Sarah Osborne was one of the first women accused of witchcraft in the infamous Salem witch trials that took place in colonial Massachusetts in the 17th century. She was a middle-aged woman who lived in Salem Village and had a reputation for being eccentric. The accusations against her arose in February 1692 when two young girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams, began experiencing strange symptoms that were attributed to witchcraft. During the trials, the girls claimed that Osborne had appeared to them in spectral form, tormenting and bewitching them. The main idea in this story is the accusation of Sarah Osborne and the beginning of the Salem witch trials..
Sarah, perhaps anticipating more children, decided to challenge her late husband's will and fight for control of his property.
The legal battle lasted years. Before it was resolved, Sarah and Alexander Osborne were long dead, and her sons were fifty two and forty eight. But the Putnam's revenge was as swift as the court proceedings were slow.
Salem Witchcraft with an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects Upham, Charles Wentworth, 1802-1875, Author 1. Salem Witchcraft with an Account of Salem Village, and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects Upham, Charles Wentworth, 1802-1875, Author 1.
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Sarah (Warren) Osborne (1642 - 1692)
Sarah Warren (b. abt. 1643 Watertown, Massachusetts), had two sons and a daughter with her first husband, Robert Prince (d.1674). [1] Her second husband was Alexander Osborne. [2] If the 1st son James, who died in childhood, is counted, there were 3 sons.
In February of 1692, she became one of the first to be accused during the Salem Witch Trials. [2] She never confessed or implicated anyone else of witchcraft. She was jailed in Boston and died in prison at age 49 on May 10, 1692. [3]
Unfortunately, Sarah didn't make it to trial. But she was certainly convicted. (Where does this assertion come from? She was never exonerated, as were all those who were convicted.) [2]
- Fact: "On May 9, 1992, the Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial of Danvers, Massachusetts was dedicated before an audience of over 3,000 people. It was the first such Memorial to honor all of the 1692 witchcraft victims, and is located across the street from the site of the original Salem Village Meeting House where many of the witch examinations took place. The Memorial serves as a reminder that each generation must confront intolerance and "witch hunts" with integrity, clear vision and courage."
The first death as a result of the witch hunts is in stone on the memorial:
"Died in jail May 10, 1692 SARAH OSBURN (Warren) of Salem Village." source, http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/Commemoration.html
Massachusetts Remediation
- 17 October 1710, Convictions Reversed, The General Court of Massachusetts Bay, An act, the several convictions, judgments, and attainders be, and hereby are, reversed, and declared to be null and void.[4]
- 17 Dec 1711, Compensation to Survivors, Governor Dudley, GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, approved compensation to such persons as are living, and to those that legally represent them that are dead
- 28 Aug 1957, No Disgrace to Descendants, General Court of Massachusetts, . such proceedings, were and are shocking, and the result of a wave of popular hysterical fear of the Devil in the community, and further declares that, as all the laws under which said proceedings. have been long since abandoned and superseded by our more civilized laws, no disgrace or cause for distress attaches to the said descendants or any of them by reason of said proceedings.[5]
- 31 Oct 2001, Additional Victims Included, Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives in General Court, AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE WITCHCRAFT TRIAL OF 1692, chapter 145 is hereby further amended by adding Bridget Bishop, Susannah Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott and Wilmot Redd.[6]
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Reviews for "Exploring the Role of Women in Salem's Witchcraft Trials: The Case of Sarah Osborne."
1. John - 2 stars: I was really excited to read "Sarah Osborne and the Alleged Witchcraft in Salem" as I have always been interested in the Salem witch trials. However, I was disappointed with this book. The storyline was predictable and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star: I found "Sarah Osborne and the Alleged Witchcraft in Salem" to be extremely slow-paced and boring. The author spent too much time describing irrelevant details and not enough time developing the plot. The writing style was also tedious, with long and convoluted sentences that made it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, I felt that the book lacked historical accuracy, as the portrayal of the Salem witch trials did not align with the actual events. I was truly disappointed by this novel.
3. Ben - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "Sarah Osborne and the Alleged Witchcraft in Salem" given its intriguing premise. However, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts of the book dragging on while others felt rushed. The character development was also lacking, as I found it difficult to understand their motivations and actions. Moreover, the dialogue felt stilted and did not flow naturally. Overall, I was left dissatisfied by this book.