Sarah Warren married firstly, Robert Prince, and secondly, Alexander Osburn. The surname is spelled in a variety of ways: Osburn, Osborn, Osborne, et cetera. Sarah's first husband, Robert Prince, was related to the Putnam family through the marriage of his sister into the Putnam family. Her second marriage was considered scandalous because Alexander Osburn was a younger man and a servant whose indenture she purchased. Sarah and her second husband became involved in a legal dispute with members of the Putnam family, who administered her first husband's estate.
Sarah Osburn is not buried here. This is a memorial dedicated to those innocents who died during the Salem witchcraft hysteria. Sarah Osburn was an accused witch who died in jail on May 10, 1692 and her burial site is unknown. She would not have been entitled to a Christian burial as an accused witch. Sarah Osburn was among the first three women in Salem Village to be arrested for witchcraft .
Below are the charges and depositions against Sarah Osburn as found in Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied from the Original Documents, Volume 1, Privately printed for W. Elliot Woodward, Roxbury, MA, 1864, pages 35-41 (public domain).
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
Salem Village March the 1st 1691-2
Sarah Osburne the wife of Alexander Osburne of Salem Village brought before us by Joseph Herrick constable in Salem, to answer Joseph Hutcheson and Thomas putnam &c yeomen in Salem Village Complainants on behalfe of theire Majesties against Sarah Osburne for Suspition of Witchcratt by her Committed and thereby much Injury don to the bodys of Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams Anna Putnam and Elizabeth Hubert, all of Salem Village aforesaid, according to theire Complaint, according to a Warrant,
Dated Salem ffebuy 29th 1691-2
Sarah Osburne vpon Examination denyed ye matter of fact (viz) yt she ever understood or used any Witchcraft, or hurt any of ye above children.
The children above named being all personally present accused her face to face which being don, thay ware all hurt, afflicted and tortured very much; which being over and thay out of theire fitts thay sayd yt said Sarah Osburne, did then come to them and hurt them, Sarah Osburn being then keept at a distance personally from them.
S. Osburne was asked why she then hurt them, she denyed it, it being asked of her how she could soe pinch and hurt them and yet she be at that distance personally from ym, she Answered she did not then hurt them, nor never did, she was asked who then did it, or who she Imploy to doe it, she Answered she did not know yt ye Divell goes aboute in her likeness to doe any hurt. Sarah Osburn being told yt Sarah Good one of her Companions had upon Examination accused her, she nottwithstanding denyed yt fame, according to her Examination, which is mor at Large given in as therein will appeare.
p vs
John Hathorne Assits.
Jonathan Corwin
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
(H) what evil spirit have you familiarity with.
(O) none.
(H) have you made no contract with the devill.
(O) no I never saw the devill in my life.
(H) why doe you hurt these children.
(O) I doe not hurt them.
(H) who do you imploy then to hurt them,
(O) I imploy no body.
(H) what familiarity have you with Sarah Good.
(O) none. I have not seen her these 2 years.
(H) where did you see her then.
(O) one day a going to town.
(H) what communications had you with her.
(O) I had none, only, how doe you doe or so, I did not know her by name.
(H) what did you call her then.
Osburn made a stand at that, at last said, shee called her Sarah.
(H) Sarah Good saith that it was you that hurt the children.
(O) I doe not know that the devil goes about in my likeness to doe any hurt.
Mr Hathorn desired all the children to stand up and look upon her and see if they did know her, which they all did and every one of them said that this was one of the women that did afflict them, and that they had constantly seen her in the very habit, that shee was now in, theire evidence do stand that shee said this morning that shee was more like to be bewitched, than that shee was a witch. Mr Hathorn asked her what made her say so, shee answered that shee was frighted one time in her sleep and either saw or dreamed that shee saw a thing like an indian all black which did prick her in her neck and pulled her by the back part of her head to the dore of the house
(H) did you never see anything elfe.
(O) no.
it was said by some in the meeting house that shee had said that shee would never be tied to that lying ipirit any more.
(H)what lying spirit is this, hath the devil ever deceived you and been false to you.
(O) I doe not know the devil I never did see him.
(H) what lying spirit was it then.
(O) it was a voice that I thought I heard.
(H) what did it propound to you.
(O) that I should goe no more to meeting, but I said I would and did goe the next Sabbath day.
(H) were you never tempted furder.
(O) no.
(H) why did you yield thus far to the devil as never to goe to meeting since
(O) Alas. I have been sike and not able to goe.
her husband and others said that shee had not been at meeting this yeare and two months.
William Allen John Hughes William Good and Samuel Braybrook vs. Sarah Osburn.
March 5th 1691-2
Wm Allin saith yt on ye 1st of March att night he heard a strange noyse not useually heard, and so continued for many times so yt hee was afrighted and coming nearer, to it he there saw a strange and unuseall beast lyeing on the Ground so yt goeing up to it, ye sd Beast vanished away and in ye sd place starte up 2 or 3 weemen and fled from mee not after ye manner of other weemen but swiftley vanished away out of our sight which weemen wee took to be Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne an Tittabe ye time was about an hour wihin night and I John Hughes, saith ye same beeing in Company then with sd Allen, as wittness our hands.
William Allen
john hughes
William Allen further saith yt on ye 2d day of March ye sd Sarah Good vissabley appeared to him in his chamber sd allen beeing in bed and brought an unuseuall light in with her, yt sd Sarah came and sate upon his foot yt sd allen went to kick att her upon which shee vanished and ye light with her.
William Good saith yt ye night before his sd wife was Examined he saw a wart or tett a little belowe her Right shoulder which he never saw before and asked Goodwife Engersol whether she did not see it when shee searched her.
John Hughes, further faith yt on ye 2d day of March yt comeing from Goodman Sibleys aboute Eight of ye clock in ye night hee saw a Great white dogg whome he came up to but he would not stire but when he was past hee ye sd dogg followed him about 4 or 5 pole and so disapeared yt tame night ye sd John Hughes beeing in Bed in a doled Roome and ye dore being sast so yt no catt nor dogg could come in ye said John Saw a Great light appear in ye sd Chamber and Risieing up in his bed he say a large Gray Catt att his beds foot.
March ye 2d Saml Braybrook saith yt Carrieng Sarah Good to ippswich yt said Sarah leapt of her horse 3 times which was between 1 2 and 3 of ye clock, of ye same day which ye daughter of Thomas Puttman declared ye same att her fathers houfe, ye sd Brabrook further Saith yt sd Sarah Good tould him that shee would not oune herselfe to bee a witch unless she is provd one, shee saith yt there is but one evidence and yt an Indian and therefore she fears not, and so continued Rayling against ye Magistrates and she Endevered to kill herselfe.
Elizabeth Hubbard v. Sarah Osburne.
The Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard aged about 17 years, who testifieth and saith that on the 27th of February I saw the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Alexander Osborn who did most greviously tortor me by pricking and pinching me most dreadfully and lo she continued hurting me most greviously tell the first of March 1691-2 being the day of hir Examination and then also Sarah Osborn did tortor me most greviously by pinching and pricking me most dredfully and also severall times since Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to write in hir book.
Ann Putnam v Sarah Osborn.
The Deposition of Ann Putnam who testifieth and saith that on the 25th of ffebruary 1691-2 I saw the apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Allexander Osborn who did Immediately tortor me moft greviously by pinching and pricking me dreadfully, and so she continued most dreadfully to afflect me, till the first day of March, being the day of hir examination and then also she did tortor me most dreadfully in the time of hir examination and also severall times sence. Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to writ in hir book.
Abigail Williams v. Sarah Osborn and Sarah Good.
The teftimony of Abigail Williams testifyeth and saith that severall times last February she hath been much afflicted with pains in her head and other parts and often pinched by the apparition of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne, and Tituba Indian all of Salem Village, and also excessively afflicted by the said apparition of said Good Osburne and Tituba at their examination before authority the 1st of March last part 1691-2.
Further the said Abigail Williams testifyeth that she saw the apparition of Sarah Good at her examination pinch Eiiz. Hubbard and set her into fits and also Eliz. Parris, and Ann Putman
The Mark of
Abigail A. W. Williams
Testified before us by Abigaile Williams. Salem
May the 23rd 1692
John Hathorne
Jonathan Corwin
p'ord'' of ye Gov'er & Councill.
Mercy Lewis v. Sarah Osborn.
Murcy lewes agged about 19 years who teftifieth and .... of April 1692 the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn . . . flected me urging me to writ in hir book.
Salem ffebr the 29th day 1691-2
Sarah Osburn is not buried here. This is a memorial dedicated to those innocents who died during the Salem witchcraft hysteria. Sarah Osburn was an accused witch who died in jail on May 10, 1692 and her burial site is unknown. She would not have been entitled to a Christian burial as an accused witch. Sarah Osburn was among the first three women in Salem Village to be arrested for witchcraft .
Below are the charges and depositions against Sarah Osburn as found in Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied from the Original Documents, Volume 1, Privately printed for W. Elliot Woodward, Roxbury, MA, 1864, pages 35-41 (public domain).
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
Salem Village March the 1st 1691-2
Sarah Osburne the wife of Alexander Osburne of Salem Village brought before us by Joseph Herrick constable in Salem, to answer Joseph Hutcheson and Thomas putnam &c yeomen in Salem Village Complainants on behalfe of theire Majesties against Sarah Osburne for Suspition of Witchcratt by her Committed and thereby much Injury don to the bodys of Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams Anna Putnam and Elizabeth Hubert, all of Salem Village aforesaid, according to theire Complaint, according to a Warrant,
Dated Salem ffebuy 29th 1691-2
Sarah Osburne vpon Examination denyed ye matter of fact (viz) yt she ever understood or used any Witchcraft, or hurt any of ye above children.
The children above named being all personally present accused her face to face which being don, thay ware all hurt, afflicted and tortured very much; which being over and thay out of theire fitts thay sayd yt said Sarah Osburne, did then come to them and hurt them, Sarah Osburn being then keept at a distance personally from them.
S. Osburne was asked why she then hurt them, she denyed it, it being asked of her how she could soe pinch and hurt them and yet she be at that distance personally from ym, she Answered she did not then hurt them, nor never did, she was asked who then did it, or who she Imploy to doe it, she Answered she did not know yt ye Divell goes aboute in her likeness to doe any hurt. Sarah Osburn being told yt Sarah Good one of her Companions had upon Examination accused her, she nottwithstanding denyed yt fame, according to her Examination, which is mor at Large given in as therein will appeare.
p vs
John Hathorne Assits.
Jonathan Corwin
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
(H) what evil spirit have you familiarity with.
(O) none.
(H) have you made no contract with the devill.
(O) no I never saw the devill in my life.
(H) why doe you hurt these children.
(O) I doe not hurt them.
(H) who do you imploy then to hurt them,
(O) I imploy no body.
(H) what familiarity have you with Sarah Good.
(O) none. I have not seen her these 2 years.
(H) where did you see her then.
(O) one day a going to town.
(H) what communications had you with her.
(O) I had none, only, how doe you doe or so, I did not know her by name.
(H) what did you call her then.
Osburn made a stand at that, at last said, shee called her Sarah.
(H) Sarah Good saith that it was you that hurt the children.
(O) I doe not know that the devil goes about in my likeness to doe any hurt.
Mr Hathorn desired all the children to stand up and look upon her and see if they did know her, which they all did and every one of them said that this was one of the women that did afflict them, and that they had constantly seen her in the very habit, that shee was now in, theire evidence do stand that shee said this morning that shee was more like to be bewitched, than that shee was a witch. Mr Hathorn asked her what made her say so, shee answered that shee was frighted one time in her sleep and either saw or dreamed that shee saw a thing like an indian all black which did prick her in her neck and pulled her by the back part of her head to the dore of the house
(H) did you never see anything elfe.
(O) no.
it was said by some in the meeting house that shee had said that shee would never be tied to that lying ipirit any more.
(H)what lying spirit is this, hath the devil ever deceived you and been false to you.
(O) I doe not know the devil I never did see him.
(H) what lying spirit was it then.
(O) it was a voice that I thought I heard.
(H) what did it propound to you.
(O) that I should goe no more to meeting, but I said I would and did goe the next Sabbath day.
(H) were you never tempted furder.
(O) no.
(H) why did you yield thus far to the devil as never to goe to meeting since
(O) Alas. I have been sike and not able to goe.
her husband and others said that shee had not been at meeting this yeare and two months.
William Allen John Hughes William Good and Samuel Braybrook vs. Sarah Osburn.
March 5th 1691-2
Wm Allin saith yt on ye 1st of March att night he heard a strange noyse not useually heard, and so continued for many times so yt hee was afrighted and coming nearer, to it he there saw a strange and unuseall beast lyeing on the Ground so yt goeing up to it, ye sd Beast vanished away and in ye sd place starte up 2 or 3 weemen and fled from mee not after ye manner of other weemen but swiftley vanished away out of our sight which weemen wee took to be Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne an Tittabe ye time was about an hour wihin night and I John Hughes, saith ye same beeing in Company then with sd Allen, as wittness our hands.
William Allen
john hughes
William Allen further saith yt on ye 2d day of March ye sd Sarah Good vissabley appeared to him in his chamber sd allen beeing in bed and brought an unuseuall light in with her, yt sd Sarah came and sate upon his foot yt sd allen went to kick att her upon which shee vanished and ye light with her.
William Good saith yt ye night before his sd wife was Examined he saw a wart or tett a little belowe her Right shoulder which he never saw before and asked Goodwife Engersol whether she did not see it when shee searched her.
John Hughes, further faith yt on ye 2d day of March yt comeing from Goodman Sibleys aboute Eight of ye clock in ye night hee saw a Great white dogg whome he came up to but he would not stire but when he was past hee ye sd dogg followed him about 4 or 5 pole and so disapeared yt tame night ye sd John Hughes beeing in Bed in a doled Roome and ye dore being sast so yt no catt nor dogg could come in ye said John Saw a Great light appear in ye sd Chamber and Risieing up in his bed he say a large Gray Catt att his beds foot.
March ye 2d Saml Braybrook saith yt Carrieng Sarah Good to ippswich yt said Sarah leapt of her horse 3 times which was between 1 2 and 3 of ye clock, of ye same day which ye daughter of Thomas Puttman declared ye same att her fathers houfe, ye sd Brabrook further Saith yt sd Sarah Good tould him that shee would not oune herselfe to bee a witch unless she is provd one, shee saith yt there is but one evidence and yt an Indian and therefore she fears not, and so continued Rayling against ye Magistrates and she Endevered to kill herselfe.
Elizabeth Hubbard v. Sarah Osburne.
The Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard aged about 17 years, who testifieth and saith that on the 27th of February I saw the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Alexander Osborn who did most greviously tortor me by pricking and pinching me most dreadfully and lo she continued hurting me most greviously tell the first of March 1691-2 being the day of hir Examination and then also Sarah Osborn did tortor me most greviously by pinching and pricking me most dredfully and also severall times since Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to write in hir book.
Ann Putnam v Sarah Osborn.
The Deposition of Ann Putnam who testifieth and saith that on the 25th of ffebruary 1691-2 I saw the apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Allexander Osborn who did Immediately tortor me moft greviously by pinching and pricking me dreadfully, and so she continued most dreadfully to afflect me, till the first day of March, being the day of hir examination and then also she did tortor me most dreadfully in the time of hir examination and also severall times sence. Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to writ in hir book.
Abigail Williams v. Sarah Osborn and Sarah Good.
The teftimony of Abigail Williams testifyeth and saith that severall times last February she hath been much afflicted with pains in her head and other parts and often pinched by the apparition of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne, and Tituba Indian all of Salem Village, and also excessively afflicted by the said apparition of said Good Osburne and Tituba at their examination before authority the 1st of March last part 1691-2.
Further the said Abigail Williams testifyeth that she saw the apparition of Sarah Good at her examination pinch Eiiz. Hubbard and set her into fits and also Eliz. Parris, and Ann Putman
The Mark of
Abigail A. W. Williams
Testified before us by Abigaile Williams. Salem
May the 23rd 1692
John Hathorne
Jonathan Corwin
p'ord'' of ye Gov'er & Councill.
Mercy Lewis v. Sarah Osborn.
Murcy lewes agged about 19 years who teftifieth and .... of April 1692 the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn . . . flected me urging me to writ in hir book.
Salem ffebr the 29th day 1691-2
Sarah Warren married firstly, Robert Prince, and secondly, Alexander Osburn. The surname is spelled in a variety of ways: Osburn, Osborn, Osborne, et cetera. Sarah's first husband, Robert Prince, was related to the Putnam family through the marriage of his sister into the Putnam family. Her second marriage was considered scandalous because Alexander Osburn was a younger man and a servant whose indenture she purchased. Sarah and her second husband became involved in a legal dispute with members of the Putnam family, who administered her first husband's estate.
Sarah Osburn is not buried here. This is a memorial dedicated to those innocents who died during the Salem witchcraft hysteria. Sarah Osburn was an accused witch who died in jail on May 10, 1692 and her burial site is unknown. She would not have been entitled to a Christian burial as an accused witch. Sarah Osburn was among the first three women in Salem Village to be arrested for witchcraft .
Below are the charges and depositions against Sarah Osburn as found in Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied from the Original Documents, Volume 1, Privately printed for W. Elliot Woodward, Roxbury, MA, 1864, pages 35-41 (public domain).
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
Salem Village March the 1st 1691-2
Sarah Osburne the wife of Alexander Osburne of Salem Village brought before us by Joseph Herrick constable in Salem, to answer Joseph Hutcheson and Thomas putnam &c yeomen in Salem Village Complainants on behalfe of theire Majesties against Sarah Osburne for Suspition of Witchcratt by her Committed and thereby much Injury don to the bodys of Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams Anna Putnam and Elizabeth Hubert, all of Salem Village aforesaid, according to theire Complaint, according to a Warrant,
Dated Salem ffebuy 29th 1691-2
Sarah Osburne vpon Examination denyed ye matter of fact (viz) yt she ever understood or used any Witchcraft, or hurt any of ye above children.
The children above named being all personally present accused her face to face which being don, thay ware all hurt, afflicted and tortured very much; which being over and thay out of theire fitts thay sayd yt said Sarah Osburne, did then come to them and hurt them, Sarah Osburn being then keept at a distance personally from them.
S. Osburne was asked why she then hurt them, she denyed it, it being asked of her how she could soe pinch and hurt them and yet she be at that distance personally from ym, she Answered she did not then hurt them, nor never did, she was asked who then did it, or who she Imploy to doe it, she Answered she did not know yt ye Divell goes aboute in her likeness to doe any hurt. Sarah Osburn being told yt Sarah Good one of her Companions had upon Examination accused her, she nottwithstanding denyed yt fame, according to her Examination, which is mor at Large given in as therein will appeare.
p vs
John Hathorne Assits.
Jonathan Corwin
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
(H) what evil spirit have you familiarity with.
(O) none.
(H) have you made no contract with the devill.
(O) no I never saw the devill in my life.
(H) why doe you hurt these children.
(O) I doe not hurt them.
(H) who do you imploy then to hurt them,
(O) I imploy no body.
(H) what familiarity have you with Sarah Good.
(O) none. I have not seen her these 2 years.
(H) where did you see her then.
(O) one day a going to town.
(H) what communications had you with her.
(O) I had none, only, how doe you doe or so, I did not know her by name.
(H) what did you call her then.
Osburn made a stand at that, at last said, shee called her Sarah.
(H) Sarah Good saith that it was you that hurt the children.
(O) I doe not know that the devil goes about in my likeness to doe any hurt.
Mr Hathorn desired all the children to stand up and look upon her and see if they did know her, which they all did and every one of them said that this was one of the women that did afflict them, and that they had constantly seen her in the very habit, that shee was now in, theire evidence do stand that shee said this morning that shee was more like to be bewitched, than that shee was a witch. Mr Hathorn asked her what made her say so, shee answered that shee was frighted one time in her sleep and either saw or dreamed that shee saw a thing like an indian all black which did prick her in her neck and pulled her by the back part of her head to the dore of the house
(H) did you never see anything elfe.
(O) no.
it was said by some in the meeting house that shee had said that shee would never be tied to that lying ipirit any more.
(H)what lying spirit is this, hath the devil ever deceived you and been false to you.
(O) I doe not know the devil I never did see him.
(H) what lying spirit was it then.
(O) it was a voice that I thought I heard.
(H) what did it propound to you.
(O) that I should goe no more to meeting, but I said I would and did goe the next Sabbath day.
(H) were you never tempted furder.
(O) no.
(H) why did you yield thus far to the devil as never to goe to meeting since
(O) Alas. I have been sike and not able to goe.
her husband and others said that shee had not been at meeting this yeare and two months.
William Allen John Hughes William Good and Samuel Braybrook vs. Sarah Osburn.
March 5th 1691-2
Wm Allin saith yt on ye 1st of March att night he heard a strange noyse not useually heard, and so continued for many times so yt hee was afrighted and coming nearer, to it he there saw a strange and unuseall beast lyeing on the Ground so yt goeing up to it, ye sd Beast vanished away and in ye sd place starte up 2 or 3 weemen and fled from mee not after ye manner of other weemen but swiftley vanished away out of our sight which weemen wee took to be Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne an Tittabe ye time was about an hour wihin night and I John Hughes, saith ye same beeing in Company then with sd Allen, as wittness our hands.
William Allen
john hughes
William Allen further saith yt on ye 2d day of March ye sd Sarah Good vissabley appeared to him in his chamber sd allen beeing in bed and brought an unuseuall light in with her, yt sd Sarah came and sate upon his foot yt sd allen went to kick att her upon which shee vanished and ye light with her.
William Good saith yt ye night before his sd wife was Examined he saw a wart or tett a little belowe her Right shoulder which he never saw before and asked Goodwife Engersol whether she did not see it when shee searched her.
John Hughes, further faith yt on ye 2d day of March yt comeing from Goodman Sibleys aboute Eight of ye clock in ye night hee saw a Great white dogg whome he came up to but he would not stire but when he was past hee ye sd dogg followed him about 4 or 5 pole and so disapeared yt tame night ye sd John Hughes beeing in Bed in a doled Roome and ye dore being sast so yt no catt nor dogg could come in ye said John Saw a Great light appear in ye sd Chamber and Risieing up in his bed he say a large Gray Catt att his beds foot.
March ye 2d Saml Braybrook saith yt Carrieng Sarah Good to ippswich yt said Sarah leapt of her horse 3 times which was between 1 2 and 3 of ye clock, of ye same day which ye daughter of Thomas Puttman declared ye same att her fathers houfe, ye sd Brabrook further Saith yt sd Sarah Good tould him that shee would not oune herselfe to bee a witch unless she is provd one, shee saith yt there is but one evidence and yt an Indian and therefore she fears not, and so continued Rayling against ye Magistrates and she Endevered to kill herselfe.
Elizabeth Hubbard v. Sarah Osburne.
The Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard aged about 17 years, who testifieth and saith that on the 27th of February I saw the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Alexander Osborn who did most greviously tortor me by pricking and pinching me most dreadfully and lo she continued hurting me most greviously tell the first of March 1691-2 being the day of hir Examination and then also Sarah Osborn did tortor me most greviously by pinching and pricking me most dredfully and also severall times since Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to write in hir book.
Ann Putnam v Sarah Osborn.
The Deposition of Ann Putnam who testifieth and saith that on the 25th of ffebruary 1691-2 I saw the apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Allexander Osborn who did Immediately tortor me moft greviously by pinching and pricking me dreadfully, and so she continued most dreadfully to afflect me, till the first day of March, being the day of hir examination and then also she did tortor me most dreadfully in the time of hir examination and also severall times sence. Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to writ in hir book.
Abigail Williams v. Sarah Osborn and Sarah Good.
The teftimony of Abigail Williams testifyeth and saith that severall times last February she hath been much afflicted with pains in her head and other parts and often pinched by the apparition of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne, and Tituba Indian all of Salem Village, and also excessively afflicted by the said apparition of said Good Osburne and Tituba at their examination before authority the 1st of March last part 1691-2.
Further the said Abigail Williams testifyeth that she saw the apparition of Sarah Good at her examination pinch Eiiz. Hubbard and set her into fits and also Eliz. Parris, and Ann Putman
The Mark of
Abigail A. W. Williams
Testified before us by Abigaile Williams. Salem
May the 23rd 1692
John Hathorne
Jonathan Corwin
p'ord'' of ye Gov'er & Councill.
Mercy Lewis v. Sarah Osborn.
Murcy lewes agged about 19 years who teftifieth and .... of April 1692 the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn . . . flected me urging me to writ in hir book.
Salem ffebr the 29th day 1691-2
Sarah Osburn is not buried here. This is a memorial dedicated to those innocents who died during the Salem witchcraft hysteria. Sarah Osburn was an accused witch who died in jail on May 10, 1692 and her burial site is unknown. She would not have been entitled to a Christian burial as an accused witch. Sarah Osburn was among the first three women in Salem Village to be arrested for witchcraft .
Below are the charges and depositions against Sarah Osburn as found in Records of Salem Witchcraft, Copied from the Original Documents, Volume 1, Privately printed for W. Elliot Woodward, Roxbury, MA, 1864, pages 35-41 (public domain).
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
Salem Village March the 1st 1691-2
Sarah Osburne the wife of Alexander Osburne of Salem Village brought before us by Joseph Herrick constable in Salem, to answer Joseph Hutcheson and Thomas putnam &c yeomen in Salem Village Complainants on behalfe of theire Majesties against Sarah Osburne for Suspition of Witchcratt by her Committed and thereby much Injury don to the bodys of Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams Anna Putnam and Elizabeth Hubert, all of Salem Village aforesaid, according to theire Complaint, according to a Warrant,
Dated Salem ffebuy 29th 1691-2
Sarah Osburne vpon Examination denyed ye matter of fact (viz) yt she ever understood or used any Witchcraft, or hurt any of ye above children.
The children above named being all personally present accused her face to face which being don, thay ware all hurt, afflicted and tortured very much; which being over and thay out of theire fitts thay sayd yt said Sarah Osburne, did then come to them and hurt them, Sarah Osburn being then keept at a distance personally from them.
S. Osburne was asked why she then hurt them, she denyed it, it being asked of her how she could soe pinch and hurt them and yet she be at that distance personally from ym, she Answered she did not then hurt them, nor never did, she was asked who then did it, or who she Imploy to doe it, she Answered she did not know yt ye Divell goes aboute in her likeness to doe any hurt. Sarah Osburn being told yt Sarah Good one of her Companions had upon Examination accused her, she nottwithstanding denyed yt fame, according to her Examination, which is mor at Large given in as therein will appeare.
p vs
John Hathorne Assits.
Jonathan Corwin
Examination of Sarah Osburn.
(H) what evil spirit have you familiarity with.
(O) none.
(H) have you made no contract with the devill.
(O) no I never saw the devill in my life.
(H) why doe you hurt these children.
(O) I doe not hurt them.
(H) who do you imploy then to hurt them,
(O) I imploy no body.
(H) what familiarity have you with Sarah Good.
(O) none. I have not seen her these 2 years.
(H) where did you see her then.
(O) one day a going to town.
(H) what communications had you with her.
(O) I had none, only, how doe you doe or so, I did not know her by name.
(H) what did you call her then.
Osburn made a stand at that, at last said, shee called her Sarah.
(H) Sarah Good saith that it was you that hurt the children.
(O) I doe not know that the devil goes about in my likeness to doe any hurt.
Mr Hathorn desired all the children to stand up and look upon her and see if they did know her, which they all did and every one of them said that this was one of the women that did afflict them, and that they had constantly seen her in the very habit, that shee was now in, theire evidence do stand that shee said this morning that shee was more like to be bewitched, than that shee was a witch. Mr Hathorn asked her what made her say so, shee answered that shee was frighted one time in her sleep and either saw or dreamed that shee saw a thing like an indian all black which did prick her in her neck and pulled her by the back part of her head to the dore of the house
(H) did you never see anything elfe.
(O) no.
it was said by some in the meeting house that shee had said that shee would never be tied to that lying ipirit any more.
(H)what lying spirit is this, hath the devil ever deceived you and been false to you.
(O) I doe not know the devil I never did see him.
(H) what lying spirit was it then.
(O) it was a voice that I thought I heard.
(H) what did it propound to you.
(O) that I should goe no more to meeting, but I said I would and did goe the next Sabbath day.
(H) were you never tempted furder.
(O) no.
(H) why did you yield thus far to the devil as never to goe to meeting since
(O) Alas. I have been sike and not able to goe.
her husband and others said that shee had not been at meeting this yeare and two months.
William Allen John Hughes William Good and Samuel Braybrook vs. Sarah Osburn.
March 5th 1691-2
Wm Allin saith yt on ye 1st of March att night he heard a strange noyse not useually heard, and so continued for many times so yt hee was afrighted and coming nearer, to it he there saw a strange and unuseall beast lyeing on the Ground so yt goeing up to it, ye sd Beast vanished away and in ye sd place starte up 2 or 3 weemen and fled from mee not after ye manner of other weemen but swiftley vanished away out of our sight which weemen wee took to be Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne an Tittabe ye time was about an hour wihin night and I John Hughes, saith ye same beeing in Company then with sd Allen, as wittness our hands.
William Allen
john hughes
William Allen further saith yt on ye 2d day of March ye sd Sarah Good vissabley appeared to him in his chamber sd allen beeing in bed and brought an unuseuall light in with her, yt sd Sarah came and sate upon his foot yt sd allen went to kick att her upon which shee vanished and ye light with her.
William Good saith yt ye night before his sd wife was Examined he saw a wart or tett a little belowe her Right shoulder which he never saw before and asked Goodwife Engersol whether she did not see it when shee searched her.
John Hughes, further faith yt on ye 2d day of March yt comeing from Goodman Sibleys aboute Eight of ye clock in ye night hee saw a Great white dogg whome he came up to but he would not stire but when he was past hee ye sd dogg followed him about 4 or 5 pole and so disapeared yt tame night ye sd John Hughes beeing in Bed in a doled Roome and ye dore being sast so yt no catt nor dogg could come in ye said John Saw a Great light appear in ye sd Chamber and Risieing up in his bed he say a large Gray Catt att his beds foot.
March ye 2d Saml Braybrook saith yt Carrieng Sarah Good to ippswich yt said Sarah leapt of her horse 3 times which was between 1 2 and 3 of ye clock, of ye same day which ye daughter of Thomas Puttman declared ye same att her fathers houfe, ye sd Brabrook further Saith yt sd Sarah Good tould him that shee would not oune herselfe to bee a witch unless she is provd one, shee saith yt there is but one evidence and yt an Indian and therefore she fears not, and so continued Rayling against ye Magistrates and she Endevered to kill herselfe.
Elizabeth Hubbard v. Sarah Osburne.
The Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard aged about 17 years, who testifieth and saith that on the 27th of February I saw the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Alexander Osborn who did most greviously tortor me by pricking and pinching me most dreadfully and lo she continued hurting me most greviously tell the first of March 1691-2 being the day of hir Examination and then also Sarah Osborn did tortor me most greviously by pinching and pricking me most dredfully and also severall times since Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to write in hir book.
Ann Putnam v Sarah Osborn.
The Deposition of Ann Putnam who testifieth and saith that on the 25th of ffebruary 1691-2 I saw the apperishtion of Sarah Osborn the wife of Allexander Osborn who did Immediately tortor me moft greviously by pinching and pricking me dreadfully, and so she continued most dreadfully to afflect me, till the first day of March, being the day of hir examination and then also she did tortor me most dreadfully in the time of hir examination and also severall times sence. Sarah Osborn has afflected me and urged me to writ in hir book.
Abigail Williams v. Sarah Osborn and Sarah Good.
The teftimony of Abigail Williams testifyeth and saith that severall times last February she hath been much afflicted with pains in her head and other parts and often pinched by the apparition of Sarah Good, Sarah Osburne, and Tituba Indian all of Salem Village, and also excessively afflicted by the said apparition of said Good Osburne and Tituba at their examination before authority the 1st of March last part 1691-2.
Further the said Abigail Williams testifyeth that she saw the apparition of Sarah Good at her examination pinch Eiiz. Hubbard and set her into fits and also Eliz. Parris, and Ann Putman
The Mark of
Abigail A. W. Williams
Testified before us by Abigaile Williams. Salem
May the 23rd 1692
John Hathorne
Jonathan Corwin
p'ord'' of ye Gov'er & Councill.
Mercy Lewis v. Sarah Osborn.
Murcy lewes agged about 19 years who teftifieth and .... of April 1692 the Apperishtion of Sarah Osborn . . . flected me urging me to writ in hir book.
Salem ffebr the 29th day 1691-2
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