Thaumaturgical Prodigies in the New-England Canaan

Thaumaturgical Prodigies in the New-England Canaan is a fictional book invented by H. P. Lovecraft in notes that were incorporated into August Derleth's "posthumous collaboration," The Lurker at the Threshold. It is described as a book written by Rev. Ward Phillips, pastor of the Second Church of Arkham, that reports on supernatural phenomenon in New England.
In the novel a copy of the book is found by Ambrose Dewart. The copy, bound in black imitation leather, was printed in Boston in 1801, but this is not believed to be the first edition. Dewart reads a passage regarding one Goodwife Doten, who around Candlemas 1787 brought forth a child who looked "like a monstrous Bat with human face." The child was said to resemble the long-dead "Richard Bellingham or Bollinghan"--a reference to the wizard Richard Billington.
Alijah Billington, Richard's descendant, took offense at this reference to his relative, and wrote a short note to an Arkham newspaper advising Phillips that "there [are] things in existence better left alone and kept from the common speach." The paper printed a sharp retort to this from Phillips, but he later seemed to heed the advice, as he reportedly tried to gather up every copy of the book and burn them.
Category:Mythos Books (fictional)
Category:Artefacts Originating From Lovecraft Circle Works