Alice Parker (Salem witch trials)

Alice Parker, a resident of Salem Town, Massachusetts, was executed on September 22, 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials.^[1]

Alice Parker
Died	22 September 1692 Salem Village, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Nationality	English
Known for	Convicted of witchcraft in the Salem witch trials
Criminal status	Executed (22 September 1692; 332 years ago (1692-09-22)) Exonerated (October 31, 2001)
Conviction	Witchcraft (posthumously overturned)
Criminal penalty	Death

The trial

Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Ann Pudeator, and Dorcas Hoar were convicted and sentenced to death by hanging at the same time, but Hoar was given a reprieve after confessing.^[2] Also hanged on that day were Mary (née Ayer) Parker^[3] and Samuel Wardwell. The Rev. Nicholas Noyes officiated. Mary Bradbury, an elderly woman (aged 77) who had been convicted of witchcraft, had also been sentenced to hang, but escaped. The charges against Alice Parker included the murder of Mary Warren's mother.^[4]

Witch Trials Memorial, Salem, Massachusetts.

On May 12, 1692, Alice Parker was charged with a number of additional acts of witchcraft, including casting away Thomas Westgate and bewitching Mary Warren's sister. Margaret Jacobs also said she had seen her in North field in an apparition. Alice denied all accusations, and said she wished the earth could open and swallow her. She also asked for mercy from God.^[5]

Some sources note that Alice was the wife of local fisherman John Parker. There were several Parker families in the area which has resulted in some confusion.^[6]