Ann Pudeator
Encyclopedia
Ann Greenslit Pudeator was a well-to-do septuagenarian widow hanged on charges of being a witch on September 22, 1692.
Thomas Greenslit was her first husband and they had five children (Thomas, Jr., Ruth, John, Samuel, and James). Ann's maiden name is not known, nor the place of her birth. After Thomas' death, she married Jacob Pudeator and took his name. Jacob died in 1682, leaving Ann well-off. Some have theorized that her likely occupation as a nurse and midwife, along with her being a woman of property, made her vulnerable to charges of witchcraft.
The inventory of Goody Pudeator's alleged misdeeds included:
Many of these allegations were made by Mary Warren
, one of the so-called "afflicted girls". Her other accusers were John Best, Sr., John Best, Jr., and Samuel Pickworth. Ann Pudeator was tried and sentenced to death on September 9, 1692, along with Alice Parker, Dorcas Hoar
, Mary Bradbury
, and Mary Easty. It is not known where she is buried. She was hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town.
Ann's son Thomas testified against George Burroughs
at his trial for witchcraft.
In October 1710, the General Court passed an act reversing the convictions of those for whom their families had pleaded, but Ann Pudeator was not among them.
Ann was exonerated in 1957 by the Massachusetts State Legislature, partly because of the efforts of Lee Greenslit, a Midwestern textbook publisher.
Thomas Greenslit was her first husband and they had five children (Thomas, Jr., Ruth, John, Samuel, and James). Ann's maiden name is not known, nor the place of her birth. After Thomas' death, she married Jacob Pudeator and took his name. Jacob died in 1682, leaving Ann well-off. Some have theorized that her likely occupation as a nurse and midwife, along with her being a woman of property, made her vulnerable to charges of witchcraft.
The inventory of Goody Pudeator's alleged misdeeds included:
- Presenting the Devil's Book to a girl and forcing her to sign it.
- Bewitchment causing the death of neighbor's wife.
- Appearing in spectral formSpectral evidenceSpectral evidence is a form of evidence based upon dreams and visions. It was admitted in court during the Salem witch trials by the appointed chief justice, William Stoughton. The booklet A Tryal of Witches taken from a contemporary report of the proceedings of the Bury St...
to afflicted girls. - Having witchcraftWitchcraftWitchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
materials in her home, which she claimed was grease for making soap. - Torturing with pins.
- Causing a man to fall out of a tree.
- Killing her second husband and his first wife.
- Turning herself into a bird and flying into her house.
Many of these allegations were made by Mary Warren
Mary Warren
Mary Ann Warren was the oldest of the accusers during the 1692 Salem witch trials, in her teens. She was a servant for John and Elizabeth Proctor. Renouncing her claims after being threatened to be hanged, she was later arrested for practicing witchcraft herself, but did not confess...
, one of the so-called "afflicted girls". Her other accusers were John Best, Sr., John Best, Jr., and Samuel Pickworth. Ann Pudeator was tried and sentenced to death on September 9, 1692, along with Alice Parker, Dorcas Hoar
Dorcas Hoar
Dorcas Hoar, a widow from Beverly, Massachusetts, was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials of 1692, found guilty and condemned to hang, but then confessed and with the support of several ministers, was given a temporary reprieve....
, Mary Bradbury
Mary Bradbury
Mary Perkins Bradbury was tried, convicted and sentenced to hang as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.-Early life:...
, and Mary Easty. It is not known where she is buried. She was hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town.
Ann's son Thomas testified against George Burroughs
George Burroughs
George Burroughs , American Congregational pastor, graduated from Harvard College in 1670, and became the minister of Salem Village in 1680, a charge which he held until 1683. He lived at Falmouth until it was destroyed by natives in 1690. Burroughs then moved to Wells, Maine...
at his trial for witchcraft.
In October 1710, the General Court passed an act reversing the convictions of those for whom their families had pleaded, but Ann Pudeator was not among them.
Ann was exonerated in 1957 by the Massachusetts State Legislature, partly because of the efforts of Lee Greenslit, a Midwestern textbook publisher.