The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-04-26

nCCcSSd-
ry TO dry his bed clothes, and he was made as
comfortable as possible. His wife was much
afraid Of him.
Grope B. Blanchard Joined the Shakers
ID years since-Seth Rabbit is my uncle. A.
bout 1891 or %, before he was chained, af-
ter the paralytic shock, his mind was so much
! impaired that he would be lost, and inquire
OF me IN the street where be was. and inquire
who was-claimed horse, which he said
the villains at the Office had stolen from him ;
said that it wag one he brought from Hard
wick when he moved there. T30 years since. I
Used often to complain of things being stolen
from him which he had given away. He Oft
en- built great fire in warm weather. For
merly, his conversation was very pure and
correct, but, after be became unwelI, it was
/ often obscene and profane. Before he was
confined, the family were much afraid of him.
especially the females, as he had often threat
ened TO strike them. After he broke his stove
at the square house, his room was warmed
with coal. Winchester had the care Of him,
because he preferred having him. | never
saw any acts of violence from him prior TO his
confinement, except raising his cane and
| threatening tc strike. AT the time of the rem
contre between Rabbit and Seth Blanchard,
testified ofby Charles Hammond, hearing the
noise, went to the shop, and, inquiring into
IT, understood that Rabbit had broken his
cane over Blanchard's head, because the lat
ter would not shave him so soon as he wanted
him TO.
| .Nathaniel RobbinS.-I joined the Shakers
at Harvard II years ago, and live there still.
Have heard Rabbit threaten peoples lives be-
fore he was confined, and, al times, they
were afraid to go near him. At one time he
attacked an aged man named Kendall, and
threatened to kill him, but parted them.
| He once raised chair over Jonathan Bridg-
es' head, and threatened to knock him down.
| He once raised his staff, and threatened to
knock me down, but seized him, aud laid
him on the floor, and there left him. At one
time he seized Abel Jewett. and attempted to
wrest shave from him, because he said it
was his.
! Moses ". Hammond, called again.-De-
MED what was testified by Corbett, relative
| to their conversation--hoe not doubt that
Rabbit is somewhat dcranged, but believes
| it to be in consequence of his abuse. Witness
has often been chided for want of a sufficient
| ly obedient disposition, one Of the elders say
ing, that, whenever Moses receives any
| eft, nc turms il over and over, and examines
1t Oh every side before he obcys." Question
hy The Cort.-What am to understand by
| the term gift? .4nSwer.-The orders of the
elders are called gifts which they pretend to
receive by inspiration. The members are
bound to pay implicit obedience. The cove
nant, which signed, contained these or SINH
lar words; promise, also, to obey Hannah
Kendall, an the gift Of God, as the head Of The
church, IN all things" Members are forbid
den to communicate occurrences which hap
pen in the society, and are denied the privi-
1 MI fho 1off
examined and approved by the elders.
Polly BlOOd.-Oncc, when | was washing
the floor, Rabbit raised cane over my head
and threatened to knock me down, because
wanted him to remove from where he was
sitting. Prior TO his being chained, he aimed
blow with cane at the head Of an aged
woman she lodged and received it upon her
back, she then Aed and he followed her but
she escaped. At another time, he seized ST.
las Rnhhins, aged man, and pulled him by
the coat, till he could get hold of his hair,
which he seized and pulled him down stairs.
injuring him considerably. His wife was
afraid Of him prior TO his conference.-the
threatening her with personal violence. At
one time, he broke through partition 10 the
room where she was, she having closed the
door against him. At another time, he seized
her by the shoulder, and shook his cane over
her head, telling her she should not stay in
the room, because he said Lewis Swoeting
was there. Other acts of violence were also
testified to. Was knowing to Rabbits filthy
ness, and has often washed his bed clothes fol
him. Has known him to tear the bedding to
pieces, and thinks he did once. prior TO his
confinement.
Jemima Blanchdrd.-Has been with the
Shakers 40 years-Babbt's conversation wa:
correct, for many years after he came there
/ cooked for him 10 years he often complain.
ed of his head and expressed fears that he
should become deranged, as his father was
Before he was confined, when chopping wood
he would Often chase the children with stick:
OF wood, and fears were entertained that he
would strike them with the axe, ard Kill
them. AT one time, he called me into the
house where he was, aud told me that Sceet
ang was in the other room with his wife, where
he had been all night serving the devil. Hi
wife heard what he said, and told me he hat
been in that situation all the day, and thai
she feared him SO much that she should moi
stay in the same house with him another
night.
The cause was then submitted, under tn G
direction of the Court, without argument o
counsel /: the Court gave brief recapitulatior
of the facts proved, and stated the law sppl
able to the case after which the Jury retir
ed about five minutes, and returned verdict
of Nor GUILTY in favor of each of the de
PENDANTS respectively.
DANA and Hoar for the defendants.
sUPREME JUDICIAL COURT.
The Supreme Judicial Court continues in