Act 4

                It’s my time. I know what I have done and what I haven’t. God knows what I’ve done and what I haven’t. I will die with all of the goodness I have left in me. I’m picturing Elizabeth still sobbing as she was when I told her I will hang. I just couldn’t let them win. Danforth wanted a written confession and for me to convict others. How can I expect anyone, especially my children, to know right from wrong if unless I act right?  I chose to keep any dignity I had left and die for the truth.

                I can’t really explain how it got this bad. There is no reasonable answer. Salem witch trials have turned neighbors against each other and people have accused others just because they didn’t like them.  Danforth really thinks I am a witch. It’s sad that the judge is so ignorant and still hasn’t realized that this is all pretend. Giles Corey died. Rocks were placed on him until he was crushed because he refused to confess or deny the allegations against him. He wanted to be able to pass his farm to his sons.

                Parris and Hale begged me to confess. They don’t want to let me die for this. I’m aware that if I give Danforth his dumb confession I will live, but I just can’t. If not to make this all even clearer, I heard that Abigail ran away. There are rumors in the jail that she took all of her uncle Parris’ money and probably caught a boat far away after hearing another town ended their witch hunt. She was lying the whole time and if that didn’t prove it, nothing will. Danforth still won’t give in. He won’t postpone any more executions. I am going to die. I will soon hang and people will see me, an innocent man killed for no reason.

I will miss Elizabeth and my children, but I cannot give up my name. I already gave my soul when I gave my verbal confession, but signing would be selling my name and that is all I have left. I must die with my name and any goodness I have left. As long as I have that, and the assurance that Elizabeth has forgiven me for my sins against her. And I know she has because she thought it was he who drove me away from her. It is not her fault by at least I will die at peace with myself and my life as much as I could be. This being my last entry, I hope one day someone will find this and be able to understand the truth about the Salem Witch Trials.