August 7. Mr. Blaisdel came to my house and desired me to go to his own, where I might hear and see for myself. He also went to Capt. Samuel Simson’s with the same request. Capt. Simson and his wife, S—— B——, and N—— G——, who were there, came with him to my house, and we all went to Mr. Blaisdel’s. When we had been there some minutes, Capt. Simson, by desire, prayed. His prayer was immediately followed by a knocking, and we all went into the cellar. Mr. Blaisdel asked what was wanted, and who it was. It answered, “I was once N. H.” I asked, “How was man made?” “Out of the dust,” said the voice, “Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. You have the Bible, and that is God’s truth, and do you abide by it. Love God and keep his commandments.” After some conversation with Mrs. Simson and others, she said, “I must go,” and we heard no more. It was now broad day-light, the outer cellar door being open, and utterly impossible that any living person should be there, but those whom we could see and know. The voice was about six feet from me.
August 9. I went to that house with many people, among whom I observed much disorderly behaviour. The Spirit spake but little, and I returned with a resolution to go no more to that house on such an errand.
August 14. Just before day-light, I heard singing, as I lay in bed, approaching to my house. Presently, by my leave, my house was filled with people, and I heard knockings on the floor. By the desire of certain persons, I went into the cellar with Capt. P—— B——. After some discourse of the voice with him, which I understood not, I heard sounds of knocking near me. I asked, what do you want of me. It answered, “I have come to let you know that I can speak in this cellar as well as in the other.[29] Are you convinced?” I answered, “I am.” “Now,” said the voice, “the company must be solemn and stand in order before your door, I am going to appear. Now do you remember that I was once N. H.” We went up and complied with her direction, and I saw a personal shape coming toward us, white as the light. By the Spectre’s order, as I was informed, Mrs. Butler went toward her. “Lydia,” said the Spectre, “you are scared. You must sing.” Then she sung an hymn. The Spirit came almost to us; then turned, and Mrs. Butler with her, and went several rods towards Capt. Simson’s and appeared to take her by the hand to urge her on further; and disappeared in our sight.
Mrs. Butler returned and informed the company, as I was told, that if they would walk to Mr. Blaisdel’s solemnly as to a funeral, the Spirit would walk with Mrs. Butler behind them. The company did so. But I being far forward, saw nothing. Mrs. Butler had expressed her unwillingness to go to Capt. Simson’s, and was excused, as she afterwards told us. JAMES MILLAR.
TESTIMONY V.
Testimony of Mrs. M. G.
On the 4th of August, 1800, about two hours before day-light, while I slept in Mr. Blaisdel’s house, I was waked by the sound of knocking. I got up, and with about twenty others went into the cellar. There I heard such a voice speaking to us as I never heard before nor since. It was shrill, but very mild and pleasant.
Mr. Blaisdel, in addressing the voice, said that several persons, (of whom I was one) had come from a distance to obtain satisfaction, and desired that she would tell us who she was, and the design of her coming. She answered, “I was once N. H. and after I was married, I was N. B.” After much conversation upon the design of her coming, she appeared to us. At first the apparition was a mere mass of light: then grew into personal form, about as tall as myself. We stood in two ranks about four or five feet apart. Between these ranks she slowly passed and repassed, so that any of us could have handled her. When she passed by me, her nearness was that of contact; so that if there had been a substance, I should have certainly felt it. The glow of the apparition had a constant tremulous motion. At last the personal form became shapeless—expanded every way, and then vanished in a moment.
Then I examined my own white gown and handkerchief, but I could no more see them than if they had been black.
Nothing more being now seen or heard, we were moving to go up, when the voice spake again and desired us to tarry longer. We did so, and the Spirit talked with us another hour, even till broad day-light. She mentioned to us the ill treatment which Mr. Blaisdel’s family had suffered by reproach and false accusation, and told us that they would, on her account, be more despised and ridiculed in time to come, than they had been already.