Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-12
lQOrtestrr Dallp Spp.
LIZA T0WERHILL.-THE BARNsTABLE
WITCH


Otis, Esq.
There are very few in Barnstable or Var
mouth who have not heard of Liza TowerhiH
the reputed witch. When | was a boy. | SAT
Tor hours IN the capacious chimney corner of
old Mr.. Otis Bacon, and listened to the stories
Of those who knew how she bewitched the cat
tie, and the swine how she bewitched youup
women and rode the sterner sex on long iour
neys, saddled and bridled as horses how she
pulled out Inch pins, and upset carts how she
appeard on testal occasions transformed into a
Dack cat anu transforming the good things
providing for the guests into objects of loath-
ing and OF disgust; listened to those stories
TIL my HAIR began to rise, and | was afraid to
60 home for fear should meet with. Liza or
her ghost on the way. Most Of the stories
nave forgotten, and of many recollect only a
lew particulars yet some few are vet fresh in
my memory Solomon Otis, Seu'r, ESQ. told
the following He said that Liza came to him
one day, and offered to sell him calf He
= 'argalned with her, agreeing on the price to
ne PAD and the time on which it was to be
delivered A day or two after Liza called and
Salu that man at South Sea would give her
halt crown more Tor the calf than he had
offered, and he must give the same price or he
should not have it. He said he had made a
far bargain, that he should not give the add.
tonal half crown, and that on the Amounted
day he should call and take the calf Liza
turning on her heel said, Mr.. Otis you will be
sorry If you do not give me the other half
crown" and went away. On the day the calf
was to be delivered, Mr.. Otis saddled his horse
and taking line in his hand rode UP ID Liza's.
She then lived at the Half Way pond where
her son William lived for many Years after
wards.
Liza delivered the calf took her pay, and
rpDputpI tla On1ippuc T,+--
will be sorry if you do not give me the other
half crown" l am not easily frightened,
Liza" was the reply. Mounting his horse, he
hitched one end OF the line to the pommel OF his
saddle, and the other end secured to a strap
around the neck OF the calf He logged quiet
ly along Dimmock's Way driving the calf before
him, till he came to the Flint Rock road into
which he turned. He had gone but little
distance before he heard cattle lowing in the
woods. The calf began to run, ond he quick
ened his horses pace in order to keep up Be-
fore arriving at the small ponds, the woods APP
peared to be full of cattle COWS lowing, aud
calves believing on every side. His calf was
running at full speed, and he put his horse in
to canter to keep up but il was no use the
calf was the better racer,-the line by which
he held it began 10 spin out, smaller and smaller
till at last he lost sight Of the calf and gave up
the chase The herds in the woods dlsap,
peared
''And all the air a solemn silence heldn
Ashamed to go back, he rode home, and
solaced himself with the thought that he should
be able to tell as good a witch story as any of
his neighbors.
The two daughters of Mr.. Joseph Cobb,
senior, were said to have been bewitched by
Liza The room In which they lived was not
plastered overhead, and among other feats
which those prlS DArfinrp1aA tn,
grasp the beam over head and 20 backwards
and forwards over the room without touching
the floor. The late DR.. John Davis was CON
suited professionally in the case. The girls
performed the feat in his presence; but he was
unable to explain how they did it, They
could not put their hands over the beams, be-
cause the chamber floor boarding prevented,
and they could not grasp the edge OF the
beams because they were rough hewn, square
timbers, six inches across.
The late Mr.. Ansel Wood, of West Barn
stable, had given some offense to Liza and
she, to be reyenged on him. would appear as
soon as he got to sleep at night saddle and
bride him, and ride him to Clam Pudding
Pond in Plymouth woods, tie him to tree,
and when the witches had finished their revels,
would ride him back and leave him tied at the
gate of his house. Mornings after the eXcur-
sions, Mr.. Wood was so tired and exhausted
thst he could perform no labor for the day.
On one occasion large party was given in
the neighborho0d, to which many OF Liza's
friends and relations were invited, but she was
not hidden. The party assembled, and among
the guests was seventh son of a seventh son,
from South Sea, who like other seventh sons
of seventh sons could see witches. The party
made themselves merry till evening, when
they all set down to the repast. This seventh
son OF seventh son noticed that as soon as
they were seated at the table, Liza TOwerhil
came III and took a seat in the chimney cor
ner, and commenced smoking her pipe. AS
the host did not invite her to take a seat at
the table, and none OF the company spoke to
her, he kept silent. The bread and butter
were handed round, and the one was so sour
and the other so rancid that no one could eat.
The tea was so bitter it could not be swallow
ed, and ON emitting the dOughnuts and pies
they were found stuffed with black sleeps
wool. The hostess knew not what apology to
make, and the company, out of sorts at their
treatment, soon made excuses and left for
home. The next day several of them met,
and the aforesaid seventh son of a seventh son
inquired if they saw Liza TOwerhil come in
and take a seat in the corner No one beside
himself saw her. but they recolected having
seen large black cat come in at the door,
Just as they were sitting down at the table,
and go into the chimney corner This eX-
planned the whole matter Liza was offended
and to have her revenge, had soured the
bread, made the butter rancid the tea bitter,
and stuffed the pastry with black sleeps
wool.
Such was the popular belief respecting
Liza's demoniacal powers. Hundreds believed
her to be witch as firmly as they believed the
religious truths taught them by their pastors.
The Bible spoke Of Witches and the laws OF
New and Old England recognized their exis.
ynce, and why should they disbelieve.
The following account of Liza Towerhill is
obtained from the records, and the testimony
of members of her own family. Her maiden
name was Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of Benia-
min Lewis, and his wife Hannay Hnckley.
She was born January II, 114l, o. S. Her
father resided near Coopers' or Nine Mile
Pond. He was a grandson of the first George
Lewis. Her mother was granddaughter of
Samuel Ilinckley and own cousin to Governor
Thomas Hinckley, She belonged to one of the
most respectable families in Barnstable, and
among the most wealthy and influential citi-
zens. She married Nov. H. 1928, being then
in her sixteenth year. William Blatchford,
from Tower Hill in the city of London, who
was then about q years OF age. lie died
June 10, 1853, leaving his widow, not in aiilu-
ent circumstances, with Il large family to be
provided for Mr. Batchtord was a respect
able man, and at the time of his death was
member of the church at Barnstabe.
Oh the death Of her husband Mrs. Batchford
round herself possessed of a small estate, from
whlGh no income could be obtained without
haru laoor. Six OF her children were under
age' anu had to be provided for. Instead Of
. ~. az her lot, she went to work and made
the best of everything She was indnstrions
prudent a shrewd manager. and keen at re,
partee. The latter quality had perhaps some.
thing to do ~ acquiring for her The reputation
of being witch. Whether she WINS bdndsnn,a