in the Cow-houſe, harred and barked fiercely at D. again; and had leapt at D. if ſome had not put him out. Much more I could have told of him: But, through diſtance of time, it is now ſlipt out of my Memory
Nov. 12 1697. Joſhua Thomaſon.