The Elizabeth Knapp Possession

Twenty years before Salem, a servant girl named Elizabeth Knapp experienced a dramatic possession that was documented in detail by Reverend Samuel Willard. The case influenced understanding of demonic activity in Puritan New England.

The Victim

Elizabeth Knapp was a sixteen-year-old servant in the household of Reverend Samuel Willard in Groton, Massachusetts. In October 1671, she began experiencing fits and visions that would continue for months.

The Symptoms

Elizabeth experienced violent contortions during which her body bent backward until her head nearly touched her feet. She screamed, barked like a dog, and attempted to throw herself into the fire. During episodes, she spoke in a deep voice claiming to be Satan.

The Confessions

At various times, Elizabeth claimed to have made a pact with the Devil. She later recanted these confessions. She identified neighbors as witches, then withdrew the accusations. Her testimony was inconsistent.

The Minister’s Response

Reverend Willard treated Elizabeth with prayer, fasting, and careful observation. He did not pursue witch accusations based on her confused testimony. His restraint prevented a witch trial twenty years before Salem.

The Resolution

After months of torment, Elizabeth’s condition gradually improved. She married and lived a normal life. Her case became a reference point for understanding possession.

Assessment

The Elizabeth Knapp case demonstrates how Puritan ministers handled possession before Salem. Willard’s careful documentation and restraint from witch-hunting provides a contrast to what would happen in 1692.