Welcome to the new readers who’ve bravely jumped into the story of Salem this week. And to the readers who’ve been here for a while, tracking the many events and people in the story of Salem, your diligence is appreciated! This high-level recap should be helpful.
WHAT’S HAPPENED IN SALEM SO FAR
For historical tidbits that give context to the story, see Learn More.
3 young girls = 3 accusations/arrests. Three young girls (ages 9, 11, and 12) started hiding under chairs, babbling nonsense, and contorting themselves into impossible positions. They’ve accused a slave and 2 disreputable women of witchcraft.
5 teenage girls = 25 more accusations/arrests. The teenagers joined the younger girls within days. Some of the teens were traumatized from brutal wars in Maine, and could be said to have PTSD. Others had less of an excuse. Most of them had axes to grind with some of the people they accused, including 5 men.
Important trends are taking hold.
It’s a runaway train. In the first 7 weeks, 10 people were accused and arrested. In the following 7 weeks (which we’re in the midst of), it was 54. In addition, more types of people are being accused. The first were slaves, poor, or disreputable. Now they include the wealthiest man in Salem, a 4yo child, a minister, a beloved grandmother, and church members. The net will continue to widen, snaring yet more kinds of people, sometimes in different towns.
Protests are growing. In the beginning, only a couple of people spoke up against the arrests. Now a petition has been signed by 39 people. More and more people will begin to protest.
Counter-protests are stronger. The judges are digging in their heels, asking for help from authorities in Boston. More and more prominent legal officials and ministers are becoming involved.
Meanwhile … The governor is at sea, making his way home from England. He has no idea what’s waiting for him. His role in continuing and then ending the trials will be key.
WHO’S ACCUSING PEOPLE
For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.
18yo Mercy Lewis is a servant in the Putnam home. She is a traumatized orphan and refugee from the Indian Wars in Maine.
20yo Mary Warren is a servant in the Proctor home. She keeps flip-flopping between afflicted and accused, and is now in prison.
17yo Elizabeth Hubbard (an orphan who’s the doctor’s servant).
9yo Betty Parris is Rev Parris’s little daughter. She’s been sent away to live with a cousin.
12yo Ann Putnam is the girls’ unspoken leader.
11yo Abigail Williams is a tomboy who’s Rev Parris’s niece. She lives with his family.
WHO’S BEEN ACCUSED AND ARRESTED
For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.
Bridget Bishop (unruly) – an outspoken woman who’s been in and out of court for years. She’s in prison with her son and daughter-in-law, who are noisy tavern owners.
George Burroughs (Reverend) – a minister from Maine who used to be the minister of Salem Village. He’s resented for leaving unpaid debts behind, suspected because his first two wives died, and disliked for the way he did or didn’t protect his flock from Indian attacks in Maine.
Sarah Cloyce (nervous) – With Mary Esty, Rebecca Nurse’s younger sister. Sarah stormed out of church, which sparked people to question whether innocent people were being accused.
Giles Corey (cantankerous) – an 80yo farmer, in prison with his wife, the gospel woman Martha Corey.
Philip English (wealthy) – a French immigrant and member of the Anglican church who’s become very wealthy, very fast, incurring a lot of resentment. He’s in prison with his wife, Mary.
Mary Esty (pious) – With the nervous Sarah Cloyce, another sister of the beloved Rebecca Nurse.
Sarah Good (beggar) and her baby – a vagrant who smokes a pipe and has a terrible temper. She’s in prison with her daughter, 4yo Dorcas Good.
Dorcas Hoar (fortuneteller)- the leader of a former burglary ring, with hair that’s more than 4 feet long.
Abigail Hobbs – a wild child who wanders through the woods at night, disobeys her parents, and claims she’s made a pact with the Devil. She’s in jail with her parents.
Susannah Martin (rebellious) – a mean, pole cat who a prominent minister called one of the most “impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures in the world.”
Rebecca Nurse (beloved) – a 70-year-old grandmother who is well-loved throughout the community.
Sarah Osborne (sickly) – a scandal-ridden woman who married her servant and is trying to take her sons’ inheritance.
John Proctor (harsh) – A farmer and tavern owner, opinionated and sometimes overbearing, but respected. He’s in prison with his wife, the quarrelsome Elizabeth Proctor.
Tituba (slave) – the minister’s slave who was the first to be accused and the first to confess.
Mary Warren (servant) – the Proctors’ maid. She keeps waffling between afflicted and accused, depending on who she’s afraid of and what other people say. The judges can’t figure out which side she’s on, so they’re keeping her in jail.
Sarah Wilds (flamboyant) – an aging, glamorous woman who’s left a trail of scandals in her wake.
John Willard (former deputy) – He quit his job when he became convinced he was arresting innocent people.
4 other less notable people, including a slave and women from nearby towns.
VIPs
For detailed info about the people involved, click any linked name, or go to Who’s Who.
Reverend Samuel Parris is Salem Village’s Puritan Minister. The first two accusers were part of his family: his 9yo daughter, and his 11yo niece. Parris hasn’t been paid in 9 months because the Village leadership is unhappy with him, and refuses to collect taxes to support his salary.
Thomas Putnam is the father of one of the most vocal afflicted girls. Two large families have been feuding for years, and he’s the head of one of them. He’s powerful and often angry.
John Hathorne is a harsh and even cruel judge who assumes people are guilty, and questions them relentlessly.
Jonathan Corwin is a quieter judge, but makes the same assumptions of guilt.
William Phips is the new governor, appointed by the King. Phips is intelligent and ambitious, but he’s also arrogant and disliked, an upstart who commands little respect.