People of the Salem Witch Trials: Abigail Williams
We’ve already talked about Betty Parris and her role in the Salem witch trials, but she had an accomplice in the earliest days of accusations. That accomplice was her cousin, Abigail Williams.
Abigail’s Life Before the Salem Witch Trials
Abigail Williams was born around 1680. One source claims her birthday was July 12, 1680. We know very little about Abigail’s life before the accusations began in 1692, but it is evident that the girl moved in with the Parris family shortly before everything started to happen. She was somehow related to Reverend Samuel Parris and is often described as his niece.
Abigail began to spend a lot of time with Samuel’s daughter, Betty, who was 9. She and Betty were the first two girls to be “afflicted” and make accusations.
The Accusations Begin
Abigail and Betty first accused Tituba, the woman enslaved in the Parris family home. They also went on to accuse Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne of witchcraft. Complaints were officially filed against the three women on February 29, 1692.
Abigail went on to complain about a variety of other men and women in the community, including Mary Easty, George Burroughs, Bridget Bishop, John and Elizabeth Proctor, and Mary…
