two Months, which time Mr. Mompesson himself lay there to observe it. In the fore-part of the Night, it used to be be very troublesome, but after two Hours all would be quiet.
Mrs. Mompesson being brought to Bed, there was but little Noise the Night she was in Travail, nor any for three Weeks after, till she had recovered strength. But after this civil Cessation, it returned in a ruder manner than before, and followed and vext the youngest Children, beating their Bed-steads with that violence, that all present, expected when they would fall in pieces. In laying Hands on them, one should feel no Blows, but might perceive them to shake exceedingly: For an Hour together it would Beat, Round-heads and Cuckolds, the Tat-too, and several other Points of War, as well as any Drummer. After this, they should hear a scratching under the Childrens Beds, as if by something that had Iron Talons. It would lift the Children up in their Beds, follow them from one Room to another, and for a while, haunted none particularly but them.
There was a Cock-loft in the House, which had not been observed to be troubled, thither they removed the Children, putting them to Bed while it was fair Day, where they were no sooner laid, but their Troubler was with them as before.
On the Fifth of November 1661 It kept a mighty Noise, and a Servant observing two Boards in the Childrens Room seeming to move, he bid it give him one of them; upon which the Board came (nothing moving it that he saw) within a Yard of him; the Man added, Nay let me have it in my Hand; upon which it was shov'd quite home to him again, and so up and down, to and fro, at least twenty times together, till Mr. Mompesson forbid his Servant such Familiarities. This was in the Day-time, and seen by a whole Room-full of People. That Morning it left a sulphurous Smell behind it, which was very offensive. At Night the Minister, one Mr. Cragg, and divers of the Neighbours came to the House on a Visit. The Ministers went to Prayers with them, kneeling at the Childrens Bed-side, where it was then very troublesome and loud. During Prayer-time it withdrew into the Cock-loft, but returned as soon as Prayers were done, and then in sight of the Company, the Chairs walkt about the Room of themselves, the Childrens Shoes were hurled over their Heads, and every loose thing moved about the Chamber. At the same time a Bed-staff was thrown at the Minister which hit him on the Leg, but so favourably, that a lock of Wool could not fall more softly, and
