Tituba 267reunited with John Indian. Although historians continue to
debate the details of her life, the circumstances surrounding
her actions aft er the witch trials and concerning her death
remain unknown, contributing to her status as an elusive
historical fi gure.
See also: Conjure; New England Colonies; Slave ReligionRebecca L. K. CobbyBibliography
Breslaw, Elaine G. Tituba, Reluctant Witch of Salem: Devilish In-
dians and Puritan Fantasies. New York: New York University
Press, 1996.contributed to the escalation of the crisis. It is thought that
Minister Parris may have beaten her in order to get her to
confess.
If a person accused of witchcraft during this period
pleaded guilty, part of he person’s punishment was the seiz-
ing of his or her property and assets. Because Tituba was a
slave, she had no property or assets to lose. Aft er her con-
fession, she was placed in Salem jail, where she remained
for 13 months. Minister Parris refused to pay her jail fees.
It is thought that Tituba was acquitted of her “crimes” on
May 9, 1693. It is not known precisely when Tituba was
released from prison or whether upon her release she was
Depiction of West Indian slave Tituba “bewitching” children in Salem in 169 2. Tituba was the fi rst woman accused of witchcraft preceding
the Salem Witch Trials. She admitted to the practice and implicated others in her confession. (North Wind Picture Archives)