Author: Zoe_P

We arrive at the small farmstead at dawn, just as the family are waking. They are shocked when they learn of our purpose, but we are armed with an official looking warrant. They, too, have heard the rumours but still they give up Tabitha only reluctantly.

She is delivered to us in a plain, rough, woollen smock and barefoot. In common with most slaves, it is clear that her ample breasts are unconstrained beneath her dress.

Tabitha does not fully understand what is happening, but she is clearly frightened, and she tries to run away. I have no difficulty catching and restraining her. I hold her while Dr White brings the shackles and chains from the horse-drawn buggy in which we arrived.

Despite her struggles and protests, it takes no time to secure Tabitha and to load her into the back of the buggy, with me sitting opposite her.

Tabitha quietly sobs as we take her away. As we depart, I see the wife and mother of the household is equally distressed by the turn of events. Clinging to her is a girl, presumably her daughter, in what appears to be a nightdress. Her mother quickly shoos her daughter back into the house when she sees my gaze fall on her. Read more »

Up to a little over a year ago, I was simply a church verger and grave digger. But that was before the first reports of witchcraft and Devil worship in the district. It was hard to believe at first. There were reports of secret ceremonies, animal sacrifices, curses and libidinous practices. Most of those supposedly involved were women, women of all ages, but there were also a few men caught up in the allegations.

The first stories were of some young girls dancing, naked, in the woods, around a fire, and chanting spells. According to the stories, they summoned the Devil in the form of a goat. The more lurid accounts, true or not, suggested that the Devil/goat had an erection of inhuman proportions, which the girls worshipped and with which he (or it) proceeded to take each of their virginities. Personally, I thought that it all sounded a bit far-fetched, but then, nobody asked me for my opinion.

The rumours and allegations grew when there was a poor harvest, that year, a small number of women suffered miscarriages and still births, and other misfortunes fell on members of the community, many of whom were amongst the most staunchly religious and devout. There were mutterings of curses and of people being possessed by the Devil. Read more »