Throughout the witchcraft hysteria in Salem, the nature of confessions was a defining element. Before Salem, there were only around four confessions of witchcraft in the colonies. During the seven-month period in Salem, nearly fifty people confessed to practicing witchcraft. The majority of these confessors were women, possibly because of their religious beliefs. These women believed that basic sins were a “renunciation of God and thus an unspoken pact with the Devil.” On the other hand, men believed their sins were cast aside. It is unknown how many of these women were just sinners, but misinterpreted their actions as witchcraft. Another main reason for confessing was that if the accused confessed, typically they were not executed. Many people would falsely claim wrongdoing in order to survive.

After the first few confessions, the villagers became more suspicious of their neighbors. After all, by confessing and accusing others of witchcraft, these people confirmed that there was a coven of witches amongst the town. One of the first people to confess was Abigail Hobbs. Ann Putnam accused her of tormenting her. Hobbs was a troubled teenager that was not from Salem, she was an outsider. Like Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, the villagers did not like her because of her attitude. It is possible she sought attention, but her motivation is unclear. Her confession was much like Tituba’s earlier confession. Hobbs explained where she met the Devil and what he wanted from her. In her confession, she admitted the Devil came to her years earlier, when she lived in Maine. She connected Salem’s situation, to outside forces. Each time someone confessed all it did was give the villagers a stronger belief in witches being among them.

At the Salem Witch Museum, visitors can watch an exhibit of life-sized stage sets depict a witch trial, with an informative narrative. There are also other exhibits available that interpret the events of 1692 and give more information on witchcraft today.   

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

Games, Alison.Witchcraft in Early North America.New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2010.

Hansen, Chadwick. Witchcraft at Salem.New York, NY: G. Braziller, 1969.  

Rapley, Robert.Witch Hunts: From Salem to Guantanamo Bay.Canadian Electronic Library: McGill-Queen’s Press, 2007.

Salem Witch Museum. “About the Museum.” Salem Witch Museum. Accessed September 13, 2016. https://salemwitchmuseum.com/about