July 2: JAILED AGAIN: the healer Ann Pudeator

Today in Salem: The healer Ann Pudeator is incredulous, standing in the tavern where a crowd has gathered to watch the judges question her. It’s the second time they’ve dragged her in for a hearing, and another step toward a life-or-death trial if she can’t answer their questions.

This time the judges want to know about the mysterious healing ointments the Constable has found in her house. There are more than a nurse or midwife needs. What exactly are they?

Ann waits a few seconds before answering. They’re not ointments, she says. It’s just grease, for making soap.

Now it’s the judges turn to be disbelieving. Grease? In numerous jars, all partly filled, when one jar would hold all of it? And why were the jars found throughout her house? Ann is adamant that it’s just grease for soap, but she’s vague about the jars.

Mysterious jars of ointment aren’t enough to hold her, so the judges turn to the usual 3 categories of evidence: afflicted girls (yes, they’ve seen her specter), disgruntled neighbors (the Constable, whose sister-in-law died mysteriously under Ann’s care), and accusations from confessed witches (the on-again off-again Mary Warren is now clinging to her confession and points to Ann).

Three kinds of evidence, three accusations, plus the mysterious ointments. The judges send Ann to jail to wait for trial.


Tomorrow in Salem: EXCOMMUNICATED: the once-beloved Rebecca Nurse