In November of 1991, Salem town officials announced plans for a Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Salem. 1 Most of the accused were women but men were accusedand executedtoo. It has so many details that I need. Now I know it is not only there that it existed. 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. Ancestry is the easiest way. Colonial America for Kids: Salem Witch Trials - Ducksters As the innocent women approached the gallows, in the last moments of their lives, they continued to protest their innocence. An allegory of the intolerant McCarthyism discolouring the nation at the time Miller would himself be called before the Committee on Un-American Activities three years later the parallels were undeniable. Salem Village was populated mostly by poor farmers, and Salem Town was a prosperous port full of middle-class and wealthy merchants. The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between early 1692 and mid-1693. Or maybe it was the 1711 bill that cleared the names of the accused witches. . The Story of the Salem Witch Trials - Bryan F. Le Beau 2016-05-23 Between June 10 and September 22, 1692, nineteen people were hanged for practicing witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Two days before the court convened, a Puritan minister from Boston named Cotton Mather wrote to one of the judges expressing his concern over the admissibility of such evidence. To understand the events of theSalem Witch Trials, it is necessary to examine the times in which accusations of witchcraft occurred. Alden was accused of witchcraft by a child during a trip to Salem while he was on his way home to Boston from Canada. The eight-point response, penned by Cotton Mather, advised prudence when it came to procedure, cautioning that hastiness shouldnt overwhelm lawfulness. If people were to run away from it, theyll only be hunted down and thats worst then sitting in court. They screamed, made unearthly sounds, suffered convulsions and violently threw objects, and themselves, around their homes. It's unlikely that anyone in Salem was actually practicing witchcraftmost of the community consisted of devout and pious Christians. Smithsonia, 8 Sept. 2013. Why do you think there are so little primary sources on the Salem Witch Trials? The ages of the accused ranged from 12 to 72 years old, with the average age being 41. The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem. Check them out below. Soon, prisons were filled with more than 150 men and women from towns surrounding Salem; their names had been cried out by tormented young girls as the cause of their pain. 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. We judge that, in the prosecution of these and all such witchcrafts, there is need of a very critical and exquisite caution, lest by too much credulity for things received only upon the Devil's authority, there be a door opened for a long train of miserable consequences, and Satan get an advantage over us; for we should not be ignorant of his devices. Lines going back to Salem and Colonial New England in general are usually well documented. A Brief History of The Salem Witch Trials.Brief History Of The Salem Witch Trials The Salem witch trials took place between 1692 & 1693, in colonial Massachusetts. How many people (male and female) were killed in the Trials? Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather. since we stared this topic in my 11th grade ap english class i have been very intregted. English law at the time dictated that anyone who refused to enter a plea could be tortured in an attempt to force a plea out of them. The proclamation suggested that there should be: observed a Day of Prayer with Fasting throughout the ProvinceSo that all Gods people may put away that which hath stirred Gods Holy jealousy against his land; that he wouldhelp us wherein we have done amiss to do so no more; and especially that whatever mistakes on either hand have fallen intoreferring to the late tragedy, raised among us by Satan and his instruments, through the awful judgement of God, he would humble us therefore and pardon all the errors and people that desire to love his name. The heat was stifling on a July day in 1692, as five dishevelled and bound women are paraded on a wooden cart through the streets of Salem village in the colony of Massachusetts Bay. . The witch trials were held in Salem, Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Samuel Parris of Salem Village. Hi Sarah, 135, no. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. Not many people fled Salem, only a handful did, because Salem was their home and had been for a long time. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Essex County Court Archives, vol. Id really like to see period sources for your assertion here. Of those arrested, the majority were women (85%) and only a handful were men (15%). One of the best known of the accused has been the focus of some conjecture regarding whether or not she was practicing folk magic, because she was believed to be a "fortune teller." Thank you, using this as a source! The afflicted state of our poor neighbours, that are now suffering by molestations from the invisible world, we apprehend so deplorable, that we think their condition calls for the utmost help of all persons in their several capacities. Thirty people were found guilty, 19 of whom were executed by hanging (14 women and five men). During her trial, Bishop repeatedly defended herself, stating I am innocent, I know nothing of it, I have done no witchcraft . When the first inquiry is made into the circumstances of such as may lie under the just suspicion of witchcrafts, we could wish that there may be admitted as little as is possible of such noise, company and openness as may too hastily expose them that are examined, and that there may no thing be used as a test for the trial of the suspected, the lawfulness whereof may be doubted among the people of God; but that the directions given by such judicious writers as Perkins and Bernard [be consulted in such a case]. DHowlett1692, who blogs regularly about all things Salem, cites a 1977 article by Nicholas P. Spanos and Jack Gottlieb that disputes Caporaels ergotism study. These spirits could inhabit any human or any creature. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. 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. These were the last hangings of the Salem Witch Trials. Lets look at some important historical evidence that people often forget about the Salem witch trials. They basically played the trump card of the times. What was this witchery actually about and how did it all start? It was divided into two distinct and very different socioeconomic parts. The accused was thrown into a river and if they made it out alive, it was because they were a witch. I want to use this for my bibliograohy, Same but I cant find it. Well, most of the people accused lived in the part of Salem Village that was full of businesses and shops. Proctor told them about the torture inflicted on the accused and asked that the trials be moved to Boston where he felt he would get a fair trial. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When it came to religion, Salem Village was as devout as any other settlement in the area; one visitor observed that the residents of New England could neither drive a bargain, nor make a jest, without a text of Scripture at the end of it. Which brings us to. The infamous Salem witch trials lasted for approximately one year. The girls accusation was that Good had performed witchcraft on them. TDR / The Drama Review, 2018, Vol. Many people lived in a constant state of fear, tension, and paranoia. Some (incredibly mean) people devoted their time to making a science out of witchcraft. Think it was her kids. All rights reserved, National Geographic book Witches! Corey still refused to offer a plea and paid with his life. Please be respectful of copyright. In addition to this constant sense of fear, Salem residents were also under a great deal of stress during this period due to a number of factors. Then they even do a greater injustice by not only torturing folks in prison but hanging 19 of them and then putting rocks on a 71 year old man until he died because he would not state he was guilty or innocent (some old English law if accused refused to make a plea). History of the Salem Witch Trials. History of Massachusetts Blog, 18 Aug. 2011, historyofmassachusetts.org/the-salem-witch-trials. More than 200 people were a.. Read the article free on Booksie. Twenty people were put to death in Salem for the crime of witchcraft. Every March, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of women as part of Womens History Month. Presided over by William Stoughton . Went to the library to look for my family history but came across my friends families name. No one was burned at the stake in the Salem witch trials. When the first accusations of witchcraft began in Salem Village, they initially targeted women. Explore 17th-century Salem in the museum's 13 stage sets that bring the witch trials to life. I am totally shocked to be related in this way. Corbis/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images. George Burroughs, a minister, was one of the few men accused of witchcraft during the trials. Preston, VK. In June, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned and was replaced by Jonathan Corwin. Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather: A Reply. Giles Corey, the husband of Martha Corey, refused to enter a plea and was subjected to a particularly gruesome form of torture where the accused is crushed under heavy stones until they either respond or die a tactic known as peine forte et dure, (until he either answered or died). After Nurses execution on July 19th, the residents of Salem started to seriously question the validity of the trials. The English laws against witchcraft were repealed in 1736, after which incidents of suspected bewitchment, by now very isolated, were dealt with by mob rule rather than by a clear legal framework. On October 29, Phips dismissed the Court of Oyer and Terminer. Hi RebeccaI saw that you have a lot of knowledge about Mary EastyI was told this year at a funeral that I am a direct decendent of hersI live in Salem and My Grandfather was name William Esteydo you by any chance have any history of the family tree? As a devout and strongly religious community living in near isolation in the mysterious New World, the community of Salem had a heightened sense of fear of the Devil and, as a result, it didnt take much to convince the villagers that there was evil among them. Although many of the other accused women were unpopular social outcasts, Nurse was a pious, well-respected and well-loved member of the community. 10. 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. Its entirely possible that much of the blame placed upon Tituba during the trials was based on her racial and social class. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. There are many theories that explain why the witch trials began in Medieval Europe. Being burned at the stake was an occasionally used method of execution in Europe, when one was convicted of witchcraft, but was generally reserved for those who refused to repent of their sins. Here are some of our favorite Salem attractions: Salem Witch Museum Your first stop should be the Salem Witch Museum. Thanks for sharing, it really helped me with an article I am currently writing! As sleet and snow heaped higher outside their door, Betty Parris and her cousin Abigail began to twitch and twist their bodies into strange shapes, speaking in words that made no sense. Good had been among the first local women to be arrested, after several young girls from the village had experienced mysterious afflictions the previous February. (Eds.). . If there is anyone has found anymore supporting theories please share. I lasted edited this page on October 18, 2015. The mayhem all started in 1692, when two cousins aged nine and 11 began experiencing delusions, strange fits, and other mysterious maladies. The clergy later held a meeting, on August 1, to discuss the trials but were not able to help Proctor before his execution. Although spectral evidence, evidence based on dreams and visions, wasnt the only evidence used in court during the Salem Witch Trails, it was the most common evidence and the easiest evidence for accusers to fake. We also have kept good records of everything. There were all kinds of tests to determine whether a woman was a witch. While the Salem of today is a thriving metropolitan area, in 1692 it was a remote settlement on the edge of the frontier. This illustration shows him speaking at Witches Hill, the site of his execution. When James II, unspeakably Catholic, became the titular head of the Church of England (itself considered evil), it was proof that the mother country had come under diabolical control When James II created the Dominion of New England, ordering the New England theocracy to allow the C of E inside, it was the end of their holy mission in the wilderness. I sincerely cant thank you enough! I have countless ancestors out of Massachusetts Bay Colony and one of my grandmothers was Martha Carrier. In short, Spanos and Gottlieb believe that the ergotism theory is off-base for several reasons. How did this conflict impact the trials? Add in the numerous films and television series that reference Salem, and things get even more distorted. Boyer, P., & Nissenbaum, S. propably in like 1-3 weeks away. Rebecca is a freelance journalist and history lover who got her start in journalism working for small-town newspapers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire after she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. How could so many people believe the afflicted girls without no real evidence. The first witch trial occurred because the daughter (Betty Parris) and niece (Abigail Williams) of the local Salem Reverend had become violently ill. OMG! I hope ill get the chance to read it some day! Tried and found guilty within the course of a single day, Bishop was hanged a week later on 10 June, the first execution of the trials. Massachusetts was like the early state of Israel. It was not difficult for the people of Salem to believe they were involved in witchcraft. There were the ordinary stresses of 17th-century life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Salem Witch Trials - History It helped me very much on my history day project!! Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/facts-about-the-salem-trials-2562897. Only the intervention of Cotton Mather whonappeased the crowd with the observation that the devil had often been transformed into the Angel of Light ensured that the hangings continued as scheduled. When Salem Villages new pastor,Reverend Samuel Parris, came to town, he denounced the secular behavior of the innkeepers and blacksmiths and others. Are there any other theories as to what may have caused the girls strange behavior? Since some of the law enforcement involved in the Salem Witch Trials were being sued by some of the surviving victims, the bill also stated: no sheriff, constable, goaler or other officer shall be liable to any prosecution in the law for anything they then legally did in the execution of their respective offices.. In mid-January 1692, Elizabeth "Betty" Parris, the 9-year-old daughter of the local Reverend Samuel Parris, and. 62, No. I think that maybe they thought they were bewitched. See, the concept of fake news is nothing new. How inhumane! The Salem Witch Trials: Real Facts That Will Haunt You Device reportedly admitted an act of bewitchment, as well as accusing another woman of undertaking similar practices. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. North Wind Picture Archives, Alamy Stock Photo. The slave Tituba, because of her background in the Caribbean (or possibly the West Indies), could have practiced some form of folk magic, but that has never been confirmed. Im trying to get my family to visit there- Id even give up my beach trip for it! While women were of course on the forefront of persecution, men could also be accused of witchcraft. 143159, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 02:44. Im using this for my History project. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. On October 31, 2001, the state amended the 1957 apology and cleared the names of the remaining unnamed victims, stating: Chapter 145 of the resolves of 1957 is hereby amended by striking out, in line 1, the words One Ann Pudeator and certain other persons and inserting in place thereof the following words:- Ann Pudeator, Bridget Bishop, Susannah Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott and Wilmot Redd.. An elderly woman accused of witchcraft is taken to the courthouse by an officer of the law. 618619. He is recorded to have recited a prayer uttered with such composedness from many, so that it seemed to some that the spectators would hinder the execution. A child pointed to a dog and said it bewitched me and shot the dog immediately. If these individuals had never written these books or helped record the proceedings, we wouldnt know half of what we know about the witch trials. There were complex political, religious, and racial issues under the crisis. Hi William, thats really cool that you are a descendant of Mary Easty. When was this last edited? I needed this a lot but was having trouble with it. The court didnt believe them, and found all three women guilty of practicing witchcraft. hope you in joy it was really helpful to my students and i, Thankyou this helpedme a lot for my 3 page essay in english 11 class. Over 150 people were arrested for allegedly using witchcraft to inflict harm on their fellow townspeople, resulting in the executions of 20 people and the prison deaths of five more. Some of these women were actually witches, though they were entirely innocent of the crimes of which they were convicted. The puritans, who had left England due to religious persecution, feared their religion was under attack again and worried they were losing control of their colony. 121, p. 108. Get FREE access to HistoryExtra.com. The charter was revoked because the colonists had violated several of the charters rules, which included basing laws on religious beliefs and discriminating against Anglicans. On May 27, 1692, after weeks of informal hearings accompanied by imprisonments, Sir William Phips (also spelled Phipps), the governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, interceded and ordered the convening of an official Court of Oyer ("to hear") and Terminer ("to decide") in Salem Town. The hysteria gripping Salem a settlement resonating with the incessant sound of accusation and counteraccusation showed that no-one was exempt from suspicion. This legal tactic was known as peine forte et dure which means strong and harsh punishment..