Imagine stepping back in time to Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1692. It was a place full of small houses, dirt roads, and a strong community built on hard work and religion. But this peaceful town suddenly became a place of fear and paranoia when the Salem Witch Trials began. Many people, especially women, were accused of being witches, and one of those women was Sarah Good. For anyone visiting Salem today, understanding Sarah’s story provides a look into this dark and tragic time in American history.
Who was Sarah Good?
Sarah Good was one of the first people accused during the Salem Witch Trials. She was born in 1653 to an innkeeper named John Solart, who was a successful man. Unfortunately, Sarah’s life took a big turn for the worse when her father passed away. Despite his wealth, her inheritance slowly ran out, and Sarah eventually ended up without any financial stability. Sarah got married twice; her second husband, William Good, was also poor. Together, they struggled to put food on the table.
By the time the witch trials had begun, Sarah was completely broke; she was often seen begging for food and a place to stay. Sarah frequently walked around the streets with her young daughter, Dorcas Good (also known as Dorothy). Due to her lack of money and her tendency to be outspoken, many in the community looked at Sarah as an outsider, making her the perfect target for witchcraft accusations.
Life in Salem During This Time
In order to understand why Sarah Good was accused of witchcraft, it is important to know what life was like in Salem during 1692. Salem was a small Puritan town that was big on religion, order, and strict laws. The people of Salem were very religious and believed strongly in the battle between good and evil, which they saw as the fight between God and the devil. Anything that could not be explained through their religious beliefs was often seen as supernatural and dangerous.
The winter of 1691-1692 was rough, and Salem was having tough times due to political instability, conflicts over land, economic difficulties, and fears of invasions from nearby Native American tribes. In early 1692, a strange illness began to affect some of the town’s children, including Betty Parris and Abigail Williams. The children had symptoms such as strange behavior and what appeared to be possession. In the search for answers, Salem blamed witchcraft as the reason, leading to a wave of accusations that would forever change Salem’s history.
The Accusations Against Sarah Good
The Salem Witch Trials started when Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, the young daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris, started having erratic behavior. The girls claimed they were being tormented by witches and blamed Sarah Good, along with two other women named Tituba, a slave in the Samuel’s home, and Sarah Osborne.
Sarah Good was an easy target. She was poor, often seen begging, and had a difficult personality to deal with. It was said that when people refused her request for money, she would walk away whispering angrily, which people saw as a sign of a curse. Her behavior, combined with her failure to conform to society, made her suspicious in the view of the community.
When Sarah Good was taken to court, the accusations against her were largely based on “spectral evidence.” Spectral evidence included visions or dreams that the girls claimed to have experienced, where they saw the spirit of the accused person harming them. This type of evidence was difficult to fight because it was entirely based on subjective experience, and it was accepted by the court.
Sarah Good’s Trial and Execution
The Salem Witch Trials were not fair by today’s standards. Testimony against the accused included “spectral evidence” and statements from people who claimed to have seen the spirit of the accused person attacking them. In Sarah Good’s case, the children who accused her claimed that her spirit was attacking them. Moreover, Sarah’s attitude in court did little to help her case. Her refusal to confess was seen by the court as a sign of guilt.
Sarah Good was expecting to have a baby at the time of her trial, which meant that her execution was delayed until she gave birth to her child. Sarah gave birth in jail, but sadly, the baby did not survive, most likely due to the harsh conditions of imprisonment.
On July 19th, 1692, Sarah Good was hung at Gallows Hill, along with four other women. According to records, Reverend Nicholas Noyes, who attended the execution, begged Sarah to confess in order to save her soul. Sarah refused, reportedly saying, “I am no more a witch than you are a wizard, and if you take away my life, God will give you blood to drink.” This statement has been recorded as one of the most memorable moments from the Salem Witch Trials, giving an example of Sarah’s courage and her refusal to admit to something she did not do.
Sarah Good’s Daughter, Dorcas
Sarah’s young daughter, Dorcas, was also accused of witchcraft. Only four years old at the time, Dorcas was arrested and imprisoned, becoming one of the youngest victims of the witch trials. Dorcas was questioned, and, most likely due to the fear and pressure she faced, she confessed to being a witch, even saying her mom was a witch too. Dorcas’ confession was almost certainly coerced, as she was too young to fully understand what was going on.
Dorcas spent months in jail, and the conditions were terrible. Although she was eventually released on bond, her experience left her emotionally and physically scarred. Records say that Dorcas never fully recovered from her time in jail.
Why Was Sarah Good Accused?
Historians go back and forth on why people like Sarah Good were targeted during the Salem Witch Trials. Several factors played a role in Sarah’s accusations:
Social Status: Sarah was poor and lived off of donations. In Salem’s Puritan society, poverty was often equated with moral failure, making her an easy target.
Outsider Status: Sarah did not follow the social norms of the time. Her outspoken nature and disrespect towards her neighbors set her apart in a community that valued obedience and conformity.
Scapegoating and Fear: The Salem Witch Trials happened during a time of fear and hysteria. The accusations allowed the community to focus on their fears of specific individuals, using them as a scapegoat for the anxiety of the town.
Salem Attractions Related to Sarah Good
For people visiting Salem today, there are several attractions that give you a deep understanding of Sarah Good’s life and the Salem Witch Trials.
Salem Witch Museum: The Witch Museum offers an overview of the witch trials and provides visitors with a clear understanding of how the hysteria unfolded, including the stories of people like Sarah Good.
The Witch House: The Witch House, once the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, gives insight into the lives of people who had power during the witch trials. Though Sarah Good did not live here, it is an important attraction to visit, as Judge Corwin was one of the judges involved in the trials.
Proctor’s Ledge Memorial: Proctor’s Ledge Memorial is said to be the actual location of the executions, including Sarah Good. A memorial now stands here to honor those who were killed during the trials.
The Legacy of Sarah Good
Sarah Good’s story serves as a strong reminder of what can happen when fear and strict beliefs take control of a community. The Salem Witch Trials went on for several months, but their impact has been felt for centuries. Sarah, like many others, was unjustly accused and lost her life due to baseless accusations.
Sarah’s story has become a symbol of the dangers of scapegoating and mass hysteria. Today her name is remembered as part of a dark time in American history that teaches us lessons about tolerance, justice, and the importance of due process.
Final Thoughts
The Salem Witch Trials, including Sarah Good’s story, offer many lessons. One major lesson is the danger of relying on irrational evidence. The use of spectral evidence was highly subjective, yet it was enough to convict people of serious crimes, leading to executions of innocent people.
Sarah Good was a woman whose life ended in tragedy because she did not fit in. She was different, outspoken, and poor. For that, she was blamed for things that she never did. Today, visitors of Salem can walk the streets that Sarah once walked, visit museums, and learn about the dark history of this town. Sarah’s story reminds us of the importance of understanding and the necessity of fairness in justice systems. The Salem Witch Trials are a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing fear to overcome reason. When you are in Salem, remember Sarah Good not just as a historical figure but as a person who stood strong in the face of injustice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sarah Good
How did the Salem Witch Trials eventually end, and was Sarah Good’s name ever cleared?
The Salem Witch Trials ended in late 1692 when growing skepticism emerged, largely due to increasing accusations against more respected members of the community. Governor William Phips intervened and prohibited further use of spectral evidence. In 1702, the trials were declared unlawful, and in 1711, the Massachusetts government passed a bill restoring the rights and reputations of some of the accused, including Sarah Good. However, official compensation to families was inconsistent, and Sarah Good’s reputation was largely restored as a symbolic gesture rather than through specific exoneration.
2. What role did Sarah Good’s husband, William Good, play during the witch trials?
William Good testified against his wife during the trials, stating that Sarah was prone to muttering curses when upset, which he believed to be threatening. His testimony, along with others, contributed to the belief that Sarah was a witch. However, he also petitioned for compensation after her execution, claiming his family had been wrongfully deprived of Sarah’s support.
3. What were the conditions like in the prison where Sarah Good was held?
The conditions in the Salem jail were harsh. Prisons at the time were overcrowded, unsanitary, and poorly ventilated. Prisoners were often chained to the walls, and food was meager. Sarah was pregnant while in jail, which made her ordeal even more difficult. She gave birth while imprisoned, but the infant died shortly afterward, likely due to the unsanitary and grueling conditions.
4. What was the role of Judge Jonathan Corwin in Sarah Good’s trial specifically?
Judge Jonathan Corwin was one of the magistrates presiding over the examinations of accused witches, including Sarah Good. While the records do not detail his specific actions in her trial alone, he was known for endorsing the use of spectral evidence and for taking an active role in the prosecution of those accused. Corwin’s house in Salem, now known as “The Witch House,” remains as a historical site linked to these proceedings.
5. How did Sarah Good’s trial and death impact future legal proceedings in colonial America?
Sarah Good’s trial and the broader Salem Witch Trials highlighted the dangers of accepting spectral evidence, leading to a reconsideration of legal standards in colonial America. The backlash against the trials led to stricter rules on what constituted acceptable evidence. By the early 18th century, courts became less likely to accept supernatural claims as evidence, thus helping establish more rational legal practices.
References:
- Boyer, Paul, and Stephen Nissenbaum. Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft. Harvard University Press, 1974.
- Rosenthal, Bernard. Salem Story: Reading the Witch Trials of 1692. Cambridge University Press, 1993.
- Hill, Frances. A Delusion of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witch Trials. Doubleday, 1995.
Schiff, Stacy. The Witches: Salem, 1692. Little, Brown and Company, 2015.