Martha Cory is jailed for bewitching Ann Putnam, Sr. Some thirty-nine people are accused for witchcraft and sent to jail.
Accusations Leap Social Ranking
One more Salem Village citizen, Martha Cory, was now added to the ranks of those accused of witchcraft. Ann Putnam, Jr. had called out against her. This was a steppingstone in the progression of those accused.
Previously, those so far accused of witchcraft, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, the slave woman belonging to Samuel Parris, had ranked among what was considered second-class citizens or less.
Now, with the accusation of Martha Cory who was the wife of a prosperous farmer and landowner anyone, no matter his or her station in Salem Village society, was eligible for being accused of witchcraft. But still, in spite of her social standing and being a staunch church member, Martha already had two severe strikes against her; “She had once given birth to an illegitimate son, a mulatto.” She had also previously said she did not believe in witchcraft, a statement that lent no credit to the bewitched girls.
An Adult Joins Rank of the Bewitched
On March 14, Martha Cory paid a visit to the Putnam home to confront Ann, Jr. about her accusation. While she was there Ann, Jr., as well as the Putnam’s seven-teen-year-old servant Marcy Lewis, went into terrible fits. Four days after this visit Ann Putnam, Sr. began experiencing “terrifying pains” and felt that she was being “almost pressed and choked to death.” Ann, Sr. testified that at the time she saw Martha Cory’s specter, which was torturing her.
Five days later a warrant was issued for Martha’s arrest on the complaint of Edward Putnam and Henry Kenny. On March 21, Martha was examined and sent to prison.
Toddler Accused of Witchcraft
Between March 21 and 23 the bewitched girls, a group that now included Ann Putnam, Sr., accused seventy-one-year-old Rebecca Nurse of bewitching them. Also, Dorcas, the four-year-old daughter of accused and jailed Sarah Good, was accused, examined, and sent to prison for witchcraft.
By April the jails were overflowing with accused witches. These included John and Elizabeth Proctor, Bridget Bishop, Giles Cory, Mary and Phillip English, and George Burroughs. By the end of May some thirty-nine more people had been accused and sent to jail for witchcraft.
The Salem Inquisition Begins: continues with: Death on Gallows Hill: More are Convicted for Witchcraft in Salem.
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