Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Volume 1, Page 122
Many factors led to the witchcraft accusations in Salem.
Understand the Puritans better:
Ann putnam further testifieth that on 23 may 1692 being the
last day of the examination of mary Estick she did most greviously
torment me dureing the time of hir examination also on the same
day
I saw mary Estick or hir Apperane most greviously torment and
afflect mary walcottmercy lewesEliz Hubburd and abigail william and I veryly beleve in my hart that mary Estick is a most dreadfull
wicth and that she hath very often afflected me and the persons af
fore named by hir acts of wictchraft.
Ann Putnam declared to the Jury of Inquest that her above written evidence is the truth upon her oath: Aug'st 4 1692.
Very little is known about Elizabeth (Betty) Hubbard.
Mary Walcott was about 17 at the time of the trials. She was the daughter of Captain Jonathan Walcott. She married Isaac Farrar and David Harwood. Her step-mother was Deliverance Putnam.
Salem is in Essex County, Massachusetts and was a significant seaport in early America. John Endicott obtained a patent from England and arrived there in 1628. Salem originally included much of the North Shore, including Marblehead. Salem Village also included Peabody and parts of Beverly, Middleton, Topsfield, Wenham and Manchester-by-the-Sea.
Deacon Edward Putnam (1654-1747) was about 38 at the time of the trials. His parents were Thomas Putnam and Ann Holyoke. He married Mary Hale. His brother was Thomas Putnam. Ann Putnam was 12 years old at the time of the trials. She was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Putnam. Ann died in 1716 and was the only girl to apologize. Constable John Putnam. Jr. (1627-1710). His parents were John Putnam and Priscilla Gould. He married Rebecca Prince.
A Puritan woman's clothing consisted of underpants, stockings, linen, shift, petticoat, chemise (underblouse), bolster (a padded roll tied around the hips under the skirt), bodice, skirt, apron, coif (cap), outer gown and shoes.
A woman might wear a ruff or bow and an apron. Cloaks were worn instead of coats. Women carried a small cloth draw-string bag or reticule and perhaps wore a chatelaine.
Mercy Lewis was a servant in Thomas Putnam's home. She was born in Maine about 1673 and lost both parents in Indian attacks at a young age.
The Salem witch trials were between February, 1692 and May, 1693.
