IX. _Samuel Shattock_[159] testifi'd, That in the Year, 1680, this

_Bridget Bishop_, often came to his House upon such frivolous and foolish Errands, that they suspected she came indeed with a purpose of mischief. Presently, whereupon, his eldest Child, which was of as promising Health and Sense, as any Child of its Age, began to droop exceedingly; and the oftner that _Bishop_ came to the House, the worse grew the Child. As the Child would be standing at the Door, he would be thrown and bruised against the Stones, by an Invisible Hand, and in like sort knock his Face against the sides of the House, and bruise it after a miserable manner. After this _Bishop_ would bring him things to Dy, whereof he could not imagin any use; and when she paid him a piece of Mony, the Purse and Mony were unaccountably conveyed out of a lock'd Box, and never seen more. The Child was immediately, hereupon, taken with terrible Fits, whereof his Friends thought he would have dyed: Indeed he did almost nothing but Cry and Sleep for several Months together; and at length his Understanding was utterly taken away. Among other Symptoms of an Inchantment upon him, one was, That there was a Board in the Garden, whereon he would walk; and all the Invitations in the World could never fetch him off. About 17 or 18 years after,[160] there came a Stranger to _Shattock's_ House, who seeing the Child, said, _This poor Child is Bewitched; and you have a Neighbour living not far off, who is a Witch_. He added, _Your Neighbour has had a falling out with your Wife; and she said, in her Heart, your Wife is a proud Woman, and she would bring down her Pride in this Child_. He then remembred, that _Bishop_ had parted from his Wife in muttering and menacing Terms, a little before the Child was taken Ill. The abovesaid Stranger would needs carry the bewitched Boy with him, to _Bishop's_ House, on pretence of buying a Pot of Cyder. The Woman entertained him in a furious manner; and flew also upon the Boy, scratching his Face till the Blood came; and saying, _Thou Rogue, what dost thou bring this Fellow here to plague me?_ Now it seems the Man had said, before he went, That he would fetch Blood of _her_. Ever after the Boy was follow'd with grievous Fits, which the Doctors themselves generally ascribed unto _Witchcraft;_ and wherein he would be thrown still into the _Fire_ or the _Water_, if he were not constantly look'd after; and it was verily believed that _Bishop_ was the cause of it.