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As the weeks passed, other young girls claimed to have been infected by witchcraft too. This is really great. 82 (Boston: Wright and Potter, 1902), pp. The Salem witch trials of the late 17th century were a formative episode in America's early history, and have remained at the forefront of the national consciousness ever since. Proctors wife managed to escape execution because she was pregnant, but Proctor was hanged on August 19 along with five other people. Most of the accusers were Puritans who lived on the farms. And particularly, as I was a chief instrument of accusing of Goodwife Nurse and her two sisters, I desire to lie in the dust, and to be humbled for it, in that I was a cause, with others, of so sad a calamity to them and their families; for which cause I desire to lie in the dust, and earnestly beg forgiveness of God, and from all those unto whom I have given just cause of sorrow and offence, whose relations were taken away or accused.. The Salem witch trials began because a group of girls claimed they were possessed by the devil. Hi William, thats really cool that you are a descendant of Mary Easty. Its entirely possible that much of the blame placed upon Tituba during the trials was based on her racial and social class. i would like to know more about the salem witch trials. Lienhard says, In recent years, though, the ergot theory has been questioned. These were the last hangings of the Salem Witch Trials. They were during the Colonial times. Since the accused witches were considered dangerous prisoners, they were kept in the dungeon and were chained to the walls because jail officials believed this would prevent their spirits from fleeing the jail and tormenting their victims. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Glanvill, Joseph. And, of course, theres the theory that it was all down to good old fashioned spite. The Salem Witch Trials began in spring 1692 and lasted for seven months, during which more than 150 people where arrested, 19 were hanged and one was tortured to death. While women were of course on the forefront of persecution, men could also be accused of witchcraft. When was this site last edited? Theres always a lot of discussion in the Pagan community about theso-called Burning Times, which is the term used to describe the witch hunts of early modern Europe. We also have kept good records of everything. Add in the numerous films and television series that reference Salem, and things get even more distorted. Those who were found guilty were pardoned by Governor Phips. At the same time, the accused would be denied legal representation. For years, Salem Village tried to separate itself politically from Salem Town. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. Thank you so much, this was also, by far, the best site ive come across for salem trials. It all began in 1692 and 1693 when Salem in the United States . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Massachusetts was like the early state of Israel. Bridget Bishop was the first person brought to trial. People wanted to protect themselves, so they ratted out their own friends, neighbors or anyone they didn't like. Some of the suggested theories are: conversion disorder, epilepsy, ergot poisoning, Encephalitis, Lyme disease, unusually cold weather, factionalism, socio-economic hardships, family rivalries and fraud. After Nurses execution on July 19th, the residents of Salem started to seriously question the validity of the trials. I read a paper several years ago that attributed much of the Salem Witch Trials to classism and arguments over land and land rights several years ago, but cant seem to remember its authors or publisher. Eventually, after seeming to realize how unfair the trials were to the accused, the court refused to hear any more charges of witchcraft. They were a means of crowd control that gave way to changes in power structures. William was happily a Calvinist, but not even that changed the fact New England theocracy was at an end. Also I was curious to know what the specific compromise was. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a dark time in American history. Luckily ann putnum jr lived to apologize. They were part of a long story of witch hunts that began in Europe in the 14th century. im doing a huge assessment in my language arts class called national history day and i love how into detail this went! Why do you think there are so little primary sources on the Salem Witch Trials? I find the history interesting and would like to find more information on this matter. [State v. Dustin, 122 N.H. 544, 551 (N.H. Bridget Bishop - The First to Die in Salem Witch Trials, 8 Famous Witches From Mythology and Folklore, Salem, Massachusetts, and the famous trial in 1692, witchcraft was not seen as a religion at all. The Salem Witch Trials officially began in February of 1692, when the afflicted girls accused the first three victims, Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, of witchcraft and ended in May of 1693, when the remaining victims were released from jail. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. 136, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA. The eight-point response, penned by Cotton Mather, advised prudence when it came to procedure, cautioning that hastiness shouldnt overwhelm lawfulness. One person was pressed to death, and over 150 others were jailed, where still others died. Europe's favorite test was the swimming test. Presided over by Chief Justice William Stoughton, the court was made up of magistrates and jurors. There are many theories that explain why the witch trials began in Medieval Europe. It is sad where the mind-set was back then. Im glad it was helpful. Im going to put a note at the bottom of the article that says when it was last updated to make it easier for anyone doing reports and assignments. Judge Stoughton asked the jury to reconsider their verdict. Thank you for this amazing article! For years, Salem Village tried to separate itself politically from Salem Town. Upon hearing about the Parris girls behavior, much of the Puritan community agreed that the duo had been victims of witchcraft. One of the greatest tragedies of the Salem Witch Trials was the concept of the familiars. I was wondering if there was a written document or agreement signed that ended the trials. The Salem Witch Trials occurred in the settlement of Salem in colonial Massachusetts in 1692 and 1693, and resulted in the executions of twenty people accused of witchcraft, most of them women. Bettys alarmed father, the Reverend Parris, immediately called on a doctor to examine the girls. A strong belief in the devil, factions amongSalem Village familiesand rivalry with nearby Salem Town combined with a recent small pox epidemic and the threat of attack by warring tribes created a fertile ground for fear and suspicion. All rights reserved. Salem witch trials. That darn Satan fooled them good. Having initially set up the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Governor William Phips having returned from fighting in King Philips War in Maine voiced concerns about what danger some of [his] innocent subjects might be exposed to and dissolved the court, in the process pardoning those remaining in custody. 14 (in the history 201 course-pack compiled by S. McSheffrey & T. McCormick), Trans. The two communities were three hours apart, by foot, which was the most common method of transportation at the time. They should've told the US it was all fake once they came to their senses, but they didn't. Mather saw the war against Satan as being just as important as the war against the French and the local Native American tribes. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Corbis/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images. In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft. Seemed like there was alot of hate towards one another just for being different. Thank-you for the great info you have shared. Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather: A Reply. Ultimately, eight women and two men were tried and found guilty of attending the gathering. Estimates suggest that over 200 women were executed during this period as a direct result of the investigations of Hopkins and his associates. One of them, George Burroughs, protested his innocence as the noose was readied. An illustration shows a quiet street in the center of Salem, Massachusetts. After Bishops execution and the courts endorsement of the indictments against Rebecca Nurse and John Willard, a local constable who, doubting the allegations, refused to bring the accused to court the grand jury adjourned for almost three weeks. an A on my report i mean >< In Salem, they actually didn't do any burning at all. Im using this for my History project. Ergot is a fungus found in bread, and has the same effect as hallucinogenic drugs. Good luck! If they drowned, they were considered innocent. On March 1st, Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn were arrested and examined. This helped with my English assignment! The 17th century Salem has nothing on witch hunts that went down in Europe. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. How could so many people believe the afflicted girls without no real evidence. Another interesting fact about the witch trials is not everyone in Salem actually believed in witchcraft or supported the trials. In seventeenth-century New England, pretty much everyone was practicing some form of Christianity. Hi Sarah, Nevertheless, we cannot but humbly recommend unto the government, the speedy and vigorous prosecution of such as have rendered themselves obnoxious, according to the direction given in the laws of God, and the wholesome statutes of the English nation, for the detection of witchcrafts. Since the witch trials ended, the colony also began to suffer many misfortunes such as droughts, crop failures, smallpox outbreaks and Native-American attacks and many began to wonder if God was punishing them for their mistake. I need to compare 2 victims of the salem witch trails and find a way that they are linked as indiviguals and how their lives had similar paths that lead to victimhood but this thing is wayyyyy to long. Everything we know now about the trials comes from just a handful of primary sources of the Salem Witch Trials. The political instability and threat to their religion created a feeling of uneasiness and discontent in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Salem witch trials, which resulted in several deaths in 1692 in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, have never been adequately explained. These five women Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Wildes were the among the first to be tried and found guilty of witchcraft during a bleak nine-month period of New England history simply recalled as the Salem Witch Trials. Other victims include two dogs who were shot or killed after being suspected of witchcraft. https://www.learnreligions.com/facts-about-the-salem-trials-2562897 (accessed March 5, 2023). Court of Oyer and Terminer Judges:Jonathan CorwinBartholomew GedneyJohn HathorneJohn RichardsWilliam Stoughton, Chief MagistrateSamuel SewallNathaniel SaltonstallPeter SergeantWaitstill Winthrop, The number of people accused and arrested in May surged to over 30 people:Sarah DustinAnn SearsArthur AbbottBethiah Carter SrBethiah Carter JrMary WitheridgeGeorge Jacobs SrMargaret JacobsRebecca JacobsJohn WillardAlice ParkerAnn PudeatorAbigail SoamesSarah BuckelyElizabeth ColsonElizabeth HartThomas Farrar SrRoger ToothakerMary ToothakerMargaret ToothakerSarah ProctorMary DeRichSarah BassettSusannah RootsElizabeth CarySarah PeaseMartha CarrierElizabeth FosdickWilmot ReddElizabeth HoweSarah RiceJohn Alden JrWilliam ProctorJohn Flood. As the innocent women approached the gallows, in the last moments of their lives, they continued to protest their innocence. The courthouse was torn down in 1760 but a plaque dedicated to the courthouse can still be seen today on the wall of the Masonic Temple on Washington Street. There were all kinds of tests to determine whether a woman was a witch. When a young Lancastrian woman called Alison Device asked for a pin from a travelling peddler but was denied, the peddler apparently became immediately paralysed down his left side. Among those detained in March 1692 were Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse, upstanding members of the local churches in Salem Village and Salem Town respectively. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Or maybe it was the 1711 bill that cleared the names of the accused witches. Although the afflicted girls were the main accusers during the trials, many historians believe the girls parents, particularly Thomas Putnam and Reverend Samuel Parris, were egging the girls on and encouraging them to accuse specific people in the community that they didnt like in an act of revenge. 10. and good job rebbeca! In short, Spanos and Gottlieb believe that the ergotism theory is off-base for several reasons. The Puritan way of life was strict, and even small differences in behavior made people suspicious. Although she wasnt released, most people were confident she would be found not guilty and released. They basically played the trump card of the times. Perhaps this question has something to do with the closure of the court of Oyer and Terminer, which was the special court established to hear the trials. I see that you told someone quite a while ago but I dont think that is up to date. This helped me a lot with an assignment i had to do for school, but i cant find the publisher sadly. As a direct result, food became scarce and taxes higher. The Salem witch trials were a series of prosecutions in which over 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. The Examination of Sarah Good, March 1, 1692. OMG! At the announcement ceremony, playwright Arthur Miller made a speech and read from the last act of his 1953 play, The Crucible, which was inspired by the Salem Witch Trials. All rights reserved, National Geographic book Witches! Next: Spooky Places: 10 Destinations For Fans Of Witches. Although many of the other accused women were unpopular social outcasts, Nurse was a pious, well-respected and well-loved member of the community. The girls were having a type of epileptic fit and would scream out . This illustration shows him speaking at Witches Hill, the site of his execution. Salem Witch Trials of 1692 In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, was called in when they failed to improve. Europe, on the other hand, was super into dramatic flames. The story is about Susannah English, daughter of accused witches Phillip and Mary English and friend of Ann Putnam, Jr. They screamed, made unearthly sounds, suffered convulsions and violently threw objects, and themselves, around their homes. The new court was presided over by William Stoughton, Thomas Danforth, John Richards, Waitstill Winthrop and Samuel Sewall. Between 1692 and 1693, more than two hundred people were accused. Dramatic historic events such as witch trials didn't just come out of nowhere. No ones really sure why the witch craze spread the way it did, but it brought lasting changes to the United States legal system and the way evidence and witnesses were treated. Her apology states: I desire to be humbled before God for that sad and humbling providence that befell my fathers family in the year about 92; that I, then being in my childhood, should, by such a providence of God, be made an instrument for the accusing of several persons of a grievous crime, whereby their lives were taken away from them, whom now I have just grounds and good reason to believe they were innocent persons; and that it was a great delusion of Satan that deceived me in that sad time, whereby I justly fear I have been instrumental, with others, though ignorantly and unwittingly, to bring upon myself and this land the guilt of innocent blood; though what was said or done by me against any person I can truly and uprightly say, before God and man, I did it not out of any anger, malice, or ill-will to any person, for I had no such thing against one of them; but what I did was ignorantly, being deluded by Satan. Puritans walk through the snow-covered woods to get to church. Pre-trial examinations were held at the Salem Village meetinghouse, in Reverend Samuel Parris house in Salem Village, in Ingersoll Tavern at Salem Village and in Beadles Tavern in Salem Town. In April, more women were accused, as well as a number of men:Sarah CloyceElizabeth ProctorJohn ProctorGiles CoreyAbigail HobbsDeliverance HobbsWilliam HobbsMary WarrenBridget BishopSarah WildesNehemiah Abbott Jr.Mary EastyEdward BishopSarah BishopMary EnglishPhillip EnglishReverend George BurroughsLydia DustinSusannah MartinDorcas HoarSarah Morey. One other man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death after refusing to enter a plea, and at least five people . Thats where spectral evidence comes in, and it played a significant role in the Salem trials. North Wind Picture Archives, Alamy Stock Photo. And insularity bred paranoia, as Schiff sharply explains. The Salem Village hangings were the last executions of accused witches in the United States. Most of the accused really had nowhere else to go and many of them didnt have the money to leave even if they wanted to. All Top Ten Lists History and Events Top 10 Dark Truths About the Salem Witch Trials We have all had to acknowledge the Salem Witch Trials, at one poimt or another, in this place called USA.To put it simply, the Salem Witch Trials were essentially the American equivalent to the Dark Ages, although the United States was not yet a proper sovreign nation, at the time.