List No. 031

THE SALEM WITCHES

Author Unknown

May 28th, 1692

According to a witness, in January 1862, 11-year-old Salem resident Abigail Williams and her nine-year-old cousin Elizabeth Parris began to behave erratically and sometimes fit. Unable to find a medical reason for their behaviour, the local doctor, William Griggs, instead blamed witchcraft – a diagnosis with which the girls agreed – and before long, other girls were also claiming to be possessed. The afflicted then began to accuse various local women of being witches and soon the Salem Witch Trials were in full swing. The list seen here details just some of the accused (on the left) and their accusers. The trials lasted for more than a year, during which 20 people, most of whom were “witches”, were executed.

Complaint of Severall May 28th 1692

Gooddy Carier of Andevor Tho: Carriers wife

Mary Walcott Abigail William

Gooddy fosdick of Maldin Goody pain: Mary Waren

Mary Walcott Mircy Lewes Abigail William Ann Putnam

Goody Read of marble head upon the hill by the meet’house

Mary Walcott Mircy Lewes Abigail William Ann Putnam

Gooddy Rice of Reding

Ed. Marshals wife Mary Walcott Abigall William

Goody How of Topsfield on Ipswich bounds

Mary Walcott Abigail Williams

Capt Hows brother wife vis Ja. Hows wife

Two women there abouts much affleted and suspect hir but canot sartainly say

Capt. Alldin complaind of a long time by

Mary Walcott Mircy Lewes Abigail Williams Ann Putnam Susana Sheldon

Wm. proctor

Mary Walcot Susana Shelden

Toothakors wife & daughter

Mary Walcot Abig. Williams

Capt. Flood

Mary Walcot Abigail Williams & the rest