Susannah Martin facts for kids

Susannah Martin (born Susannah North) was one of fourteen women who were sadly put to death during the Salem Witch Trials in colonial Massachusetts. She was accused of witchcraft and hanged on July 19, 1692.

Susannah Martin's Early Life

Susannah was born in England on September 30, 1621. Her family moved to Salisbury, Massachusetts around 1639 when she was about 18 years old. In 1646, Susannah married George Martin, a blacksmith. They had eight children together. One of her daughters, Jane, was a very distant relative of U.S. President Chester A. Arthur.

In 1669, Susannah was first accused of witchcraft by a man named William Sargent, Jr. Her husband, George, actually sued Sargent for saying such things about Susannah. The court looked into the witchcraft accusation, but a higher court later said there wasn't enough proof and dropped the charges.

Accused of Witchcraft

By 1692, Susannah was a widow and didn't have much money. This was when she was accused of witchcraft again. People from nearby Salem Village, like Joseph and Jarvis Ring, claimed she was a witch and tried to get them to join her. Another man, John Allen, said she had put a spell on his oxen, making them drown in a river.

The Trial Begins

Susannah Martin was brought to trial for these serious accusations. During her trial, she tried to defend herself by quoting the Bible. People at the time believed that a real witch would not be able to do this. However, a powerful minister named Cotton Mather argued that the Devil's helpers could pretend to be innocent and religious.

Susannah's Defense

Susannah pleaded "not guilty" to the charges. The court records from her trial show how she reacted to the accusations. When some of the accusers started having fits and pointing at her, Susannah laughed. The judge asked her why she was laughing. She replied that she laughed "at such folly" and insisted, "I never hurt man or woman or child." Despite her strong denials, the court found Susannah Martin guilty.

Susannah Martin's Legacy

On July 19, 1692, Susannah Martin was hanged in Salem. Her story is a sad reminder of the Salem Witch Trials.

Remembering Her Home

There used to be a special marker on Lone Tree Hill where Susannah and George Martin's home once stood. The large stone that marked their property was moved to make way for a highway. You can now find it near where the highway crosses Martin Road in Amesbury. The marker says: "Here stood the house of Susannah Martin. An honest, hardworking Christian woman accused of being a witch and executed at Salem, July 19, 1692. She will be missed! A Martyr of Superstition. T.I.A. 1894."

A Poet's Tribute

In the 1800s, a famous poet named John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about Susannah Martin called "The Witch's Daughter."

Clearing Her Name

For many years, people felt that those accused during the Salem Witch Trials were treated unfairly. In 1957, the State of Massachusetts voted to clear the names of six women who had been wrongly accused. Governor Foster Furcolo signed a law meant to pardon Susannah Martin and five other women.

However, it was later discovered that only one woman's name, Ann Pudeator, was officially listed on the documents. Susannah Martin and the others were just listed as "five others convicted of witchcraft." A researcher named Paula Keene worked with state representative Michael Ruane to fix this mistake.

Finally, on Halloween in 2001, thanks to their efforts and the work of many descendants of the accused, Susannah Martin and the other women were truly and officially cleared of all charges by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.