[49] Perhaps Son of the first William Hudson, one of the first Settlers of Boston.
[50] Captain John Hill, of whom Dr. Usher Parsons has given an interesting and ample Account in the N. E. Hist. and Gen. Reg. for April and July, 1858.
As a Contrast to the next Sentence of the Text take this: "Some of the Indian Pawawes (i. e., Wizzards) in this Country, have received the Gospel, and given Good Evidence of a True Conversion to God in Christ, have, with much Sorrow of Heart, declared how they had, whilst in their Heathenism by the Hands of Evil Angels Murdered their Neighbors."—Dr. I. Mather, to the Reader in Angelographia. In the valuable Collection of Dr. J. S. H. Fogg, of S. Boston, are many of the Papers of Capt. Hill, of much Interest on the Period referred to.
[51] See Vol. [I], Page [37], of these Volumes.
[52] The Absurdity of the Practice of the Courts then in Use, in their shocking Abuses of accused Persons, will be found in all its Deformity, on perusing the Trials of those Days. The Practice of insulting and browbeating those on Trial was according to the Custom of the English Courts of those Days, and for a long Time after.
[53] Nothing was more common among those who imagined themselves bewitched, than the Notion that they were transformed into Cats, and other Animals; and that in those Shapes they attended Witch Meetings. At such Meetings the Devil was always present, and acted as Master of Ceremonies. A very sure Evidence of Insanity.
[54] Called in Captain John Stevens's Spanish and English Dictionary, Cahori, which is defined, "one that pretends to see into the Bowels of the Earth, through Stone Walls, or into a Man's Body; a Cheat put upon the Ignorant." There is something very similar in our Times, even leaving out the Founder of the Mormon Sect.
[55] This Work, here often referred to, was printed in 1689. Its more extended Title is, Memorable Providences relating to Witchcraft and Possessions, in a 16mo. But few Copies are known to exist.
[56] I suppose Mr. Thomas Brattle, the then Treasurer of Harvard College. He was a principal Founder of the Church in Brattle Square, known by his Name. He wrote an Account of the Witchcraft of 1692, which laid in Manuscript about one hundred Years, when Dr. Belknap caused it to be printed in Part, in the Colls. Ms. H. Society, v, 61-80. Mr. Brattle was a Scholar, a Graduate of Harvard College, and, like Mr. Calef, a Merchant of Boston. His Communications to the Royal Society of London procured him the Title of F. R. S.
It is possible that the Initial (Mr. B——) may stand for Gov. Bradstreet; but I presume Mr. Brattle is meant.