Although not the biggest or most cruel of the witch hunts, the incident in Salem, Massachusetts is often the first to come to mind. There are many theories as to what caused the girls to act out in the fits that began the accusations, but soon the whole town was caught up in the hysteria. In the end, approximately two hundred people were accused of witchcraft, roughly twenty were executed by hanging, one man was pressed to death, and up to fifteen people died in jail. Those questioned as witches range from four to ninety years old, both men and women, and fill the strata of social classes.
Bridget Bishop
Bridget Bishop was not the first accused, but she was the first hung. She was born at some point between 1632 and 1637. She was married three times; her final marriage was to the lumber worker Edward Bishop yet she had no children from these marriages. The arrest warrant accusing her of witchcraft arrived on 18 April, 1692. This was not her first warrant, as she had previously been accused of witchcraft and had previously been brought before the court for her vehement squabbles with her husband. Because of these violent clashes, as well as other actions disapproved of by 17th century Puritans such as the playing of shovel board, the patronage of taverns, and the wearing of colorful, fashionable clothing, Bishop faced more accusations by various individuals than any of the other defendants. The magistrates John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin had no doubt about her guilt as they interrogated her. Even her husband offered testimony against her and within eight days, she was charged, convicted at trial, and hung. Although her death slowed indictments and caused the court to take a short recess, it was not long before the trials were back in full swing.
Sarah Good
Sarah Good, Tituba and Sarah Osborne were the first three accused of witchcraft. Tituba may have been a Native American or of African descent, and was a servant. Sarah Osborne and Sarah Good were both poor, old women. Good’s father had been a wealthy man, but when Sarah was 17, her father took his own life. His estate was divided between his wife and two sons. The seven daughters were each to get their own portion upon marriage, but her mother quickly remarried and her new husband took control of his wife’s money and the money of her daughters. Most of the daughters were therefore unable to collect their portion of the estate. Sarah first married a previously indentured servant. When he died, she was left with debts for which she and her new husband would be held accountable. The Goods were forced to sell their property, becoming homeless beggars. When the girls accused her, the neighbors that had been scolded by her for their lack of charity were ready to believe the charges. The witchcraft confession by Tituba, naming both Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne reaffirmed these beliefs. Her four-year old daughter was also accused of witchcraft, and her confused confession also suggested her mother must be a witch. Good’s husband also testified against her. Sarah Osborne did not make it to trial, dying in prison, but Sarah Good was easily found guilty and sentenced to death. She was hung on July 19, along with Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe, and Sarah Wildes.
Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty
Rebecca Nurse was the daughter of William Towne. She had two sisters, Mary and Sarah, who after defending their sister were both accused of witchcraft. Sarah Cloyes survived the trials. Rebecca was married to a traymaker, which gave them respect in the area. She was atypical of many accused of witchcraft, in that this 71-year old was known for her piety. She was the mother of eight and not only would both her sisters come to defend her, many others were hesitant to accuse her. When the jury first reached their verdict, she was found not guilty. The girls’ fits increased with this verdict, so the jury was encouraged to reconsider. The jury this time came forward with a verdict of guilty, yet her piety was so well known that the governor granted her a reprieve. Even this did not last, as the fits returned, and Rebecca was sentenced to death on 30 June and hung with Sarah Good and others.
Mary was several years Rebecca’s junior, baptized 24 August 1634. She had seven children with her husband Isaac, who owned a large farm. Her incarceration, much like her sister’s, followed a strange course. Her original questioning by the magistrates followed the normal course, but after two months in prison, she was released. The reason for her release has not survived the course of time. A warrant was issued two days after her release after the girls’ suffering increased. She was tried and condemned to death on 9 September. She was hung on 22 September, along with Mary Parker, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott, Ann Pudeator, Willmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Martha Corey.
Giles Corey
Martha Corey was hung along with Mary Easty, but was not the only Corey to die in the Salem Witch Trials. Her husband Giles was a prosperous farmer and active member of the church. His wife was accused in March of 1692, and the following month Mercy Lewis, Abigail Williams, and Ann Putnam, Jr. accused Giles as well. Giles was eighty-years old, and very set in his ways. He was not afraid to speak out against the witchcraft trials. When his case came before the grand jury, he refused to stand trial because he knew the trials to be unfair. The penalty for this decision was to the painful experience of pressing by heavy stones, placed on top of a wooden board. The stones were stacked on Monday 19 September. He did not die that day, but died a few days later.
John Proctor
John Proctor moved to Salem in 1666, where he worked on a farm, eventually buying some of the land he worked. Proctor was considered to be a man of upstanding character, but he was also rash. He spoke out against the hysteria of the trials from the beginning and called the girls frauds, which may have led to his troubles. The girls, including their servant Mary Warren, first accused his wife Elizabeth whom he refused to abandon. During her questioning, he was named a witch, the first male to be included. All his children were accused, as well as his wife’s sister and his wife’s sister-in-law. Elizabeth was tried and condemned, but the town would not execute her because of her pregnancy. John was tried on 5 August. Despite his appeals to the clergy of Boston, John was executed on 19 August. Others hung with him include Martha Carrier, John Willard, George Jacobs Sr., and George Burroughs.
George Burroughs
George Burroughs was born in Virginia or Maryland. He graduated Harvard College in 1670 and became a non-ordained minister. After surviving a native attack in Casco, Maine he moved to Salem in 1680. The following year, his wife died. He preached in Salem for only two years, leaving after disputes over money. Burroughs returned to Casco, but attacks continued causing him to abandon Casco and settle in Wells, Maine where he was given 150 acres of land, a portion of which he returned to the city as the town expanded. After serving as minister for nine years in Wells, he was arrested for witchcraft. He was dragged back to Salem, where he would stand trial as the leader of the witches. Some of the citizens disagreed with this accusation and signed a petition on his behalf, but to no avail. He stood on the gallows on 19 August reciting the Lord’s Prayer without error or hesitation, which was said to be impossible for a witch, yet he was hung with the others.
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