Tituba and the Witch Hysteria

In the year of 1692 a Carribean slave was bought by a Reverend Parris. Her name was Tituba. The Reverend bought her because his wife was very sick and he needed help at home with the cooking, cleaning and taking care of the children. His daughter's name was Betty Parris.

In those days there was not a lot to do except talk or read or sew. Tituba would spend a lot of time with Betty Parris and her cousin, Abigail Williams telling them strange stories of her life the Carribean. She also teach them a little voodoo and make potions. Before long, nine-year old Betty Parris began to show strange symptoms such as weeping, absent-mindedness, inability to concentrate, staring and probably most alarming, making strange animal noises. A little while later, Abigail Williams began to show absent-mindedness and got down on all fours running like an animal and mouthing strange animal noises. Soon after, Rev. Parris, called in doctor after doctor but none of them new what it was. When none of the doctors could describe what it was they said that the two girls were possessed by Satan. When the reverend and the doctors asked who did this to you they both answered, Tituba. Tituba tryed to cure them by making them drink pea from a dog. When the Reverend found out about it he whipped Tituba because he thought she was practicing witchcraft on his daughter and niece. A little while later Tituba's trial began and she was sent to jail.