Betty Parris: Afflicted By Witchcraft In Salem In 1692

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Betty Parris aged 9 was the first to be afflicted by witchcraft in Salem in 1692. Betty Parris became very ill during the cold winter of 1692, she dove under furniture, complained of fever and she contorted in pain however, the cause of her behavior was medically unclear so doctor William Griggs claimed she was bewitched. Several other girls developed similar symptoms including her eleven-year-old cousin Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcott. The girls were urged by Rev. Parris (Betty’s father) and others to name the witches. They accused the homeless beggar Sarah Good, elderly Sarah Osburn and Indian slave Tituba who were arrested and taken to magistrates Johnathan Corwin and John Hathorne.The magistrates questioned the