The possession of Elizabeth Knapp of Groton Massauchuetts was documented by Samuel Willard, a prominent preacher in the Puritan, Massuchuetts Bay Colony from October 30, 1671 until January 12, 1672.[1] Knapp, who was sixteen at the time was the daughter of a farmer and the servant in the house of Willard. Her possession, which has striking resembles to those that are seen in Salem some four yers later[2] , serves as an insight into Puritan life and society.
Life in Groton
editThe Possession
editPossible Explanations
edit- ^ Samuel Willard, "A Brief Account of a Strange and Unusual providence of God Befallen to Elizabeth Knapp of Groton (1671-1672)," Massachusetts Society Collections, 4th ser. (1868), vol. 8 (Mather papers), 555-70.
- ^ Elaine G. Breslaw, Witches of the Atlantic World: A Historical Reader and Primary Sourcebook. New York University Press pp. 230.