The First Witch of Boston

John Winthrop notes in his journal that Margaret has been found to have “a malignant touch” (203). Many people to whom she has administered report falling ill.

Margaret is on trial for witchcraft. She is itchy from having caught fleas and lice in jail, and she has raw spots on her skin from her shackles. Alice brought her a salve to help with the chafing, but it has worn off. She laughs openly at the first charge, that she has harmed her patients by touching them. She ministers to sick people, she thinks, of course they are ill after she has been to their houses. As she looks at the row of male magistrates and governors, she reflects on men and power. She has learned not to trust men but also that men are much more emotional and irrational than women. They ascribe those qualities to women in order to maintain control, not because women truly are more volatile or less governed by reason.

Several witnesses are called. The young Westin boy testifies that Margaret helped him during his illness, but also that part of her treatment was to throw the windows open to the cold night air. He felt at that time that he was seized by some external force.