Sleep paralysis in testimony during the Salem witchcraft trials

From "The Tryal of Bridget Bishop, Alias Oliver, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held at Salem, June 2, 1692" - 

"Samuel Gray testified that about fourteen years ago he waked on a night and saw the room where he lay full of light and that he then saw plainly a woman between the cradle and the bedside which looked upon him. He rose and it vanished, though he found the doors all fast..."

"Richard Coman testified, that Eight Years ago, as he lay awake in his Bed, with a light burning in the Room, he was annoyed with the Apparition of this Bishop, and of two more that were strangers to him; who came and oppressed him, so that he could neither stir himself, nor wake any one else: and that he was the Night after molested again in the like manner; the said Bishop taking him by the Throat, and pulling him almost out of the Bed. His Kinsman offered for this cause to lodge with him; and that night, as they were awake discoursing together, this Coman was once more visited by the Guests which had formerly been so troublesome, his Kinsman being at the same time struck speechless, and unable to move hand or foot. He had laid his Sword by him; which those unhappy Spectres, did strive much to wrest from him, only he held too fast for them. He then grew able to call the People of his house; but altho they heard him, yet they had not power to speak or stir, until at last, one of the People crying out, What's the matter! the Spectres all vanished  ."

"John Louder testified, that upon some little controversie with Bishop about her Fowls, going well to bed, he did awake in the Night by Moonlight, and did see clearly the likeness of this Woman grievously oppressing him. In which miserable condition she held him unable to help himself, till near day.  He told Bishop of this; but she utterly denied it, and threatned him very much  ."

From "The Tryal of Susanna Martin at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held at Adjournment at Salem, June 29, 1692" 

"Bernard Peache testified, that being in Bed, on a Lords Day Night, he heard a scrabbling at the Window, whereat he then saw Susanna Martin come in, and jump down upon the floor. She took hold of this Deponents Feet, and drawing his body up into an heap, she lay upon him near two hours; in all which time he could neither speak nor stir..."

"Robert Downer testified, that this Prisoner being some years ago prosecuted at Court for a Witch, he then said unto her, He believed she was a Witch. Whereat she being dissatisfied, said, That some she Devil would shortly fetch him away; which words were heard by others, as well as himself; the night following, as he lay in his Bed, there came in at the Window, the likeness of a Cat, which flew upon him, and took fast hold of his Throat, lay on him a considerable while, and almost killed him; at length he remembred what Susanna Martin had threatned the Day before, and with much striving, he cried out, Avoid thou she Devil, In the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Avoid: Whereupon it left him, leaped on the Floor, and flew out at the Window..."

"Jervis Ring testified, that about Seven Years ago, he was oftentimes and grievously oppressed in the Night; but saw not who troubled him; until at last he Lying perfectly Awake, plainly saw Susanna Martin approach him. She came to him, and forcibly bit him by the Finger; so that the Print of the bite is now, so long after, to be seen upon him..."

Excerpts [some spelling modernized] from Cotton Mather on Witchcraft: A first-hand Story of the Salem Witch-Trials; With Discourses on: Why the Devil picked New England for his Work: the Usual Temptations offered to become a Witch: the best Means of discovering Witches: and the best Ways to foil the Temptations of the Evil Powers. [Dorset Press, 1991]