Martha Carrier was one of the many women accused of practicing witchcraft during the infamous Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts. Born Martha Allen in Andover, Massachusetts in 1651, she married Thomas Carrier in 1663 and the couple had five children together. By the time the accusations of witchcraft began in Salem Village in 1692, Martha Carrier was already known for her independent and headstrong personality. She was also known for her strong opinions and her involvement in local disputes. These factors likely contributed to her eventual arrest and trial for witchcraft. On August 2, 1692, Martha Carrier was arrested along with her husband and several of her children.
The Carrier family eventually left Billerica and moved to Andover sometime between 1684 and 1690 and stayed in the house of Martha’s brother, Andrew Allen (Goss 87; Hazen 22).
No one else in Andover was accused of witchcraft until mid-July when constable John Ballard began to suspect that his ill wife had been bewitched and asked two of the afflicted girls to visit Andover and find the offending witch. This rampant hag, Martha Carrier, was the person, of whom the confessions of the witches, and of her own children among the rest, agreed, that the Devil had promised her, she should be Queen of Hell Mather 159.
On August 2, 1692, Martha Carrier was arrested along with her husband and several of her children. The charges against her included tormenting and afflicting various individuals, as well as entering into a covenant with the devil. During her trial, a number of witnesses, including her own children, testified against her, claiming that she had used witchcraft to harm them and others.
Martha Carrier Facts, Trial, and Bravery
Martha Carrier was the first accused and executed "witch" of Andover during the Salem Witch Trials. Many witnesses would testify against her which included her own children. However, she never admitted guilt and defiantly declared her innocence. She would be executed by hanging on August 19, 1692. She is memorialized by the Twenty Benches that commemorates the terrible tragedy that occurred during the Salem Witch Trials.
Despite her vigorous defense, Martha Carrier was found guilty and sentenced to death. On August 19, 1692, she was hanged along with four other convicted witches on Gallows Hill in Salem. It is said that she maintained her innocence until the very end, declaring that she was wrongly accused and that she refused to confess to a crime she did not commit. Martha Carrier's case is seen as one of the most egregious examples of the injustice and hysteria that characterized the Salem witch trials. In recent years, efforts have been made to remember and honor her memory, including the establishment of a memorial in Salem dedicated to the victims of the witch trials, including Martha Carrier. Overall, Martha Carrier's life and tragic end serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, injustice, and the need to protect the rights of the accused, even in the most difficult and uncertain times. Her story continues to be a poignant and haunting symbol of a dark chapter in American history..
Reviews for "Martha Carrier: An Unlikely Witch in the Salem Witch Trials"
1. John Smith - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Martha Carrier: Salem Witch Trials". The story felt slow and lacked any real suspense. The characters were one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also very dry, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah Johnson - 1 star
I found "Martha Carrier: Salem Witch Trials" to be poorly researched and historically inaccurate. The author seemed to take a lot of liberties with the facts, which made it hard for me to take the story seriously. Additionally, the dialogue was clunky and unrealistic, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
3. Emily Thompson - 2 stars
I struggled to get through "Martha Carrier: Salem Witch Trials". The plot was confusing and convoluted, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters that didn't add much to the story. The writing was also overly descriptive, with pages dedicated to mundane details that didn't contribute to the overall narrative. I was hoping for a captivating historical fiction novel about the Salem Witch Trials, but this book missed the mark for me.
4. Michael Davis - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Martha Carrier: Salem Witch Trials". The author's portrayal of the characters was shallow and uninteresting. I couldn't connect with any of them, and their actions and motivations felt forced and unrealistic. The plot lacked depth and failed to keep me engaged. I was hoping for a gripping historical novel, but this book was a letdown.
5. Jennifer Brown - 2 stars
"Martha Carrier: Salem Witch Trials" had all the potential to be a fascinating exploration of the Salem Witch Trials, but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked any real tension. The characters felt underdeveloped, and I couldn't connect with their struggles or motivations. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to my expectations.