The Salem witch trials began in the spring of 1692 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The first three women accused of witchcraft were Tituba, a slave from Barbados; Sarah Good, a homeless beggar; and Sarah Osborne, a relatively well-to-do church member.
Tituba was the most prominent of the three accused women. She was of mixed race and came to Salem with her master, Samuel Parris, who was a minister in the town. Tituba was known for telling stories and practicing folk magic, which may have led to her being accused of witchcraft.
Sarah Good was a poor woman who was often ostracized by the community. She was known for being outspoken and argumentative, which may have made her an easy target for accusations.
Sarah Osborne was the most surprising of the three accused women. She was a church member who was well-respected in the community. However, she had been involved in a series of lawsuits and disputes with her neighbors, which may have led to her being accused of witchcraft.
The accusations against these three women set off a wave of hysteria in Salem. In the months that followed, over 150 people were accused of witchcraft and more than 20 were executed.