Reverend Samuel Parris, a physician, hired to examine his nine-year old daughter Betty and his eleven-year-old niece Abigail Williams in February 1692. Both girls were experiencing bizarre behavior and fits. They soon became convinced that they had witchcraft and began to run wild through Salem Village, as well as the nearby towns. Many historians attribute Tituba, Parris’ slave to witchcraft, to the crime.

Before Parris purchased them both, she had been married to John Indian. In those days, slaves were treated with suspicion and inhumane treatment. This could be why she was initially accused by so many people. She was taken into court to answer questions about her witchcraft. Below is a copy of the court records from her court trials. The court records depict her as a negro, and color lady. The judge asks her one question. She says she has not seen any evil spirits. After answering no, she then answers two to three more questions. She finally states that she had seen the devil. This must have been a shocking revelation for Puritans. From then on, she lies several times more and changes her answers. This shows that she could have been a witch who tortured young women, or she could just be doing it because she has nothing to lose in a slavery life. She confessed that she was a witch during the trial and was sentenced. Tituba confessed to having taught fortune telling to Parris’s teenage girls. The fortune-telling method that the young ladies used was to use an egg white and a glass of water.

The Puritans condemned this training as a satanic ritual. One of the young women saw an “apparition looking like a coffin” inside the glass. She and another young lady started having fits and other bizarre behavior. Tituba didn’t admit to fortune-telling, but she did confess to flying around the pole and seeing dogs, cats, and wolves grabbing a small portion of the young women. She claimed that Rev. had physically abused her. Parris also said she was beaten by Rev.

Tituba’s confession caused chaos throughout the trials, especially after she claimed that the other witches being tried were genuine. The accusers also had the opportunity to accuse Tituba of committing more crimes because she confessed.

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  • owenbarrett

    I'm Owen Barrett, a 31-year-old educational blogger and traveler. I enjoy writing about the places I've visited and sharing educational content about travel and culture. When I'm not writing or traveling, I like spending time with my family and friends.