Some of the people then told her that she must do as the spirit had said. So I must, said she, if I don’t she will come into the room, and if she does, I shall die. She then went down with a number of others, and immediately came up, and told me that she was released. I was soon after informed, that the spirit was about to appear, and that we must all be present. I went with the rest, but prayed that I might not see her. She had promised that none should see her but those who desired it. Accordingly I did not see her, though I looked directly before me, where they said she was.
August 13. I was again at the same house, and while I was sitting in the room, near a candle, two persons came and looked upon a watch, and found it twelve, and said it was exactly what the spectre had just told. At one o’clock they came again, and found the same agreement. SARAH SIMSON.
TESTIMONY XI.
Testimony of Mrs. Abigail Abbott.
August 10, 1800. I was at Mr. Blaisdel’s house, with many more. In the first part of the night there was much indecent conduct, and some profanity. The spirit knocked sometimes, but uttered only a few words. The company in general having in vain waited to see or hear something extraordinary, withdrew; but I tarried with several other persons. Soon after they were gone, the spectre knocked several times very loud, and we went into the cellar. After saying many things to us, she appeared in the shape of a person and moved before us, without stepping, passing and repassing several times. She gave so much light that we could see other persons and other things in the cellar, which we could not see before her appearance, nor afterwards. I saw her appear and disappear several times. At last the apparition came to Capt. G. Butler, and then he appeared to be immersed in her radiance so that he appeared white and shining like the apparition. And I did particularly see his hand in the midst of the apparent body of the apparition. He cried in surprise, “Lord Jesus Christ.”
August 13-14, I was there again, and heard much conversation of the ghost, with several other persons in the cellar, concerning several events known only to her and them in her life time. To all their questions she gave satisfactory answers.
Once while she was speaking, I saw a bright shining appearance in that part of the space from whence the voice proceeded.
Her conversation and exhortation continued four hours. One of the company observed to her that we were an hardened people. “Yes,” she answered, “But the Lord will call in his elect in his own time.” I went to Capt. M’s with the company, but did not then see her at all. ABIGAIL ABBOT.
TESTIMONY XII.
Testimony of Miss Dorcas Abbot.