of the Andover Church made his disapprobation of the witchcraft proceedings known at an earlier period, at least in his immediate neighborhood.  The wrath of the accusers was concentrated upon him to an unparalleled extent from their entrance into Andover.  They did not venture to attack him directly.  His venerable age and commanding position made it inexpedient; but they struck as near him, and at as many points, as they dared.  They accused, imprisoned, and caused to be convicted and sentenced to death, one of his daughters, Abigail Faulkner.  They accused, imprisoned, and brought to trial another, Elizabeth Johnson.  They imprisoned, and brought to the sentence of death, his grand-daughter, Elizabeth Johnson, Jr.  They cried out against, and caused to be imprisoned, several others of his grandchildren.  They accused and imprisoned Deliverance the wife, and also the “man-servant,” of his son Nathaniel.  There is reason for supposing, as has been stated, that Elizabeth How was the wife of his nephew.  Surely, no one was more signalized by their malice and resentment than Francis Dane; and he deserves to be recognized as standing pre-eminent, and, for a time, almost alone, in bold denunciation and courageous resistance of the execrable proceedings of that dark day.

Francis Dane made the following statement, also designed to reach the authorities, which cannot be read by any person of sensibility without feeling its force, although it made no impression upon the Court at the time:—­

“Concerning my daughter Elizabeth Johnson, I never had ground to suspect her, neither have I heard any other to accuse her, till by spectre evidence she was brought forth; but this I must say, she was weak, and incapacious, fearful, and in that respect I fear she hath falsely accused herself and others.  Not long before she was sent for, she spake as to her own particular, that she was sure she was no witch.  And for her daughter Elizabeth, she is but simplish at the best; and I fear the common speech, that was frequently spread among us, of their liberty if they would confess, and the like expression used by some, have brought many into a snare.  The Lord direct and guide those that are in place, and give us all submissive wills; and let the Lord do with me and mine what seems good in his own eyes!”

There is nothing in the proceedings of the Special Court of Oyer and Terminer more disgraceful than the fact, that the regular Court of Superior Judicature, the next year, after the public mind had been rescued from the delusion, and the spectral evidence repudiated, proceeded to try these and other persons, and, in the face of such statements as the foregoing, actually condemned to death Elizabeth Johnson, Jr.