Witchcraft of New England Explained by Modern Spiritualism

The author reexamines colonial New England accusations of witchcraft and contends that many recorded marvels are better explained by spirit agency and mediumship than by diabolic pacts. Drawing on trial records, pamphlets, and histories, he recounts numerous cases of afflictions, physical manifestations, levitations, materializations, prophetic speech, and apparent possession, and critiques earlier interpretations by clerics and historians. He offers definitions and a theoretical framework linking demonology, necromancy, and spiritualist phenomena, arguing that disembodied intelligences of varying character operated through susceptible humans. The work combines historical narrative, case analysis, and philosophical reflections to propose a naturalistic, spiritualist account of reported witchcraft.