The New World Times

By Camille B.

In the following interview, two strong women who have very different point of views will tell their stories about their community in despair.

Ann Putnam Carr, a very famous woman in the village of Salem, affected by witchcraft, has now blamed Rebecca Nurse.  Ann Putnam married to Thomas Putnam, and mother of Ann Putnam Jr., one of the afflicted girls in the community. Ms. Putnam’s family has a lot of power in this community because of their strong belief in puritanism, and frequent visits to church. I also asked Elizabeth Porter to be in the interview with Ann. Ann’s and Elizabeth’s family both have feuded. Rebecca nurse is a great family friend of the Porters. Ann knows that Rebecca is a great friend to the Porters and a very religious woman. Ann and Elizabeth both agreed to have an interview with me.

Putnam: I did not agree to have this woman in the same room as me. This is an abomination.

Porter: I knew that you were going to be her i just wanted to be asked some questions and leave. I am not here to harass you in any way Ann .

Interviewer: Ms. Putnam what is it like to be affected by witchcraft?

Putnam: It is horrible. Knowing that someone in the community is trying to torment, or kill you. Do you know what it is like to suffer every hour?

Interviewer: Why has your family accused 45 people of witchcraft in Salem Town, Salem Village, and other villages and towns surrounding the area?

Putnam:The reason that we accuse people is that we know that those people are associated with the Devil. We are trying to stop the Devil and his people for destroying our invisible world which will then destroy our visible world.

Interviewer: Then why did you accuse the Porters matriarch, Rebecca nurse? Is it because you have a feud with the Porters themselves?

Putnam:I accused her because I saw, and still see her shape, her, form. When I close my eyes, I see

her trying to get me to hurt myself, making fun of me, fighting me.

Porter: Rebecca would never do such a thing. She would never do anything against God’s name. She is a strong believer, she prays everyday, she is kind and warm hearted. How can she ever do such a thing to another person?

Putnam:She would do such a thing.

Porter: you know what I will make a petition to show that EVERYONE agrees with me.

Interviewer: Ms.Porter, what is it like knowing that someone could bewitch you and your family, or call you a witch?

Porter: I am scared to trouble anyone. I don’t want to make friendships end. Although I have many friends I never made friends with the Putnams because I didn’t do so that made my family's matriarch Rebecca.

Interviewer:Do you think you have a feud with the Putnams?

Porter:I do not think my family has a feud with them we just don’t like each other as much as we do others.

Interviewer:What do you feel about Ms. Ann Putnam Carr’s family accusing 45 people and counting?

Porter:I am very shocked that they are accusing people who are not witches. They are probably doing this because they want attention. Ann is probably just faking it.

Putnam: I am not faking it. I am truthful. I am the most faithful in this whole village. lying is a sin, I would never sin.

As soon as the interview ended I realized that Ann Putnam and Elizabeth Porter are very opinionated, selfish women in the community. One might be faking her story, one might be telling the truth. Both very powerful. Both very persuasive. Only one can be the leader in the community.