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Individual:
Susanna was executed for witchcraft at Salem, July 19, 1692. The source for our information on this family is Particia Byrd, a descendent of Susanna's daughter.
[Broderbund WFT Vol. 21, Ed. 1, Tree #0220, Date of Import: Apr 7, 1999]
WITCHCRAFT MANIA--Susanna North Martin was one of the innocent victims
of the Witchcraft Mania and was executed as a Witch in July of 1692. She
is described as a short active woman, wearing a hood and scarf, well
developed in her figure, and of remarkable personal neatness---a women
of dedication, of character and strong minded. The charge against her
was that she walked from Amesbury to Newbury in dirty weather without
getting her clothes wet. Upham in his "History of Salem Witchcraft,"
says that like Mistress Anne Hibben, a women of high character and
social position, also a victim of the delusion, her principal fault was
in being superior to her neighbors. Her answers given at her trial show
her to have been a woman of keen wit, and of high courage, manifesting a
supreme contempt for the wicked or deluded witnesses, and for the timid
superstitious judges. She declared that she would not lie to save her
life. Her daughter Mabel Martin, is the subject of Whittier's poem, "The
Witches Daughter."
But still the sweetest voice was mute
That river valley ever heard
From lips of maid or voice of bird
For Mabel Martin sat apart
And let the Haymow's shadow fall
Upon the lovliest face of all.
TRIAL OF SUSANNA NORTH MARTIN
One person who demands attention and the trials would be incomplete
without is Susanna Martin of Amesbury. She was a widow standing by
herself but quite capable of doing so.. Iin the person she was short and
buxom, womb and one of those to whom neatness was imperative as the law of gravitation. Indeed, this desire for cleanliness, instead of been
understood was an approach to Godliness was brought up against her as
proving an intimacy with the Evil One. It was positively given as
evidence against her that she made her way to a neighbor's house in
dirty weather and arrived neat and dry. Her hostess expressing surprise
at finding such a clean guest, she replied that she scorned to have a
drabbled tail.
As to her turn of mind she suggests Bridged Bishop in her fearless
speech and like her she once before been gossipped about as a possible
witch, before the time was yet arrived for the scandal become action.
Part of Her examination must be given to know her keen wit and readiness
for repartee.
As the witnesses went into fits when the accused appeared, magistrate
asked: "Hath this woman hurt you?" Abagail Williams declared that she
had hurt often. Ann Putnam threw her glove at her. And the rest were
struck dumb at her presence. "What! Do you laugh at it?" said the
magistrate--Well I may at such Folley, replied Susanna. " Is this folly
to see these so hurt"--I've never hurt man, woman nor child. Mercy Louis
cried out, "She hath hurt me a great many times, and plucks me down."
Then Martin laughed again. Several others cried out upon her, and the
Magistrate again addressed her. "What do you say to this?"---I have no
hand in witchcraft, replied Susanna. What did you do? Did you consent
these should be hurt? No, never in my life. What ails these people?--I
do not know.
Do you think they are bewitched?--no, I do not think they are. Well tell
us your thoughts about them---My thoughts are my own when they are in;
but when they are out theyare another's. Who do you think is their
master?---if they be dealing in the black art, you me know as well as I.
What have you done towards the hurt of these?--I have done nothing. Why,
it is you, or your appearance. --I cannot help it. How comes your
appearance to hurt these?--how do I know? Are you not willing to tell
the truth?--I cannot tell. He that appears Samuel's shape can appear in
anyone's shape. Do you believe these afflicted persons cannot say
true?--They may lie, for for aught I know. May not you lie?--I dare not
tell a lie if it would save my life. Her boldness infuriated the
accusers, So that a great uproar was occasioned by the dreadful nature
of the Convulsions, but Susanna Martin was scornful and unmoved, and
again the Magistrate demands: " What is the reason these cannot come
near you?--I can't tell, it may be the Devil bears me more malice than
any other.
Do you not see God discovering you?--No, not a bit for that. All the
Congregation besides, think so. --Let them think what they will. What is
reason they cannot come to you?--I do not know but they can if they
will; or else if you please I will come to them. SUSANNA NORTH
MARTIN---execution---19 July, 1692. Her dauntless, spicy replies delight
the reader who, in his or her enjoyment at her ready wit, forgets that
this substantial woman who suggests earth more than heaven came to an
end on the scaffold.
SOURCE--Salem Witchcraft in Outline---pp. 138-143.
Susannah North Martin had been "examined" by Magistrates John Hawthorne and Jonathan Corwin on 2 May, 1692. She was accused of practicing witchcraft and tried and condemned on June 29 and 30. Her statement of her innocence was, "I have no hand in witchcraft." She was executed by hanging on 19 July 1692, at Salem MA, obviously a victim of the infamous Salem Witchhunt hysteria. Susannah was one of the first women hung for witchcraft during the period of hysterical infamy which took place in Salem MA. She was examined by Magistrates John Hawthorne (ancestor of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne) and Jonathan Corwin on 2 May 1692, tried and condemned on 29 & 30 June 1692 and then executed by hanging on 19 July 1692.[Christopher Martin.FTW]
Note:
Selected U.S./Internat'l Marriage Records, 1340-1980
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