For more details, read Asa Reddington, A Revolutionary Soldier’s Unique Story.
A story from the book New Hampshire Folk Tales compiled by Mrs. Moody P. Gore and Mrs. Guy E. Speare, New Hampshire Federation of Women’s Clubs, 1949, concerns the Reverend Jonathan Searle and what may be called an exorcism. Page 162
Related by: Asa Reddington of Waterville, Maine, Revolutionary veteran employed to work a corn field adjacent to “Devils Rock”. According to the skeptical Mr. Reddington, “I did not attend the scene of folly, but the meeting took place in sight of the field where I was howing corn”. It would seem Mr. Reddington was not a follower of Reverend Searle.
Date: Late 1700s
A certain Mrs. Bailey, who was fond of her “toddy,” came in after a thunderstorm and made an odd proclamation to those in her home that she had met the Devil. “During the shower, the Prince of Darkness appeared to her. In consideration of some valuable promises made to her, she entered into a contract with him, agreeing to give herself up body and soul to his Infernal Majesty on a certain hour about six days after this interview”.
When the news was given to Reverend Searle, he announced a gathering at the appointed time to perform an “exorcism” and drive out the devil. Twelve ministers from surrounding towns and parishioners surrounded Mrs. Bailey in a circle, singing and praying and supplicating the tempter. The woman was delivered from her tempter, and the danger was over at 5 in the afternoon.
The location for this event was Split Rock, also known as Devil Rock at the time. This is a deposited glacial rock, very large in size. Split Rock was once a popular “tourist” stop for those traveling along Stirrup Iron Brook by coach, passing through the Gerrish Train stop in Boscawen.
IMPORTANT: Split Rock is on private, no trespassing posted land. The location is situated in a heavily forested area adjacent to the owner’s home. Kindly honor the owner’s wishes for privacy.
