05/11/2026
On this day in history, Sarah Osborne died in Boston prison, the first death caused by the Salem witch trials.
Sarah Osborne was among the first accused of witchcraft in 1692. She was an ill woman in her 40s who was a victim to local gossip. Her husband was her former indentured servant and it was suspected that they lived together before marriage. To add to local gossip, she had been bedridden and unable to attend church for over a year.
In many ways, she was a perfect scapegoat.
A warrant for Sarah's arrest was issued of February 29th and she remained in prison for over two months. In addition to her previous health issues, she may have contracted “jail fever” as she languished in prison.
Sarah Osborne died on May 10, 1692, the first of five known prison fatalities caused by the Salem witch trials.