Individual Details
Sarah Averill
(Abt 1627 - 19 Jul 1692)
Source: Wiki Tree Averill-34
Sarah had a reputation as a nonconformist in Puritan Massachusetts, with prior offences which may have made her an easy target for accusations of witchcraft. She was considered glamorous and forward as a young woman.[1] She was sentenced to be whipped for fornication with Thomas Wordell in November 1649, and later, in May of 1663, charged with wearing a silk scarf.[2]
Born in Chipping Norton, England, Sarah immigrated with her family when she was around 7-10 years old.[3] Sarah married English immigrant John Wildes (born ca. 1615-1618), a widower with eight children.[4] Because she married John so soon after his first wife's death (about 7 weeks later), John's former in-laws held something of a grudge against her. This is particularly notable as the Goulds were related to the Putnam family, who were the principal accusers in the witchcraft hysteria. John Wildes testified against his first wife's brother, Lieutenant John Gould, in a treason trial, which further angered the family. Shortly after, John's ex-sister-in-law, Mary Gould Reddington, began circulating rumors that Sarah was a witch. When John Wildes threatened to charge her with slander, she retracted her claims.[5]
Hanged as a witch, she died on 19 Jul 1692 at Proctor's Ledge, Gallows Hill, Salem, Massachusetts Bay.
Sarah had a reputation as a nonconformist in Puritan Massachusetts, with prior offences which may have made her an easy target for accusations of witchcraft. She was considered glamorous and forward as a young woman.[1] She was sentenced to be whipped for fornication with Thomas Wordell in November 1649, and later, in May of 1663, charged with wearing a silk scarf.[2]
Born in Chipping Norton, England, Sarah immigrated with her family when she was around 7-10 years old.[3] Sarah married English immigrant John Wildes (born ca. 1615-1618), a widower with eight children.[4] Because she married John so soon after his first wife's death (about 7 weeks later), John's former in-laws held something of a grudge against her. This is particularly notable as the Goulds were related to the Putnam family, who were the principal accusers in the witchcraft hysteria. John Wildes testified against his first wife's brother, Lieutenant John Gould, in a treason trial, which further angered the family. Shortly after, John's ex-sister-in-law, Mary Gould Reddington, began circulating rumors that Sarah was a witch. When John Wildes threatened to charge her with slander, she retracted her claims.[5]
Hanged as a witch, she died on 19 Jul 1692 at Proctor's Ledge, Gallows Hill, Salem, Massachusetts Bay.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1627 | Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England | |||
| Marriage | 23 Nov 1663 | Topsfield, Essex, Massachusetts Bay, British America - John Wildes | |||
| Death | 19 Jul 1692 | hanged as a witch - Proctor's Ledge, Gallows Hill, Salem, Essex, Massachusetts Bay, British America | |||
| WikiTree | Averill-34 | ||||
| LDS Family Tree ID | LZV8-2HX |
Families
| Spouse | John Wildes (1618 - 1705) |
| Child | Ephraim Wildes (1666 - 1725) |