In 1692, during the infamous Salem Witch Trials, a woman named Dorcas Good was prosecuted for witchcraft. Dorcas was only four years old at the time, making her one of the youngest individuals to be accused and tried for this crime. The main accusation against her stemmed from the testimony of her own father, William Good, who claimed that she had been possessed by the devil. Dorcas' case exemplifies the hysteria and paranoia that swept through Salem during this dark period in American history. The trials were fueled by a combination of religious fervor, social tensions, and suspicion of outsiders. People were quick to accuse their neighbors and even their own family members of practicing witchcraft, and this atmosphere of fear and suspicion led to the imprisonment and execution of innocent people.
People were quick to accuse their neighbors and even their own family members of practicing witchcraft, and this atmosphere of fear and suspicion led to the imprisonment and execution of innocent people. Despite her age, Dorcas was not exempt from the accusations and trials that plagued Salem. The fact that a child could be accused and tried for witchcraft highlights the irrationality and lack of evidence that pervaded these proceedings.
Four-year-old Dorothy Good is jailed for witchcraft, March 24, 1692
Sarah Poole’s husband died in 1682 leaving her in debt. Sarah then married William Good, but creditors seized their Salem home, and by 1692, Sarah Good and her husband were homeless beggars. Sarah had long been a melancholy and somewhat confrontational woman, and was accused of witchcraft on February 25, 1692 by the girls Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Parris. On March 1, 1692, Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and the Rev. Paris’ servant Tituba were arrested.
Sarah’s daughter, Dorothy (the name Dorcas was also erroneously recorded) was only four years old at the time. On March 24, she was taken custody, and was interrogated (“examined”) by the local magistrates for two weeks. Hungry, cold and missing her mother, Dorothy broke down and told the inquisitors what they wanted to hear, that her mother was a witch, consorted with the devil, and also that her mother had given her a snake that bit her. She was delivered to the Boston jail, but as the jails overflowed with the accused, she and her mother were transferred to the Ipswich jail.
The Court of Oyer and Terminer met on June 30th, and Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, and Elizabeth How of Ipswich were put on trial. Having gained the contrived evidence they sought, Sarah Good was convicted on the basis of her daughter’s forced testimony. While she was in prison, Sarah Good gave birth to a daughter she named Mercy, but the infant died. Sarah was taken from her daughter Dorothy, and was hanged on July 19, 1692.
The Deposition of Ann Putnam, 3th March 1691/92
“I saw the Apparition of Dorothy Good, Sarah Good’s daughter who did immediately almost choke me and tortured me most grievously: and so she hath several times since tortured me by biting and pinching and almost choking me, tempting me also to write in her book, and also on the day of her examination, the Apparition of Dorothy Good tortured me during the time of her Examination and several times since.”
Dorothy Good was in custody from March 24, 1692 until December 10, 1692. She was never charged, but was kept in the cold Ipswich jail until her her poor father managed to gather up £50 for Dorothy’s bail and “board.” By that time, the child suffered from grave psychological damage that would destroy the rest of her life. By some historic accounts, she had become insane.
More about the Salem witchcraft trials
- Ipswich and the Salem witchcraft trials
- Peg Wesson, the Gloucester witch
- The witchcraft trial of Elizabeth Howe, hanged July 19, 1692
- Mary Perkins Bradbury, charged as a witch
- The witchcraft accusations against Sarah Buckley and Mary Witheridge
- The Witchcraft Trial of Elizabeth Morse of Newbury, 1680
- Rachel Clinton arrested for witchcraft, May 28, 1692
- “We walked in the clouds and could not see our way”
- The Legend of Goody Cole
- Four-year-old Dorothy Good is jailed for witchcraft, March 24, 1692
- The Spectre Leaguers, July 1692
- Lucretia Brown and the last witchcraft trial in America, May 14, 1878
- Mehitabel Braybrooke, in the Shadow of Salem
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Posted in History, Stories Tagged 1692, march, witches, womenIn Dorcas' case, the accusation against her was based solely on her father's testimony, without any substantial evidence or proof of her guilt. Dorcas' defense was further weakened by the fact that she was unable to effectively communicate or defend herself. As a young child, she was not able to fully comprehend the gravity of the accusations against her, let alone mount a defense. The court proceedings were dominated by the testimonies of adults, leaving Dorcas at a significant disadvantage. Ultimately, Dorcas was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to prison. Fortunately, she was not executed like many others accused of this crime. Her young age likely played a role in this comparatively lenient punishment. The case of Dorcas Good serves as a sobering reminder of the injustices committed during the Salem Witch Trials. It demonstrates how easily fear and suspicion can lead to the persecution of innocent individuals, even children. The trials have since been recognized as a dark chapter in American history, showcasing the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of safeguarding due process and the rights of the accused..
Reviews for "The Accuser's Tale: Dorcas' Prosecution for Witchcraft in Salem"
1. John Doe - 2/5 stars - While the concept of exploring the Salem witch trials through the perspective of Dorcas is interesting, I found the execution of this play to be lacking. The pacing was slow, and the dialogue was often repetitive, causing the narrative to drag on. The characters lacked depth, and I failed to connect or invest in any of their stories. Overall, I was disappointed with this production.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 stars - "Dorcas Prosecuted for Witchcraft in Salem" was an absolute waste of my time and money. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, leaving me confused and disinterested throughout the entire show. The acting was subpar, and the actors seemed disconnected from their characters. The costumes and set design were lackluster and did not add anything to the production. I would not recommend this play to anyone.
3. James Johnson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Dorcas Prosecuted for Witchcraft in Salem," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline had potential, but the delivery was unconvincing. The actors seemed to lack chemistry and struggled to bring the characters to life. Additionally, the play failed to provide any thought-provoking commentary on the Salem witch trials, rendering it a missed opportunity. Overall, this production felt uninspired and left me feeling underwhelmed.
4. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 stars - "Dorcas Prosecuted for Witchcraft in Salem" was a complete letdown. The script was weak, filled with cliches and predictable plot devices. The acting was wooden, and the delivery of lines felt forced. The lack of character development made it difficult to connect with any of the cast members, resulting in a disengaging experience. I expected a thought-provoking exploration of the Salem witch trials, but instead, I got a lackluster production that left me feeling bored and unsatisfied. Avoid this play if you're looking for something compelling or well-executed.