Today, in the year 1692, the second execution day took place during the Salem witch trials. On this day, between eight o'clock and noon, Rebecca Nurse, Susanna Martin, Elizabeth How, Sarah Good and Sarah Wildes were transported by cart from the Salem jail to Proctor's Ledge. Each of these women, innocent of the charges brought against them, now faced a public death by hanging. While we can only imagine the emotions and thoughts felt by these women as they reached the gallows, the records give us

333 years ago today, July 19, 1692, marked one of the most tragic days in Salem’s history when five innocent women were executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Court records document the “Warrant for the Execution of Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe & Sarah Wildes” carried out on “Tuesday 19th July 1692.” These original court records from the Essex County Court Archives preserve the official documentation of how community accusations led to the loss of five lives in a s