[Satan’s Invisible World Contents]
Pollock, 24 of June, 1684.
Sir,
I Send you herewith the true Account, my Father caused me write from his own mouth, which is the surest Relation I can give, either of his own trouble, or what concerns Jennet Dowglas, the first discoverer of these Pictures. There fell out some less matterial circumstances in the Family during her abode there, whereby it fully appeared, that she knew what was done in distant places, and understood Languages. For instance, when a chapter in the Greek New-Testament was read, she made us understand by signs what the purposes were, (for at that time she was dumb, whether really or counterfeitly, its hard to determine) and did exactly give an account to my self, what we did at two miles distance from the place where she was, without any information given to her, which I know of.
I rest your affectionat Friend,
John Maxwel.
Upon the 14. of October, 1676, my Father was surprised at Glasgow, in the night time, with a hot and firy distemper; and coming home the next day, he was fixed to his bed. The Physician, fearing a Pleurisy, and a Fever, opened a vein, and the application of Medicaments being made, the firy heat was abated; he remaining for seven weeks together under a great pain chiefly in his right side, though not fixed to his bed. There had come to Pollock-town a young dumb Girle, but from whence was not known, who had remained there for four weeks before, but seldom frequenting Sir George Maxwels house, till at length she came to some more familiarity, and converse with his two Daughters. And having observed Sir George sick, and weak in his body, she signified unto them, That there was a woman, whose son had broke his fruit-yeard, that did prick him in the sides.
And seeing this woman one day in the Hall of Pollock amongst a great many other company, she assured his Daughters that this was the woman. And the day following, she told the Gentlewomen, That this woman (whose name was Jennet Mathie, relict of John Stewart, under-Miller in Shaw-Mill) had formed an Wax-Picture, with pins in the side, which was to be found in her house, in a holl behind the fire, offering to bring it unto them, providing she were accompanied with men to protect her from violence. At first, they hardly understood her, till she went to one of the Gentlewomens closets, and bringing thence a little Bee-wax, she plyed it before the fire, shewing the dimensions and quantities of the Picture. The Gentlewomen not regarded the information, because they thought it fabulous; yet his two servants Laurence Pollock, and Andrew Martine, knowing how much the Girle loved their Master, and knowing that his life was in hazard, if this picture were not found; resolved at all adventure to try whether the information were true or false; and therefore going alongs with her to the said Jennet Mathies house, one of them planted himself on the one side of the fire, and the other on the other side, while in the mean time, the little Girle coming quickly by Laurence Pollock, putteth her hand in the holl behind the fire, and then slips into Andrew Martine, beneath his cloak the Waxen-effigie, which had two pins in it, one in each side, but that in the right side, so long as to pierce thorow to the other; that in the left was not so long, nor so deeply thrust in. This picture being brought to Pollock, Sir George his Son, without acquainting his Father, apprehended Jennet Mathie, procuring the next day, the Lord Ross his order for conveying her to prison. She being interrogat touching the Picture, after several subterfuges, alledges, It was the deed of the dumb Girl.
It was also enquired, whether Sir George or his Lady had given her at any time provocation to this malice? But it was well known, they had been courteous to her, and upon her complaints, had rebuked some for spreading bad reports upon her name, as not appearing sufficiently well founded to a conviction. Only upon the 14 of October, above specified, before Sir George went to Glasgow, he had called before him a servant in Pollock-toun, that had broken his Orchard in harvest last, who confest the fact, and that Hugh-Stewart a son of Jennet Mathies, was his complice. But a bystander declared, that he was not now in Pollock-land, but in the Darnlie. To whom Sir George replied, I hope my fingers may reach him in Darnlie. This was all, which could be thought a provocation to Mathie. No harme being done in the mean time to her son, whom Sir George to this hour doth not so much as know by the face, but hath suffered him all the time of his sickness to live in his mothers house, even since her imprisonment. In the mean time Mathie remaining obstinat, was searched for insensible marks, before the Sheriff Depute of Renfrew, and many famous witnesses at Paisley, and very many found upon her.
After the finding of the Picture of wax foresaid, there was some abatement of Sir George his sickness, but not to any observable degree, so low was he brought. But upon the fourth of January following, his sickness recurred with that violence, that for four or five days, his friends and relations had no great confidence of his life. But they were more amazed on the 7th. of January, being the Sabbath day when they had an express from the dumb Girle, who was at Pollock-town, but could not get over the water to the house, (the River being so swelled at that time) signifying, that John Stewart, Mathies eldest Son, had four days since formed an Effigy of clay, for taking away Sir George his life. And when she was called for, she declared, it was in his house, beneath the bolster, among the Bed-straw.
The next day following, James Dunlope of Houshill, and Ludowick Stewart of Achinhood, with some of Sir George his servants, and tennents, went to Stewarts house, taking the little Girle with them, resolving to make a very exact trial, that it might not be said, that the dumb Girle had brought any thing hither. Wherefore, they caused John Stewart himself to light a candle and hold it, while Ludowick Stewart, and another did in his sight, lift the Clay Effigie from among the bed-straw, beneath the bolster (the little Girle, all the while standing at a distance from the place) but the picture having been made, only three or four dayes before, and not sufficiently hard, did break into two pieces. In it were three pins, one in each side, and one in the breast. Stewart had nothing to say for himself, but that he knew not, who had put that thing there. He was instantly apprehended, and so was a little sister of his lately entered into the fourteenth year of her age, named Annabil Stewart, who was said to have whispered before, some-what of the waxen Effigie. This poor creature proved thereafter through Gods favour a key to the detection of making both the Pictures.
At first, she was very obstinate, but the next day she confessed, that being present in her brothers house, the fourth of January while the clay picture was formed, the black Gentleman being present (which was the name she gave the Devil) together with Bessie Weir, Marjorie Craig, Margaret Jacksone, and her brother John: but when confronted with her brother, she did not with confidence adhere to her confession. Upon the finding of this picture, Sir George did very observably recover in his health, and all the pain, which was in his side did by degrees wear away.
John Stewart remained, notwithstanding his sisters confession above measure obstinat, untill he was searched the next day for insensible marks, whereof he had great plenty. At the finding whereof, he was so confounded, that immediately he confest his paction with the Devil, and almost all the other heads exprest in his judicial confession afterwritten; And declared that his complices who formed the Effigie with him were the same, his sister had named. She also came to a free and full confession of her paction with the Devil, and her accession to the forming both of the waxen picture in her mothers house, and of the clay one in her brothers house.
Upon information of the premisses, the Earle of Dundonald and the Lord Ross, granted a warrant for apprehending Bessie Weir, Margaret Jackson, and Marjorie Craig, who had been fellow sisters in the foresaid sorcerie.
Margaret Jackson, a woman aged about fourscore of years, after a day or two, confessed paction with the Devil, and her accession to the making of both the Pictures, and condescended upon the complices above named. Many insensible marks were found on her body.
Upon the 17 of January last a third portrait of clay was found under Jennet Mathies bolster in the prison-house of Paisly, which the dumb Girle had given information of. But it seemed to be the picture of some Woman, and probably of some of the Family of Pollock. For Annabil Stewart did freely declare, that their malice was against the whole Family of Pollock. For turning to young Pollock, and his Lady, she said, and against you also. This portrait was found before four famous witnesses.
The Lords of His Majesty’s Privy Council, being informed of these Pictures and Effigies, the depositions of three confessing Witches being sent, did grant a Commission for their trial, and also for the trial of the other three, that were obstinat. And in regard of the singularity of the case, they ordered the Process to be very solemn, Commissioning for the trial some judicious Gentlemen in the Countrey, viz. Sir Patrick Gauston of Gauston, James Brisband of Bishoptoun, Sir John Shaw younger of Greenock, and John Anderson younger of Dovehill. To whom they added Mr. John Preston Advocat (a Gentleman well seen in Criminals, and who exercised the office of a Justice-Depute for several years) a Sine quo non, in the Commission. And that the whole Process might be the more exact, they appointed George Lord Ross Assessor, with power to Vote, and Decide. And further ordered Mr. Robert Martine Clerk to the Justice Court, to be Clerk to the Process, which was to be recorded in the publick books of Adjournal.
The Commissioners of Justiciarie held their first Court at Paisly, the 27 of January; before whom Annabil Stewart deponed that in Harvest last, the Devil in the shape of a black man, had come to her Mothers house, and required the Deponent to give her self up to him, and that the Devil promised, she should not want any thing that was good. That being enticed by her Mother Jennet Mathie, and Bessie Weir, who was Officer to their several meetings, she did put her one hand to the crown of her head and the other to the sole of her foot, and did give up her self soul and body (whole seal here is bad seal) to the devil. That her mother promised her a new Coat, for the doing of it. That the new name the Devil gave her, was Annippy. That he took her by the hand, and nipped her arm, which continued to be sore for the space of half an hour. That the Devil in the shape of a black man lay with her in the bed, under the Cloaths. That she found him cold. That thereafter he placed her nearest to himself. That she was present in her mothers house, where the Picture of wax was made, and that it was made to represent Sir George Maxwel of Pollok. That the black man, Jennet Mathie her mother, whose name was from the devil Lands-Lady; Bessie Weir, whose name was Sopha, Marjorie Craig, whose new name was Rigeru, Margaret Jackson, whose new name was Locas, were all present at the forming, and making of the said effigie. That they bound it on a spit, and turned it about before the fire. And that it was turned by Bessie Weir, saying as she turned it, Sir George Maxwel, Sir George Maxwel, which was exprest by all of them. That this Picture was made in October last.
That upon the third day of January following, Bessie Weir came to her Mothers house, and advertised her to come to her brother John Stewarts house, the following night by twelve a clock in the night. And that accordingly she came to the place, where she found Bessie Weir, Marjorie Craig, Margaret Jackson, and her brother John Stewart, a Man with black cloaths and a blew band, and white handcuffs, with hoggers on his feet, and that his feet were cloven. That she sat down at the fire side with them, where they made a Picture of Clay, and placed pins in the breast, and in the sides. That they did place pins in the Picture of Wax, one in every side. That the black man did put the pins into the picture of Wax, but is not sure, who did thurst them into the Picture of Clay. That the Pictures produced, are the Pictures she saw made. That the black mans name is Ejoall.
This declaration was made before famous witnesses, subscrived by the two Notars publick for her, Robert Park younger, Patrick Carswel in Paisley, and subscrived by the Commissioners.
John Stewart did judicially depone before the Justices, that upon the third day of January instant, Bessie Weir in Pollok-toun, came to him late at night, he being without doors at his own house. That she did intimate unto him, that there was a meeting to be at his house, the next night; and that the Devil in the shape of a black man, Margaret Jackson, Marjorie Craig, and the said Bessie Weir, were to be present, and that Bessie Weir, required him to be present which he promised to do. That the next night, after he had gone to bed, the black man came in, and called him quietly by his name, upon which he arose from his bed, and put on his cloaths.
That Margaret Jackson, Bessie Weir, and Marjorie Craig, did enter in at the window, in the Gavil of his house. And that the first thing, which the black man required was, that he should renounce his Baptism, and deliver up himself wholly unto him, putting one of his hands, on the crown of his head, and the other to the sole of his foot. And that he was tempted hereunto by the Devil, promising he should not want any pleasure, and that he should get his heart sythe on all that should do him wrong. That the new name given to him by the Devil was Jonas. That thereafter the Devil required every one of their consents, for the making an effigy of clay for taking away the life of Sir George Maxwel of Pollok, to revenge the taking of his mother Jennet Mathie. That every one of the Persons above named, did give their consent to the making of the said Effigie. And that they wrought the clay, and that the black man did make the figure of the head and face, and the two arms to the said Effigie. That the Devil set three pins in the samine, one in each side, and one in the breast. And that the said John did hold the candle all the while the Picture was a making. That he observed one of the black mans feet to be cloven, and that the black-mans apparel was black, and that he had a blew band about his neck, and white handcuffs, and that he had hoggers upon his legs without shooes, and that the black mans voice was hollow and ghoustly. That after they had begun to the forming of the Picture, his sister Annabil (a child of 13 or 14 years of age) came knocking to the door, and she being let in by him, stayed with them a considerable time, but that she went away before the rest, he having opened the door unto her. That the rest went out at the window, thorow which they entered. That the Picture was placed by Bessie Weir, in his Bed-straw. Further confessed, that he had envy and malice against the said Sir George. Her quarrel being, as he conceived, that Sir George, had not entered her husband to his harvest service. That the Effigie was made upon the fourth of January last. And the Devils name amongst them was Ejoal. That the new name given to himself was Jonas, and Bessie Weir her name, who was Officer, was Sopha. That Margaret Jacksons name from the Devil was Locas, and that his sisters name was Annipy, but doth not remember what Marjorie Craigs name was. This confession had the same solemnities, which the former had.
Margaret Jackson, did the same day judicially confess, That she was present at the making of the first Effigie, which was made in Jennet Mathies house in October last, and that the Devil in the shape of a black man, Jennet Mathie, Bessie Weir, Marjorie Craig, and Annabil Stewart were present at the making of the said Effigie which was made to represent Sir George Maxwell of Pollok, for taking away his life. That 40 years since, or thereby, she was in Pollok-Shaws croft, with some few sticks on her back; that the black man came to her, and that she did give up her self to him from the top of her head, to the sole of her foot, having first renounced her Baptism. And that the new name she had from the Devil was Locas. That about the third or fourth of January last, or thereby, in the night time when she had wakened, she found a man in the bed, whom she supposed, had been her husband, who had died twenty years before, or thereby, and that the man did immediately disappear. And that this man was the Devil, and that this was the first time she knew him. That upon Thursday the fourth of January last, she was present in the house of John Stewart at night, when and where the Effigy of clay was made, and that she saw the black mans cloaths were black, and that he had white handcuffs, and that Bessie Weir in Pollok town, and Annabil Stewart in Shaws, and Marjorie Craig were present the foresaid time and place at the making of the foresaid Effigy of clay. That she gave her consent to the making of the samine. That the Devil, who had appeared in the shape of a black man, his name was Ejoal. This confession had the same solemnities, which the two former had.
Upon the fifteenth of February 1677, the Justices being conveened again in Court at Paisley, John Stewart, and Annabil Stewart, with Margaret Jackson, did adhere to their former judicial confession. But Jennet Mathie, Bessie Weir, and Marjorie Craig did obstinately deny. One remarkable passage there was concerning Jennet Mathie. The Justice upon the 27 of January commanded the Jaylour to fix her feet in the Stocks, that she might not do violence to her own life. The Man declared, That the next morning he found her bolster, which the night before was laid at least six yards distant from the Stocks, now placed beneath her; the Stocks being so heavy, that two of the strongest men in the Countrey could hardly have carried them six yards. He wondering, did ask her, how she had win to the bolster? She answered, That she had creept alongs the floor of the room, drawing the Stocks to the same place. And before the Court, she said, she had gotten one foot free out of the holl, and with the other had drawn the Stocks, a thing altogether impossible, the Stocks being so weighty, nor she able to take her foot out of the hole.
The Justices having examined all witnesses in matters of fact, touching the Effigies, Sir George his sickness, and the recovery of his health, upon the finding of the same: considering also the bad fame of those who were obstinate and having confronted them with the confessing Witches, who in their faces avowed their accession, in manner exprest, in the confession above written. Considering lastly, all other circumstances of their case, committed them to the trial of a Judicious Inquest, who being found guilty were condemned to the fire to be burnt, and their Effigies with him. Only Annabil, in regard of her Nonage, and the evidences she seemed to give of her penitencie was reprieved by order of Council, but to remain in Prison. In the mean time both she, and her brother Iohn, did seriously exhort their Mother to confession, and with tears did Annabil put her in mind of the many Meetings she had with the Devil in her own house, and that a summers day would not be sufficient to relate what passages she had seen between the Devil and her. But nothing could prevail with her obdured and hardned heart.
It is to be noted, the dumb Girle, whose name was Jennet Douglas doth now speak, not very distinctly, yet so as she may be understood, and is a Person that most wonderfully discovers things past, and doth also understand the Latine Tongue which she never learned.
