The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials

History remembers Tituba—but she wasn’t the only enslaved woman caught in Salem’s 1692 witch hunt. Meet Candy of Barbados, whose courtroom testimony turned Puritan assumptions upside down.

When magistrates asked if she was a witch, Candy gave an answer that indicted the entire colony: “Candy no witch, Barbados. This country, mistress give Candy witch.” Then she brought cheese and grass into the courtroom as proof.

What followed was one of the strangest examinations of the summer—complete with burning rags, forced grass-eating, and an enslaved woman accusing the woman who held her in bondage of witchcraft. Discover the story of resistance, strategy, and survival that the history books rarely tell.

Salem Witch Trials Daily Videos & Course

The Thing About Salem Website

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

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

We trace Reverend Samuel Parris’s sermons from late 1691 through 1692 to show how his preaching shifted from general theology to targeted rhetoric during the Salem witch trials. Beginning November 22, 1691, amid village disputes over his salary and firewood, Parris preaches on Psalm 110:1 about enemies. On January 3, 1692, he intensifies his message, calling even the elect “children of wrath,” warning that the devil actively threatens the church and that wicked men assist Satan, cutting the sermon short due to extreme cold. On February 14, 1692, he urges the congregation to “war a good warfare” before accusations fully erupt. By March 27, he directly addresses the “dreadful witchcraft” outbreak, invokes Judas and the idea that “one of you is a devil,” and lists sins he associates with being a devil, including “envious persons as witches.” That day he also publicly chastises Mary Sibley for making a witch cake, saying it sought the devil’s help and “raised” the devil among them. Sermon notes for June and July are missing, but church records document August 1692 actions as executions begin and accused families stop attending; the church sends a delegation and learns Samuel Tarbell is ill and Peter Cloyce is frequently at the Ipswich prison with his wife Sarah. On September 11, after more condemnations including church member Martha Cory, Parris preaches that the devil has found assistants “from amongst us,” and the church votes to excommunicate Cory; Parris personally delivers the sentence in jail, describing her as stubborn and noting she refused to pray with him. The episode ends with Parris’s October 23 sermon on the sweetness of “kisses” after “jars and differences” and long absences, highlighting a stark disconnect as the congregation is missing relatives of people he helped condemn.

00:00 A Not-So-Romantic Salem Valentine’s Day Sermon (1692)

00:36 Meet the Hosts & Why Parris’s Sermons Matter

01:11 Nov 1691: ‘Enemies’ at the Door—Sermon as Village Power Struggle

01:46 Jan 1692: God’s Wrath, the Devil Appears—and the Meetinghouse Freezes

02:58 Feb 1692: ‘War a Good Warfare’ Before Accusations Begin

03:18 Mar 1692: Witchcraft Breaks Out—Judas, Devils in the Pews, and the Witch Cake

04:22 Summer Gap: Lost Sermon Notes & a Shift to Church Records

04:43 Aug 1692: Trials, Executions, and Policing ‘Empty Seats’ in Church

05:52 Sept 1692: Excommunicating Martha Cory—Pulpit to Prison Cell

06:38 Oct 1692: ‘Sweet’ Kisses After ‘Differences’—A Hollow Closing Note

⁠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
The Sermon Notebook of Samuel Parris, 1689–1694 - Colonial Society of Massachusetts

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

Salem Witch Trials Daily Videos & Course

The Thing About Salem Website

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube⁠

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

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