Priscilla's Diary (Salem Witch Trials)

28 April 1692

Well, to some surprise, I'm writing this inside of a cell. Let me explain what happened within the span of twenty-four hours that led to me being back behind bars.

It wasn't even dark yet when I decided to go towards the woods to find, maybe, some berries that we could have with dinner last night. I brought Margaret and Catherine's daughter with me so that we might be able to hold more if we found some. Bernard watched the youngest kids while I went out.

We found only a few blackberries but nothing to brag about. If anything, it would be enough for the youngest for the night. I made dinner and we all went to bed just fine.

Then, when we woke up, the kids went off to school but no later than when I sent them off that Margaret and Ralph came running back to me. They were the most scared I've ever seen them. They started yelling about how some officials were taking Catherine's daughter and accusing her of witchcraft.

A week ago, I wouldn't be surprised and I would have let it happen. But, I've been spending more time with her, going over the scripture and what not. Surely, no devil was inside of her, so the fact that they were accusing her of witchcraft at this point in time was not okay with me.

I instantly dropped everything I was doing and carried Elinor and Catherine's youngest as I followed Margaret and Ralph to the school house. They not only had Catherine's daughter but also two other girls, somewhat older than Catherine's daughter.

I asked the men what they were doing and they informed me that there was evidence of her performing witchcraft. I asked where the evidence was. They talked about how women from the other side of town saw the group of girls going into the woods at night and having rituals for the devil.

"Impossible. She lives with me and she has not been out of the house at night. You have the wrong girl." They gave me a look.

"Mrs. Parker...this is Catherine's daughter, you know."

"But I have been raising her as my own and there is no evidence that she is a witch. She hasn't a clue on what that lifestyle is like. Look at her, she is beyond scared. Please, just let her go."

"I can't do that, ma'am. Others have reported about seeing her doing unearthly things at night and with her birth mother being a known witch is evidence enough."

"That is not right! She has not been going out at night. I teach her scriptures from the Bible and she has no devil in her soul."

"Mrs. Parker, you are becoming defiant. Do we have a problem here..."

"We wouldn't have a problem if you would just let her go. I am not going to let you men take her."

"Is that a threat?" Two men came over and grabbed the children from out of my hands and handed them to Margaret and Ralph. They were barely big enough to hold the children in their arms.

"You can't take my children away from me. Who is going to take care of them? My husband is having problems enough selling his harvests, our family is going to suffer without the extra help if you take me!" They tied my hands together.

"Well, Mrs. Parker, you should have thought about that before you decided to support witches."

I could go on about how I am the last person to support witches, but there is no use. They suspected me once of witchcraft, anything I said, they probably wouldn't believe. I have a cell all to myself, though. The others were becoming overcrowded with the women that have been accused all ready and they wanted me separate from Catherine's daughter and then the two of us separated from Catherine herself.

It is even scarier than before in the cells. There are so many more people than last time and their screams and laughs echo off the walls and ring in your ears, getting trapped in your head. Their voices spiraling around in my mind.

A guard from my last visit was walking around and we caught eyes. He came over and asked what I was doing back. I went over and grabbed the bars, "Please, you have to believe me, I have been wrongfully accused and so has Catherine's daughter. People are just accusing anyone they can because of the fun for it I think. I don't know but do you know how it feels to have everyone turn their back on you for trying to save a child."

"I believe that you are a witch, I won't be fooled. My wife was the one that saw Catherine's daughter going into the woods. With you saying that she is a liar makes me believe her more."

He started walking away when I tried to explain what I meant, "Please, come back! I didn't mean it like that!"

Finally, to wrap up the day today, the priest came in to see me. It's a part of his job now. He visits with everyone who is accused and gets a reading of their soul. As far as I know, no one has got a rating of a pure soul behind bars yet.

"Mrs. Parker, it is a surprise to see you here." I nodded my head, defeated. "What are you accused of?"

"I don't know, really. I tried to protect Catherine's daughter. I've been raising her since Catherine has been convicted."

He opened his bible and read a passage. My body had no response to the words he was saying, but all that happened was a single tear ran down my cheek. He stopped and looked at me, with a saddened look. The guard next to him asked what his report of me was and all the priest had to say was, "I'm unsure."