Today in Salem: Two brothers are crusted with dirt and sweat, striding and measuring the edge of their father’s farm. 700 acres of thin, rocky soil stretch in front of them, much of it planted. But the weather has been endlessly hot and dry, and weeds are strangling everything. And they’re missing three other men.
Their father, the harsh John Proctor, has been in jail since planting season. Two other brothers have been in jail for the last three weeks. Now it falls to these two to salvage as much of the dying crop as they can. They have oxen, with a plow, plus axes, scythes, and hoes. But there’s only so much two men can do.
While the Proctor brothers contemplate their dying crop and worry about feeding their family, the General Court orders a Thanksgiving on July 14 to celebrate Governor Phips’ safe arrival from London last month.
Tomorrow in Salem: EVIL: the fortuneteller Dorcas Hoar’s matted hair