Want to sound smart at a dinner party? Drop Alice Parker—executed for being a “witch,” but really just a wealthy widow with a sharp tongue. Or Margaret Scott, a 70-year-old who was accused because she had bad rheumatism and limped. Her name is a cautionary tale about judging a book by its cover.
Fun fact: over 200 people were accused, but only 20 were executed. Most names are forgotten, buried in court records. One, Dorothy Good, was just a 4-year-old girl arrested after a “confession” from her mother. Little Dorothy spent eight months in chains. Her name is the most heartbreaking, and it’s a reminder that hysteria doesn’t spare innocence.
Salem witch trials | PPT
Practical Tip for Modern Life
When you feel like the world is pointing fingers—or you’re caught in a group chat going sideways—remember the witches’ names. Context matters. Names like Susannah Martin (defined by her sharp wit) or Bridget Bishop (a tavern owner with a red bodice) were condemned for being different. So own your quirk. Wear the red bodice. Speak the truth like Mary Eastey.
Also, keep a diary. The Puritans were obsessed with recording everything, which is why we know these names at all. Your social media is your 2026 court record—choose wisely.
