Chapter IV: Part 4

20. Thomas Mustard being sworn, deponed, that James Wilson going
once to sail, Alison Dick came to him, and desyred silver from
him, he would give her none; she abused him with language, and he
struck her; she said to him, that that hand should do him little
good that voyage; and within two days after, his hand swelled as
great as a pint-stoup, so that he could get little or nothing
done with it. The next time also when he was to sail, the said
Alison went betwixt him and the boat; and he said, Yon same witch
thief is going betwixt me and the boat, I must have blood of her;
and he went and struck her, and bled her, and she cursed him and
banned him; and that same voyage, he being in Caithness, standing
upon the shore cleithing a tow, and a boy with him, the sea came
and took him away, and he died; and the boy was well enough.

* * * * *

Desires Mr Robert Douglas[13] to go to the Archbishop with this
process, to get his approbation thereto, who takes upon him to do
the same.

[13] Who preached the famous coronation sermon of Charles II. at
Scone, January 1st 1651.

_Minute of November 19th._--5s. given for a load of coals to
Alison Dick;--14s. for her entertainment this week bygone, being
this day, with her husband William Coke, burnt for witchcraft.

_In the minute of 17th December, there is a particular account of the Town and Session's extraordinary Debursements for William Coke and Alison Dick, Witches._

_In primis._--To Mr James Miller, when
he went to Prestowne for
a man to try them, 47s. £2 7

_Item._--To the man of Culross,
(the executioner) when he
went away the first time,
12s. 0 12

_Item._--For coals for the witches,
24s. 1 4

_Item._--In purchasing the commission, 9 3

_Item._--For one to go to Finmouth
for the laird to sit upon
their assise as judge, 0 6

_Item._--For harden to be jumps to
them, 3 10

_Item._--For making of them, 0 8

-----
Summa for the kirk's part £17 1 Scots.

_The Town's part of Expenses Debursed extraordinarily upon
William Coke and Alison Dick._

_In primis._--For ten loads of coals to
burn them, 5 merks, £3 6 8

_Item._--For a tar barrel, 14s. 0 14 0

_Item._--For towes, 0 6 0

_Item._--To him that brought the
executioner, 2 18 0

_Item._--To the executioner for
his pains, 8 14 0

_Item._--For his expenses here, 0 16 4

_Item._--For one to go to Finmouth
for the laird, 0 6 0
-------
Summa town's part, £17 1 0 Scots.
Both, 34 11 0

_The following account is a voucher of a payment made by
Alexander Louddon, a factor on the estate of Burncastle, the
proprietor being then a minor and infant. It is entered in the
factor's books thus:_

* * * * *

Mair for Margarit Dunhome the time sche was in prison, and was
put to death, 065: 14: 4.

* * * * *

Count gifin out be Alexander Louddon in Lylstoun, in ye yeir of
God 1649 yeiris, for Margrit Dollmoune in Burncastell.

* * * * *

Item, in ye first, to Wm. Currie and Andrew Gray for the watching
of hir ye space of 30 days, inde ilk day, xxx sh inde

xlv lib Scotts

Item mair to Jon Kinked; for brodding of her[14]

[14] See his declaration, page 111.

vi lib Scotts

Mair for meat and drink and wyne to him and his man

iiij lib Scotts

Mair for cloth to hir

iij lib Scotts

Mair for twa tare treis

xl sh Scotts

Item mair for twa treis, and ye making of them to the warkmen

iij lib Scotts

Item to ye hangman in Hadingtoun, and fetchin of him, thrie
dollores for his pens, is

iiij lib xiiii sh

Item mair for meit and drink and wyne for his intertinge

iii lib Scotts

Item mair fer ane man and twa horss, for ye fetcheing of him, and
taking of him hame agane

xl sh Scotts

Mair to hir for meit and drink ilk ane day, iiij sh the space of
xxx dayes, is

vi lib Scotts

Item mair to ye twa officers for yr fie ilk day sex shilline
aught pennes, is

x lib Scotts

Summa is iiij scoir xii lib xiiij sh

GHILBERT LAUDER.

UM. LAUDER BILZAURS.

Takin of this above written soume twentie-seaven pundis Scotis
qlk the said umql Margrit Dinham had of her ain.

92: 14: --
27: --: --
----------
65: 14: --

MINUTES

AND

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SESSION

OF

TORRYBURN, IN FIFESHIRE,

CONCERNING

_WITCHCRAFT_.

WITH THE

CONFESSION

OF

LILLIAS ADIE.

TAKEN FROM THE SESSION RECORDS

MINUTES, &c.

_Torry, June 30th, 1704._

SEDERUNT, WM. HUTTON, WM. DALGLISH, WM. REID, JOHN MITCHELL,
DAVID CURRY, GEO. TILLOCH, WITH THE MINISTER.

The session being called, _pro re nata_, upon a flagrant rumour, that Jean Bizet, wife to James Tanochie, had been molested by Satan, and had complained of some particular person of the devil's instruments in that trouble that she lay under. Whereupon the minister ordered the officer to cite the said Jean Bizet, also Lilias Adie and Janet Whyte, whom she was said to complain of; and also to cite Mary Wilson, who is said to have taken the charm by stroking up her head; and also, he ordered the officer to cite Tanochie's daughter, with James Tanochie, James Whyte and his wife, Helen Anderson, and Mary Nielson, who are said to know something of the circumstances of that affair.

_1mo_, Jean Bizet being called, compeared not, upon which the
officer is ordered to cite her to the next.

_2do_, There being a public report that Janet Whyte should have
threatened James Tanochie's family with a mischief, but
particularly his wife, before this befell; the said Janet was
called, and interrogate, if ever she threatened James Tanochie's
wife, she declares, that she never threatened any such thing, nor
thought so. Moreover, she said, that James his wife would not say
so, otherwise she would lay down her head upon a scaffold. She
said, that she was not at her since she took that distemper, and
saw her not since, but saw her on the Monday before, and her
husband's daughter, and Jean Archibald in Culross; but upon the
morrow the woman was troubled. James White being called,
declared, that Jean Bizet was in a distemper upon Tuesday the
13th day of June, in Helen Anderson's house, betwixt 9 and 10 at
night, and seemed drunk.

_3tio_, That she drank not a gill in that house, but before she
came to Helen's house, she was about half an hour in Mary
Wilson's.

_4to_, She seemed to be strangely distempered, and he heard her
say, Agnes, beware lest Lilias Adie come upon you and your child.

_2d_, She said to Mary Nielson, Lilias Adie thinks to use me as
she used your sister.

_3tio_, She complained upon Mary Wilson, but none saw the said
Mary; as she went home, she cryed, _now, now, Jenny, I'll be
felled now, there three blew doublets_, frequently, and wringing
her hands. _Note_--She got a considerable sleep in Helen
Anderson's.

_5to_, As she went home, he had let her go, and she not only
went freely, but did run violently, without stumbling in the
least, the breadth of Torry Park, and he had difficulty to
overtake her, notwithstanding there was both a dyke and furrows
in the way.

_6to_, He declared, that he heard that the next day she was no
better.

_7no_, He declared, that on the Monday before, Janet Whyte said
to him, before James Alexander in Drumfin, that she would make
Jean Bizet forethink what she had done to her in not paying her
two barrels of ale which she sold her, on this purpose she could
not get the maltman payed.

_3tio_, Helen Anderson being called, declared, that Jean Bizet
was in her house, out of Mary Wilson's, about 5 or 6 at night the
foresaid day, and she seemed to be strangely distempered. _2dly_,
Her eyes raised, and could drink none. _3tio_, Ater she had
sleeped from 6 to near 9, and when she awaked, she cryed, _by God
he is going to take me! by Christ he is going to take me! O Lilly
with her blew doublet! O Mary, Mary Wilson!_ repeating _Christ
keep me!_ Upon which Helen said to her husband, did you ever see
her in this condition? He answered, never in my life, but she is
too much taken up with that company, but let me to her, I shall
ding the devil out of her. For this she appeals to James Tanochie
and his son, She and James Whyte declares both, that they are
clear to depone the same.

Agnes Henderson, wife to James Whyte, called, compeared, declared, that she was sent for to James Tanochie's wife the day foresaid, who was in a great trouble, and never saw her in the like. _2d_, That she sleept a while, and when she awoke, she cryed, _O God! O Christ! there is Lily coming to take me, and three blew doublets! O Mary Wilson keep me, she is coming!_ She adds, that Jean was in Mary Wilson's before she came to Helen Anderson's, and she said, that she desired her to go home, for Lilly will take you and the child both. She heard her say to Mary Wilson, it was not to you that she did evil, but to your sister, what aileth her at me, I never did her any ill. And as she went home, she seemed raised, but went and spak very well, and she went with her, she heard her speak often of Lilly by the way, that she was coming to take her. And she adds, that as she came first into the Newmiln, that she looked and spoke as heartsomely as ever she saw her, and seemed no way disordered; and having carried one of James Whyte's children from the Newmiln to James's house. And, on the next day, being Wednesday, she went to see how she was, and found her complaining of a sore head, and in a sweat, and she seemed not right; and she says, she is clear to depone what she has declared.

Mary Nielson being called in, said, that when Jean Bizet came to her mistress Helen Anderson her house, she was not within, but she was within when she awoke out of her sleep. _2d_, She heard her say, _O God! O Christ Jesus keep me!_ _3tio_, She heard her say, _O keep me! keep me! there she is coming, Lilly Adie with her blew doublet!_ _4to_, _O Mary Wilson! O Mary Wilson!_ _5to_, She said, as she went away out of the house, she did no ill to you, but to your sister. She is clear to depone all this.

Jean Bizet being called in, declares, that on the foresaid Tuesday, she came to the Newmiln in the forenoon, carrying James Whyte's son on her back from the Craigmiln, and James Whyte was with her. _2d_, She came first to Helen Anderson her house, and her husband being upon business, she went to Helen Tilloch her house. _3tio_, She went to Mary Wilson's house, where Lott Nicol, with Isobel Harlay, were drinking in the room next to the door, and she went by them to the room, where Mary Wilson filled a pint of ale and desired her to drink of it. She took a drink, but did not drink beyond a gill of it; and Helen Tilloch, and Jean Tilloch, came in and drank the rest, with many others. _4to_, She could scarcely have been a quarter of an hour there, and that she returned to Helen Anderson her house immediately.

Mary Wilson called, said, when Jean Bizet came to her house, she called for a choppin of ale, and stayed until that was drunk, and another was filled, and a part of that was drunk. _2d_, There was none but Helen Tilloch and Jean Bizet, and herself, at the drinking of that ale. _3tio_, Euphan Nicol came in, and she took a drink of it. _4to_, She declares, that Jean Tilloch was not within the door then. _5to_, Robert Nicol and Catharine Mitchell, and Margaret Nicol, sister to Robert Nicol, were drinking at the fire-side. _6to_, She declares, that she seemeed no ways disordered with drink, nor any other way. _7no_, She went up to her on Thursday afternoon, and she found her lying on her bed, and straked her head, and whether she was immediately the better of it, or not, she knew not; but she left her sitting at the fire-side with her child on her knee.

Jean Bizet says, Jean Tilloch was really there. _2d_, She says it was Friday afternoon before she settled.

_Torryburn, 29th July, 1704.--After Prayer, Sederunt, Minister and
Elders._

Lillias Adie being accused of witchcraft by Jean Neilson, who is dreadfully tormented, the said Lillias was incarcerate by Bailie Williamson about ten of the night upon the 28th of July.

Lillias being exhorted to declare the truth, and nothing but truth, she replied, what I am to say shall be as true as the sun is in the firmament.

Being interrogate if she was in compact with the devil, she replied, I am in compact with the devil, and have been so since before the second burning of the witches in this place. She further declared, that the first time she met with the devil was at the Gollet, between Torryburn and Newmilne, in the harvest, before the sun set, where he trysted to meet her the day after, which tryst she kept, and the devil took her to a stook side, and caused her renounce her baptism; the ceremony he used was, he put one hand on the crown of her head, and the other on the soles of her feet, with her own consent, and caused her say all was the devil's betwixt the crown of her head and the soles of her feet; and there the devil lay with her carnally; and that his skin was cold, and his colour black and pale, he had a hat on his head, and his feet was cloven like the feet of a stirk, as she observed when he went from her.

The next time she saw him was at a meeting at the Barnrods, to which she was summoned by Grissel Anderson in Newmilne, about Martinmas, their number was about twenty or thirty, whereof none are now living but herself. She adds, it was a moon-light night, and they danced some time before the devil came on a ponny, with a hat on his head, and they clapt their hands and cryed, _there our Prince, there our Prince_, with whom they danced about an hour.

The next time was at a meeting at the back of Patrick Sands his house, in Valleyfield, where the devil came with a cap which covered his ears and neck;--they had no moonlight. Being interrogate if they had any light, she replied, she got light from darkness, and could not tell what that light was, but she heard them say it came from darkness, and went to darkness, and said, it is not so bright as a candle, the low thereof being blue, yet it gave such a light as they could discern others faces. There they abode about an hour, and danced as formerly; she knew none at the meeting but Elspeth Williamson, whom she saw at the close of the meeting coming down by the dyke-side; and she said, she was also at another meeting in the Haugh of Torry, where they were furnished with the former light, and she saw Elspeth Williamson there also.

_July 31st, 1704._--_After Prayer, Sederunt, Minister and Elders._

Lillias Adie adhered to her former confession, and added, there were many meetings she was not witness to, and was at many of which she could give no particular account; and you will get more news after this. Being interrogate if she knew any more witches in the place, she replied, Agnes Currie is a witch, but she is a bold woman, and will flee upon me if I should delate her.

Being interrogate if the devil had a sword, she replied, she believed he durst not use a sword; and called him a villain that promised her many good things when she engaged with him, but never gave her any thing but misery and poverty.

The last meeting ever she was at, was 14 days after the Sacrament, in the month of August 1701, upon the minister's glebe where the tent stood, their number was 16 or 18, whereof Agnes Currie was one. She added, that she made an apology to the meeting, because she could not wait upon them all the time, being obliged to go to Borrowstouness that morning's tide. She added, that she heard Jean Neilson was possessed with a devil, and troubled with a fit of distemper, but declared she never wronged her, though the devil may do it in her likeness.

Elspeth Williamson being called, came into the prison where the session sate, and being interrogate if Lillias Adie had any envy at her, she answered, she knew no envy she had at her. Lillias being interrogate if Elspeth Williamson was guilty of witchcraft, she replied, she is as guilty as I am, and my guilt is as sure as God is in heaven.

The next time she saw the devil was about half a year ago, as she went to Culross, she saw him at the west end of the coal-fold.

Upon the affair of Janet Whyte, James Alexander being called, compeared, and declared that he never heard Janet Whyte threaten Jean Bizet in the least.

James White called, declared _ut ante_, but adds, that upon Friday was eight days, the 21st of July, he heard a great screeching when he was in the Craigmilne upon the bleaching green, beneath the said milne, and heard a second screech much greater, and clapping of hands and laughing, about twelve of the night, in the green on the other side of the burn; and it was observed by the bleachers to be all pastered, though there was no cloth at the burn, nor bleachers that night. Also, on the second of August 1704, Lillias declared before witnesses, that Grissel Anderson invited her to her house on that Lammas day, the morning just before the last burning of the witches. Grissel desired her to come and speak with a man there; accordingly she went in there about day-break, where there was a number of witches, some laughing, some standing, others sitting, but she came immediately away, being to go to Lammas fair; and several of them were taken shortly after, and Grissel Anderson among the rest, who was burnt, and some of them taken that very week. She adds, that Euphan Stirt warned her to the meeting at the Barnrod; and the said Euphan was burnt afterward, though she had been no longer a witch than a month before her death. She added, that she knew few of them that were at those meetings, especially the young sort, because they were masked like gentlewomen; and if Agnes Currie's heart would fall, she could tell as much as any, being in the midst of the meeting, where she saw her face by the blue low near Patrick Sands.

_At Torryburn, August 19th, 1704.--After Prayer, Sederunt, &c.
Minister and Elders._

Elspeth Williamson declared, that shortly after the last communion, there came a woman to her door, and bade her go east the way, whom she followed the length of the church-yard, and leaned upon the dyke, and saw a bouroch of women, some with black heads, were sitting where the tent stood. The woman that called her, went straight to the meeting, and fell down upon her knees, whereat she wondered, and hearkened if there was any reading or singing of psalms among them, and when she heard none, she thought she was in the wrong place, and did not think the woman would have taken her to the devil's meeting. She thought the woman was Mary Wilson, but is not certain; and about ten at night, some time after, a young lass came to her door, and desired her to go westward a little, whom she followed, but knew not the lass, she went so fast west the town before her, and was got the length of the Gollet or she came to the west end of the town; and when she was come west near the Gollet, she saw a meeting of women and some men, and she stood at a little distance from them, and saw them go through other for the space of near an hour, and removed insensibly eastward from her, upon which she stole away.

Lillias Adie confessed, that after she entered into compact with Satan, he appeared to her some hundred of times, and that the devil himself summoned her to that meeting which was on the glebe, he coming into her house like a shadow, and went away like a shadow; and added, that she saw Elspeth Williamson and Agnes Currie both there, only Agnes was nearer the meeting than Elspeth, who was leaning on the church-yard dike with her elbow. She added, that the devil bade her attend many meetings that she could not attend, for age and sickness; and though he appeared not to her when there was company with her, yet he appeared to her like a shadow, so that none could see him but herself. At another time, she said, that when she renounced her baptism, the devil first spoke the words, and she repeated them after him, and that as he went away she did not hear his feet on the stubble.

_August 20th 1704.--After Prayer, Sederunt, Minister and Elders._

It is to be minded, that Lillias Adie appeared before the congregation on the Lord's day, and being called up by the minister and asked if she was guilty of witchcraft, she confessed freely that she was, and had entered expressly into covenant with Satan, and renounced her baptism, the devil putting one hand on the crown of her head, and the other under the soles of her feet, and she gave over all to the devil that was betwixt his two hands, and she was come hither to confess her sins, and to get her renounced baptism back again. She also desired all that had power with God to pray for her; to this the minister and elders, and whole congregation, were witnesses.

It being reported, that Agnes Currie should have delated Bessie Callander and Mary Wilson, guilty of witchcraft; Agnes being called, compeared and declared, that Robert Currie told her Elspeth Williamson told him that Bessie Callander and Mary Wilson, were witches.

George Stewart, solemnly sworn, purged of malice and partial counsel, aged 27 years, married, deponed, that Agnes Currie said to him, I'll tell you, but you must not let any of your folk know of it; he replied, I believe in Christ, I hope the devil hath no power over me. Ha, ha, said she, the devil hath done wrong to many, and he may wrong your friends or goods. Elspeth Williamson told Robert Currie, and Robert Currie told me, that Bessie Callander and Mary Wilson, are guilty of witchcraft. And this is truth, as he shall answer.--_Causa scientia._

_Sic subscribitur_, G. S.

James Paton, solemnly sworn, purged of malice and partial counsel, aged between 22 and 23 years, depones, he was not requiring any thing of her by way of confession of persons names to which she assented in the mean time, but Agnes Currie said to him, there are two witches in Newmilne, and one of them is at the Bridgend; upon which I replied, you must tell me, for I have a sister there. Agnes replied, her name begins with a B, George Marshall replied, is that our Bessie, she answered, you are right enough, it's Bessie Callander. As to the other person, she would not tell her name at first, but said, she is be-east your house, but after owned the person to be Mary Wilson, but desired him not to divulge it to your mother or sister, least these persons do you ill. This is the truth, as he shall answer.--_Causa scientia._

_Sic subscribitur_, JA. PATON.

George Marshall, sworn, purged, &c. _ut supra_, aged 39 years, married, declared, _ut supra_, and added, that she said, ye are husbandmen, devulge it not, least your beasts get wrang; and said to Alexander Drysdale, you go to sea, you have need to take head; and she said, the other lived be-east James Paton's house, but he going away, heard not her name. And this is the truth, as he shall answer. _Causa scientia._

_Sic subscribitur_, G. M.

Agnes Currie assented to this in session; and that Robert Currie told her, that Elspeth Williamson told him these things; and that Mary Carmichael in Linlithgow, is a witch.

Robert Currie called, compeared, and declared that Elspeth Williamson delated to him Bessie Callander, Mary Wilson, and Mary Carmichael, as witches, which the said Elspeth referred to the probation of the witch.

The foresaid day, Lillias Adie said to the minister, that the devil was angry that she went to church, and said, that she might do as well at home. Being interrogate if he was angry like, she said, that he never looked pleasant like.--And closed with prayer.

_August 29th, 1704._

Lillias Adie declared, some hours before her death, in audience of the minister, precentor, George Pringle, and John Paterson, that what she had said of Elspeth Williamson and Agnes Currie, was as true as the Gospel; and added, it is as true as the sun shines on that floor, and dim as my eyes are, I see that.

It being reported that William Wilson knew something of Agnes Currie that was witchcraft, as also Janet Glass, they were called, and the said William declared, that about 24 years ago, Helen Johnston having overlaid her child the night after it was baptized, and the next day he was lamenting the woman's case, Agnes Currie said to him, if I had been her cummer, I could have advised her to take heed to her child; and also, that the said William was desired some time ago to bring some _slyk_[15] to a house that belonged to Agnes, and he answered, that his mare was in the yoke all day and could not; Agnes said she could not help it, and that same day his mare died in a stank.

[15] Thin clay or mud.

Janet Glass declared, that she came once into Agnes Currie's house, having something to do with Agnes, who in the time was baking bread, and broke three several bannocks, lying in three several places, and gave it to the said Janet, and she with eating the same fell in a fever.

_Torryburn, 3d of September, 1704.--After Prayer, Sederunt,
Minister and Elders, except Robert Baxter, John Weir and John
Wardlaw._

Agnes Currie being called, compeared, and confronted with Janet Glass; Janet declared, that about twelve years ago, she brought her cloth to her house, and Agnes was baking bread, and she broke three several bannocks that were in three several places, and gave her a piece of every bannock, and immediately she took the fever; and she adds, that she gave her a little piece of every bannock, and it was all one sort of bread. Janet declares that she is ready to swear it; also adds, Helen Lawson was so used.

Helen Lawson being called, declared, that a long time ago, Agnes Currie broke three several bannocks, and gave her a piece of every one, but she would not take the third piece; and adds, that she is ready to swear it.

Elspeth Williamson being brought in, and interrogate if she was a witch, she answered, that she would not deny that.

N. B.--Lillias Adie was buried within the seamark at Torryburn.[16]

[16] Her grave is still to be seen at the west end of the town,
marked with a large stone.--ED.

* * * * *

William Cose being called, compeared, and owned, that on Sabbath morning, anno 1704, it being moon-light, he saw Bessie Micklejohn, or the devil in her stead, in James Chalmers's bark, then lying in Leith, and he doubts not but she saw him; and adds, that she had a green plaid about her head, as he offered to depone. The session considering that the devil appeared in her likeness, it was no proof against her, they judged it not necessary to regard that matter, and thought William Cose should not be troubled, it appearing he had not spoken it from malice, nor accused her of witchcraft formerly.

_March 30th, 1709._

Margaret Humble called, declared, that Helen Key said, that when she heard Mr Logan[17] speak against the witches, she thought that he was daft, and she had up her stool to go out of the kirk: Also declared, that Helen Key threatened to strike Mary Neilson.

[17] The Reverend Allan Logan, the minister, is still famous all over
the country for his skill in discovering witches; and used, when
administering the Sacrament, to say, "You witch wife get up from the
table of the Lord," when some unhappy old woman would have risen,
imagining she was pointed at, and it was well if it did not
afterwards cost her her life. _Daft_ or not, he was certainly a most
wretched fanatic of the worst description.--ED.

Jean Pearson declared, that she heard Helen Key say, that she would strike Mary Neilson. The said Helen Key confessed what all the witnesses declared.

As to the affair of Helen Key, Mary Neilson called, declared, that she heard Helen Key say, that she thought Mr Logan was not wise when he was speaking against the witches; and she had one unseemly expression that is not decent to be put on the records; and when Margaret Humble rebuked her, she answered, it was not Margaret Humble's part to speak in Mr Logan's favours, but she would not express what Mr. Logan said of Margaret Humble to her.

The session having found her convicted of prophane irreverent language against the minister and his doctrine, without any shadow of provocation, and of gross lying and prevaricating, both in private and before the session, and of threatening to strike a person because she had reported her impudent, Godless, and scandalous language,--therefore, they appoint her to sit before the congregation the next Lord's day, and to be rebuked after the afternoon's sermon.

THE END.

ΔΕΤΤΕΡΟΣΚΟΠΙΑ;

OR A

BRIEF DISCOURSE

CONCERNING THE

SECOND SIGHT;

_COMMONLY SO CALLED._

By the Reverend Mr John Frazer, Deceased,
late Minister of Teree and Coll, and Dean
of the Isles;

AND

_Published by Mr ANDREW SYMSON, with a Short
Account of the Author._

EDINBURGH:

Printed by Mr ANDREW SYMSON, Anno Domini
MDCCVII.

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE,

_Universally Learned, and my very Singular Good
Lord GEORGE, Earl of Cromartie, Viscount
of Tarbat, Lord Macleod and Castlehaven,
&c. Lord Justice General of the Kingdom
of Scotland, and one of her
Majesty's most Honourable
Privy Council_,

This following Discourse, entituled ΔάτεροσκοπιαΔάτεροσκοπια, &c. written by the Reverend Mr John Frazer, late Minister of Teree and Coll, and Dean of the Isles, is, with all due respect and reverence, dedicated by the printer and publisher hereof, his

Lordship's most humble
And obedient servant in all duty,
ANDREW SYMSON.

THE

PUBLISHER TO THE READER.

The Reverend author of the ensuing Discourse having married my near kinswoman, and being in this city in November 1700, in order to the settling of some of his affairs. As we were discoursing of several things relating to the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland, we came to speak of the Second Sight, reported to be so common in these parts; he told me, that as to the thing itself, it was most certain and undeniable, and that he could give many instances of it; as also, that he had written a short Discourse upon that subject. This he promised to transmit to me; accordingly, on his return home, after a tedious and troublesome voyage, both by sea and land, he sent me that Discourse, written with his own hand, desiring me to publish the same after some of his friends here had perused it: which being done, I, at my own conveniency, put it to the press, but before it was finished, I received an account that the author was dead, whereupon I forbore the publishing of it, till I should get an account of several passages concerning himself and family, designing to prefix the same to the Discourse itself, which I conceived would be acceptable to his friends, and not displeasing to the reader. And therefore I dispatched a letter to one of his nearest relations, and that was best acquainted with him, and with the passages of his life, that so I might thereby be the better informed. In answer whereunto, I received a paper containing several memoirs, from which I have collected the following account.

Mr John Frazer, the author of this Discourse, was born in the Isle of Mull, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and forty-seven.

His father, Mr Ferchard Frazer, was born in the north of Scotland, near Stratharig, about the year 1606, and lineally descended of the family of my Lord Lovat, but mediately of the family of Tober, one of the Lairds of the name of Frazer.

After he had taken his degrees at the University, and applied himself to the study of Divinity, he was called by the bishop of the isles (there being then few learned men able to preach in the Irish tongue) to be minister of the Isles of Teree and Coll, (to which charge the deanry of the Isles was annext.) He was the first master of arts that preached constantly there as minister of the parish, there being then there one Ewen M'Lean, who was appointed to catechise and convene the people, there being few or none, as said is, able to serve the cure; but being there, he was very diligent in his ministerial function in teaching and instructing them, leaving them far better than he found them; for at his first coming, there were but three heritable gentlemen of the name of M'Lean that could subscribe their own names, the time Mr Ferchard Frazer served as minister of the Isles of Teree and Coll, which were conjoined in one parish, may be collected from his epitaph, written by his son, our author, which is--

Epitaphium Magistri Ferchardi Frazer Decani Insularum; qui obiit 14 die Februarii Anno Domini 1680. Aetatis 74.

Pervigil et blandus; mitis, gravis atq. benignus;

Doctus et Eloquii deterritate fluens:

Pavicoves Christi pandens mysteria verbi;

Exemplum vitæ præbuit ipse gregi.

Luxfuerat populi lustris bis quinq. peractis,

Sacradocens, sancto munere functus obit.

Hic requiem tumulo corpus capit, inde regressus

Spiritus ad Dominum, qui dedit ante, volat.

Mr Johannes Frazerus, decanus insularum.

His mother's name was Janet M'Lean, daughter to Lauchlan M'Lean of Coll, an ancient family of that name and clan. His father, as he was careful to instruct others, so he did not neglect his son, our author, but having fitted him for the University, he sent him to the College of Glasgow, and committed him to the care of Mr William Blair, one of the regents there, who advanced him to the degree of master of arts, between the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth year of his age. From thence he went to the Isle of Mull, and was chaplain to Sir Allan M'Lean of Duart. Thereafter, viz. March 4th 1677, he was married to Mary Symson, the only surviving daughter of Mr Matthias Symson, some time minister of Stirling, who died November 1664. Two or three years before his father's death, (being canonically ordained presbyter,) he was admitted to his father's charge, in regard his father, partly by age, and partly by sickness, was rendered very unfit to serve the cure of these two islands, Teree and Coll, as also of Icolmkiln, which was also annext to it, and at a greater distance; however, such was his care and diligence in the work of the ministry, that, by the blessing of God upon his endeavours, he converted to the true Protestant faith 24 families in the Isle of Coll, (the laird himself being then ring-leader), that were deluded by Father O'Donald and others, his father not being able to oversee his flock, by reason of his foresaid condition.

His father dying in the year 1680, he served the cure thereafter, by constant and diligent preaching, baptizing, marrying, visiting the sick, and exercising all other duties incumbent on him; but at length, because his principles would not allow all the demands of the Synod of Argyle, his charge was declared vacant, and his stipend taken from him; notwithstanding whereof, there being no minister sent to oversee these islands, he went about the exercise of his ministry as formerly, being supplied by the charity and benevolence of his parishioners, who had an entire kindness for him; but his stipend, as said is, was taken from him and bestowed some other way. And thus he continued till about a month before his death, which was on the 25th day of August 1702, in which he changed this troublesome life for a better, leaving behind him a desolate poor widow, with several children, both sons and daughters, as also a sorrowful people, who were now wholly deprived of a spiritual pastor, and of such a one as was every way qualified for that charge; for he was not only a good and learned man, but was master of their language, being born and bred up in the Isles, understood their humours, conditions, and manners of life, and being a wise and sagacious person, complaisant, and of a winning deportment; all which good qualifications he was endowed with, as all which were acquainted with him, can sufficiently testify.

As for the subject of the following Discourse, (commonly called the Second Sight) though I think it might be more fitly called the First Sight, (because it for the most part sees things before they are), I shall not undertake to defend all the notions that he has of it, and whether they will agree with true philosophy, but shall refer that to others of a higher reach and deeper understanding than I ever durst pretend to; but this I will say in his defence, that, considering the place where it was written, even among the remote Isles, _vervecum in patria_, where he wanted the converse of learned men, and the benefit of books, two necessary qualifications for one that writes on such an abstruse subject; I humbly conceive, that the great clerks of this age, who have the benefit of books and converse, should not superciliously undervalue him that wants them. However, although I shall not pretend to maintain all that he writes, as to the causes, &c. of this Second Sight, nor do I believe all the stories that I have heard concerning it, yet the thing itself, or that there is such a thing as is commonly called the Second Sight, I do firmly believe, being induced thereto by the relations that I have received from persons of known integrity, and such as I suppose are wiser than to be imposed upon, and honester than to impose fables instead of truths, upon others. Among the relations that I have been told concerning this subject, I shall only single out one or two, and then I shall conclude.

A noble peer of this nation being one morning in his bed-chamber, and attended by several persons, when his servant had put a new coat upon his Lord, a gentleman standing by, presently cry'd out, for God's sake, my Lord, put off that coat; and being asked the reason, he replied, that he saw a whinger or poinard, stick in the breast of it. The noble peer esteeming this as a mere fancy, replied, 'this coat is honestly come by, and I see no reason why I may not wear it.' The gentleman still entreated, and earnestly craved, that it might be put off: upon which debate, the noble peer's lady being not far off, came in, and being informed of the whole affair, intreated her Lord to comply with the gentleman's desire, which he did; mean time one of the servants standing by, desired the lady to give it him, and he would wear it. She granted his request, who put it on, and ere night he was stabbed by a poniard, in that very place which the gentleman had pointed to in the morning. This relation I had from a very ingenuous and understanding gentleman, who was grand-child to the said noble peer.

I shall add another strange story, which I had from a reverend minister of the gospel, and my intimate acquaintance. 'Tis thus--In the year 1665, Alexander Wood, eldest son to the Laird of Nether Benholm, in Angus, having ended his prentiship with a merchant in Edinburgh, told Mr James Walker, that (in the year 1662 or 1663), he had been employed by his master to go to the Lewis to make up herring; and being there, and having a good tack of herring, their salt and casks were all made use of, and then they being idle, he began to fret that his master had delayed so long to supply them; and being one day drinking in a country house, and complaining, he went to the door of the house, and there followed him a country man, who said to him, If you will give me a small hire, I'll tell you what is become of the ship you are looking for; and without more ado, he set his foot upon the gentleman's foot, in which time he saw the ship in a great storm, ready to perish, and the seamen casting out their lading to lighten the ship; but when the country man's foot was off his he saw nothing. The ship at that time was about 100 miles from them, and about 48 hours thereafter, she came into the same harbour, and had been in the same condition he saw her in at that time the country man's foot was on his foot. It would be tedious to add any more stories that I have had from persons of undoubted veracity; and therefore, Reader, I shall only subscribe myself

Your humble servant in all duty,
ANDREW SYMSON.

A

SHORT ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

READER.

COURTEOUS READER,

You may be surprised to meet with such an abstruse theme (handled in specie by few or none), from the pen of a person in my circumstances, lying at a great distance from the Universities and centre of the kingdom, and consequently may be justly supposed to want that ordinary help of books and conference with the learned, that others may enjoy.

In the _first_ place, believe that I am so far from affecting vain singularity, (a hateful vice in the schools as well as the pulpit), that nothing of that kind moved me to treat of the subject of the following Discourses. But for my own satisfaction I drew up the following heads, and did not resolve at the first to expose them to public view, (justly fearing the censure of presumption); but I was, by the persuasion of some serious friends, prevailed with to commit myself to the favourable judgment of the learned, (who might sooner commend my endeavours than censure my failings), rather than suppress such a fine subject, which probably might be more fully and largely treated of by others after the perusal of this Discourse. Take this pamphlet then in the rude dress that I could give; at least it may excite thy thoughts, if not to approve of what is here deduced, yet to propone of thine own a more satisfying method of explaining this remarkable phenomenon, which is the genuine design and wish of,

SIR,
Your humble servant,
The AUTHOR.

ΔΕΤΤΕΡΟΣΚΟΠΙΑ;

OR,

A BRIEF DISCOURSE

CONCERNING THE

SECOND SIGHT,

_Commonly so Called_.

Many have undertaken to treat of the nature and operation of Spirits; as also of the various manners of divination among the Gentiles, (and but too much used among Christians,) likewise of the perturbation and deception of the fancy, caused by melancholy; and very many speak in ordinary discourses of this called the Second Sight, and the consequences of it, but none that I know handle it _in titulo_.

That such representations are made to the eyes of men and women, is to me out of all doubt, and that effects follow answerable thereto, as little questionable. But I have found so many doubt the matter of fact; which I take to be the reason that so little has been written of it, that I think it necessary to say something briefly, that may put the existency of it beyond all scruple. If I should insert all the clear instances that I have had of this matter, it would be tedious and unnecessary, therefore I will content myself, and I hope will satisfy the reader, with four or five instances, as follows.

The first instance is by a servant of my own, who had the trust of my barn, and nightly lay in the same. One day he told me he would not any longer lie there, because nightly he had seen a dead corps in his winding sheets straighted beside him, particularly at the south side of the barn. About an half year thereafter, a young man that had formerly been my servant, fell dangerously sick, and expecting death, would needs be carried near my house; and shortly thereafter he died, and was laid up a night before he was buried in the same individual barn and place that was foretold; and immediately the servant that foretold this came to me and minded me of the prediction, which was clearly out of my mind till he spoke of it.

The second instance is after this manner. I was resolved to pay a visit to an English gentleman, Sir William Sacheverill, who had a commission from the English Court of Admiralty, to give his best trial to find out gold or money, or any other thing of note, in one of the ships of the Spanish armada, that was blown up in the bay of Topper-Mory, in the Sound of Mull. And having condescended upon the number of men that were to go with me, one of the number was a handsome boy that waited upon my own person; and, about an hour before I made sail, a woman, that was also one of my own servants, spoke to one of the seamen, and bade him dissuade me to take that boy along with me, or if I did, I should not bring him back alive; the seaman answered, he had not confidence to tell me such unwarrantable trifles. I took my voyage, and sailed the length of Topper-Mory; and having stayed two or three nights with that liberal and ingenuous gentleman, who himself had collected many observations of the Second Sight in the Isle of Man, and compared his notes and mine together, I then took leave of him. In the mean time, my boy grew sick of a vehement bloody flux,--the winds turn'd cross, that I could neither sail nor row,--the boy died with me the eleventh night from his decumbiture,--the next morning the wind made fair, and the seaman to whom the matter was foretold, related the whole story when he saw it verified. I carried the boy's corps aboard with me, and after my arrival, and his burial, I called suddenly for the woman, and asked at her what warrant she had to foretell the boy's death; she said, that she had no other warrant but that she saw, two days before I took my voyage, the boy walking with me in the fields, sewed up in his winding sheets from top to toe, and that she had never seen this in others, but she found that they shortly thereafter died; and therefore concluded that he would die too, and that shortly.

The third instance was thus. Duncan Campbell, brother-german to Archibald Campbell of Invera, a gentleman of singular piety and considerable knowledge, especially in Divinity, told me a strange thing of himself. That he was at a time in Kintyre, having then some employment there, and one morning walking in the fields, he saw a dozen of men carrying a bier, and knew them all but one, and when he looked again, all was vanished. The very next day, the same company came the same way, carrying a bier, and he going to meet them, found that they were but eleven in number, and that himself was the twelfth, though he did not notice it before; and it is to be observed, that this gentleman never saw any thing of this kind before or after, till his dying day. Moreover, that he was of such solid judgment and devote conversation, that his report deserves an unquestionable credit.

The fourth instance I had, to my great grief, from one John M'Donald, a servant of Lauchlan M'Lean of Coll, who was then newly returned from Holland, having the charge of a captain. This gentleman came one afternoon abroad to his past-time in the fields, and this John M'Donald meets him, and saw his clothes shining like the skins of fishes, and his periwig all wet, though indeed the day was very fair; whereupon he told privately, even then, to one of Coll's gentlemen, that he feared he should be drowned. This gentleman was Charles M'Lean, who gave me account of it. The event followed about a year thereafter, for the Laird of Coll was drowned in the water of Lochy in Lochaber. I examined both Charles M'Lean and John M'Donald, and found, that the prediction was as he told me; and the said M'Donald could produce no other warrant, than that he found such signs frequently before to forgo the like events. This man indeed was known to have many visions of this kind, but he was none of the strictest life.