Overview
This lecture discusses Sarah Osborne's life, her role in the Salem Witch Trials, the societal reasons for her accusation, and the consequences of her actions and choices.
Sarah Osborne’s Background
- Born around 1643 in Watertown, Massachusetts, married Robert Prince, a Salem Villager.
- Prince died in 1674, leaving his land to Sarah in trust for their two young sons.
- Sarah married Alexander Osborne, an Irish immigrant she hired after Prince's death.
- Sarah attempted to seize her late husband’s estate for herself and Alexander, breaking the terms of the will.
Legal and Social Conflicts
- Legal disputes arose between Sarah Osborne and her sons (defended by the Putnam family) over the inheritance.
- The Putnam family’s land and inheritance interests were threatened by Sarah’s actions.
- Sarah’s relationship with Alexander and her effort to secure land independence were considered serious social and economic offenses.
The Witchcraft Accusation
- Sarah Osborne was among the first three accused of witchcraft in Salem in February 1692.
- She was accused by Thomas and Edward Putnam, Joseph Hutchinson, and Thomas Preston.
- The accusations linked her to afflictions suffered by Ann Putnam, Jr., Betty Parris, Abigail Williams, and Elizabeth Hubbard.
- Unlike her co-accused, Osborne never confessed nor implicated others.
Her Defense and Death
- Osborne was the first defendant to argue that the devil could impersonate people without their consent.
- This theological idea later influenced the cessation of the Salem trials.
- She died in prison on May 10, 1692, before her trial, at age 49.
Analysis of Her Accusation and Fate
- Historians argue Osborne was targeted for disrupting customary land inheritance and family patterns.
- Her pursuit of economic independence and disregard for social norms made her a threat to the social order.
- Refusing to confess or accuse others likely led to her death, as confession often spared others.
- Osborne maintained her innocence, asserting she was more likely bewitched than a witch herself.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Indenture — A labor contract binding a person to work for another for a set period.
- Land Tenure — The way land is owned and managed in a society.
- Inheritance — Property or titles passed down after someone's death.
- Puritan sin — Actions considered morally wrong by Puritan standards, such as fornication.
- Affliction — Symptoms or suffering attributed to witchcraft.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review historians’ arguments on the link between social norms and witchcraft accusations for further understanding.
- Analyze other Salem accused for similar patterns of social or economic deviation.