Sarah Good Executed During the Salem Witch Trials
On July 19, 1692, Sarah Good was hanged at Gallows Hill in Salem, Massachusetts, after being convicted of witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials. A homeless beggar who often relied on charity, Good became an easy target amid the fear and hysteria that gripped the Puritan community. Along with Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Wildes, she was among the first women executed during the crisis.
Throughout her trial, Sarah Good steadfastly maintained her innocence. The accusations against her were based largely on spectral evidence and the claims of young girls who alleged they were tormented by her spirit. Despite the lack of credible physical evidence, the court found her guilty, reflecting the climate of fear that overshadowed justice.
Today, Sarah Good is remembered as one of the many innocent victims of the Salem witch trials. The tragic events of 1692 remain a powerful reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, religious extremism, and the failure of due process. In 1711, the Massachusetts colonial government formally cleared many of the victims' names and provided financial compensation to some of their surviving families.