Apologizes
The possessions accused many more in the coming months including four-year-old Dorcas Good. Ann’s parents, Thomas and Ann, also accused dozens of townspeople of witchcraft—most of whom were enemies of the influential Putnam family. Two of Ann’s most shocking accusations—against the pious Rebecca Nurse and the former Salem pastor George Burroughs—may have been provoked by old family disputes.
By the time the witch hunt was had come to a close, Ann had accused 62 people of being a witch or wizards. In the coming years, she would have a difficult life a head . Both her parents passed away, leaving her to raise her nine brothers and sisters on her own. But she did something none of the other circle girls would do—publicly acknowledge her role in the trials. In 1706 she stood before the church as the pastor read her apology.In 1706, Ann offered a public apology for her participation in the witch trials at Salem. She stood in church while her apology was read: "I desire to be humbled before God. It was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time. I did not do it out of anger, malice, or ill-will." Ann was the only one of the afflicted girls to make such an apology. There is some speculation that Ann was as much a victim as those she accused. She may have been manipulated by her parents and elders to achieve their ends.
By the time the witch hunt was had come to a close, Ann had accused 62 people of being a witch or wizards. In the coming years, she would have a difficult life a head . Both her parents passed away, leaving her to raise her nine brothers and sisters on her own. But she did something none of the other circle girls would do—publicly acknowledge her role in the trials. In 1706 she stood before the church as the pastor read her apology.In 1706, Ann offered a public apology for her participation in the witch trials at Salem. She stood in church while her apology was read: "I desire to be humbled before God. It was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time. I did not do it out of anger, malice, or ill-will." Ann was the only one of the afflicted girls to make such an apology. There is some speculation that Ann was as much a victim as those she accused. She may have been manipulated by her parents and elders to achieve their ends.