I have seen and discoursed with the apparition several times. In the latter part of January, 1800, I saw her in the field; first at a considerable distance from me: then she came to me, and I particularly observed that she never touched the ground. Her raiment appeared as white as possible. The next evening she reproved me in the hearing of several persons, because I had not spoken to her, and because I had spoken against her. She told me she had come on God’s errand, and that if I opposed her, I opposed him who sent her.
The Spirit asked me if I lived in such a manner as I would wish to die.[45]
I have from time to time heard the voice speak in open space, where I am sure no living person existed, as others can testify who were with me.[46] And upon August 9-10, I was present and saw the Spectre when she appeared, and I plainly saw Capt. Butler’s hand pass through the apparition.
August 11, I saw her again, and heard her pious discourse, with nearly twenty other persons. To those who were present, I said, “She has her child now in her arms.” “Yes, I have,” she answered, “yes I have.” She came so near to me and others, that either of us could have handled her without changing our places.
August 13. Being informed that the ghost had promised to come this night, I left my father’s house, and went to Capt. M’s that I might not see nor hear her. Just before daylight, she came to this house with more than forty people, and reproved me again for speaking against her in the presence of six or seven persons. This is the second time, said the voice, that you have been warned.—Beware of the third time. She asked me several times to handle her, to see whether she had material substance or not. I confessed to her that I believed her to be the spirit of N. H. Then I went back with the company to my father’s house. Before she vanished she came and stood within three feet from me.[47] The personal shape was all light, the particles of which had constant motion. But I was afraid to put my hand upon her. PAUL BLAISDEL.
TESTIMONY XVI.
Testimony of Mr. David Hooper.
January 2, 1800. By the request of the spectre, sent by two messengers, I went to Mr. Blaisdel’s house, and by conversing with her, obtained such clear and irresistable tokens of her being the spirit of my own daughter, as gave me no less satisfaction than admiration and delight.
She gave a reason satisfactory to me why she put me to the trouble of coming there instead of her coming to my house.
By her request I went in a few days after to Mr. Butler’s family and expressed my conviction to them.