Saturday, January 10, 2009

Terrifying Ending.

I was indicted on June 2 and subjected to a physical examination by a jury of women. They found what a majority of them believed to be a mark of the devil -- although two of the women disagreed, saying the mark was due to natural causes. I asked that others examine her before she was brought to trial, but the request was denied. I was tried on June 29, 1692. My accusers included the four young girls who initiated the witchcraft theory in Salem, Rev. Parris and several members of the Putnam family. My son, son-in-law and daughter-in -law spoke in my defense. In addition, some 40 members of Salem Village signed a declaration defending me.
The jury at first returned a verdict of "not guilty." Some who had been accused confessed to practicing witchcraft in hopes that their death sentences would be dropped. One of these women, Goody Hobbs, had muttered "she is one of us." In light of this the judge asked that the verdict be reconsidered. When I was asked what Goody Hobbs had meant, she didn't answer. Later she said that she had not heard the question, as she was hard of hearing, and that "one of us" had meant that they were imprisoned together. The Governor granted a reprieve, but when my accusers renewed their outcry it was withdrawn.On July 3, I was excommunicated "abandoned to the devil." On July 19 I was driven in a cart with four other women to Gallows Hill where I was hung. Tradition says that at midnight Francis Nurse, his sons and sons-in-law found my body in the common grave where it had been flung and carried it home for a proper burial.

1 comment:

Jessica R said...

JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED TO YET ANOTHER !!

Goody Hobbs said it correctly when she said "she is one of Us". You are a certain type of person who should not be apart of our Puritan community.