Today dear reader I am the last stop on the blog tour for Confess: The Untold Story Of Dorothy Good (Published by Twist in Time Press October 9th 2020) By Juliette Van Der Molen. A big thank you to Fly On The Wall Press for the invite to take part and my copy of this fantastic poetry collection, always appreciated.
I am sharing with you today a feature on the background of the historical ‘witch’ Dorothy. It’s haunting and will give you goosebumps. Enjoy!
Confess: The Untold Story Of Dorothy Good
1692 Salem, Massachusetts – Based on the life of Dorothy Good, the youngest person accused of and imprisoned for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials, Confess tells the story of the trauma surrounding this nearly forgotten child from one of the darkest chapters in early American history. A colony is plunged into turmoil filled with misunderstandings, fear, intolerance, religious fervor, and an egregious abuse of power. Over the course of the year, more than two hundred people are accused of witchcraft and thirty are found guilty. Nineteen will be sentenced to death.
Four-year-old Dorothy and her mother, Sarah Good, are arrested for witchcraft.
Dorothy will confess.
Sarah will hang.
This is Dorothy’s story…
About The Author
Juliette Van Der Molen is an ex-pat poet living in Wales. She is an intersectional feminist and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Her work has appeared in The Wellington Street Review, Nightingale & Sparrow, Burning House Press and several other publications. Her poetry has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of The Net. Juliette is also the Poetry Editor for Mookychick Magazine. She is a spoken word performer and has had the honour of appearing in several venues in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Her books include: Death Library: The Exquisite Corpse Collection, Mother May I? and Anatomy of A Dress.
Background On Dorothy Good
Source: Wikipedia
Dorothy Good (historically referred to as Dorcas Good; ca. 1687/1688 – ?) was the daughter of William Good and Sarah Good (née Solart). Dorothy and her mother Sarah were accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem at the beginning of the Salem witch trials in 1692. Only four years old at the time, she was interrogated by the local magistrates, confessed to being a witch and purportedly claimed she had seen her mother consorting with the devil. Mary Walcott and Ann Putnam Jr. claimed the child was deranged and repeatedly bit them as if she were an animal.
Dorothy, written as “Dorcas” on the warrant for her arrest, received a brief hearing in which the accusers repeatedly complained of bites on their arms. She was sent to jail, becoming at age five the youngest person to be jailed during the Salem witch trials. Two days later, she was visited by Salem officials. She claimed she owned a snake given to her by her mother that talked to her and sucked blood from her finger. The officials took this to mean it was her “familiar”, which is defined as a witch’s spiritual servant in human form.
Dorothy was in custody from March 24, 1692, when she was arrested until she was released on bond for £50 on December 10, 1692. She was never indicted or tried.
Here’s what others are saying:
“Confess: The untold story of Dorothy Good is a greatly unique compilation of writing and documentation that thoroughly engulfs the reader into the world of Dorothy Good and life in Salem, Massachusetts during the infamous witch trials of the late 17th century. Each poem you read unravels another layer of this gripping tale of hardship and despair. From the riveting use of verse in “Devil’s Issue” and “Plead” that leaves you gasping for more; to the empathy inducing authentic Text of Ann Putnam’s Confession. You will not be able to put this collection down!”
Daniel W. Romagno, Host of The Past Less Traveled Podcast
Check out the other bloggers who took part on this bewitching blog tour, information below, enjoy!
Links
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@j_vandermolen
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