William Mather’s 1699 Young Man’s Companion
Is there any familial relation between William Mather and Cotton Mather or his family?
If there is, this could be even more damning. A quick search indicates that William Mather was a schoolmaster and may have been a Quaker. This means that a highly religious schoolmaster was teaching and spreading ideas about abortion in 1699.
William Mather’s 1699 Young Man’s Companion also has one (the London book would inspire the very first arithmetic book to be printed in the colonies in 1705, by Franklin’s old boss Andrew Bradford). In Mather’s book, though, the recipe was short, misleading, and ineffective. It includes an entry for “Terms provoked,” a heading also found under comparable medical books with abortifacient concoctions (where the “term,” or period, needs “provoking”). Unfortunately for Mather’s readers, however, he prescribes “stinking Arach,” or goosefoot, which is an emmenagogue (an agent to stimulate or regulate menstruation) but not a reliable abortifacient. He also makes the even more dubious suggestion to “take a draught of White wine” under a full moon.
several of her own Children had frankly and fully confessed, not only that they were Witches themselves, but that this their Mother had made them so
Four of her children were also accused of witchcraft. The family's assistant minister was responsible for interrogating them. A daughter, 6, and son, 10, first confessed. Sons 15 and 18 refused to confess until after torture including tying them heels to neck. The children managed to survive the witchcraft delusion period.
pleading Not Guilty
Those pleading not guilty were mostly convicted and hanged. Those admitting guilt and testifying had their lives spared. Giles Corey did not want to plead guilty, and knew that if he plead not guilty he would likely lose his life and his property, instead refused to plead either. To force a plea, the authorities tried to press a plea out of him, piling stones upon him until he was crushed to death. By so doing, Corey's property was not subject to confiscation and his family inherited it.
Queen of Heb
Queen of Hell?
This Rampant Hag
Wow
Unaccountably ty’d together with a Wheel-band, so fast that without cutting, it could not be loosed: It was done by a Spectre; and the Sufferer affirm’d, it was the Prisoners.
This happened in the courtroom??
that the prisoner was the undoing of her, and her Children, by enticing them into the snare of the Devil.
Again, someone just trying to save themselves
Witch-meetings
Wow, what a creative name for their gatherings
she should within two or three days be poisoned
Come on, why would she warn her that she was going to be poisoned? It ruins the surprise
Phebe Chandler
Off topic, but I couldn't help but think of Phoebe and Chandler from "Friends" when I read her name
strangely bewitched
I'd love to see what "strangely bewitched" cattle act like
lost his Cattle, by strange Deaths
Did nobody think that the cattle were just sick & infecting each other?
he could thrust a knitting Needle into his wound,
Well it's never gonna heal like that!
and put him to very great Misery
Two open sores in the groin area?! Who wouldn't be in very great misery?
a Swelling in his[Pg 156] Foot, and then with a Pain in his Side, and exceedingly tormented. It bred into a Sore, which was launced by Doctor Prescot,
I wonder how much medical knowledge (or lack thereof) attributed to these accusations. Misdiagnoses can be dangerous...
She would hold his Nose as close to the Grindstone as ever it was held since his Name was Abbot.
People say crazy things when they're angry...
this Carrier
Strange that he keeps saying "this Carrier" and not just "Carrier"
This Confession they made with great Shews of Repentance, and with much Demonstration of Truth
They're just trying to save themselves!
Its no matter though their Necks had been twisted quite off.
She probably would like to twist these girls' heads off right now
the Poor People
the accusers?
or her Shape
Interesting that they suggest that Martha could've been "possessed" or something could've taken over her "shape"
pleading Not Guilty
Does anyone plead guilty to an accusation of being a witch?
I want no Defence; for the Historical part of it, I have a Very Great One; the Lieutenant-Governour of New-England having perused it, has done me the Honour of giving me a Shield, under the Umbrage whereof I now dare to walk abroad.
So, he is going to give his "religious opinion", but is going to attempt to tell just the facts in the "Historical part" of his writings
Dogmatical
Dogmatical :relating to or of the nature of a dogma or dogmas or any strong set of principles concerning faith, morals, etc., as those laid down by a church; doctrinal:
unvaried Thoughts
Unbiased truth? Not sure if that's possible as a minister writing about witches.
Good Men in another Country
Good Englishmen?
I have indeed set myself to countermine the whole PLOT of the Devil, against New-England, in every Branch of it,[Pg 5] as far as one of my darkness, can comprehend such a Work of Darkness.
He has decided to take on the job of telling about the event of the witch trials the best he can, considering he is a religious man.
No, I hope the Body of this People, are yet in such a Temper, as to be capable of applying their Thoughts, to make a Right Use of the stupendous and prodigious Things that are happening among us
He hopes that people are smart enough to realize a religious message when they see one?
fenced with Iron, and the Staff of a Spear
What's with the italics? Is he quoting something?
Cotton Mather