Today in Salem: The gospel woman Martha Corey has turned her back on Rev Samuel Parris and the church elders he’s come with. I have nothing to say to you, she announces, and steps closer to the prison’s stone wall.
She is offended, morally offended, by their visit. Never mind that she has been convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to hang. She is a Gospel Woman, and an innocent one at that. Their entreaties and prayers are meaningless to her.
Her hand grows softer, though, and her shoulders slump when Rev Parris tells her she’s been excommunicated. It’s the first time she’s been quiet.
Tonight, Rev Parris opens the church record book and writes about Martha’s role in the church.
11 September. Lords day. Sister Martha Corey taken into the Church 27 April 1690. was after Examination upon suspicion of Witchcraft. 21 March 1691-2 committed to Prison for that Fact, & was condemned to the Gallows for the same yesterday: And was this day in Publick by a general consent voted to be excommunicated out of the Church; & Lt. Nathanael Putnam, & the 2 Deacons chosen to signify to her, with the Pastor the mind of the Church herein.
Accordingly this 14 Septr 1692 The 3. aforcsd Brethren went with the Pastor to her in Salem Prison, whom we found very obdurate justifying her self, & condemning all that had done any thing to her just discovery, or condemnation. Whereupon after a little discourse (for her imperiousness would not suffer much) & after Prayer, (which she was willing to decline) the dreadful sentence of Excommunication was pronounced against her.
In court, the ill-tempered Wilmott Redd is standing defiantly in front of the judges. She is well-known for wishing that bloody cleavers be found in the cradles of other people’s children, and for selling milk that quickly turns so moldy that it looks like blue wool. Her curses are also legendary: Five years ago she’d cursed a neighbor, saying she wouldn’t “mingere or carcare” (relieve herself or empty her bowels) ever again. Sure enough, the neighbor had suffered a “dry bellyache” for months. Combined with the usual swooning of the afflicted girls, no one is surprised when the judges find Wilmott guilty of witchcraft.
In the second trial of the day, the fortuneteller Samuel Wardwell defends his reputation of predicting the future. He’s spent years embracing and crowing about his talents; but now it works against him. Witness after witness describes his foretellings: falling from a horse, a gunshot wound, unrequited love, and the birth to one woman of five daughters followed by one son. He also has a knack for knowing the secrets of the past, and has bragged that he can call cattle to him. An afternoon in court can’t undo years and years of boasting about his abilities. The judges pronounce him guilty of witchcraft. He will hang.