Five Tragic Victims of the Salem Witch Trials

From a widow to a churchgoer: the stories of the executed

In 1692, a series of witch trials began in Salem, Massachusetts, resulting in 20 executions. Below, we introduce five of these victims whose lives were destroyed by accusations of witchcraft.

Bridget Bishop: The first executed

Bridget Bishop was a widow who had already been accused of witchcraft a decade earlier. She was the first person convicted in the Salem Town trial and was hanged on June 10, 1692.

Sarah Good: Seduced by the devil?

The troubled Sarah Good was accused of being a fellow witch by Tituba. Despite growing doubts about the evidence, she was hanged on July 19, 1692, along with four other convicted women.

Susannah Martin: False accusations from Amesbury

Although Susannah Martin was from Amesbury, she was accused by girls from Salem of attacking their ghosts. Despite a lack of evidence, she was hanged on July 19, 1692.

Martha Carrier: The "Queen of Hell"

Martha Carrier was described by Cotton Mather as a "rampant witch" who brought smallpox to Andover. After the conviction of her two sons, she was executed on August 19, 1692.

Martha Corey: From community member to witch victim

Martha Corey was a respected community member, but came under suspicion when she prevented her husband Giles from participating in a witch investigation. She was hanged on September 22, 1692, along with seven other convicted women.

The Salem Witch Trials: A dark chapter in history

The Salem Witch Trials bear witness to a dark time when innocent people were convicted and executed based on false accusations and mass hysteria. The stories of these five victims remind us of the dangers of prejudice, superstition, and unjustified accusations.