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Question: Why was Susanna Martin Accused of Being a Witch!? What did she do!?
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Susanna Martin:

Susanna was baptized in Olney, Buckinghamshire, England September 30, 1621!. She was the daughter of Richard and Joan (Bartram) North!. While she was still young her mother died!. She came to America with her father, stepmother, and at least one sister!. She married George Martin, a blacksmith, August 11, 1646 at Salisbury, MA and had eight children!. During the first 23 years of her marriage, Susanna's name appears twice in public records!. In 1647 or 48 she was fined 20 shillings for an unnamed offense and in 1667 her husband George objected to her seat placement in the meeting house!. Perhaps he felt it was below her station!.

In 1669 Susanna was required to post 100 pounds bond to appear in court on a charge of witchcraft, a capital offense!. At the same time George Martin sued William Sargent, Jr!. for slander for saying that "!.!.!.said Martyn's wife had a child at Capt!. Wiggins and was wringing its neck in Capt!. Wiggins' stable, when a man entered, and she took him by the collar and told him she would be the death of him if he told"; he sued William Sargent "!.!.!.for saying his wife was a witch and he would call her a witch!." George also sued Thomas Sargent "!.!.!.for saying that his son George Marttin was a bastard and that Richard Marttin was Goodwife Marttin's imp," (a witch's familiar!.)

Charges were dropped against Thomas Sargent, William Sargent, Jr!.!. was found guilty of accusing Susanna of " fornication and infanticide" and George was awarded (in what appears to be a public insult) the amount of "a white wampam peague (colonial currency) or the eighth part of a penny damage" by the magistrates!. William Sargent (Sr!?) was acquitted of witchcraft slander, although, "the Court did not agree!." The records of Susanna's first trial for witchcraft have not survived, but as she was around for another 23 years, we might assume that she was acquitted!.

In October, 1669 George Martin was sued by Christopher Bartlett because Susanna had called him a liar and a thief!. The verdict was against George and Susanna but they had other problems to deal with!. At that same court session, their son Richard was " presented by the grand jury at the Salisbury Court, 1669, for abusing his father and throwing him down, taking away his clothes and holding up an axe against him!." The court found him guilty and sentenced Richard to be "whipped ten stripes!."

In 1671, George and Susanna (her sister Mary Jones would join them later) became involved in lengthy litigation over Richard North's estate!. In October 1674, their inheritance would be lost when the court found against them!.

Descriptions of Susanna say that she was short, slightly plump, active, and "of remarkable personal neatness!." She was also said to be very outspoken, contemptuous of authority, and defiant in the face of slander which had followed her for years!.

The Rev!. Cotton Mather said about Susanna, "This woman was one of the most impudent, scurrilous, wicked creatures of this world; and she did now throughout her whole trial discover herself to be such a one!. Yet when she was asked what she had to say for herself, her chief plea was that she had led a most virtuous and holy life!." Mr!. Merrill, in his History of Amesbury described Susanna differently---------- "The idea of snatching this hardworking, honest woman from her home to be tried for her life by those who never knew her , and witnesses who were prejudiced against her!.!.!.!.is almost too much for belief!. !.!.!.Allowed no counsel, she was her own lawyer, and her answers are remarkable for independence and clearness!. She showed herself to be a woman of more than ordinary talent and resolution!."

On April 30, 1692 a warrant was issued for Susanna's arrest on a charge of witchcraft and she was arrested an May 2nd!. "When she saw Orlando Bagley approaching on the morning of her arrest, little did she dream of his errand!. He was a personal friend of long standing, and we can but faintly imagine her surprise when!.!.!." he read the warrant!.

During her preliminary examination the at same day, she vigorously answered the charges against her!. When the " afflicted girls" began having fits, she laughed out loud!. When the magistrates asked why she laughed, she responded, "Well I may at such folly!." She refused to express any thoughts on what may have ailed the girls but bluntly stated that she didn't think they were bewitched!. Her further testimony show that she realized the seriousness of her situation and she adamantly maintained her innocence!.

"The mental anguish and suffering of the two and a half months while she lay in Salem jail!.!.!.is beyond our power of description!." Susanna Martin underwent the indignity of a physical examination on June 2 1692!. She examinations were intended to discover whether the accused had any physical abnormalities, especially anything that could be used to suckle a familiar or even the devil himself!. Susanna was examined twice during the same day; at neither examination Www@QuestionHome@Com