Candy (Salem witch trials) facts for kids

Candy was an Afro-Barbadian woman who was forced into slavery by Margaret Hawkes in Salem Town. Candy was accused of witchcraft during the famous Salem witch trials in 1692.

On July 1, 1692, two men, John Putnam, Jr. and Thomas Putnam, claimed that both Margaret Hawkes and Candy were bothering three young girls: Ann Putnam, Jr., Mary Walcott, and Mary Warren. The girls said they saw Candy as a 'ghost' flying around and attacking them.

Candy's Examination

Candy was questioned by judges on July 4, 1692. During this questioning, she said she was a witch. However, she also blamed Margaret Hawkes, saying that Hawkes had made her a witch and forced her to sign a "devil's book." Even though she said she was a witch, the judges found her not guilty. She was then set free. There are no records showing that Margaret Hawkes was ever arrested.

The Poppet Demonstration

When Candy was asked how she and Margaret Hawkes supposedly bothered the girls, she offered to show them. She came back with some poppets, which are like small dolls. When she pinched, heated, or put water on these dolls, the girls who claimed to be affected reacted as if they were feeling the same things. This was part of the evidence presented during her examination.

Language and Background

The records of Candy's questioning show that she spoke in "broken" English. This means she was likely new to speaking English. She was one of three enslaved women accused during the 1692 events in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. The other two were Tituba and Mary Black. These events are sometimes described as a mass psychogenic illness, where many people experience similar physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

See also

In Spanish: Candy (Juicios de Salem) para niños