I believe I have read The Winthrop Woman but not sure. It would have been long ago. I read Green Darkness in 1973 but I still remember the night mare it gave me!

It's been awhile since I read The Winthrop Woman but I really enjoyed reading it. I recall she was a real person that often butted heads with her Puritan relatives and neighbors. Not that she did anything REALLY bad by today's standards but back then I suppose she was scandalous.

Yes, those Puritans were something else. I am reading 2 books right now that has some of them. The Witches: Salem, 1692 So far it reminds me of some little church group who just wants to squabble about anything! They all seem to be mentally ill. I wonder if something was poisoning them like ergot.
The Rebels of Ireland also mentions some Puritans but mainly its the squabbles between Irish and Catholics. I didn't realize how much the Presbyterians were involved. Learning a lot if I can just retain it.
I need to read The Winthrop Woman again.

The WW is well worth reading again. Living in a Puritan community would've been pure torture I agree.
Diet could very well be involved with the Witch scares since you said they mainly occurred in late winter when all the fresh fruits and vegetables were running out.