Category Archives: Summary

by

Epilogue: Pardoned!

The last accused “witch” of the Salem Witchcraft Trials has just been pardoned, 329 years after she was convicted.

Elizabeth Johnson, 22, had languished in prison for six months when she was brought to trial. She was one of the last to be convicted and, with seven other women, was sentenced to hang. Her grave was dug on the last day of January. The next day, just before she would have been executed, Elizabeth and the other condemned prisoners were reprieved. Now, centuries later, after all the others had been exonerated, Elizabeth has finally been pardoned.

What took so long?

In the immediate aftermath and in the centuries that followed, dozens of other suspects were cleared (including Elizabeth’s own mother) when their descendants advocated for them. But Elizabeth never married or had children, and therefore had no descendants. She may also have been weak-minded or ill-liked. Her grandfather described her as “simplish at best,” and a contemporary writer called her “senseless and ignorant.”

Nineteen years after her release, Elizabeth petitioned the court to clear her name. But nothing came of it. And because she had no descendants to champion her cause (and perhaps was incapable of advocating strongly for herself), her conviction stood.

Enter the 8th-graders of North Andover Middle School. They researched the witchcraft trials, read the testimony in Elizabeth’s case, and researched the legislative steps it would take to exonerate her. Then they sent their research to a state senator, who steered the legislation to approval.

The students’ teacher, Carrie LaPierre, said “Passing this legislation will be incredibly impactful on their understanding of how important it is to stand up for people who cannot advocate for themselves and how strong of a voice they actually have.”

Elizabeth Johnson’s unsuccessful petition for pardon.
by

Oct 31: The End

[Note: If you’d like to read “Today In Salem” from beginning to end, start at the first post. Read (or scroll) to the bottom, then click “Tomorrow in Salem.” Each post ends with the same “tomorrow” link and will take you sequentially through the story.]

Happy Halloween, and 253 thanks for following the story of “Today in Salem”! This story began with two girls in the minister’s family, afflicted by unseen forces. It ends 253 days later, after 20 executions, several deaths in prison, nearly 200 people arrested, and countless accusations.

Now the Governor has dissolved the Court and banned all arrests except in cases of “unavoidable necessity.”

Here’s the problem, though. Well over 100 people are still in jail. Several of them are children. Five women are condemned, and two of them are pregnant. But without a Court, there can be no trials. Without trials, those prisoners can’t be released. Executions are also on hold.

There needs to be some sort of official proceeding. So …

What happened next?

In November and December, the afflicted girls continued their fits and accusations, and five more people were arrested (despite the Governor’s ban). The other prisoners languished.

In early January, the Governor assigned all of the outstanding cases to the Superior Court. In two weeks they tried 51 cases. 30 of them were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Of the other 21, eighteen were found not guilty. Three were found guilty and sentenced to hang (with the five who were already in jail waiting).

In late January, eight graves were dug for those who would be executed. The next day, the Governor granted reprieves to all eight of the condemned.

Five more cases were cleared by proclamation, and another five defendants were cleared after pleading not guilty. At that point Governor Phips, perhaps tired of the whole ordeal, reprieved all of the remaining prisoners. All of them were free to go, as soon as they paid their jail bills.

Several people remained in prison because they were too impoverished to pay their bill. The enslaved Tituba, who was one of the first arrested, was probably the last to be released when, in October, an unknown person paid her fees.

The Legacy of the Salem Witchcraft Trials

When the trials ended, it wasn’t because people stopped believing in witchcraft. Quite the contrary: Witches were real and witchcraft was ever-present. So what changed? Why did the trials end? The people stopped believing that their legal system could accurately find and stop witches.

That lack of confidence in the courts played a role in today’s guarantee of the right to legal representation, the right to cross-examine one’s accuser, and the presumption of innocence rather than of guilt.

Clearing the “Witches” Names

Five years after the trials, the General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayer about the witchcraft tragedy. Five years after that, the court declared the trials unlawful. And nearly two decades after the trials, the colony passed a bill restoring the rights and good names of those accused, granting £600 restitution to their heirs.

In the mid-1800s, many of the condemned “witches” were exonerated. In 1957, the Massachusetts State Legislature exonerated another six. In 2001 the act was amended to include five more.

Next summer, in July 2022, the last condemned witch will be exonerated.

If you’d like to read “Today In Salem” from beginning to end, start at the first post. Read (or scroll) to the bottom, then click “Tomorrow in Salem.” Each post ends with the same “tomorrow” link and will take you sequentially through the story.

by

Oct 10: Summary: The beginning of the end

The story of “Today In Salem” will end on Halloween, three weeks from today, when Governor Phips finally stands up and exercises his authority. It’s about time. In the last seven months, 19 people have been hanged, one has been pressed and tortured to death, and as many as twelve have died in prison. Still waiting: Eight more people who’ve been sentenced to hang, plus the nearly one hundred others who are still in prison, waiting for trials.

The tide has been turning, though. Over the last few months, two judges and one constable have quit in protest, and hundreds of people have signed petitions on behalf of the accused. Ministers have advised caution, judges have refused to conduct some arrests, and children are being bailed out of prison.

All of that momentum has led us to this week’s tipping point, when the prominent Rev Increase Mather – the most influential Puritan minister in the colony – has said that it would be better for ten witches to live than for one innocent person to die.

For now, though, the Governor is still dithering, even though his own wife has been accused. It’s a lot to stand up to. The Chief Justice is raging, intent on finding and destroying every last witch in New England. The afflicted girls are still making accusations. And powerful families like the Putnams believe them.

Still. The Governor has heard the Rev Mather’s message: It’s better that ten suspected witches should live, than that one innocent person should die. Is it possible? Have innocent people died?

Tomorrow in Salem: The Sheriff is stopped, while others ask for mercy and advice

by

Aug 23: Summary and FAQs

Once again, let’s begin by silently considering the real people of Salem who were most recently hanged:

George Burroughs, a minister from Maine who used to be a minister in Salem Village. He’d left on bad terms.

Martha Carrier, an outcast suspected of starting a smallpox epidemic that killed her father, two brothers, and four of her extended family.

George Jacobs Sr., an 80-year-old, toothless man who was so tall that he need two canes to walk. He had a violent temper and was known to abuse his servants.

John Proctor, a bold 60-year-old farmer. He was outspoken about his belief that the trials were a sham and the girls were lying.

John Willard, a former deputy who quit when he began to believe he was arresting innocent people.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are the questions I’ve been asked most often throughout this project.

When is it going to get better? This is such a sad story.

It is sad. Unfortunately this isn’t a story with good guys, a tidy plot, and a satisfying ending. In fact, it isn’t a story at all. It’s more of a recounting, with two more tragic events to come (as of now) before things start getting better.

The most important thing that will make it better is the ”resistance,” which continues to grow. As of now there are two troubled judges, a deputy who quit, 12 people speaking up for one of the accused women, 39 people speaking up for another, 52 speaking up for one of the men, a group of influential ministers asking the court to slow down and be careful, and a crowd of people troubled by two hangings in particular.

Who’s the real bad guy?

A few men take turns wearing the black hat. But my vote goes to Chief Justice William Stoughton, who began each trial assuming the person was guilty, and was so angry and intent on routing out witches that he was merciless and impossible to reason with. Even the governor had trouble standing in his way.

Did the afflicted girls actually believe what they were saying?

It’s possible that a couple of girls believed what they saw or heard was real: the 9-year-old, and one teenager who may have been mentally ill. A few others were so traumatized by past events that they briefly believed what they saw was real. It’s likely, though, that most of the girls knew what they were saying was not true. It’s easy to imagine how intoxicated they were with the attention, since women (especially servants and children) were literally to be seen and not heard in public. Once they claimed to be afflicted, it was hard to backtrack. Several tried, by admitting they were lying. But (ironically) no one believed them, so they were pulled back in.

How many people died?

19 people were hanged, 1 was tortured to death, and at least 6 known people died in prison. (Also, 2 dogs died, but I’m not focusing on that because ow, my broken heart.)

Is everything in this project really true?

This project is factual, with a little gussying up to make it a compelling read. For example, on Aug 19, George Burroughs was hanged.

  • Was he really buried with a foot sticking out? Yes, that’s what tradition tells us. (Also his chin, but ew.)
  • Did he really recite the Lord’s Prayer, perfectly? Yes.
  • Was the crowd angry with his hanging? Yes.
  • Did they yell “Stop”? I don’t know. But they must have said something to indicate their anger, so I filled in the blank with a word that clearly the spirit of the truth: that more and more people wanted to ”stop” the trials.

The bigger problem is what I’ve had to leave out. Right now the “cast of characters” includes about 35 people, which is necessary (though still too many). But there are twice as many judges, a whole slew of lawmen, many more afflicted girls and even adult women, and about a hundred people in jail. Not to mention the French and Indian war. It’s … a lot. So while the project is truthful in spirit, It’s not comprehensive.

Where are you getting the images from?

I’m careful to use only royalty-free, full permission stock images. My primary sources are Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pxfuel. I also need to give credit to Nancy Price, my fantastic image researcher and editor.

What’s your next project?

Probably a rewritten and even more simplified version of this to “publish” on KindleVella, a platform for serialized novellas. After that, I think witches will be out of my system, so who knows?

Tomorrow in Salem: SMALL MERCIES: Rev Parris forgives absences

by

July 21: SUMMARY: Paying respects

Let’s begin by saying the name of each woman who was hanged this week.

Rebecca Nurse

Sarah Good

Sarah Wilds

Elizabeth How

Susannah Martin

These were real women. A beloved grandmother. A hot-tempered beggar. An aging beauty queen. A bewildered neighbor lady. An outspoken rebel. Is there someone in your life who could be described like this?

Rebecca Nurse’s story took center stage this month, and shows what a runaway train the trials were. She was a beloved grandmother, a long-time church member, and 39 people had signed a petition on her behalf. But she was tried and found guilty because she was too hard-of-hearing to answer a question. Then she was ex-communicated by the church. The Governor gave her a reprieve, but several days later an unidentified man talked him into revoking it. And then she was hanged.

The resistance continues to gather steam. Another judge has begun to feel troubled, and twelve people have spoken up for one of the women who was hanged. These join another judge and a deputy who quit, the 39 people supporting Rebecca Nurse, and a group of Puritan ministers asking the court to slow down and be careful.

Unfortunately the Governor is distracted by a more exciting matter: He’s preparing a large expedition of soldiers to fight in Maine, and he’s decided to lead the expedition himself. Making arrangements is taking all of his time and attention, so he’s letting his second-in-command, Chief Justice William Stoughton, manage the trial. He’s powerful, opinionated, and driven to roust and destroy every witch in Massachusetts. Now more than 70 people are in prison, three people have died there, and six have been hanged.

WHO’S BEEN HANGED FOR WITCHCRAFT:

WHO’S BEEN TRIED AND SENTENCED:

(We’re between trials right now, though the local magistrates continue to hold examinations.)

WHO’S DIED IN PRISON:

  • Mercy Good – the beggar Sarah Good’s 6-month-old baby, who died on May 26, probably of malnutrition.
  • Sarah Osborne – a sickly woman who died on May 10, probably of typhus. She was one of the first to be arrested; a scandal-ridden woman who’d married her servant and was trying to take her sons’ inheritance.
  • Roger Toothaker – a fortuneteller who died on June 16 of “natural causes,” according to the coroner’s jury.

Tomorrow in Salem: 115 rays of light

by

July 1: SUMMARY: 5 women against the world?

Beggar … Friend … Rebel … Saint … Seductress

This week, five women were tried in court, found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. But it raises questions. The three unsavory women – the beggar, the rebel, and the seductress – have no family or friends to speak of, and no one to defend them. But the two more acceptable women – the friend and the saint – have nearly 60 people vouching for them. How is it that all five were so quickly condemned? Would anything make a difference?

An important thread is becoming clear: Resistance is growing. While they’re still in the minority, more and more people are signing petitions, writing letters, and offering testimony in defense of the accused.

Just as important, more people are beginning to question the system. A deputy and a judge have quit in protest. One prominent Puritan minister has asked the judges to slow down, stop assuming guilt, and keep the afflicted girls quiet. As a group, the Puritan ministers have asked the court to stop using visions of specters as evidence (the biggest reason people are being accused, arrested, and now convicted). Even a Baptist minister has written two petitions to condemn using spectral evidence. (The Governor had him arrested for his Baptist impudence).

Unfortunately, the one man who can stop it all — the Governor — is bored by the trials and would rather be fighting the frontier wars. So he’s delegated the situation to his Chief Justice, who’s delighting in his power and crusading to roust and destroy every witch in Massachusetts. Now more than 70 people are in prison, four people are dead, and five more are condemned. Can anyone stop him?

WHO’S BEEN TRIED AND SENTENCED TO HANG:

  • The beggar Sarah Good – a vagrant who smokes a pipe and has a terrible temper. Sarah has been in prison with her 4-year-old daughter, Dorcas Good, and a 6-month-old baby, who died while there.
  • The neighborly Elizabeth How – A friendly and pleasant woman who, nonetheless, is bitterly suspected by a family who’s 10-year-old daughter accused her, then died — two years ago. More than a dozen people have testified or deposed in her defense.
  • The rebellious Susannah Martin – a mean, pole cat who a prominent minister called one of the most “impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world.”
  • The beloved Rebecca Nurse – a 70-year-old grandmother who is well-loved throughout the community. 39 people signed a petition on her behalf, attesting to her upstanding character.
  • The flamboyant Sarah Wilds – an aging, glamorous woman who was whipped for fornication as a young woman, brought to court for wearing fancy clothes, and now is suspected of bewitching a man into marrying her.

WHO’S BEEN HANGED FOR WITCHCRAFT:

  • The unruly Bridget Bishop was hanged on June 10. Bridget Bishop was an unpopular and outspoken woman, and the first to be executed. A large crowd attended her hanging.

WHO’S DIED IN PRISON:

  • The baby Mercy Good (the beggar Sarah Good’s 6-month-old baby) died on May 26, probably of malnutrition.
  • The sickly Sarah Osborne died on May 10, probably of typhus. She was a scandal-ridden woman who’d married her servant and was trying to take her sons’ inheritance.
  • The fortuneteller Roger Toothaker died on June 16 of “natural causes,” according to the coroner’s jury.

Tomorrow in Salem: JAILED AGAIN: the healer Ann Pudeator

by

June 11: Summary: A moment of silence

Let’s start this summary with a sincere moment of silence for the once-unruly Bridget Bishop, who was hanged yesterday.

.

.

.

Bridget Bishop was a real person. But what do we know about her? Was she tiny like a peckish bird? Or pleasantly round? Could she carry a tune, or whistle like a chickadee, or did she leave that foolishness to others? Was she an impatient seamstress? Who was she?

We only know what the records tell us: that she was about 60 years old, give or take. That she came to the New World when she was in her 20s, so probably spoke with a trace of a British accent. That she’d had a violently abusive marriage, and did her share of punching and shouting. That when their father disinherited them, her stepsons accused of her of witchcraft, and her neighbors disliked her enough to testify against her.

In the last ten days, Bridget was tried, physically examined in the most humiliating way, then hanged. One judge was so appalled by the proceedings that he resigned. The people of Salem, though, celebrated. Today a stunned silence has descended. Tomorrow the witchcraft hysteria will continue.

Tomorrow in Salem: ABANDONED: the minister George Burrough’s children

by

June 1: A summary in 3 letters

Hello, Salem-ites! Tomorrow is a big day. The first Witchcraft Trial will begin, with the unruly Bridget Bishop on trial for her life. It’s an excellent time to invite other readers, because starting today, you only need to know one thing: The story of Salem can be boiled down to one giant terrifying WTF moment. Of course, Puritans wouldn’t have said it that way. But it’s hard to overstate the level of panic from every corner.

Prisoners: “WTF? Why am I here? Am I going to die?”

Skeptics and protestors: “WTF is the matter with you people?”

Ministers: “WTF did we do wrong? Why is God allowing this to happen?”

Judges and politicians: “WTF is going on in that village of yours?”

You and I: “WTF???“

The only people who weren’t asking that question were the afflicted girls. One or two may have been mentally ill and genuinely seeing things. But most or all of them were either bored, malicious, or suffering from other physical or emotional ailments – none of which involved visions.

Now, after months of accusations and hearings, the Governor has formed a court whose only purpose is to clear the backlog. Right this moment, the judges are on their way to Salem, and several prisoners are being transferred from Boston. Preliminary testimony is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. That’s all you need to know.

Tomorrow in Salem: SENTENCED TO HANG: the unruly Bridget Bishop, first defendant

by

May 13: Summary: Act II Begins: the 1st death, pins and needles, mounting pressure

Hello, new readers! Welcome to Salem, and thanks for jumping in. To those who’ve been here for a while, thanks for following along. Now that we’re entering Act Two of the story, this high-level recap should help all of us catch our breath and make sense of where we are.

Notes:

  • If you’re following on Facebook or Twitter and the daily posts are disappearing in your news feed, consider subscribing to the story here. Updates will go straight to your inbox and you won’t miss a thing.
  • You can always find historical context, biographical sketches, and an archive of posts at www.TodayInSalem.com.

ACT ONE has concluded.

In Act I, three young girls began suffering from torments they’ve attributed to witchcraft. Soon several teenage girls joined them (see “The Afflicted Girls”). The girls’ mysterious “fits” began at home, and evolved into disruptions at church and shocking histrionics in the courtroom. Now, with the full-throated support of several judges (see “VIPs”), 27 people are in jail (see “Who’s Been Accused and Arrested”).

ACT TWO has just begun.

Sarah Osborne’s death in prison kicks off the deeper tragedy of Salem. 19 people will be hanged, one will be tortured to death, and several more will die in jail, with more than 150 people arrested. We’re just at the beginning, though.

These important trends are providing momentum:

1. The runaway train is going even faster. At first, people were accused, carefully watched, told they were going to be arrested, then actually arrested, then examined in court, then sent to jail. That could take a week or even two. Now people are being accused in the morning, and by nightfall they’re in jail. There’s only so much room in the prisons, though, and the jails in Salem and Boston are getting crowded.

2. Protests are growing. In the beginning, only a couple of people spoke up against the arrests. More and more people are protesting, though. 39 people signed a petition. A couple of accused men have escaped, helped by disbelieving community members. And three of the afflicted girls have changed their minds and are no long afflicted, even saying the other girls are lying.

3. Counter-protests are stronger. The judges are digging in their heels, and have called in reinforcements from Boston. Influential Puritan ministers have started showing up to witness the hearings, and so far have sided with the judges. In court, the afflicted girls have begun finding pins embedded in their hands. It’s an important change. Courtroom spectators can doubt whether invisible specters are real. But they can’t protest against something they can clearly see.

WHO’S DIED: 1 person

NEW – The sickly Sarah Osborne has died in prison, probably of typhus. She was a scandal-ridden woman who’d married her servant and was trying to take her sons’ inheritance.

WHO’S BEEN ACCUSED and/or ARRESTED: 27 people (including 7 from nearby towns)

NEW — Sarah Churchill (servant) – George Jacobs Sr.’s servant. She was afflicted, then was “cured.” Her former friends accused her, and she confessed, but is now afflicted again.

NEW — George Jacobs Sr. (abusive) – a toothless 80yo man with long white hair, who’s so tall and infirm that he needs two walking sticks. He has a violent temper and has abused his servant.

NEW — Margaret Jacobs — George Jacobs Sr.’s granddaughter. She was afflicted, but when her symptoms went away the other girls accused her of using witchcraft to recover. She confessed, She confessed, and because her grandfather was already accused, has named him. Now she is stricken by her lie.

NEW — Alice Parker (shrew) – forthright and even aggressive in her speech. She may have suffered from catalepsy, which causes sudden unconsciousness and rigid posture.

NEW — Ann Pudeator (healer) – a 70yo nurse and midwife who is suspected of murdering a woman so she could marry her widower, who is 20 years her junior.

Bridget Bishop (unruly) – an outspoken woman who’s been in and out of court for years. She’s in prison with her son and daughter-in-law, who are noisy tavern owners.

George Burroughs (Reverend) – a minister from Maine who used to be the minister of Salem Village. He’s resented for leaving unpaid debts behind, suspected because his first two wives died, and disliked for the way he did or didn’t protect his flock from Indian attacks in Maine.

Sarah Cloyce (nervous) – Rebecca Nurse’s younger sister. She’d stormed out of church, which sparked people to question whether innocent people were being accused.

Giles Corey (cantankerous) – an 80yo farmer, in prison with his wife, the gospel woman Martha Corey.

Philip English (wealthy) – a French immigrant and member of the Anglican church who’s become very wealthy, very fast, incurring a lot of resentment. He’s in prison with his wife, Mary.

Mary Esty (pious) – With the nervous Sarah Cloyce, another sister of the beloved Rebecca Nurse.

Sarah Good (beggar) and her baby – a vagrant who smokes a pipe and has a terrible temper. She’s in prison with her daughter, 4yo Dorcas Good.

Dorcas Hoar (fortuneteller) – the leader of a former burglary ring, with hair that’s more than 4 feet long.

Abigail Hobbs (wild child) – a 15yo girl who wanders through the woods at night, disobeys her parents, and claims she’s made a pact with the Devil. She’s in jail with her parents.

Susannah Martin (rebellious) – a mean, pole cat who a prominent minister called one of the most “impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world.”

Rebecca Nurse (beloved) – a 70-year-old grandmother who is well-loved throughout the community. 39 people have signed a petition on her behalf, attesting to her upstanding character.

John Proctor (harsh) – A farmer and tavern owner, opinionated and sometimes overbearing, but respected. He’s in prison with his wife, the quarrelsome Elizabeth Proctor.

Tituba (slave) – Enslaved by Rev Samuel Parris. She was the first to be accused and the first to confess.

Mary Warren (servant) – the Proctors’ maid. She keeps waffling between afflicted and accused, depending on who she’s afraid of and what other people say. The judges can’t figure out which side she’s on, so they’re keeping her in jail.

Sarah Wilds (flamboyant) – an aging, glamorous woman who’s left a trail of scandals in her wake.

John Willard (former deputy) – He quit his job when he became convinced he was arresting innocent people. The authorities have issued a warrant for his arrest, but he’s on the run and the constable hasn’t yet found him.

VIPs

  • Reverend Samuel Parris is Salem Village’s Puritan Minister. The first two accusers were part of his family: his 9yo daughter, and his 11yo niece. Parris hasn’t been paid in 9 months because the Village leadership is unhappy with him, and refuses to collect taxes to support his salary.
  • Thomas Putnam is the father of one of the most vocal afflicted girls. Two large families have been feuding for years, and he’s the head of one of them. He’s powerful and often angry.
  • John Hathorne is a harsh and even cruel judge who assumes people are guilty, and questions them relentlessly.
  • Jonathan Corwin is a quieter judge, but makes the same assumptions of guilt.
  • William Phips is the new governor, appointed by the King. Phips is intelligent and ambitious, but he’s also arrogant and disliked, an upstart who commands little respect.

THE AFFLICTED GIRLS

Some of the afflicted girls were orphaned or otherwise traumatized by the Indian Wars in Maine, and could be said to have PTSD. Others were bored, or scared, or manipulative, or ??? For detailed info about any of them, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.

  • 17yo Elizabeth Hubbard – an orphan who’s the doctor’s servant
  • 18yo Mercy Lewis – a servant in the Putnam home. She is a traumatized orphan and refugee from the Indian Wars in Maine.
  • 9yo Betty Parris – Rev Parris’s little daughter. She’s been sent away to live with a cousin.
  • 12yo Ann Putnam – the girls’ unspoken leader.
  • 17yo Mary Walcott – the daughterof the militia captain.
  • 20yo Mary Warren – a servant in the Proctor home.
  • 11yo Abigail Williams – a tomboy who’s Rev Parris’s niece. She lives with his family.

Tomorrow in Salem: ROYALTY: the Governor arrives

by

May 7: the MOTHER of all summaries

Welcome to the new readers who’ve bravely jumped into the story of Salem this week. And to the readers who’ve been here for a while, tracking the many events and people in the story of Salem, your diligence is appreciated! This high-level recap should be helpful.

WHAT’S HAPPENED IN SALEM SO FAR

For historical tidbits that give context to the story, see Learn More.

3 young girls = 3 accusations/arrests. Three young girls (ages 9, 11, and 12) started hiding under chairs, babbling nonsense, and contorting themselves into impossible positions. They’ve accused a slave and 2 disreputable women of witchcraft.

5 teenage girls = 25 more accusations/arrests. The teenagers joined the younger girls within days. Some of the teens were traumatized from brutal wars in Maine, and could be said to have PTSD. Others had less of an excuse. Most of them had axes to grind with some of the people they accused, including 5 men.

Important trends are taking hold.

It’s a runaway train. In the first 7 weeks, 10 people were accused and arrested. In the following 7 weeks (which we’re in the midst of), it was 54. In addition, more types of people are being accused. The first were slaves, poor, or disreputable. Now they include the wealthiest man in Salem, a 4yo child, a minister, a beloved grandmother, and church members. The net will continue to widen, snaring yet more kinds of people, sometimes in different towns.

Protests are growing. In the beginning, only a couple of people spoke up against the arrests. Now a petition has been signed by 39 people. More and more people will begin to protest.

Counter-protests are stronger. The judges are digging in their heels, asking for help from authorities in Boston. More and more prominent legal officials and ministers are becoming involved.

Meanwhile … The governor is at sea, making his way home from England. He has no idea what’s waiting for him. His role in continuing and then ending the trials will be key.

WHO’S ACCUSING PEOPLE

For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.

18yo Mercy Lewis is a servant in the Putnam home. She is a traumatized orphan and refugee from the Indian Wars in Maine.

20yo Mary Warren is a servant in the Proctor home. She keeps flip-flopping between afflicted and accused, and is now in prison.

17yo Elizabeth Hubbard (an orphan who’s the doctor’s servant).

9yo Betty Parris is Rev Parris’s little daughter. She’s been sent away to live with a cousin.

12yo Ann Putnam is the girls’ unspoken leader.

11yo Abigail Williams is a tomboy who’s Rev Parris’s niece. She lives with his family.

WHO’S BEEN ACCUSED AND ARRESTED

For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.

Bridget Bishop (unruly) – an outspoken woman who’s been in and out of court for years. She’s in prison with her son and daughter-in-law, who are noisy tavern owners.

George Burroughs (Reverend) – a minister from Maine who used to be the minister of Salem Village. He’s resented for leaving unpaid debts behind, suspected because his first two wives died, and disliked for the way he did or didn’t protect his flock from Indian attacks in Maine.

Sarah Cloyce (nervous) – With Mary Esty, Rebecca Nurse’s younger sister. Sarah stormed out of church, which sparked people to question whether innocent people were being accused.

Giles Corey (cantankerous) – an 80yo farmer, in prison with his wife, the gospel woman Martha Corey.

Philip English (wealthy) – a French immigrant and member of the Anglican church who’s become very wealthy, very fast, incurring a lot of resentment. He’s in prison with his wife, Mary.

Mary Esty (pious) – With the nervous Sarah Cloyce, another sister of the beloved Rebecca Nurse.

Sarah Good (beggar) and her baby – a vagrant who smokes a pipe and has a terrible temper. She’s in prison with her daughter, 4yo Dorcas Good.

Dorcas Hoar (fortuneteller)- the leader of a former burglary ring, with hair that’s more than 4 feet long.

Abigail Hobbs – a wild child who wanders through the woods at night, disobeys her parents, and claims she’s made a pact with the Devil. She’s in jail with her parents.

Susannah Martin (rebellious) – a mean, pole cat who a prominent minister called one of the most “impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world.”

Rebecca Nurse (beloved) – a 70-year-old grandmother who is well-loved throughout the community.

Sarah Osborne (sickly) – a scandal-ridden woman who married her servant and is trying to take her sons’ inheritance.

John Proctor (harsh) – A farmer and tavern owner, opinionated and sometimes overbearing, but respected. He’s in prison with his wife, the quarrelsome Elizabeth Proctor.

Tituba (slave) – the minister’s slave who was the first to be accused and the first to confess.

Mary Warren (servant) – the Proctors’ maid. She keeps waffling between afflicted and accused, depending on who she’s afraid of and what other people say. The judges can’t figure out which side she’s on, so they’re keeping her in jail.

Sarah Wilds (flamboyant) – an aging, glamorous woman who’s left a trail of scandals in her wake.

John Willard (former deputy) – He quit his job when he became convinced he was arresting innocent people.

4 other less notable people, including a slave and women from nearby towns.

VIPs

For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.

Reverend Samuel Parris is Salem Village’s Puritan Minister. The first two accusers were part of his family: his 9yo daughter, and his 11yo niece. Parris hasn’t been paid in 9 months because the Village leadership is unhappy with him, and refuses to collect taxes to support his salary.

Thomas Putnam is the father of one of the most vocal afflicted girls. Two large families have been feuding for years, and he’s the head of one of them. He’s powerful and often angry.

John Hathorne is a harsh and even cruel judge who assumes people are guilty, and questions them relentlessly.

Jonathan Corwin is a quieter judge, but makes the same assumptions of guilt.

William Phips is the new governor, appointed by the King. Phips is intelligent and ambitious, but he’s also arrogant and disliked, an upstart who commands little respect.

Tomorrow in Salem: GOSSIP fans the flames