Damnation

1. A Puritan's Secret Desire and Discontent

From the outside, I live a charmed life.

A gilded cage. Thomas Putnam, a prominent and wealthy landowner in Salem, outwardly possesses a life of privilege and success, yet inwardly, he is deeply discontent. His marriage to Ann is loveless, marked by her entitlement and his waning patience, leaving him feeling hollow despite his material wealth and social standing. He finds solace only in his private journal, a space for cathartic release from the suffocating expectations of his Puritan life.

Lingering gazes. Amidst his dissatisfaction, Thomas finds himself drawn to Sarah Good, an impoverished beggar woman. Despite her low social status and the town's disdain for her and her abusive husband, William, Thomas is captivated by her. He observes her from afar, acknowledging a powerful, inexplicable hold she has over him, a desire that conflicts with his identity as a man of God and a married man.

Internal conflict. Thomas grapples with the sinful thoughts that consume him whenever Sarah is near, recognizing the dangerous pull she exerts. He struggles to reconcile his Puritan morality with his intense yearning for her, acknowledging that she could be his "greatest rise and my sharpest of falls." This internal battle sets the stage for the moral compromises he will soon face.

2. Forbidden Love Ignites Amidst Hardship

You deserve…far more.

A life of suffering. Sarah Good endures a life of relentless hardship, marked by poverty and the brutal abuse of her drunkard husband, William. She struggles daily to provide for her young daughter, Dorothy, often resorting to begging, a humiliating act in the eyes of the judgmental Salem community. Her only solace comes from the healing remedies and tonics she secretly creates, a practice passed down from her mother.

Unexpected kindness. One Sunday, after enduring another beating from William, Sarah encounters Thomas Putnam. To her surprise, he approaches her, expressing concern for her well-being and offering her five pence—a sum far exceeding anything William earns. This act of generosity, coupled with his lingering gaze and the intimate way he holds her hand, ignites a spark of hope and a forbidden desire within Sarah, mirroring Thomas's own hidden feelings.

A dangerous liaison. The mutual attraction culminates in a secret rendezvous by the creek, a place Thomas considers his own. Their passionate encounter solidifies their illicit affair, a profound act of adultery in their devout Puritan society. Sarah, despite the immense risk, finds herself consumed by joy and desire, recognizing that this connection with Thomas is "absolute madness" yet feeling an undeniable sense of belonging.

3. The Shadow of Witchcraft Falls on Salem

We must cleanse this town of their evil and eradicate it immediately.

A new life planned. Seven Sundays into their affair, Sarah discovers she is pregnant with Thomas's child. The news, while terrifying given her circumstances, is met with unexpected delight by Thomas, who sees it as a "greater gift" and a chance for a new beginning. He vows to leave his family and Salem with Sarah and Dorothy in the spring, promising a life together in Boston, free from their current constraints.

Hysteria takes root. The town's fragile peace shatters when Reverend Parris's daughter, Betty, and niece, Abigail, begin suffering from "fits." They accuse Tituba, Parris's servant, of witchcraft. Thomas, initially skeptical, witnesses Parris's fervent conviction and the growing fear among the townsfolk. Tituba, under duress, eventually confesses to practicing magic, fueling the burgeoning hysteria.

Seeds of doubt. Thomas, while publicly supporting the purge of evil, is privately unnerved by the accusations. He learns Tituba admitted to causing "stomach aches" to Elizabeth (Thomas's daughter), though he doesn't connect it to his own child. The idea of "witches in Salem" becomes terrifyingly real, forcing him to confront the possibility that his beloved Sarah, with her secret remedies, might also be entangled in this growing darkness.

4. Betrayal and Accusation: Sarah's Downfall

You ought know ‘tis not the truth.

Sarah's name is called. The witch hunt escalates rapidly when Abigail and Betty, under pressure from Parris, accuse Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne of witchcraft. Thomas, despite his internal conflict, is compelled to participate in bringing Sarah in for examination. His brother, Edward, accompanies him, making it impossible for Thomas to execute his plan to help Sarah escape.

Public humiliation and betrayal. Sarah and Osborne are subjected to a humiliating public examination, stripped naked to search for "witch's teats." During this ordeal, Osborne, desperate to save herself, publicly accuses Sarah of witchcraft, claiming she supplies her shop with "tonics and remedies she creates through witchcraft!" This betrayal, coupled with the town's immediate acceptance of the accusation, seals Sarah's fate.

Thomas's wavering faith. Sarah is arrested and jailed in Ipswich. Thomas visits her, desperately seeking reassurance that she is not a witch. Sarah admits to her healing practices but vehemently denies any evil intent or allegiance to the Devil. Thomas, torn between his love and his Puritan beliefs, struggles to reconcile her claims with the town's growing conviction. He promises to break her out but his resolve is visibly shaken.

5. A Father's Broken Promise and a Child's Tragic Fate

My love carries my child.

Abandoned and alone. Thomas's promise to break Sarah out of jail and flee with her and Dorothy goes unfulfilled. Days turn into weeks, and Sarah, enduring the harsh conditions of Ipswich jail, realizes he has abandoned them. The sting of his betrayal, coupled with the growing danger, leaves her feeling utterly alone and vulnerable, her hope for a future with him shattered.

Dorothy's suffering. The witch hysteria reaches a new low when Sarah's young daughter, Dorothy, is also accused of witchcraft and imprisoned with her mother. Dorothy's health deteriorates rapidly due to the abysmal jail conditions, despite Sarah sharing her meager rations. Sarah is tormented by the thought that Thomas, who promised to care for Dorothy, has allowed this to happen.

A life extinguished. Sarah gives birth to Thomas's daughter, Mercy, in the cold, damp jail cell. The baby, born into such unforgiving circumstances, succumbs to the elements and dies shortly after. Thomas arrives, heartbroken, but Sarah, consumed by grief and rage, rejects his comfort, blaming him for Mercy's death. Her child's death solidifies her hatred for him, believing his betrayal led directly to this tragedy.

6. The Gallows Claim the Innocent, Hardening a Soul

Death to all witches, I say.

The first hanging. The Salem Witch Trials claim their first victim, Bridgette Bishop, who is hanged despite her pleas of innocence. Thomas witnesses the execution, feeling not sorrow, but a chilling sense of "relief, pleasure even." He rationalizes it as the eradication of a "demonic" life, hardening his resolve to purge Salem of evil, even as a small, painful doubt lingers regarding Sarah.

Sarah's final trial. Sarah Good, along with four other women, faces her final trial and is found guilty of witchcraft. Thomas, present in the courtroom, intervenes only to delay her hanging until after the birth of their child, citing the injustice to the unborn. His intention is to claim their baby, Mercy, and raise her in Sarah's absence, preserving a piece of their lost future.

A bitter end. After Mercy's death, Sarah is led to Gallows Hill. Thomas stands at the front of the crowd, witnessing her execution. Sarah, defiant to the end, curses Reverend Noyes and meets Thomas's gaze with a look of profound hatred and sadness. As Noyes kicks the stool, Sarah's neck snaps, and her lifeless body swings. Thomas, consumed by "anger. Pain. Fear. Rage," feels a powerful transformation, becoming a man with "nothing to lose."

7. From Hysteria to a Secret Society: The Birth of The Brethren

We do not need a court or trials or the Governor’s damned permission for a thing!

The trials' abrupt end. In May 1693, Governor Phips orders the disbandment of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, threatening treason for non-compliance. This decision, which Thomas believes is coerced or corrupt, means that many accused witches, including Dorothy, will soon be set free. Thomas, however, views this as an unacceptable abandonment of their mission to cleanse Salem.

A new path to justice. Thomas gathers a select group of loyal men, including Reverend Parris, his brother Edward, and others who shared his fervent belief in the pervasive evil of witchcraft. He argues that their work cannot stop, regardless of the Governor's orders. He proposes the formation of a secret "brotherhood" to continue their fight against evil, operating outside the official legal system.

The Brethren is born. Thomas outlines his vision for "The Brethren"—a clandestine society dedicated to protecting Salem, seeking out evil, and delivering justice in God's name. He emphasizes unwavering loyalty, strength in numbers, and a commitment to each other's safety. The men, swayed by Thomas's impassioned plea and their shared fear of retribution from the families of the accused, agree to form this powerful, secret organization, ensuring their control over Salem's fate.

8. An Enduring Legacy of Control and Damnation

The Brethren has been built brick by brick at the hands of my father and the others who have dubbed themselves the Elders.

A lasting influence. Years after the Salem Witch Trials officially ended, Thomas Putnam's legacy endures, not just as a wealthy figure but as a "leader, a guide, a savior" in the eyes of his community. His death, seven years after the trials, leaves a profound void, particularly for his family and the town, which continues to be shaped by his vision.

The Brethren's power. The secret society Thomas founded, "The Brethren," thrives, evolving into a powerful, hierarchical organization. Its members, known as the Elders, are not merely businessmen but "investigators, protectors, and executioners," wielding significant influence over Salem. This brotherhood ensures that the fight against perceived evil continues, far from any governmental oversight.

A monument to control. The ultimate symbol of Thomas's enduring legacy is Gallows Hill University, a massive structure built years after the trials. This impressive institution, designed to train future generations, stands proudly upon the very graves of those executed for witchcraft. It serves as a constant, chilling reminder of the Elders' "sacrifice and determination" to protect Salem, cementing a future where their interpretation of justice and control reigns supreme.

Last updated: January 12, 2026