Salem Witch Trials Daily

Sept 1, 1692: Andover Arrests, Salem Examinations, and the Five Mile Pond BaptismsWe follow the Andover arrests that brought Samuel and Sarah Wardwell, Mercy Wardwell, Sarah Hawkes, Stephen Johnson, and 14-year-old William Barker Jr. before Salem justices Bartholomew Gedney, John Hathorne, Jonathan Corwin, and John Higginson Jr., where confessions, “touch tests,” and detailed devil-covenant stories shaped the day. From a black dog in the woods to signing the devil’s book in red ink, promises of clothes or French fall shoes, and baptisms at Five Mile Pond, Shawshin River, and even at home, the testimony centers on alleged afflictions of Martha Sprague, Rose Foster, Mary Lacey, Timothy Swan, and others. We also trace how family ties and prior jailing intensified suspicion around the Johnsons, and how the Wardwells’ accounts expanded to witch meetings, pole-riding, dancing at Moses Tyler’s house, and renouncing Christian baptism—then “recoveries” once confessions were made.00:00 Daily Introduction00:08 Andover Arrests00:20 William Barker Confession01:49 Sarah Hawkes Testimony03:03 Stephen Johnson Examined05:18 Mercy Wardwell Confesses06:47 Samuel Wardwell Snare08:01 Devil Pact Details09:31 Sarah Wardwell Final Exam10:30 Renouncing The Devil

Confessions at Five Mile Pond and a Warrant for jurors the Court of Oyer and TerminerWe track the accelerating pressure of the Salem witch trials on August 31, 1692, as Rebecca Eames gives a false confession claiming she and her son Daniel were baptized by the devil at Five Mile Pond, accusing jailed suspects Mary Toothaker and Abigail Faulkner, and describing how personal anguish and suicide attempts preceded her alleged bargain to serve the devil. In Boxford, testimony attributed to Sarah Hawkes describes specters coercing Sarah Phelps, Martha Sprague, and Rose Foster to dance for hours, forcing Hannah Foster to dance at Mr. Tyler’s house, and driving Martha Sprague to sing nearly to death; Hawkes also claims a recent devil’s baptism and a Salem Village meeting where witches flew on poles. The day ends with William Stoughton issuing warrants summoning trial and grand jurors for the Court of Oyer and Terminer beginning September 6.00:00 Welcome and Warning00:21 Rebecca Eames Confession01:22 Boxford Specter Frolics02:13 Sarah Hawkes Baptism Tale02:33 Witches Flying Poles02:46 Court Session Called

Andover Arrests and the Confessions of Elizabeth Johnson Sr. (Aug. 30, 1692)We follow the August 30, 1692 Andover arrests that sent Abigail Johnson and her mother, Elizabeth Johnson Sr., to Salem on charges of afflicting Martha Sprague and Abigail Martin, then move straight into the surviving examination record that exposes how coercion, fear, and family rupture shaped Salem Witch Trials testimony. Our focus turns to Elizabeth Johnson Sr.—daughter of Andover minister Francis Dane—as she describes the devil’s “pretty big” book, alleged baptisms at Five Mile Pond, witch meetings in Salem Village and at Chandler’s house in Andover, and accusations involving Abigail Faulkner, the Post family, and others, alongside claims of spectral affliction and a familiar “brown puppy.” We also track Abigail Faulkner Sr.’s re-examination and her insistence that anger and rumor opened the door for the devil to harm the afflicted, not her.00:00 Show Introduction00:05 Arrests in Andover00:33 Elizabeth Confesses01:02 Devil Book and Pact01:21 Family Accusations01:43 Baptism at Five Mile02:00 Witch Meetings Described02:34 Afflictions and Familiar03:48 Abigail Faulkner Reexamined04:19 Devil Took Advantage

Andover Arrests and Confessions: Mary Barker, William Barker Sr., and Mary Marston (Aug. 29, 1692)We follow the Salem witch trials on August 29, 1692, as Andover constable Ephraim Foster arrests Mary Barker, William Barker Sr., and Mary Marston, and Salem magistrates examine their accusations and confessions. A 13-year-old girl describes signing the devil’s book, supernatural travel, threats from Abigail Faulkner and Elizabeth Johnson Sr., and harming Martha Sprague, Rose Foster, and Abigail Martin by pinching and squeezing. William Barker Sr. confesses to a covenant with a “black man,” claims a massive Salem Village witch meeting, and later writes from jail expanding his story, which John Hale preserves in print. Mary Marston admits consenting to afflict in the devil’s shape and details signing a book and attending meetings. Complaints then target Elizabeth Johnson Sr. and Abigail Johnson, with an unusual prosecution bond required.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:05 Mary Barker Examined02:03 William Barker Confession03:12 Witch Meeting Claims05:04 Apology Still Jailed05:42 Mary Marston Examined07:34 William Writes From Jail09:18 New Complaints and Bonds

August 28, 1692: A Massachusetts Fast Day Amid Andover, Reading, and Lynn AfflictionsWe follow Sunday, August 28, 1692, as Governor Sir William Phips and the Massachusetts council order another colony-wide fast day to seek mercy amid the “afflicted state of things.” In Andover, the specters of Mary Marston and Mary Barker are said to afflict Martha Sprague and Rose Foster again, with later examinations attributing harm to Abigail Martin as well. In Reading, Mary Marshall is allegedly tormented, and neighbor Mary Taylor later admits to hurting her on this date. In Lynn, a visit by Sarah Cole of Salem precedes illness in John Cole’s children, including reports of pins, bites, and scratches attributed to her specter. Tensions escalate when John Cole seeks church membership and neighbor John Brown falls ill after conflict with Sarah Cole—followed by an unsettling “blood pudding” sign.00:00 Daily Intro00:05 Fast Day Proclamation00:34 Andover Spectral Attacks01:05 Reading Accusations01:25 Lynn Sarah Cole Confusion02:06 Church Talk Turns Dark02:29 John Brown Falls Ill

The Examinations of John Jackson Jr. and Sr. (Aug. 27, 1692)We take you into Salem’s court on Saturday, August 27, 1692, where justices of the peace examine John Jackson Jr. and John Jackson Sr. amid escalating fits, accusations, and the notorious touch test that appears to “cure” the afflicted on contact. Our focus is the pressure-cooker interrogation of John Jackson Jr., his claims of being bewitched by Elizabeth How, and spectral reports involving William Barker Sr., Mary Barker, and Mary Marston afflicting Rose Foster, Martha Sprague, and Abigail Martin in Andover and Boxford. We follow the explosive questioning of John Jackson Sr., allegations of an Andover witch meeting and George Burroughs’ role there, and the chilling moment blood appears as Mary Warren collapses. The examination record for John Howard is missing, leaving only the stark pattern of Salem witch trials accusations and courtroom spectacle.00:00 Daily Introduction00:27 Court Convenes at Beadle Tavern00:31 John Jackson Jr Examined01:45 Coerced Confession Talk02:09 Witnesses and Touch Tests02:42 John Jackson Sr Examined03:34 Andover Meeting Claims04:29 Fits and Courtroom Chaos05:08 Bed in the Courtroom05:53 Howard Record Missing

Deputy Sheriff Herrick Arrests Three Rowley Men | Salem Witch Trials Daily (Aug 26, 1692)We follow Deputy Sheriff George Herrick as he closes in on Rowley hired hands John Jackson Sr., John Jackson Jr., and John Howard, seizing them and bringing them to Salem ahead of tomorrow’s examination before the justices. The pressure builds after Ephraim Foster and Joseph Tyler post bond to prosecute claims that these three men afflicted Martha Sprague and Rose Foster—turning accusation into immediate action. Our story also traces a chilling family connection: John Jackson Sr. is the brother of Elizabeth How, executed for alleged witchcraft on July 19th. Salem Witch Trials, Rowley Massachusetts, George Herrick, John Jackson, John Howard, Martha Sprague, Rose Foster, Ephraim Foster, Joseph Tyler, justices examination.Chapters:0:00 Welcome and date0:10 Herrick apprehends the Rowley men0:25 Bond posted to prosecute the complaint0:40 Background on the accused and Elizabeth How connection00:00 Daily Introduction00:07 Arrests in Rowley00:20 Bond and Accusations00:30 Who the Accused Were00:35 Family Connection

Andover Confessions, Witch Meeting Claims, and Ann Putnam Jr.’s 1706 Apology (Aug 25)We take you straight into August 25, 1692, as Boston’s First Church marks a fast day amid drought and the Salem witch crisis, while Salem’s justices examine the Andover Bridges/Post family: Mary Bridges Jr., Sarah Bridges, Hannah Post, and Susannah Post. After initial denials, each confesses, describing the devil’s appearances (birds, cat, pig, man, bear), signing with red marks, baptisms at Five Mile Pond, pin-pricking afflictions of Martha Sprague and Rose Foster, and massive Andover and Salem Village witch meetings claiming roughly 100–200 attendees and even “500 witches in the country,” while naming additional suspects including the John Jacksons and John Howard. Complaints and warrants expand the arrests. Fourteen years later on the same date, we close with Ann Putnam Jr.’s public 1706 church confession, acknowledging “delusion of Satan,” asking forgiveness, and being accepted into Salem Village church.00:00 Welcome and Context00:18 Bridges Family Arrests00:55 Mary Bridges Jr Confession02:47 Sarah Bridges Confesses05:57 Hannah Post Testimony07:24 Susannah Post Confession09:28 New Warrants and Complaints10:17 Ann Putnam Apology 170612:43 Podcast Recommendation Wrap

Mary Green’s Second Escape: Ipswich Constable William Baker Closes In (Aug 24, 1692)We track a fast-moving manhunt at the height of the Salem Witch Trials as Ipswich constable William Baker searches for and arrests Mary Green, a witchcraft suspect who escapes Ipswich Jail for a second time. Mary, wife of Peter Green of Haverhill, is aided by her brother-in-law John Shepard of Rowley, who engineers jailbreaks on August 2 and August 23—only for Baker to quickly recapture her each time. Our focus tightens on the web of Salem Village connections: Shepard’s ties as an in-law to the Putnam family, and how his wife Rebecca—daughter of Rebecca Prince Putnam and Captain John Putnam Sr.—links testimony against George Burroughs with a petition supporting Rebecca Nurse, revealing the era’s tangled loyalties and pressures.00:00 Daily Introduction00:08 Mary Green Arrested00:23 Escape Helper00:35 Putnam Connections00:39 Family Ties Recap

Mary Green Escapes Again as Mercy Short Confronts the DevilWe follow a dramatic Tuesday in the Salem witch trials timeline on August 23, 1692: John Shepherd helps his sister-in-law, Mary Green, escape Ipswich Jail for a second time, only for her to be recaptured the next day. In Boston, Mercy Short renews her claims of affliction and takes aim at the already executed Sarah Good, whom she blamed for cursing her. Surrounded by neighbors and ministers praying over her, Mercy recounts the devil telling her he was God and Christ and would carry her to heaven—prompting her to think of Martha Carrier, executed August 19th. Mercy challenges the devil’s contradictions about hell, demands Sarah Good be brought, and ends with a stark warning about the terror of hell and the madness of serving such a devil.00:00 Daily Introduction00:09 Jailbreak In Ipswich00:20 Mercy Short Affliction00:41 Debating The Devil01:14 Calling Out Sarah Good01:32 Hellfire Conclusion