Tituba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tituba
Illustration of Tituba by John W. Ehninger, 1902
Other names	Tituba (from Barbados)
Known for	Accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.
Criminal charge(s)	Witchcraft

Tituba was an enslaved woman who lived in the 1600s. She became famous because she was one of the first people accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials in 1692-1693. She was brought to colonial Massachusetts from Barbados by Samuel Parris. He was the minister of Salem Village.

Tituba was very important in the trials. She confessed to witchcraft when questioned by officials. This made many people believe the accusations were true. She also accused two other women, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, of the same crime. Tituba was held in jail for over a year. However, she never had a full trial. We do not know what happened to her after her case was dropped in May 1693.

Tituba's Early Life

Tituba's husband was named John Indian. He was an Indigenous man. His exact origins are not known. Some believe he might have been from Central America or South America. It is thought that Tituba might have been named after her hometown or tribe. She may have originally come from Barbados.

Many historians, like Elaine Breslaw, think Tituba was Native American. This idea comes from writings by Samuel Fowler. He wrote an "Account of the life of Samuel Parris." Tituba might have been part of the Arawak-Guiana tribe from South America. There is no strong proof for this idea. However, it is believed she was taken from her tribe. She was then forced into slavery in Barbados. There, she was sold to the Thompson plantation. She became the family cook. This was common for Native American slaves.

This information comes from old slave transport documents. These papers listed names and numbers of enslaved people. Tituba met many different people in Barbados. It is thought that she learned about folk remedies and beliefs there. After the head of the Thompson plantation died, Samuel Parris took ownership of Tituba. He then brought her to Massachusetts. Records from this time can be hard to check. Some historians, like Samuel Drake, think Tituba was African. Her husband, John Indian, later became one of the accusers in the witch trials. They are both mentioned in Samuel Parris's church records.

The Salem Witch Trials Begin

Tituba was the first person accused of witchcraft. The accusations came from Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams. Some people believe Tituba had told the girls stories about folk beliefs before the accusations. Even though she was enslaved, Tituba was allowed to speak in court. This was because it was not against the law for enslaved people to give testimony.

She was also the first person to admit to practicing witchcraft. This happened in Salem Village in March 1692. At first, Tituba said she was not involved in witchcraft. But later, she confessed to making a "witch cake." She made this confession after being pressured by Samuel Parris. Tituba also said she spoke with the devil. She claimed he told her to worship him and harm the children.

When questioned again, she added more details. She said she learned about certain practices from her mistress in Barbados. These practices were meant to protect against evil or find the cause of strange events. Tituba insisted these were not harmful. She told Parris again that she was not a witch. But she admitted she had taken part in a ritual. This was when she made the witch cake to try and help Elizabeth Parris. Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne were sent to jail in Boston on March 7, 1692. They waited there for their trial and punishment. Even with her confessions, there is no proof she actually did the things she said.

More people from nearby villages were accused of witchcraft. They were arrested during the Salem witch trials. Tituba's confessions and accusations caused a lot of confusion. They also helped her avoid a harsh punishment or even death. By shifting attention, she was seen as a believable witness. This helped save her life and reputation. Tituba likely knew that people's unfair ideas about her background meant she could not hide from the accusations. She denied being a witch, even though she used some folk practices. She admitted the devil visited her, especially as Parris was determined to find her guilty.

Her confession and accusations served as a way to blame others. They also became a strange form of entertainment for the people of Salem. People claimed to experience strange behaviors because of her words. Tituba accused others in her confession. She also talked about black dogs, hogs, a yellow bird, and other animals. She spoke of riding sticks to different places. She even claimed Sarah Osborne had a creature with a woman's head, two legs, and wings. Tituba's confession mixed different ideas about witchcraft. This confused listeners. It also sounded like common stories about demonology. This made some Salem Village residents believe that Satan was truly among them.

What Happened After?

After the trials, Tituba stayed in Boston Gaol. The jail had very difficult living conditions. She was there for thirteen months. Samuel Parris refused to pay her jail fees. In April 1693, Tituba was sold to an unknown person. The price was just enough to cover her jail fees.

Later, Robert Calef interviewed Tituba. He was writing a book called More Wonders of the Invisible World. In this interview, Tituba confirmed that Parris had pressured her to confess. She said he also told her what to say when she was first questioned.

See also

• List of slaves
• List of people of the Salem witch trials