"Joshua Parsons, son of Hugh was killed by Mary Parsons his wife, 4. 1. 1651."
Singular as it may now seem, and notwithstanding the above entry, fair and legible at this day upon the records, an attempt was soon after made to throw the cause of the death of the son upon the father, and that he had effected it by witchcraft! We will not now enlarge on this subject, as we propose to publish at some future time an article on witchcraft in our country, and its unhappy effects.
P. S. We originally intended to have given in this number the genealogy of the branch of the family of Parsons settled at Gloucester, but for want of room, and some materials, are obliged to defer it to a future one; meanwhile we hope the descendants of Jeffrey Parsons, (the progenitor of this branch,) will forward us all the facts they possess concerning it, that it may be rendered as complete as possible. For the information of those concerned, it may be proper to state, that we have a copy of the pedigree which was in the possession of the late William Parsons, Esq., of Boston, which, though extensive as it respects the names of the descendants, is very defective in dates and names of places. In these particulars we especially want information.
[ANCIENT BIBLE IN POSSESSION OF WIDOW LUCY WATERS OF SHARON, MS.]
It is said that this Bible was brought from England to America by the Pilgrim Fathers, who landed from the ship Mayflower, at Plymouth, Ms., December 22, A. D. 1620.
The title-page of the Testament[23] part of this Bible is in the following words, viz.—
NEW TESTAMENT
OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.