April 28, 1692: Susannah Shelden’s Torment and John Willard AccusedWe’re back in Salem on Thursday, April 28, 1692, where Susannah Shelden’s account turns physical and threatening: Giles Cory and Mary English urge her not to eat, and Susannah says Cory strikes her, nearly chokes her, and holds her hands shut while mocking her. Philip English then appears demanding she sign his book, biting her when she refuses. At the same time, Ann Putnam Jr. reports a brutal assault by John Willard’s specter, including threats to kill her unless she writes in his book, and claims his apparition confessed to murdering her infant sister Sarah—followed by Sarah Putnam’s own ghost crying for vengeance. We also hear Lydia Wilkins, in a winding sheet, accusing Willard of involvement in her death.

00:00 Daily Intro and Date

00:15 Susannah Shelden Accusations

00:56 Ann Putnam vs John Willard

01:25 Putnam Baby Death Mention

01:36 Lydia Wilkins Appears

01:46 Subscribe and More Podcasts

Statement of Susannah Shelden v. Philip English, Sarah Buckley, Mary Whittredge, Bridget Bishop, Giles Cory, Mary English, and Martha Cory: https://pem.quartexcollections.com/Documents/Detail/statement-of-susannah-shelden-v.-philip-english-sarah-buckley-mary-whittredge-bridget-bishop-giles-cory-mary-english-and-martha-cory/4696

Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619