Salem Witch Trials - Ann Putman, Jr

Ann Putnam, Jr was born on October 16, 1679, She was the oldest child of Thomas and Ann, Sr Putnam; they went on to have nine other children. The Putnam's lived in Salem Town. Salem was dived into to parts, Salem Town and Salem Village (also called Salem Farm). Salem Village was by definition part of Salem Village, but it was set apart by its economy and inhabitants. The people of Salem Village were topical poor farmers who had to cultivate in poor soil. Conversely, Salem Town was a prosperous port town. Most of its inhabitants were wealthy merchants trading with London. Being part of Salem Town, the Putnam's had connections with other well off people. Ann Putnam came from a very well of family and town.

Ann had a very crucial role in the now infamous Salem Witch trials. On February 25, 1692, Ann had her first of many "tormenting" at are 12. She, along with her friends Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, were playing a game when she experienced this "tormenting". The specifics of this game are not fully known but generally it is believed that Tituba (a servant of Samuel Parris, Betty's father) took the kids into the woods and had them put egg whites into a cup of water; they would try to see what shape the whites made. For the most part, this was like a little kid looking into the sky and seeing what shapes the clouds make. On this infamous day, Ann Putnam saw the shape of a coffin and the scepter of evil. From the on out Ann and her friends started to be "tormented" by Tituba and others. These "tormenting" consisted of them not being able to walk, feeling sharp pains in their sides, and spontaneously bleeding. Ann and her friends started to accuse and testify against others for the practice of witchcraft. Ann was the most active of the accusers. She accused about sixty-two people of afflicting her. The great majority of these people were acquitted due to a lack of proof. It is believed the Miss. Putman accused many of these people because of family influence. People who the Putnam's did not like were accused.

In all nineteen people were executed, Bridget Bishop, George Burroughs, Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, George Jacobs, Sr., Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, John Proctor, Ann Pudeator, Wilmot Redd, Margaret Scott, Samuel Wardwell, Sarah Wildes, John Willard, and Giles Corey. Giles Corey was pressed to death because he refused to confess his involvement in witchcraft. A wooden board would be put across his chest and weight would be placed on top of it; if he confessed he would be let go (but probably killed later) if not he would be crushed. He was crushed to death.

In 1706 Ann was the only person to apologize about her involvement in the trials. This is her apology:

"I desire to be humbled before God for that sad and humbling providence that befell my father's family in the year about '92; that I, then being in my childhood, should, by such a providence of God, be made an instrument for the accusing of several persons of a grievous crime, whereby their lives were taken away from them, whom now I have just grounds and good reason to believe they were innocent persons; and that it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time, whereby I justly fear I have been instrumental, with others, though ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring upon myself and this land the guilt of innocent blood; though what was said or done by me against any person I can truly and uprightly say, before God and man, I did it not out of any anger, malice, or ill-will to any person, for I had no such thing against one of them; but what I did was ignorantly, being deluded by Satan. And particularly, as I was a chief instrument of accusing of Goodwife Nurse and her two sisters, I desire to lie in the dust, and to be humbled for it, in that I was a cause, with others, of so sad a calamity to them and their families; for which cause I desire to lie in the dust, and earnestly beg forgiveness of God, and from all those unto whom I have given just cause of sorrow and offence, whose relations were taken away or accused.(J. Green)

Ann's parents died in 1699 in one month of each other. Ann was left to raise her nine siblings, ranging in age from seven months to sixteen years old. She never married and died in 1716. Were these post trails struggles her punishment for a life of deceit?

Ann Putnam's confession

J. Green, Pastor. Ann Putman's Confession (1706).
http://www.uoregon.edu/~mjdennis/courses/wk3_putnam.htm (Accessed on September 20, 2008).

All other general facts form
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty. (2005)