In the early 17th century, many people had come from England to New England. They made the voyage to the “New World” to obtain religious freedom. During this time, the Puritan lifestyle had evolved with strict rules pertaining to everything in life. For instance, “It was against the law not to attend church—where men and women sat on opposite sides through long services. “1 Along with the severe rules in the Puritan life, they were recouping from some difficult times and living in constant fear. Jarring realities of life in the Puritan community of Salem Village were because of the post-effects of the British War, a recent smallpox outbreak, terror of being attacked by the Native Americans, and an enduring competition with the more successful Salem Town.2 These events led Puritans to believe in the Devil just as much as God. “Belief in the supernatural–and specifically in the devil’s practice of giving certain humans (witches) the power to harm others in return for their loyalty–had emerged in Europe as early as the 14th century, and was widespread in colonial New England.”2 Fast forward to the year 1692, in Salem Village where the people became obsessed with a massive witch hunt, more commonly known as the Salem Witch Trials. Among the hunted were Mary Warren. She turned from an accuser to the accused, and in both cases she was defiant.
In the winter of 1692, the village's new minister's daughter became suddenly ill. According to a book about suspected witchcraft, entitled “Memorable Providence”, the minister's daughter exhibited almost the equivalent of the symptoms described in the book. Soon after, other girls in the community began showing the same traits. One of the girls, who was also the oldest of the gang, was Mary Warren. Mary Warren was said to be 20 years old during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. At this time, both of her parents were deceased and she was providing for herself. She was a servant for an outspoken family, the Proctors, where she was whipped. It is believed that “an unfortunate combination of an ongoing frontier war, economic conditions, congregational strife, teenage boredom, and personal jealousies can account for the spiraling accusations, trials, and executions that occurred in the spring and summer of 1692.”3 This led a group of girls, including Mary Warren, to claim they were possessed by the devil and accused several women of witchcraft.
Mary Warren is a very special case. At first, Mary had a very small role in the accusations the gang of girls had placed. Once she testified against the “so-called” witches, she broke down multiple instances admitting that her and the girls were lying. “At one point during the questioning, Warren stated “the afflicted persons did but dissemble.”4 She was arrested in April 1692, after being accused as a witch, from mistakenly telling on the accusers. However, she helped change the way other accused would deal with their trials.
During her trial, Warren denied all accusations against her and continued to accuse others. This form of resistance helped others in their cases. Warren was released from jail in June 1692, before the end of the trials. There is no account of Mary Warren after the Salem Witch Trials, but her reasoning for her actions have been speculated thoroughly.
The accused were in better financial standing than the accusers. The accusing families could possibly gain land from the convicted, and there were many political differences among the community in Salem Village.3 Mary Warren was poor, alone, and probably wanted to be accepted. Her motive for joining the accused could fall in any of the categories stated however, no one really knows. Based on 1692 Salem Village, it seems someone in Mary Warren's position would benefit if she could convince people that she was possessed. She could possible gain property and perhaps some other types of rewards from pity from the village. It is also probable that Warren was so distraught from the death of her parents that she felt she had nothing to loose. However, there are speculations that she was mentally unstable and lacking of having a mind of her own. Her form of rebellion is one that goes both ways in the events of the Salem Witch Trials, which heightens her influence in this time period.
1. "Salem Witch Trials - 1692 Salem - Economic and Social Divisions - DiscoverySchool.com." Salem Witch Trials - 1692 Salem -Discovery.com. Accessed October 22, 2014. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/life/divisions.html.
2. "Salem Witch Trials." History.com. January 1, 2011. Accessed October 22, 2014. http://www.history.com/topics/salem-witch-trials.
3. Linder, Douglas. "An Account of the Salem Witchcraft Investigations, Trials, and Aftermath." September 1, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2014. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM.
4. Kirk, Devan. "Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons." Salem Witch Trials Notable Persons. January 1, 2001. Accessed October 22, 2014. http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/people? group.num=all&mbio.num=mb30.
5. Brooks, Rebecca. "Mary Warren: Afflicted Girl Turned Accused Witch." History of Massachusetts. August 13, 2013. Accessed October 22, 2014. http://historyofmassachusetts.org/mary-warren/.
