We examine the unwavering defiance of many individuals accused of witchcraft in 1692, looking into the stories of Rebecca Nurse, George Jacobs Sr., Susannah Martin, John Willard, and more, who refused to confess despite immense pressure and the threat of execution. Additionally, we discuss those who did confess, like Samuel Wardwell, and examine the physical and psychological pressures faced by the accused. The episode also highlights Mary Esty's poignant petition and the brutal execution of Giles Cory.

00:00 Introduction to the Salem Witch Trials

00:39 Meet Your Hosts

00:45 The Integrity of the Accused

01:24 Examples of Refusal to Confess

03:06 Confessions and Their Consequences

03:21 The Case of Samuel Wardwell

04:15 Rumors and Physical Pressure

04:56 Tituba's Confession

05:07 Acts of Defiance

05:19 Mary Esty's Petition

05:53 The Story of Giles Cory

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Ben Wickey, More Weight: A Salem Story

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

We examine the critical role of geography in the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. They discuss the stark contrasts between Salem Town and Salem Village, the widespread nature of the accusations, and the influence of the broader region, including the impact of the Frontier War in Maine and the significant number of accusations in Andover. They also debunk common misconceptions about the accusers' proximity and detail the physical realities of property disputes and the execution sites, emphasizing the trials' concrete historical context.

00:00 Introduction to Cotton Mather and the Salem Witch Trials

00:38 Geographical Context of Salem

00:56 Salem Town vs. Salem Village

01:51 Misconceptions About the Afflicted Girls

02:55 The Spread of Accusations

03:10 Impact of the Frontier War

03:38 Andover's Role in the Witch-Hunt

04:14 Land Disputes and Accusations

05:05 Geography of the Executions

05:48 Conclusion: Understanding the Map of 1692

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Ben Wickey, More Weight: A Salem Story

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

In this episode, we explain the criteria set by English Puritan theologian William Perkins for identifying witches, as detailed in his book 'A Discourse of the Damned Art of Witchcraft.' The discussion includes the seven grounds for examining alleged witches, such as public defamation and association with other witches, and the insufficiency of various olden-day practices like the swimming test and the red-hot iron test. The episode highlights how Perkins' standards influenced the Salem Witch Trials and other notable cases, emphasizing the reliance on confessions and witness testimonies in securing convictions.

00:00 Introduction to Witchcraft Examination

00:11 William Perkins' Influence on Witch Trials

01:16 Welcome to Salem Witch Trials Daily

01:23 Criteria for Examining a Witch

04:08 Insufficient Proofs for Conviction

08:00 True Proofs for Witchcraft Conviction

08:40 Conclusion and Historical Context

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

We investigate the lives of the afflicted persons during the Salem Witch Trials, focusing on their roles as servants and their marriage prospects. The episode delves into the stories of key figures Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Warren, Mercy Lewis, Sarah Churchill, Elizabeth Parris, Ann Putnam Jr., Mary Walcott, Susannah Sheldon, and Daniel Wilkins. Listeners will learn about the diverse backgrounds and fates of these individuals, and how their afflictions impacted their lives and the trials themselves.

00:00 Introduction to the Afflicted Girls of Salem

01:30 Abigail Williams: The First Afflicted Girl

02:07 Elizabeth Hubbard: The Doctor's Niece

02:51 Mary Warren: The Proctor's Servant

04:07 Mercy Lewis: The Orphaned Maid

05:10 Sarah Churchill: The Accuser and Confessor

06:03 Other Afflicted Persons and Their Fates

09:50 Conclusion: The Diverse Lives of the Afflicted

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub:

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

We look into the lesser-known yet significantly impacted town of Andover during the 1692 witch-hunt. Despite common assumptions of a rift due to its two ministers, Francis Dane and Thomas Barnard, historical research by Richard Hite reveals that Andover's massive outbreak of accusations was not driven by ministerial factions. The episode examines the geographical distribution of the accused and uncovers the targeted accusations against Dane's family, shedding light on the deeper complexities of the Andover witch-hunt. It challenges established narratives and highlights the unity of the ministers against the witch trials. For an in-depth discussion, listeners are encouraged to tune into the detailed interview with Richard Hite.

00:00 Introduction to Salem Witch Trials Daily

00:12 The Andover Witch-Hunt: A Closer Look

01:05 Ministers of Andover: Francis Dane and Thomas Barnard

02:22 Debunking the Minister Controversy Theory

03:39 The Touch Test Incident

04:58 Targeting the Dane Family

06:00 Reevaluating Andover's Witch-Hunt

06:37 Conclusion and Further Reading

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

On February 8th, 1692, news of a new Massachusetts charter heightened fears of losing colonial independence. As hosts of Salem Witch Trials Daily, we're deeply connected to this history. We, are descendants of Mary Esty and Rebecca Nurse. Today, we delve into the heart-wrenching stories of the Towne sisters—Rebecca Nurse, Mary Esty, and Sarah Cloyce—our own ancestors who faced unimaginable trials during the Salem Witch Trials. Rebecca's wrongful conviction and execution, Mary's courageous and selfless petition, and Sarah's bold defiance in church are chapters of our family history that we feel compelled to share. Through this episode, we honor their legacy and the efforts of the Towne Family Association. We are also motivated by Mary Esty's plea to prevent further innocent bloodshed and continue our work with our nonprofit, End Witch Hunts, to eliminate modern-day witch hunts and trials.

00:00 Introduction to the Salem Witch Trials

00:20 Meet the Hosts: Josh and Sarah

00:26 The Towne Sisters: A Family Tragedy

01:42 Rebecca Nurse: A Shocking Arrest

03:22 Mary Esty: A Story of Self-Sacrifice

04:39 Sarah Cloyce: Defiance and Survival

05:53 The Legacy of the Towne Sisters

06:17 Continuing the Fight Against Witch Hunts

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

Episode Description

This episode examines the story of Mary Black, an enslaved woman accused of witchcraft in April 1692, and the complex household she lived in. Mary Black was owned by Nathaniel Putnam, a politically active Salem Village leader who opposed Reverend Parris before the trials began and later defended Rebecca Nurse—yet left no documented advocacy for the enslaved woman in his own household.

What You'll Learn

• The racial dimensions of the Salem witch trials and how court records identified accusers differently

• How Mary Black's experience contrasts with white accused women who had community defenders

• Nathaniel Putnam's complex role: opposing Parris, defending Rebecca Nurse, while owning Mary Black

• The stark silences in historical sources around enslaved and women of color in colonial New England

• Mary Black's examination, nine-month imprisonment, and eventual clearing by proclamation

Key Figures Discussed

• Mary Black - African enslaved woman accused April 21, 1692

• Nathaniel Putnam - Mary's owner, Salem Village political leader

• Rebecca Nurse - white woman Nathaniel defended

Keywords: Salem witch trials, Mary Black, enslaved women, Nathaniel Putnam, racial history, colonial New England, 1692, Tituba, Rebecca Nurse, Salem Village

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The Thing About Salem Website

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Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

www.massachusettswitchtrials.org

Support the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection

Dorothy Good, the youngest Salem Witch Trials victim, was arrested at the age of four or five and imprisoned for nearly nine months in 1692. Though she survived, the trauma from her incarceration had lasting impacts. Research by Rachel Christ-Doane indicates that Dorothy's life was marked by instability, financial hardship, and abandonment. She lived a transient life, moving between households and institutions, and her children were ultimately indentured to other families. Distressingly, Dorothy's life ended in obscurity, with her body reportedly discovered in a bog meadow in Connecticut in 1761.

00:00 Introduction and Historical Context

00:27 Welcome to Salem Witch Trials Daily

00:32 The Tragic Story of Dorothy Good

01:01 Dorothy's Life After Imprisonment

02:00 Dorothy's Adulthood and Struggles

03:02 Dorothy's Children and Their Fate

03:28 A Grim Conclusion

⁠Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

The Thing About Witch Hunts / About Salem YouTube channel

⁠Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course Week 5: The Framework of Death

⁠The Thing About Salem

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts

⁠Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

⁠Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

⁠Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection