Power is something that most people strive to achieve in their lives. If not power, then money. But the acquisition of power or wealth comes with unexpected setbacks, particularly in the case of Rachel Clinton, where growing up in a wealthy and influential family did not prevent her from being targeted during of the infamous Salem witch trials. That said, if she hadn't been in such a wealthy situation, couldn't she have been a target at all? Rachel (Haffield) Clinton was born the daughter of Martha and Richard Haffield in 1629. Richard Haffield had two children from a previous marriage, a considerable fortune, and numerous properties under his name by the time Martha married him. Martha, however, came from a poor family and did not particularly appreciate the social status that being his wife gave her, which she made known by the way she treated her stepchildren, whose mother came from from an even richer family. Martha's disposition toward her stepchildren and toward her wealthy position was perhaps one of the reasons that led to Rachel's death. When Rachel was six years old, her family moved to Ipswich, Massachusetts, where she quickly became one of the most powerful and wealthy people. families in the region. Later, in 1639, Rachel's father died suddenly, leaving his fortune divided equally between his wife and five daughters. Even though his will provided for an equitable distribution, the bitterness between his wife and the two children from his previous marriage came to light. Martha ended up receiving most of the fortune to distribute among the five daughters, causing even more resentment within the family. This disturbance within the Haffield family spread to the town of Ipswich, who believed that middle of paper ...... from their jealousy and in 1692 she was imprisoned for months on these false charges and at early 1963 was released. Although newly released and the charges dropped in court, the townspeople still held their vendetta against her or more precisely against her last name. For the next two years she lived as a beggar and died in 1695 destitute. Because of the wealth and power that surrounded her family name, Rachel became the victim. Without all the drama caused by owning a large portion of land and her family flaunting their wealth, the community of people willing to resolve their problems or vendettas by calling it witchcraft might have overlooked Rachel. Although money and power have been sought after time and time again, they often have their downsides. Rachel's family and their pursuit of wealth did not bring them happiness, but it may have been the main factor in Rachel's death..