The TRUTH is scarier than the LEGENDS!
Sarah Good: The Tragic Story of A Poor Woman Accused of Witchcraft
The story of Sarah Good’s life unfolded as a tale of hardship and accusation amidst the Salem Witch Trials hysteria. Her life, marked by tragedy and poverty, made her the perfect target for accusations of Witchcraft. This blog post dives deep into the life of Sarah Good, exploring her struggles and steadfast defiance in the face of unfounded accusations.
The Early Life of Sarah Good
Sarah entered the world in July 1653 in Wenham, Massachusetts, born to John and Elizabeth Solar. Her father, who was an innkeeper of a local tavern in 1670, built a home for his family that same year, setting the foundation for their lives together. However, Sarah’s life was soon overshadowed by tragedy when, at the age of 18, she faced her father’s suicide on May 24, 1672. Lacking a formal will, John Solar confided his final wishes to two trusted servants, a message later conveyed to the Essex County Court by his widow, Elizabeth. John’s estate was entrusted to Elizabeth with the stipulation that it supported her and their children until she remarried. The estate was to be divided upon that event, allocating one-third to Elizabeth and two-thirds to the children.
A Life Fraught with Loss and Legal Battles
In December of 1672, Elizabeth‘s life took a new turn as she remarried Ezekiel Woodward, leading to him assuming control over the previously managed estate for her children’s benefit. Tragically, Elizabeth passed away in 1678, setting the stage for a prolonged legal struggle as her children fought to claim their rightful inheritance from their stepfather. During this time, in 1682, Sarah, now 28, was given a mere three acres of meadowland, a figure significantly less than her due inheritance. That same year, She married Daniel Poole, who accrued considerable debt from purchasing a suit and two petticoats before his untimely death. This financial burden, coupled with his funeral costs, was transferred to Sarah. Left with no other choice, she sold off her possessions, including the insufficient parcel of meadowland she had been granted, to settle the debts. This series of events underscored a recurring theme of hardship and loss in Sarah’s early life, foreshadowing the further trials she would face in the years to come.
Descent into Desperation and Accusation
In 1683, Sarah’s life took another turn as she married William Good, a laborer known for his infrequent work. The union brought two children into the world: Dorothey in 1688 and Mercy towards the end of 1691. By the time Mercy was born, the Goods found themselves without a home, pushing Sarah into the dire position of begging on the streets to provide for her children. This period of extreme hardship and her marginal status in society laid the groundwork for her vulnerability to suspicion and accusation. As the Salem witch trials began to gather momentum in early 1692, Sarah, unfortunately, stood out as an easy target. Her troubles were compounded when she became one of the first individuals accused of Witchcraft and, subsequently, the first to undergo examination, marking the beginning of a harrowing ordeal that underscored the intertwining of social vulnerability and the witch trial hysteria.
The Start of Salem's Witch Hunt
On January 16, 1692, a chilling episode unfolded within the household of Reverend Parris when his niece Abigail and daughter Betty succumbed to a mysterious illness. The girls were seen crouching under chairs, contorted in strange postures, and spoke unintelligible words; their condition swiftly led to allegations of Witchcraft. The adults urged the afflicted girls to reveal who was causing their suffering, leading to the naming of Sarah Good, Sarah Osborn, and Tituba, the enslaved woman who looked after the children. By February 29, official warrants for their arrest had been issued, with the court setting March 1 to begin its examinations, starting with Sarah Good. Amidst this turmoil, Sarah, alongside her infant Mercy, was sent to Ipswich jail. The very night of her confinement, Sarah attempted an escape, leaving behind her shoes and socks in a desperate bid for freedom. However, lacking a safe haven, she found herself compelled to return to jail. Subsequently, she was transferred to Boston jail.
A Family Ensnared: The Accusation Against Dorothy Good
In the superstitious climate of the 17th century, Witchcraft was commonly believed to be an affliction that could be inherited, with particular suspicion cast upon the children of an accused mother. It was under this premise that Sarah Good’s four-year-old daughter, Dorothy, found herself embroiled in the witch trials. Allegations surfaced from the so-called afflicted girls, who claimed Dorothy had physically harmed them through biting and pinching. Consequently, Dorothy was detained, not in a conventional cell, but within the confines of the jail innkeeper’s residence. During her interrogation, Dorothy’s responses were alarming; she openly declared that she and her mother were witches. Further deepening the accusations, she professed that her mother had presented her with a snake, claiming this creature as her familiar that would suckle on her finger. Following her testimony, Dorothy was sent to Boston Jail, reuniting with her mother and infant sister.
The Final Days of Sarah Good: A Tale of Injustice and Defiance
Tragedy further enveloped Sarah Good as her infant daughter, Mercy, succumbed to the harsh conditions of jail before Sarah’s trial could even commence, marking her as the witchcraft hysteria’s second casualty after Sarah Osborn, who also passed away in jail awaiting her trial.
On June 28, Sarah stood trial, accused of practicing Witchcraft, and was subsequently convicted. On July 19, 1692, she was led to Proctor’s Ledge for execution. In her final moments, given the opportunity to confess by Reverend Nicholas Noyes, Sarah responded with defiance and a stark declaration of innocence: “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 poignant retort not only underscored her steadfast denial of the charges against her but also served as a chilling prophecy toward those who condemned her.
Remembering Sarah Good
In remembrance of Sarah Good, we reflect on the life of a woman caught in the tumultuous waves of history, a victim of the Salem witch trials’ hysteria. Sarah’s story is a somber testament to the dangers of fear and superstition, and her wrongful conviction and execution on July 19, 1692, mark a dark chapter in American history. Despite the unimaginable adversities she faced—poverty, loss, and the ultimate sacrifice—Sarah’s final act of defiance remains a powerful symbol of resilience. Her poignant refusal to confess to a crime she never committed and her prophetic words to those who judged her continue to resonate as a reminder of the importance of justice, compassion, and understanding. May the memory of Sarah Good and all those who suffered alongside her inspire us to seek truth, to stand firm in the face of injustice, and to remember the human cost of hysteria and intolerance.
Learn more about Sarah Good.
Today there are several locations with direct ties to Sarah Good and memorials for remembrance of her tragic story.
The Solart-Woodward House is located at 106 Main Street in Wenham, Ma. This is where Sarah Good’s father ran a successful inn before he died. Today it is a private residence.
Solomon Kimball House is located at 26 Maple Street, Wenham, Ma. This was the house of Sarah’s sister Martha. Build in 1696.
The Witch Trial Memorial is located on Charter Street next to the Old Burial Point cemetery. Here you will find a bench dedicated to Sarah Good.
Proctor’s Ledge Memorial is located at 33 pope street Salem, ma. Is the location where 19 victims were hanged. The memorial has a marker with the names and execution dates of each victim.
Witchcraft Victims Memorial is located at 172 Hobart St. Dancers, Ma. The memorial stands on what was once Salem Village, the area where the accusations first took place.
You can read Sarah Goods Trial transcripts here
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The 1692 Salem Tour: A Walk Through History
Our 1692 Salem Tour allows visitors to step back in time and explore the memorials and landmarks that define the Salem Witch Trials legacy. Discover the stories of the twenty executed victims and uncover the tales of other notable figures who played pivotal roles in the trials. Explore Salem with a historian who will lead you through the cobblestone streets, providing insights into the events of 1692 that are seldom considered and discussed. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with history in the very place where it happened.
