Thomas Ady
Encyclopedia
Thomas Ady was an English physician
and humanist
who was the author of three sceptical
books on witchcraft
and witch-hunt
ing, using the Bible as the source. His first and best known work,
Candle in the Dark: Or, A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Witches & Witchcraft, was used by George Burroughs
, a Baptist preacher, in his defense during the Salem witch trials
. Ady's second book, published in 1661, was A Perfect Discovery of Witches; his third, published in 1676, was The Doctrine of Devils. Ady's second book is named in honor of Reginald Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft
, the first book of its kind in the English language, which debunked superstition and was also the first book on magic tricks and juggling, directly influencing later illustrated books on juggling such as the illustrated Hocus Pocus Junior.
, who he names his second book after, and refers to.
They are also influenced by works such as Hocus Pocus Junior on juggling and stage magic, which are themselves influenced by Scot's first work which also contained examples of stage tricks. Works of the period sometimes used specific examples of illusionist tricks to show how things were superstitious.
The frontispiece for Ady's book, "Candle in the Dark", shown to the side, may have been influenced by Protestant seals from that period that are similar. His will, referenced in the biography, mentions that he was a Protestant, and wanted to live and die as such, indicating that he considered it important.
Ady's works resemble other works on not persecuting others for cause of conscience written at that time, particularly Roger William's well known The Bloudy Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience
, written in 1644. Roger William's work makes interesting reading in connection with Reginald Scot's work and Thomas Ady's work, because he was a minister in Salem years before George Burroughs was persecuted, mentioned elsewhere in this article in connection with Ady. Like Thomas Ady's works, Roger Williams
makes extensive use of scripture to show why persecution is wrong for conscience's sake.
.
His book also is one of the earliest references to the origin of the word hocus pocus as a Latin-like phrase used by a conjurer to distract his audience from his sleight of hand, which also relates to where the word hoax comes from. See the articles hocus pocus
and hoax
on Wikipedia for more information, as well as the etymologies for hoax and hocus pocus.
His book, Candle in the Dark: Or, A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Witches & Witchcraft, was used by George Burroughs
, a Baptist preacher, in his defense during the Salem witch trials
.
Thomas Ady's books here, or Reginald Scot's and Roger William's works cited earlier, resemble books on conscience that came later that also use the Bible, notably those of the Christian Abolitionist Movement. For instance, A Condensed Anti-Slavery Bible Argument (1845) by George Bourne, and God Against Slavery (1857) by George B. Cheever.
On 10 June 1634 Thomas Ady or Adye of Weathersfield, "A famous Dr of Physick", married Barbara the daughter of William Sparrow of Sible Hedingham. Of Ady's father-in-law,
it is said in the history of Essex (1831) that "William Sparrow, of Sible Hedingham, the eldest surviving son, succeeded his father, who died in 1589: he married Joan, daughter of John Finch, of Gestingthorp, by whom he had three sons, John, William, and Joseph, and two daughters, Jame and Barbara; the last of whom was married to Thomas Ady, M.D. of Wethersfield. William, the second son, was a clothier, father of William, attorney-at-law, of Sible Hedingham, and died in 1648.".
They lived in Wethersfield, and their son was educated at Felsted and Sidney Sussex, and admitted to Grey's Inn in 1667. Records show that Barbara was baptised on 9 September 1610, and Thomas left a PCC will [PROB 11/339] dated 15 October 1662 and proved 20 May 1672, in which he describes himself as "being a professed member of the true Christian Protestant Church of England desireing to live and dye in the true Christian faith". He named his wife Barbara, daughter Dorothy married to William Collard, son Thomas under 21 years, and daughters Joana and Barbara in his will. His daughter Barbara married Mark Mott, who died and was buried in Wethersfield 22 May 1694.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and humanist
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
who was the author of three sceptical
Scientific skepticism
Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence or reproducibility, as part of a methodological norm pursuing "the extension of certified knowledge". For example, Robert K...
books on witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
and witch-hunt
Witch-hunt
A witch-hunt is a search for witches or evidence of witchcraft, often involving moral panic, mass hysteria and lynching, but in historical instances also legally sanctioned and involving official witchcraft trials...
ing, using the Bible as the source. His first and best known work,
Candle in the Dark: Or, A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Witches & Witchcraft, was used by George Burroughs
George Burroughs
George Burroughs , American Congregational pastor, graduated from Harvard College in 1670, and became the minister of Salem Village in 1680, a charge which he held until 1683. He lived at Falmouth until it was destroyed by natives in 1690. Burroughs then moved to Wells, Maine...
, a Baptist preacher, in his defense during the Salem witch trials
Salem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
. Ady's second book, published in 1661, was A Perfect Discovery of Witches; his third, published in 1676, was The Doctrine of Devils. Ady's second book is named in honor of Reginald Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft
Discoverie of Witchcraft
The Discoverie of Witchcraft was a partially sceptical book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, and intended as an exposé of medieval witchcraft...
, the first book of its kind in the English language, which debunked superstition and was also the first book on magic tricks and juggling, directly influencing later illustrated books on juggling such as the illustrated Hocus Pocus Junior.
Quotes
"I will speak of one man ... that went about in King James his time ... who called himself, the Kings Majesties most excellent Hocus Pocus, and so was called, because that at the playing of every Trick, he used to say, Hocus pocus, tontus tabantus, vade celeriter jubeo, a dark composure of words, to blinde the eyes of the beholders, to make his Trick pass the more currently without discovery" (Thomas Ady, "A Candle in the Dark", 1655).Influences
Thomas Ady's works are directly influenced by Reginald Scot's first work of the type, Discoverie of WitchcraftDiscoverie of Witchcraft
The Discoverie of Witchcraft was a partially sceptical book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, and intended as an exposé of medieval witchcraft...
, who he names his second book after, and refers to.
They are also influenced by works such as Hocus Pocus Junior on juggling and stage magic, which are themselves influenced by Scot's first work which also contained examples of stage tricks. Works of the period sometimes used specific examples of illusionist tricks to show how things were superstitious.
The frontispiece for Ady's book, "Candle in the Dark", shown to the side, may have been influenced by Protestant seals from that period that are similar. His will, referenced in the biography, mentions that he was a Protestant, and wanted to live and die as such, indicating that he considered it important.
Ady's works resemble other works on not persecuting others for cause of conscience written at that time, particularly Roger William's well known The Bloudy Tenant of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience, Discussed in a Conference between Truth and Peace is a 1644 book about government force written by Roger Williams, the founder of the American colony of Rhode Island and the co-founder of the First Baptist Church in America...
, written in 1644. Roger William's work makes interesting reading in connection with Reginald Scot's work and Thomas Ady's work, because he was a minister in Salem years before George Burroughs was persecuted, mentioned elsewhere in this article in connection with Ady. Like Thomas Ady's works, Roger Williams
Roger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
makes extensive use of scripture to show why persecution is wrong for conscience's sake.
Influenced
Thomas Ady's Candle in the Dark contains the first record of the nursery rhyme Mathew, Mark, Luke, and JohnMatthew, Mark, Luke and John
"Matthew, Mark, Luke and John", also known as the "Black Paternoster", is an English language prayer and nursery rhyme traditionally said by children as they go to bed. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 1704...
.
His book also is one of the earliest references to the origin of the word hocus pocus as a Latin-like phrase used by a conjurer to distract his audience from his sleight of hand, which also relates to where the word hoax comes from. See the articles hocus pocus
Hocus Pocus
Hocus pocus, hocus-pocus, or hokus pokus is a term used by magicians, usually the magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change.It may also refer to:-Books:* Hocus Pocus , a 1990 novel by Kurt Vonnegut...
and hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
on Wikipedia for more information, as well as the etymologies for hoax and hocus pocus.
His book, Candle in the Dark: Or, A Treatise Concerning the Nature of Witches & Witchcraft, was used by George Burroughs
George Burroughs
George Burroughs , American Congregational pastor, graduated from Harvard College in 1670, and became the minister of Salem Village in 1680, a charge which he held until 1683. He lived at Falmouth until it was destroyed by natives in 1690. Burroughs then moved to Wells, Maine...
, a Baptist preacher, in his defense during the Salem witch trials
Salem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
.
Thomas Ady's books here, or Reginald Scot's and Roger William's works cited earlier, resemble books on conscience that came later that also use the Bible, notably those of the Christian Abolitionist Movement. For instance, A Condensed Anti-Slavery Bible Argument (1845) by George Bourne, and God Against Slavery (1857) by George B. Cheever.
Life
Although not much biographical information is referenced about Thomas Ady in most works discussing him, some detailed information about his family life is available through public records apart from the books he wrote.On 10 June 1634 Thomas Ady or Adye of Weathersfield, "A famous Dr of Physick", married Barbara the daughter of William Sparrow of Sible Hedingham. Of Ady's father-in-law,
it is said in the history of Essex (1831) that "William Sparrow, of Sible Hedingham, the eldest surviving son, succeeded his father, who died in 1589: he married Joan, daughter of John Finch, of Gestingthorp, by whom he had three sons, John, William, and Joseph, and two daughters, Jame and Barbara; the last of whom was married to Thomas Ady, M.D. of Wethersfield. William, the second son, was a clothier, father of William, attorney-at-law, of Sible Hedingham, and died in 1648.".
They lived in Wethersfield, and their son was educated at Felsted and Sidney Sussex, and admitted to Grey's Inn in 1667. Records show that Barbara was baptised on 9 September 1610, and Thomas left a PCC will [PROB 11/339] dated 15 October 1662 and proved 20 May 1672, in which he describes himself as "being a professed member of the true Christian Protestant Church of England desireing to live and dye in the true Christian faith". He named his wife Barbara, daughter Dorothy married to William Collard, son Thomas under 21 years, and daughters Joana and Barbara in his will. His daughter Barbara married Mark Mott, who died and was buried in Wethersfield 22 May 1694.
See also
- Discoverie of WitchcraftDiscoverie of WitchcraftThe Discoverie of Witchcraft was a partially sceptical book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, and intended as an exposé of medieval witchcraft...
- Matthew, Mark, Luke and JohnMatthew, Mark, Luke and John"Matthew, Mark, Luke and John", also known as the "Black Paternoster", is an English language prayer and nursery rhyme traditionally said by children as they go to bed. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 1704...
- Hocus Pocus (magic)Hocus Pocus (magic)Hocus Pocus or hocus-pocus is a generic term that may be derived from an ancient language and is presently used by magicians, usually the magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. It was once a common term for a magician, juggler, or other similar entertainer.The origins of the...
External links
- Candle in the Dark, *A Perfect Discovery of Witches and *The Doctrine of Devils – full text of Ady's books.
- Biography by George Knowles.
- Reaction to The Discovery of Witchcraft by Stephen Forrester.
- The Advent of Modern Thought in Popular Literature from The Cambridge History of English and American LiteratureThe Cambridge History of English and American LiteratureThe Cambridge History of English and American Literature was originally published by Cambridge University Press in 1907–1921. The 18 volumes include 303 chapters and more than 11,000 pages edited and written by a worldwide panel of 171 leading scholars and thinkers of the early twentieth century...
. - Discussion on the JREF forum.