Everything You Know About the First Salem Witch Is a Lie
The confession that ignited America’s deadliest witch hunt wasn’t what it seemed. Who was Tituba really—and why do we keep rewriting her story?
The first person to confess during the Salem Witch Trials was Tituba, an enslaved woman whose identity and words would shape one of the darkest chapters in American history. But the version of her we think we know? It's a myth.
In this episode of Chalk and Silence, we unravel:
- What really happened in the Parris household
- How English folk magic, not voodoo, sparked her accusation
- Why Tituba’s confession echoed European witch trial lore - The changing narrative of her identity across centuries - Whether her words were coerced… or carefully crafted for survival
Her story challenges everything we think we know about Salem, power, and the weaponization of fear.
🎙️ Brought to you by Chalk and Silence: True stories that almost disappeared from history.
📣 Join the Conversation
Was Tituba a victim, a survivor, or something far more strategic? Share your take in the comments.
👁️🗨️ Want more untold stories?
🧠 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into forgotten history.
📌 Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational, documentary, and entertainment purposes only. It’s based on real events, drawing from sources such as interviews, news reports, and public records to help share and reflect on historical moments.
Some names may have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals, and certain details may be adjusted for narrative clarity or dramatic effect. The goal is to inform, reflect, and explore, not to sensationalize.
Theories and perspectives presented are based on publicly available information and historical documentation. No assumptions are made about guilt or innocence, all individuals mentioned are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
📚 Copyright Notice
Under section 107 of the copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for FAIR USE for purpose such a as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statues that might otherwise be infringing. Non- Profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of FAIR USE.
Copyright © 2025 Chalk and Silence.
All rights reserved.
🏷️ Hashtags
#Tituba #SalemWitchTrials #WitchHunt #HiddenHistory #ChalkAndSilence #AmericanHistory #Witchcraft #HistoricalMystery #DarkHistory #UntoldStories #History
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.