Individual Details

Martha Allen

(Abt 1650 - 19 Aug 1692)

Martha (Allen) Carrier was a tragic figure caught up in the witchcraft hysteria.
A smallpox epidemic late in 1690 hit the Allen and Carrier families hard. Martha had the disease and survived to carry the scars and to nurse other members of her family. Hazen's Notes on Thomas Carrier says Martha "had the care of her father in his illness, and served at the sickness and death of her brother Andrew Allen, her brother John Allen and his wife Mercy, sister Hannah's husband James Holt, two nephews, as well as in the sickness of those children who recovered."
Martha was arrested 28 May 1692 along with four of her children, her sister Mary, brother-in-law Roger Toothaker and Roger and Mary's daughter. Martha's two sons were tortured into confession. Martha's eight-year-old daughter Sarah Carrier also confessed. Hazen's Notes on Thomas Carrier says Sarah "was drilled until letter-perfect, and parroted to the jury the exact answers taught her, which were printed as evidence." Martha was the only one executed. Roger Toothaker died in prison before he could be tried.
Carol F. Karlsen's The Devil in the Shape of a Woman says many of Martha's Billerica and Andover neighbors "came forward to testify about the sudden and strange accidents to their persons and cattle which followed up their past disputes with this woman." Several complained that Martha tried to make them witches, too, "almost killing them because they refused."
Martha was unyielding in maintaining her innocence. The Ancestry of Philip Joseph Currier suggests that Martha was offered her freedom if she would confess. "Martha proudly said: 'I would rather die than confess a falsehood so filthy.' No amount of persuasion could make her change her stand and with unflinching courage and dignity she went to her execution on Gallows Hill . . . "

Events

BirthAbt 1650Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts, United States
Marriage7 May 1674Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States - Thomas "alias Morgan" Carrier
Death19 Aug 1692Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, United States

Families

SpouseThomas "alias Morgan" Carrier (1626 - 1735)
ChildRichard Carrier (1674 - 1749)
ChildAndrew Carrier (1677 - 1749)
ChildJane Carrier (1680 - 1680)
ChildThomas Carrier (1682 - 1740)
ChildSarah Carrier (1684 - 1772)
ChildHannah Carrier (1689 - )
FatherAndrew Allen (1616 - 1690)
MotherFaith Ingalls (1622 - 1690)
SiblingMary Allen (1644 - )
SiblingSarah Allen (1646 - 1716)
SiblingHannah Allen (1652 - 1698)
SiblingAndrew Allen (1657 - 1690)
SiblingJohn Allen (1661 - 1690)

Endnotes