Ann Hibbins was executed in 1656 for witchcraft, predating the more famous Salem witch trials. Her case stemmed, unusually, from a dispute over the cost of carpentry work she had commissioned. After complaining about being overcharged, she was accused of and convicted of witchcraft, leading to her death. The circumstances of her execution are notable for the unusual trigger of the accusations. Hibbins’ story later found its way into the annals of American literature, serving as inspiration for a character in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s renowned novel, *The Scarlet Letter*. This incident highlights the volatile social climate and susceptibility to superstition prevalent in early colonial America. Her case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked accusations and the potential for personal disputes to escalate into fatal consequences.