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1st warrants issued for witchcraft

On February 29, 1692, the first three women were officially accused of witchcraft in Salem, Mass. 

Salem-Witch-trials witchcraft

Salem Witch Trials 
Grenada Post Office issued May 1, 2000
Image used on this stamp was “Execution of Bridget Bishop at Salem, 1692.”
Illustration by Joseph Boggs Beale. Circa 1885.

After two months of growing hysteria about the “bewitchment” of young girls in the small, closed community of Salem, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba were openly accused of being witches. On February 29, government officials swiftly issued warrants and Good, Osborne & Tituba were arrested. 

Warrant for the Apprehension of Sarah Osburn & Tituba, and Officer's Return

February 29 Warrant for the Apprehension of Sarah Osburn & Tituba, and Officer’s Return Courtesy https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/archives/ecca.html Separate warrant issued for Sarah Good

Among the symptoms the three were accused of inflicting on the girls were bites and pinches over different parts of their body, along with the feelings of having their throats choked off.  First one, then another, and then more would writhe about on the floor, screaming about being bewitched. In time, over 100 innocent people were arrested on witchcraft charges, with 19 executed. 

Depositions against Sarah Osbourne, Sarah Good and Tituba

Salem-Witch-trials ONe of the depositions filed against Sarah Good Deposition against Tituba

“Over the course of the year 1692, between 150-200 people were jailed for witchcraft. Ultimately, 14 women and 5 men were hanged, one man was tortured to death, and at least five people perished in prison. This was the largest series of witchcraft trials to ever take place in North America, and would be the last large-scale witch panic to take place in the English colonies.” 1692 Salem Witch Trial Education | Salem, MA History (salemwitchmuseum.com)

Salem-Witch-trials

Examinations of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburn & Tituba, as Recorded by Ezekiel Cheever Courtesy https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/archives/ecca.html

 

Read more:

Unraveling the Many Mysteries of Tituba, the Star Witness of the Salem Witch Trials | History| Smithsonian Magazine 
Many of the documents are available here Salem Witchcraft Papers from the Essex County Court Archives (virginia.edu)

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