Witches of Massachusetts – C

The dark shadow of the Salem Witch Trials looms large in the history of Massachusetts, a period of intense paranoia and injustice that gripped the region in the late 17th century. This era, etched in collective memory, saw accusations of witchcraft leveled against numerous individuals, leading to imprisonment, trials, and tragically, executions. This article, part of a larger index exploring the accused witches of Massachusetts, focuses on individuals whose names begin with the letter "C," offering a glimpse into their lives and the circumstances that led to their entanglement in the hysteria. The witches of Massachusetts were often victims of social anxieties and personal vendettas, their stories serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of due process.

Candy (No Known Last Name) – A stark illustration of the social dynamics at play during the witch trials is the case of Candy, an enslaved African-American woman from Barbados. Owned by Margaret Hawkes of Salem Village, Candy’s life took a dramatic turn on July 4, 1692, when she was examined under suspicion of witchcraft. Under duress, Candy claimed that her mistress had initiated her into the craft, alleging that Margaret Hawkes had compelled her to sign the Devil’s book. The magistrates, driven by a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity, pressed Candy to produce the poppets she purportedly used to torment others. Escorted home by a court-appointed deputy, she returned with a collection of seemingly innocuous items: rags of cloth, a piece of cheese, some grass, and a knotted handkerchief. In a bizarre experiment, the magistrates burned one of the rags, and it was claimed that a burn mark appeared on the hand of one of the "afflicted girls." When another rag was submerged in water, two more girls reportedly choked, as if drowning. Despite the dubious nature of this "evidence," two indictments were brought against Candy, leading to her imprisonment. Ultimately, she was found not guilty and released, highlighting the inconsistencies and absurdities of the trials, and how the accused witches of Massachusetts were treated.

Andrew Carrier (1677-1749) – The Carrier family became deeply embroiled in the witch hunt following the arrest of Martha Allen Carrier. Andrew, one of her sons, born in 1677, was swept up in the accusations after his mother’s arrest on May 28, 1692. Along with his siblings, Andrew was examined and, under pressure, confessed to witchcraft, leading to his imprisonment. The family’s ordeal reached a tragic climax on August 19, 1692, when Martha Allen Carrier was hanged. While Andrew and his siblings were eventually released, the experience undoubtedly left an indelible mark on their lives. He later married Mary Adams in Colchester, Connecticut, in January 1704/05, and lived out his days there, passing away on July 23, 1749, and finding his final resting place in the Old Burying Ground.

Martha Allen Carrier (1650?-1692) – Perhaps one of the most prominent figures among the witches of Massachusetts covered here is Martha Allen Carrier. Born between 1643 and 1650, Martha hailed from one of the founding families of Andover, Massachusetts. Her marriage to Thomas Carrier, a bondservant, in May 1664, marked the beginning of a life fraught with hardship and ultimately, tragedy. Accusations against Martha stemmed from a complex web of factors, including a land dispute with a neighbor, Benjamin Abbot, who fell ill and blamed her for bewitching him. Abbot further claimed that she had killed one of his cows. Some believe that Martha was accused of witchcraft because she was a niece of the Reverend Francis Dane of Andover, who condemned the witch hunts and trials. On May 28, 1692, Martha, along with her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Toothaker and Roger Toothaker, and their young daughter, Margaret, were arrested and charged with witchcraft. During her examination, several of the "afflicted girls," including Susanna Sheldon, Mary Walcott, Elizabeth Hubbard, and Ann Putnam, Jr., testified against her. Martha vehemently denied the charges, accusing the girls of lying. Her own children were coerced into testifying against her, with her seven-year-old daughter, Sarah, claiming to have been a witch since the age of six, initiated by her mother. Despite her pleas of innocence, Martha was found guilty and hanged on August 19, 1692, alongside other accused individuals. Cotton Mather, a prominent Boston minister, described her as a "rampant hag" and possibly the "Queen of Hell."

Richard Carrier (1674-1749) – Another son of Thomas and Martha Allen Carrier, Richard, born in 1674, faced similar accusations and imprisonment following his mother’s arrest. Like his siblings, he confessed to witchcraft under duress and was later released after his mother’s execution. He eventually died in Colchester, Connecticut, in November 1749, and was buried in the Old Burying Ground.

Sarah Carrier (1684-1772) – The tragic story of Sarah Carrier, Martha’s seven-year-old daughter, highlights the devastating impact of the witch trials on families. Her testimony, coerced and likely fabricated, played a significant role in her mother’s conviction. Sarah claimed that her mother had "baptized" her and her siblings into the Devil’s service. She also testified against her aunt and uncle, Roger and Mary Allen Toothaker, and their daughter, Margaret. After her mother’s execution, Sarah confessed to witchcraft and was imprisoned, only to be released later. She went on to marry John Chapman and lived until December 6, 1772.

Thomas Carrier, Jr. (1682-1739) – The youngest son of Thomas and Martha Allen Carrier, Thomas Jr., born in 1682, endured the same ordeal as his siblings, confessing to witchcraft and being imprisoned before his eventual release. He later married Susanna Johnson of Andover on June 19, 1705, and died on July 18, 1739.

Hannah Carroll – A warrant was issued on September 10, 1692, for Hannah Carroll and Sarah Cole for having afflicted William Brage, the son of Henry Brage. Of Salem Towne, the two women were arrested, but nothing more is known of them.

Bethiah Pearson Carter (1645-??) – Bethiah Pearson was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1645, and as a child, she and her sister had thought themselves bewitched by the healer Ann Holland Bassett Burt, the grandmother of accused witch Elizabeth Bassett Proctor. She grew up to marry Captain Joseph Carter Jr., with whom she would have seven children. Her husband died in about 1690. On May 8, 1692, Bethia Carter of Woburn, and her daughter of the same name were arrested for witchcraft upon the complaint of Sargeant Thomas Putnam, Jr. and his cousin, Constable John Putnam. Along the Carter women, the complaint also alleged that Ann Farrar Sears, also of Woburn, and Sarah Dustin of Reading were suspected of having afflicted Ann Putnam, Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Mary Walcott. The women were brought in, but Bethiah Carter, Jr. was not jailed with the rest, having been released shortly after she was examined. Bethiah Pearson Carter, Sr. was imprisoned.

Bethiah Carter, Jr. (1671-??) – On May 8, 1692, 21-year-old Bethia Carter of Woburn and mother of the same name, were arrested for witchcraft upon the complaint of Sargeant Thomas Putnam, Jr. and his cousin, Constable John Putnam, which alleged that they had afflicted Ann Putnam, Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Mary Walcott. After being examined, Bethiah Carter, Jr. was set free, but her mother was imprisoned until December 1692.

Elizabeth Walker Cary (1650-1722) – Elizabeth Walker Cary, born around 1650, found herself accused of witchcraft despite her husband, Captain Nathaniel Cary, being a man of influence. A complaint was sworn out against her on May 28, 1692, by Thomas Putnam and Benjamin Hutchinson of Salem Village, accusing Elizabeth of having afflicted Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and Mercy Lewis. The next day, she was examined, where John Indian also testified against her, and the "touch test" was utilized. Elizabeth was jailed in the Boston Prison. Captain Cary later obtained a writ to have Elizabeth moved to the Cambridge prison, which was closer to their home. Knowing that she would never get a fair trial in Salem, he also tried very hard to move the proceedings to his district but was unsuccessful. With no more legal options, Captain Cary helped Elizabeth to escape from the Cambridge prison, going first to Rhode Island and then to New York. Elizabeth would return to Charlestown after the witch frenzy had come to an end. She died on August 30, 1722.

Rebecca Addington Chamberlain (1625?-1692) – Born around 1625, Rebecca Addington Chamberlain married William Chamberlain in 1646 and had thirteen children. She died at the Cambridge prison at the age of about 67 on September 26, 1692. Though no court records exist regarding a warrant for her arrest, most historians believe that she was in prison for suspicion of witchcraft.

Rachel Haffield Clinton (1629-95) – The life of Rachel Haffield Clinton, born in England in 1629, was marked by hardship and controversy long before the witchcraft accusations. After immigrating to New England with her family, she faced a tumultuous marriage, legal troubles, and accusations of immoral behavior. In March 1692, she was arrested for witchcraft, with accusations ranging from causing a neighbor’s death to shapeshifting into animals. Despite being imprisoned for months, she was eventually released in 1693 after a court-ordered reprieve. She died destitute in Ipswich just two years later.

Sarah Towne Cloyce (1648-1703) – As the sister of Rebecca Towne Nurse and Mary Towne Easty, Sarah Towne Cloyce was also swept up in the accusations of witchcraft. Her anger at the Reverend Samuel Parris after his sermon led to a complaint being filed against her, accusing her of afflicting Abigail Williams and Mary Walcott. She was imprisoned but never indicted by a grand jury. Her sisters, Rebecca Nurse and Mary Easty, were executed for witchcraft. By December 1692, the indictments against Sarah were marked "ignoramus." On January 3, 1693, the Superior Court of Judicature dismissed charges against Sarah, and her husband, Peter, paid her fees for release. The couple eventually left Salem and settled in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She spent the last ten years of her life trying to clear her sister’s names.

Sarah Davis Cole (1651-??) – Sarah Davis Cole, born in 1651, married Abraham Cole, a tailor of Salem, and had seven children. During the witch hysteria, a warrant was issued for Sarah’s arrest, as well as Hannah Carroll, on September 10, 1692. Both were accused of having tortured and tormented William Brage. She was indicted and imprisoned. Her husband was able to bail her out on January 14, 1693, and on February 1, 1693, she was acquitted of all charges.

Sarah Aslett Cole (1662-1741) – Sarah Aslett Cole, born in 1662, was accused of witchcraft by Mary Browne of Reading in a complaint filed on October 1, 1692. A warrant for her arrest was issued two days later, and she was examined. Mary Browne would say that Sarah’s specter appeared to her night and day, tormenting her and causing her pain. Sarah would be imprisoned but would not be indicted or tried for months. On January 31, 1693, she was indicted after several people testified against her. Later, however, she was tried in Charlestown and acquitted.

Elizabeth Colson (1676?-??) – Elizabeth Colson, the granddaughter of accused witch Lydia Dustin, was also accused of witchcraft. A warrant was issued for her arrest on May 14, 1692, for allegedly afflicting Mary Walcott, Susannah Sheldon, and Mercy Lewis. Elizabeth Colson could not be found. He reported on May 16th that she had escaped and was likely in Boston preparing to leave the country. Sources disagree as to whether she was ever captured.

Mary Dustin Colson (1650-??) – Accused of witchcraft, Mary Colson was the last in her family to be examined. An arrest warrant had been issued for her daughter, Elizabeth Colson, who had escaped. Mary was brought in and examined before the justices on September 5, 1692. She was accused of afflicting Mary Swayne Marshall. Though she was accused, she was not indicted and was later released.

Giles Corey (1611?-1692) – Giles Corey’s story stands as a chilling testament to the injustices of the Salem Witch Trials. A prosperous farmer, Corey was accused of witchcraft in April 1692. Refusing to enter a plea, he was subjected to "peine forte et dure," a brutal form of torture in which he was pressed to death under heavy stones. His defiance and tragic death have made him a symbol of resistance against the tyranny of the trials.

Martha Rich Corey (1628-1692) – The accusation of Martha Corey, Giles’ wife, a newly accepted member of the village church, marked a turning point in the Salem witch trial crisis of 1692 in Massachusetts. Upon hearing this, several young girls promptly accused her of witchcraft. As the girls testified against her during the examination, Corey asked the judge not to believe the rantings of hysterical children. The girls began mimicking her movements as if she was controlling them, which was evidence enough to persuade the jury of her guilt. Martha was hanged on September 22, 1692, just three days after her husband was pressed to death for refusing to make a plea on his own accusal. Giles and Martha Corey’s graves sit near their original homestead by Crystal Lake in West Peabody.

Mary Cox – A Mary Cox from Malden was imprisoned under suspicion of witchcraft. However, exactly who she was remains unknown.

The stories of these individuals, whose names begin with "C," offer a poignant and disturbing glimpse into the Salem Witch Trials. They underscore the fragility of justice, the power of fear and prejudice, and the enduring legacy of this dark chapter in American history. The accused witches of Massachusetts serve as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking, due process, and the protection of individual rights in the face of mass hysteria.