, “ IN SALEM” (1704)

MICHAEL SEES, EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE, DR. JON MILLER, SPRING 2006

Introduction happened there first hand. Upon his lack of support from the townspeople return to , Lawson wrote his during his tenure as minister, Lawson Of all the accounts of the Salem Witch account of what he witnessed in Salem may have concealed certain fallacies Trials, be they first hand or histori- (one of the first of its kind), under the and helped spread the hysteria when cal, few are more curious, mysterious remarkably descriptive title, A Brief it is clear that a calm voice could have and perhaps least read and under- and True Narrative of Some Remarkable reduced it. stood than Deodat Lawson’s, minister Passages Relating to Sundry Persons Upon his return to Boston, Lawson of Salem Village’s church from 1683- Afflicted by Witchcraft, at Salem Village became the minister at a church in 1688. Tempers flared quite often in the which Happened from the Nineteenth of Scituate, Massachusetts and remained Village, and ministers were not assured March, to the fifth of April, 1692. there until 1698. In 1704 he wrote stability. Four had come and gone be- Several historical accounts of Lawson and delivered his sermon “Christ’s fore the outbreak of the witch accu- view him as a leader of the prosecution Fidelity the only Shield against sations. One minister, of the witches. Playwright Arthur Satan’s Malignity, “ to which the piece (Lawson’s successor), was himself per- Miller, author of , has presented here, “Witchcraft In Salem,” sonally affected by the tragedy. called Lawson “one of the great witch- is an appendix. Not much is known, however, hunting preachers . . . (rallying) his Almost a summary of the ground about Lawson himself. One of the best congregation for what was to be nothing covered in A Brief and True Narrative, sources for biographical information less than a religious war against the Evil “Witchcraft In Salem” is Lawson’s on Lawson is Marilynne K. Roach’s The One.”1 Other accounts view him as at account of what he witnessed there and , which provides best merely ineffectual and passive, and its effect upon various townspeople a small selection of details. His birth at worst complicit in the hysteria that as well as himself. One of the accused date is unclear as is what exactly he did befell the village, but not actively evil. witches even suggests to Lawson that his before coming to Salem Village in 1683. In Marc Aronson’s book Witch-Hunt, wife and daughter were “sent out of the He was the son of an English Puritan Lawson is portrayed as contradictory world under the malicious operations minister and a mother who wished for and confused: “He gave a well-meaning, of the infernal powers.” her son to enter God’s service. After contradictory sermon that offered no Throughout the piece, Lawson offers graduating from college, Lawson found clear advice but to ‘pray, pray, pray.’ . evidence that malicious happenings his way to New England and preached . . He urged his former congregation to occurred in Salem, and that those who on Martha’s Vineyard. When the understand that they had brought these were afflicted suffered severe hardships opportunity came to preach at Salem, ills on themselves. He knew first hand and pain as a result of the actions of the Lawson was a member of Boston’s about the “fires of contention” that accused. Although he uses no names in Second Church, unhappily laboring divided Salem . . . but did not take the the piece, some research uncovers who at secular pursuits to support his wife next step of challenging the accusers.”2 some of the various people Lawson Jane and their two Children. What This sermon was delivered on March mentions may have been. For example, is known is that there was extreme 24, just days after his return to Salem, his encounters with witchcraft accuser division amongst the townspeople over and indeed it may seem that Lawson , who was bound four Lawson’s ascension to the position of was somewhat shocked by what he had times in two weeks, and experienced the the town’s minister, with several people witnessed, but let hearsay, circumstance terrible tortures of having pins pierced objecting to his permanent tenure and contradictory statements cloud his through the lips (which may have also at that post. As a result, Lawson was judgment. Lawson, it seems, thought happened to accuser ), are denied the position of full minister and the town and its people deserved the related to the audience in meticulous was by some accounts very distressed. problems that they had wrought. detail. Lawson may not have been After leaving Salem, Lawson ventured Lawson did have some contact with passionate in his sermons of the time, to Maine in 1687, returning to Salem in Samuel Parris, his successor as minister but he was passionate in his belief that 1688, when his wife and daughter died of Salem Village, and one of the some form of Satanic evil was taking there unexpectedly. Sometime after, historically agreed-upon agitators of the place in Salem and manifesting itself in Lawson again returned to Boston and situation. Parris’ daughter, Elizabeth, these girls’ sufferings. Two additional lived in some matter of seclusion until was one of the first to be “afflicted” by persons are suggested by Lawson to the outbreak of mysterious occurrences alleged witchcraft and also became one be the ringleaders of evil the King and began in Salem, and he was summoned of the Village’s first accusers. In fact, it Queen of Hell, and in a deposition there again in March 1692. There he is possible that Lawson was summoned by Ann Putnam she declared that the stayed for a month, witnessing some back to Salem in March 1692 by Samuel “King” could have been a man named of the most fantastic incidents that Parris. Because of this and because of his , who told her “that 2 THE AKRON HERON: MATERIALS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE, No. 2. he killed Mistress Lawson because she in such an astonishing and unusual ghosts of several departed persons, was so unwilling to go from the village manner. who, at their appearing, did instigate and also killed Mr Lawson’s child Now, I having for some time before them to discover such as (they said) because he went to the eastward.”3 attended the work of the ministry in were instruments to hasten their It is clear, then, that Lawson had a that village, the report of those great deaths; threatening sorely to afflict personal stake in the events and the afflictions came quickly to my notice; them if they did not make it known to welfare of both the accusers and the and the more readily because the first the magistrates. They did affirm at the accused. Whether or not this clouded person afflicted was in the minister’s examination and again at the trial of an his judgment remains unclear. But what family1, who succeeded me after I was accused person that they saw the ghosts is clear is that Lawson offered several removed from them. In pity, therefore, of his two wives (to whom he had carried accounts of the strange happenings in to my Christian friends and former very ill in their lives as was proved by Salem Village and was at the center of at acquaintance there, I was much more several testimonies) and also that they many of them. “Witchcraft In Salem,” concerned about them, frequently saw the ghosts of my wife and daughter reprinted here for perhaps the first time consulted with them, and fervently (by (who died above three years before) since 1888, is Lawson’s final statement Divine assistance) prayed for them; but and they did affirm that when the very on the subject. In it he tries to explain especially my concern was augmented ghosts looked on the prisoner at the bar what evil befell the village of Salem and when it was reported at an examination they looked red, as if the blood would the efforts of the villagers and himself of a person suspected for witchcraft fly out of their faces with indignation at to deal with the fallout. that my wife and daughter, who died him. The manner of it was thus: Several Relatively little information was three years before, were sent out of the afflicted being before the prisoner at the available about the rest of Lawson’s life. world under the malicious operations bar, on a sudden they fixed all their eyes His 1704 sermons are his last known of the infernal powers, as is more fully together on a certain place on the floor works. represented in the following remarks. before the prisoner, neither moving I did then desire and was also desired their eyes nor bodies for some few Note on the Text: “Witchcraft In by some concerned in the court, to be minutes nor answering to any question Salem” was written in 1704 and is an there present that I might hear what which was asked them. So soon as that appendix to Lawson’s sermon “Christ’s was alleged in that respect; observing, trance was over, some being removed Fidelity the only Shield against Satan’s therefore, when I was amongst them out of sight and hearing, they were all Malignity.” The text is from Edmund that the case of the afflicted was very one after another asked what they saw Clarence Stedman and Ellen Mackay amazing and deplorable, and the and they did agree that they saw those Hutchinson’s A Library of American charges brought against the accused ghosts above mentioned. I was present Literature: From the Earliest Settlement such as were ground of suspicious yet and heard and saw the whole of what to the Present Time, Vol. II., 1888, very intricate and difficult to draw up passed upon that account during the published by William Evarts Benjamin, right conclusions about them. . . . . trial of that person who was accused New York, pgs. 106-114. The ellipses are One or two of the first that were to be the instrument of Satan’s malice Stedman and Hutchinson’s. afflicted complaining of unusual illness, therein. their relations used physic for their In this (worse than Gallick) Deodat Lawson cure, but it was altogether in vain. persecution by the Dragoons of Hell, They were oftentimes very stupid in the persons afflicted were harassed Minister at Salem Village (now their fits and could neither hear nor at such a dreadful rate to write their Danvers), Mass., 1683 and at Scituate, understand in the apprehension of the names in a devil-book presented by Mass., 1686-98. standers by, so that when prayer hath a spectre unto them; and one in my been made with some of them in such hearing said: “I will not, I will not write; WITCHCRAFT IN SALEM. a manner as might be audible in a great it is none of God’s book; it is the devil’s congregation, yet when their fit was book for aught I know.” And when {Appendix to “Christ’s Fidelity the only off they declared they did not hear so they steadfastly refused to sign they Shield against Satan’s Malignity.” 1704} much as one word thereof. were told if they would but touch or It was several times observed that take hold of the book it should do. And It pleased God in the year of our Lord when they were discoursed with lastly, the diabolical propositions were 1692 to visit the people of a place called about God or Christ or the things of so low and easy that if they would but Salem Village in New-England with Salvation they were presently afflicted let their clothes or any other thing about a very sore and grievous affliction, in at a dreadful rate, and hence were them touch the book, they should be at which they had reason to believe that oftentimes outrageous if they were ease from their torments, it being their the sovereign and holy God was pleased permitted to be in the congregation in consent that is aimed at by the devil in to permit Satan and his instruments to the time of public worship. . . . . those representations and operations. affright and afflict those poor mortals They affirmed that they saw the One who had been long afflicted DEODAT LAWSON, “WITCHCRAFT IN SALEM” (1704) 3 at a stupendous rate by two or three years of age, when it was apprehended matter was. For instance, one in my spectres, when they were (to speak after that so many as she would look upon, hearing thus argued with and railed at a the manner of men) “tired out” with either directly or by turning her head, spectre:4 “Goodn-- be gone! Be gone! Be tormenting of her, to force or fright were immediately struck into their fits. Gone! Are you not ashamed, a woman her to sign a covenant with the prince An iron spindle of a woolen wheel, of your profession, to afflict a poor of darkness, they said to her as in a being taken very strangely out of an creature so? What hurt did I ever do diabolical and accursed passion: “Go house at Salem Village, was used by you in my life? You have but two years your ways and the devil go with you, a spectre as an instrument of torture to live and then the devil will torment for we will be no more pestered and to a sufferer, not being discernable to your soul for this. Your name is blotted plagued about you.” And ever after that the standers by until it was by the said out of God’s Book and it shall never be she was well and no more afflicted that sufferer snatched out of the spectre’s put into God’s Book again. Be gone! I ever heard of. hand and then it did immediately For shame! Are you not afraid of what is Sundry pins have been taken out appear to the persons present to be coming upon you? I know, I know what of the wrists and arms of the afflicted really the same iron spindle. will make you afraid—the wrath of an and one in time of examination of Sometimes in their fits they have had angry God! I am sure that will make a suspected person had a pin run their tongues drawn out of their mouths you afraid. Be gone! Do not torment through both her upper and her lower to a fearful length, their heads turned me; I know what you would have,” (we lip when she was called to speak;2 yet no very much over their shoulders, and judged she meant her soul), “but it is apparent festering followed thereupon while they have been so strained in their out of your reach, it is clothed with the after it was taken out. fits, and had their arms and legs, etc., white robes of Christ’s righteousness.” Some of the afflicted, as they were wrested as if they were quite dislocated, This sufferer I was well acquainted with striving in their fits in open court, have the blood hath gushed plentifully out and knew her to be a very sober and (by invisible means) had their wrists of their mouths for a considerable time pious woman, so far as I could judge; bound fast together with a real cord3, so together; which some, that they might and it appears that she had not in that as it could hardly be taken off without be satisfied that it was real blood, took fit voluntary converse with the devil. cutting. Some afflicted have been found upon their finger and rubbed on their For then she might have been helped to with their arms tied and hanged upon other hand. I saw several together thus a better guess about that woman above a hook, from whence others have been violently strained and bleeding in their said, as to her living but two years, for forced to take them down that they fits, to my very great astonishment she lived not many months after that might not expire in that posture. that my fellow mortals should be so time. . . . . Some afflicted have been drawn grievously distressed by the invisible Some of them were asked how it came under tables and beds by undiscerned powers of darkness. For certainly to pass that they were not affrighted force, so as they could hardly be pulled all considerate persons who beheld when they saw the Black-man5. They out. And one was drawn half way over these things must needs be convinced said they were at first but not so much the side of a well and was with much that their motions in their fits were afterwards. difficulty recovered back again. preternatural and involuntary, both as Some of them affirmed they saw the When they were most grievously to the manner which was so strange, as Black-man sit on the gallows and that afflicted, if they were brought to the well a person could not (at least without he whispered in the ears of some of the accused and the suspected person’s great pain) screw their bodies into; condemned persons when they were hand but laid upon them they were and as to the violence also they were just ready to be turned off—even while immediately relieved out of their preternatural motions, being much they were making their last speech. . . tortures; but if the accused did but look beyond the ordinary force of the same . . on them they were instantly struck persons when they were in their right Some of them have sundry times seen down again. Wherefore they use to minds. So that being such grievous a White-man appearing amongst the cover the face of the accused while sufferers, it would seem very hard and spectres, and as soon as he appeared, they laid their hands on the afflicted unjust to censure them of consenting the Black-Witches vanished; they said and then it obtained the desired issue. to or holding any voluntary converse this White-man had often foretold For it hath been experienced (both in or familiarity with the devil. them what respite they should have examinations and trials) that so soon Their eyes were for the most part fast from their fits; as sometimes a day or as the afflicted came in sight of the closed in their trance fits, and when they two or more, which fell out accordingly. accused they were immediately cast were asked a question they could give One of the afflicted said she saw him in into their fits. Yea, though the accused no answer. And I do verily believe they her fit and was with in a glorious place were among the crowd of people, did not hear at the time, yet did they which had no candle or sun, yet was full unknown to the sufferers, yet on the discourse with the spectres as with real of light and brightness, where there was first view were they struck down; which persons; asserting things and receiving a multitude in “white glittering robes,” was observed in a child of four or five answers affirmative or negative, as the and they sang the song in Rev. v. 9, Psal. 4 THE AKRON HERON: MATERIALS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE, No. 2. ex. Psal. cxlix. She was loth to leave that will not drink. It is blood. That is not from them. . . . . place and said; “How long shall I stay the Bread of Life, that is not the Water Whilst a godly man was at prayer here, let me be along with you?” She of Life, and I will have none of yours.” with a woman afflicted, the daughter of was grieved she could stay no longer in Thus horribly doth Satan endeavor to that woman (being a sufferer in the like that place and company. have his kingdom and administrations kind) affirmed that she saw two of the A young woman that was afflicted to resemble those of our Lord Jesus persons accused at prayer to the devil. at a fearful rate had a spectre appear to Christ. . . . . It was proved by substantial evidences her with a white sheet wrapped about Several of the accused would neither against one person accused6 that he had it, not visible to the standers by, until in the time of examination nor trial such an unusual strength (though a very this sufferer (violently striving in her confess any thing of what was laid to little man) that he could hold out a gun fit) snatched at, took hold, and tore off their charge. Some would not admit of with on hand behind the lock, which a corner of that sheet. Her father being any minister to pray with them, others was near seven foot in the barrel, being by her endeavored to lay hold upon it refused to pray for themselves. It was as much as a lusty man could command with her that she might retain what she said by some of the confessing-witches with both hands after the usual manner had gotten; but at the passing away of that such as have received the Devil- of shooting. It was also proved that the spectre he had such a violent twitch Sacrament can never confess. Only one he lifted barrels of meat and barrels of his hand as if it would have been torn woman condemned, after the death of molasses out of a canoe alone; and off. Immediately thereupon appeared in warrant was signed, freely confessed, that putting his fingers into a barrel of the sufferer’s hand the corner of a sheet, which occasioned her reprieval for molasses, full within a finger’s length a real cloth, visible to the spectators, some time; and it was observable this according to custom, he carried it which (as it is said) remains still to be woman had one lock of hair of a very several paces. And that he put his finger seen. . . . . great length, viz., four foot and seven into the muzzle of a gun which was more A woman being brought upon public inches long, by measure. This lock was than five foot in the barrel and lifted up examination desired to go to prayer. of a different color from all the rest the butt end thereof, lock, stock and The magistrates told her they came not (which was short and gray). It grew all, without any visible help to raise it. there to hear her pray but to examine on the hinder part of her head and was It was also testified that being abroad her in what was alleged against her, matted together like an elf-lock. The with his wife and his wife’s brother, he relating to suspicions of witchcraft. court ordered it to be cut off, to which occasionally stayed behind letting his It was observed both in times of she was very unwilling and said she was wife and her brother walk forward; but examination and trial that the accused told if it were cut off she should die or suddenly coming up with them, he was seemed little affected with what the be sick; yet the court ordered it so to angry with his wife for what discourse sufferers underwent or what was be. had passed betwixt her and her brother. charged against them, as being the A person who had been frequently They wondering how he should know instruments of Satan therein. So that transported to and fro by the devils for it, he said: “I know your thoughts,” at the spectators were grieved at their the space of near two years was struck which expression they, being amazed, unconcernedness. . . . . dumb for about nine months of that asked him how he could do that he said: They were accused by the sufferers time; yet he after that had his speech “My God whom I serve makes known to keep days of hellish fasts and restored to him and did depose upon your thoughts to me.” thanksgivings and upon one of their oath that in the time while he was dumb I was present when these things were fast-days they told a sufferer she must he was many times bodily transported testified against him and observed that not eat, it was fast-day. She said she to places where the witches were he could not make any plea for himself would; they told her they would choke gathered together, and that he there saw in these things, that had any weight. He her then; which when she did eat was feasting and dancing and, being struck had the liberty of challenging his jurors endeavored. on the back or shoulder, was thereby before empanelling according to the They were also accused to hold and made fast to the place and could only statute in that case, and used his liberty administer diabolical sacraments, viz. see and hear at a distance. He did take in challenging many; yet the jury that a mock-baptism and a devil-supper at his oath that he did with his bodily eyes were sworn brought him in guilty. . . . . which cursed imitations of the sacred see some of the accused at those witch- It pleased God for the clearer institutions of our blessed Lord they meetings several times. I was present discovery of those mysteries of the used forms of words to be trembled in court when he gave his testimony. kingdom of darkness so to dispose at, in the very rehearsing. . . . At their He also proved by sundry persons that several persons, men, women and cursed supper they were said to have that at those times of transport he was children, did confess their hellish deeds red bread and red drink, and when they bodily absent from his abode and could as followeth. pressed an afflicted person to eat and nowhere be found, but being met with They confessed against themselves drink thereof, she turned away her head by some on the road at a distance from that they were witches; told how long and spit at it, and said: “I will not eat, I his home, was suddenly conveyed away they had been so, and how it came DEODAT LAWSON, “WITCHCRAFT IN SALEM” (1704) 5 about that the devil appeared to them, penitent, and did wring their hands viz., sometimes upon discontent at and manifest a distressing sense of what Endnotes their mean condition in the world; they had done, and were by the mercies sometimes about fine clothes; of God recovered out of those snares of Introduction sometimes for the gratifying other the kingdom of darkness. carnal and sensual lusts. Satan then, Several have confessed against their 1 Hill, Frances. The Salem Witch upon his appearing to them, made them own mothers, that they were instruments Trials Reader. Da Capo Press, 2000. fair though false promises that if they to bring them into the devil’s covenant 2 Aronson, Marc. Witch-Hunt. New would yield to him and sign his book, to the undoing of them body and soul. York: Simon & Schuster, 2003, pg. 120 their desires should be answered to the And some girls of eight or nine years of 3 Hill. The Salem Witch Trials uttermost, whereupon they signed it; age did declare that after they were so Reader. pg. 195 and thus the accursed confederacy was betrayed by their mothers to the power confirmed betwixt them and the prince of Satan they saw the devil go in their “Witchcraft In Salem” of darkness. own shapes to afflict others. . . . . Some did affirm that there were some Some of them confessed that they did 1 Eilzabeth Parris, daughter of Salem hundreds of the society of witches, afflict the sufferers according to the time Village minister Samuel Parris. considerable companies of whom were and manner they were accused thereof, 2 Possibly Ann Putnam, who claimed affirmed to muster in arms by beat of and being asked what they did to afflict an accused witch “stuck her with drum. In time of examinations and them some said that they pricked pins pins even as (the witch) was being trials they declared that such a man into puppets made with rags, wax and questioned.” Aronson. Witch-Hunt., was wont to call them together from other materials. One that confessed pg. 111 all quarters to witch-meetings with the after the signing the death warrant, said 3 Possibly Susannah Sheldon, an sound of a diabolical trumpet. she used to afflict them by clutching accuser “who was bound four times in Being brought to see the prisoners at and pinching her hands together, and two weeks by two evil spirits and had the bar, upon their trials they did affirm wishing in what part and after what to be cut free repeatedly . . . ” Aronson. in open court (I was then present) manner she would have them afflicted, Witch-Hunt., pg. 111 that they had oftentimes seen them at and it was done. 4 Ann Putnam, Sr., mother of Ann witch-meetings, where was feasting, They confessed the design was Putnam, Jr, who knew of George dancing and jollity, as also at devil laid by this witchcraft to root out the Burroughs. Aronson, pgs. 115-116 sacraments; and particularly that they interest of Christ in New England and 5 Possibly George Burroughs, alleged saw such a man—amongst the rest of that they began at the village, in order killer of Lawson’s wife and child and the cursed crew, and affirmed that he to settling the kingdom of darkness and “little black minister who lived at did administer the sacrament of Satan the powers thereof, declaring that such Casco Bay.” From a deposition of to them, encouraging them to go on a man—was to be head conjurer, and Benjamin Hutchinson in May 1692. in their way and they should certainly for his activity in that affair was to be Hill. The Salem Witch Trials Reader., prevail. They also said that such a crowned King of Hell7, and that such a pg. 199. woman—was a deacon and served in woman—was to be Queen of Hell. 6 Possibly, again, George Burroughs, distributing the diabolical element. Thus I have given my reader a brief who was tried and executed for his part They affirmed that there were great and true account of those fearful and in the happenings. numbers of the witches. amazing operations and intrigues of 7 Again, Lawson is possibly referring They affirmed that many of those the Prince of Darkness; and I must to George Burroughs. wretched souls had been baptized at call them so, for let some persons be Newbury Falls and at several other rivers as incredulous as they please about the and ponds; and as to the manner of powerful and malicious influence of evil administration, the great officer of hell angels upon the minds and bodies of took them up by the body and, putting mankind, sure I am, none that observed their heads into the water, said over those things above mentioned could them: “Thou art mine and I have full refer them to any other head than the power over thee;” and thereupon they sovereign permission of the Holy God engaged and covenanted to renounce and the malicious operations of His God, Christ, their sacred baptism and and our implacable Enemy. the whole way of Gospel Salvation, and to use their utmost endeavors to oppose the kingdom of Christ, and to set up and advance the kingdom of Satan. Some after they confessed were very 6 THE AKRON HERON: MATERIALS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE, No. 2.

Bibliography ☞ “Deodat Lawson, ‘Witchcraft In Salem’ (1704).” Copyright 2006 For a massive, well-researched book Michael Sees. This text was prepared that covers the entire spectrum of the to fulfill a critical edition assignment phenomenon, you can do no better than offered in “Early American Literature,” The Salem Witch Trials by Marilynne a graduate-level seminar taught by Jon K. Roach (Lanham, Mass.: Taylor Miller at The University of Akron in Trade, 2002). This book also contains the Spring of 2006. Please note, this is the most biographical information on not peer-reviewed work. License: You Deodat Lawson available. are free and encouraged to copy and More of Lawson’s Witch Trials distribute this work under the following accounts are available in his A Brief conditions: 1. You may not use this and True Narrative, which offers more work for commercial purposes. 2. Any actual facts, names and incidents than reuse or distribution must preserve this the somewhat lyrical “Witchcraft In copyright, license, version, and citation Salem.” This pamphlet is still in print information. 3. Any of these conditions and available from several online can be waived if you get permission from retailers. the copyright holder. Version: First Marc Aronson’s Witch-Hunt (New edition (May 2006). This document is, York: Simon & Schuster, 2003) was was created with, or contains the full text helpful in giving context to some of of a PDF file published by a website, The Lawson’s participants, and is a useful, Akron Heron: Materials of American enlightening read about the myths and Literature. Please visit akronheron. mysteries that have cropped up in the com for possible corrections or wake of history about the Witch Trials. improvements, which may appear in Frances Hill’s The Salem Witch later editions of this file. Suggested Trials Reader (Da Capo Press, 2000) citation: Deodat Lawson, “‘Witchcraft contains actual depositions by several In Salem’ (1704).” Ed. Michael Sees. of the participants and is informative First edition. The Akron Heron: when concerning who’s who with time Materials in American Literature from specific textual evidence. Jon Miller at The University of Akron Finally Richard B. Trask’s The Devil 2 (May 2006): 6p. [Add date accessed Has Been Raised: A Documentary and URL accessed]. History of the Salem Witchcraft Outbreak of March 1692 (Danvers, Mass: Yeoman Press, 1997) contains the only known reprint of Lawson’s sermon “Christ’s Fidelity.” Any scholar interested in “Witchcraft In Salem” would love to read this book, but it is out of print, and somewhat unavailable. Trask is Danvers (previously Salem) Mass, town historian, and from the scans, photos and information on his web page seems to have access to several historical documents and ephemera.