was awakened, and saw again the Apparition of James Haddock in a white Coat as at other times, who asked him if he had delivered his Message? He answered, he had been there with Elenor Welsh. Upon which the Apparition looking more pleasantly upon him, bid him not be afraid, and so vanished in a flash of brightness.
But some nights after (he having not delivered his Message) he came again, and appearing in many formidable shapes, threatned to tear him in pieces if he did not do it. This made him leave his house where he dwelt in the Mountains, and betake himself to the Town of Belfast, where he sate up all night at one Pierce's house a Shoemaker, accompanied with the said Pierce, and a Servant or two of the Lord Chichester's, who were desirous to see or hear the Spirit. About midnight as they were all by the Fire-side they beheld Taverner's countenance to change, and a trembling to fall on him, who presently espyed the Apparition in a Room opposite to him where he sate, and took up the Candle and went to it, and resolutely askt him in the Name of God wherefore it haunted him? It replied, because he had not delivered the Message, and withal threatned to tear him in pieces if he did not do it speedily; and so, changing it self into many prodigious shapes, it vanisht in white like a Ghost. Whereupon Francis Taverner became much dejected and troubled, and next day went to the Lord Chichester's house, and with tears in his Eyes, related to some of the Family the sadness of his condition. They told it to my Lord's Chaplain Mr. James South, who came presently to Taverner, and being acquainted of his whole Story, advised him to go this present time to Malone to deliver punctually his Message, and promised to go along with him. But first they went to Dr. Lewis Downs, then Minister of Belfast, who upon hearing the Relation of the whole matter, doubted at first of the truth of it, attributing it rather to Melancholy than any thing of reality. But being afterwards fully satisfied of it, the only scruple remaining was, Whether it might be lawful to go on such a business, not knowing whose errand it was; Since, though it was a real Apparition of some Spirit, yet it was questionable whether of a good or a bad Spirit. Yet the justice of the Cause, (it being the common report the Youth was wronged) and other considerations prevailing, he went with them. So they three went to Davis's house, where the Woman being desired to come to them, Taverner did effectually do his Message, by telling her, that he could not be at quiet for the Ghost of her former Husband James Haddock, who threatned to tear him in pieces if he did not tell her
