Glanvill, Joseph. The girls accusation was that Good had performed witchcraft on them. "Reproducing Witchcraft: Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live". The new court was presided over by William Stoughton, Thomas Danforth, John Richards, Waitstill Winthrop and Samuel Sewall. However, the subtlety of the ministers response was largely sidelined by the grand jury, who drew their energy from one particular concluding line from Mather: we cannot but humbly recommend unto the government, the speedy and vigorous prosecution of such as have rendered themselves obnoxious. In possession of such a mandate, the trials moved up a gear. The Salem Witch Trials: Facts & History. The Salem Witch Trials: Facts & History. in journalism. Arrest warrants were issued for George Jacobs Jr. and Daniel Andrews but they evaded arrest. 62, No. In January 1692 Salem Village was dealing with a lot. And if you take away my life, God will give you blood to drink.. These unsettling facts will shed light. The first to be tried wasBridget Bishopof Salem who was found guilty and was hanged on June 10. It's also important to remember that there is no evidence, other than spectral evidence and coerced confessions, that any of the accused actually did practice witchcraft. The people had been so determined upon hunting out and destroying witches that they had neglected everything else. Thank you for making this blog post! She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. This created a rift between the two groups in Salem Village. 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. This really helped me on my essay, thank you so much. As the weeks passed, other young girls claimed to have been infected by witchcraft too. The Trials Salem had become a hotbed for accusations of witchcraft. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Native History & Indigenous Acknowledgement, The Journey from 1692 to Salems Modern Witch Community. The torture consisted of laying the prisoner on the ground, naked, with a board placed on top of him. According to USLegal.com, Spectral evidence refers to a witness testimony that the accused person's spirit or spectral shape appeared to him/her witness in a dream at the time the accused person's physical body was at another location. this helped a lot on my social studies project. Salem Village was populated mostly by poor farmers, and Salem Town was a prosperous port full of middle-class and wealthy merchants. Well, Sharis, the Salem Witch Trials are quite complicated and cant be accurately summed up in a short article. 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. Do you have a version number for this site? When visiting Salem, there are so many entertaining shows that were inspired by the real-life tragedies that took place in this spooky town. Does that mean they couldnt have been practicing witchcraft? The witchcraft hysteria in Salem first began in January of 1692 when a group of young girls, who later came to be known as the afflicted girls, fell ill after playing a fortune-telling game and began behaving strangely. 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. Its good to see that the court system has progressed. By the way, thank you so much for this wonderful website; its really thorough and cool. Another notable person who was accused of witchcraft was Captain John Alden Jr., the son of the Mayflower crew member John Alden. There were many critics of the witch hunt, such as a local farmer John Proctor, who scoffed at the idea of witchcraft in Salem and called the young girls scam artists. We know not whether some remarkable affronts given to the Devils by our disbelieving those testimonies whose whole force and strength is from them alone, may not put a period unto the progress of the dreadful calamity begun upon us, in the accusations of so many persons, whereof some, we hope, are yet clear from the great transgression laid unto their charge. "5 Facts About the Salem Trials." Corey, a woman who, in her own words, had made a profession of Christ and rejoiced to go and hear the word of God, had drawn the attention of the prosecutors by offering the opinion that the accusers were just poor, distracted children. 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. Boyer, P., & Nissenbaum, S. Within minutes theyre led, hoods drawn over their heads, towards a rudimentary set of gallows, and their imminent executions. Church was all powerful in those days. Oh well, live n learn, Its sad when you can pick out names of your relatives in every list. The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schnauzer. They left an 11-year-old son, John Jr . On October 29, Phips dismissed the Court of Oyer and Terminer. Heinrich Kramer wrote a whole book on why witches should be all exterminated and how to do that. Many of the accusers were adults and more than a few of them were people who had themselves been accused. 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 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. I find this to be very well put and want to read more. When Salem Villages new pastor,Reverend Samuel Parris, came to town, he denounced the secular behavior of the innkeepers and blacksmiths and others. I think this was a great site and I also recommend the book the witches -salem, 1962 by stacey schiff. Three Salem Women: The Stories of Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator and Bridget Bishop, Salem Witch Trials Weekly, produced by the Salem Witch Museum, Bewitchment in Salem, produced by the Salem Witch Museum in conjunction with SATV, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siegeby Marilynne K. Roach (Jul 22, 2004), Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop, The Salem Witch Trials: Reckoning and Reclaiming at the Peabody Essex Museum. Thirty people were found guilty, 19 of whom were executed by hanging (14 women and five men). The less-than-thorough procedures of the Salem courtroom also prompted tighter, more rational legal processes that would later be enshrined in the US Constitution. 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. What is the legacy of the Salem witch trials? Went to the library to look for my family history but came across my friends families name. Planting, cultivating, the care of houses, barns, roads, fences, were all forgotten. People wanted to protect themselves, so they ratted out their own friends, neighbors or anyone they didn't like. Is the tv show Salem based on the Salem Witch Trials? Do you know if their are any reports from some of the people in the villiage? The court didnt believe them, and found all three women guilty of practicing witchcraft. In 1706, afflicted girl Ann Putnam, Jr., also issued a public apology for her role in the Salem Witch Trials, particularly in the case against her neighbor Rebecca Nurse. Device reportedly admitted an act of bewitchment, as well as accusing another woman of undertaking similar practices. Europe, on the other hand, was super into dramatic flames. It is called Records of the Salem Witch Hunt and is edited by Bernard Rosenthal. In early July, Sarah Good and her four co-accused were tried and found guilty of bewitchment, making that journey to the gallows on that wooden cart a few days later. The governor released the last few prisoners the following May. In an insular society like Salem, where anyone straying from the norm was immediately criticised or condemned, accusations of witchcraft were a method of self-defence, of keeping the more undesirable elements of the local community at arms length, if not removing them completely. Think it was her kids. These three women were social outcasts and easy targets for the accusation of witchcraft. Keeping to yourself and minding your own business seemed suspicious. TDR / The Drama Review, 2018, Vol. Those who lived nearer to Salem Town engaged in commerce and were seen as a bit more worldly. 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. im doing a huge assessment in my language arts class called national history day and i love how into detail this went! Salem Witch Trials from William A. Crafts Did the people really believe in witches? One of them was shot but I dont know how the other one died. Alden was accused of witchcraft by a child during a trip to Salem while he was on his way home to Boston from Canada. At the time, Salem Village was a small New England town populated mostly by Puritans, or religious individuals with a belief in the devil. 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. . One major factor was that in 1684, King Charles II revoked the Massachusetts Bay Colonys royal charter, a legal document granting the colonists permission to colonize the area. "Maleus Maleficarum Part I.". 1982)]. She was hanged on June 10, 1692 at a place now called Proctors Ledge, which is a small hill near Gallows Hill, making her the first official victim of the witch trials. 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. The Salem witch trials began because a group of girls claimed they were possessed by the devil. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. All would await trial for a crime punishable by death in17th-century New England the practice of witchcraft. By the end of May, more than 60 people were in custody; the vast majority were women, but a handful of men were also detained. As the years went by, the colonists felt ashamed and remorseful for what had happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Massachusetts was an outpost of Gods chosen people in a hostile wilderness in the 17th century. Native Americans and other religions represented threats by the Devil. As chief justice, Stoughton believed that spectral evidence presented to the court that is, evidence gathered from dreams and visions would form a central plank of the prosecutions. How could so many people believe the afflicted girls without no real evidence. As the trials and executions continued, colonists began to doubt that so many people could actually be guilty of this crime. They should've told the US it was all fake once they came to their senses, but they didn't. Very well done! The Catholic and Protestant churches fought for new followers. It is sad where the mind-set was back then. Sources:Upham, Charles W. Salem Witchcraft: With an Account of Salem Village and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft. I see that you told someone quite a while ago but I dont think that is up to date. I dont know what compromise youre referring to. Why do you think there are so little primary sources on the Salem Witch Trials? The other most notorious case of witchcraft in England came during the British Civil Wars when Matthew Hopkins the son of a Puritan clergyman and the self-styled Witch Finder General scoured East Anglia in search those suspected of making covenants with the Devil. When was this last edited? what is a secondary source in this salem witch trail! HI there! A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials. Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Institute, 23 Oct. 2007, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-salem-witch-trials-175162489/. The two communities were three hours apart, by foot, which was the most common method of transportation at the time. "Essay IV Against modern Sadducism in the matter of Witches and Apparitions" in Essay on several important subjects in philosophy and religion, 2nd Ed, London; printed for John Baker and H. Mortlock, 1676, pp. The others were either found guilty but pardoned, found not guilty, were never indicted or simply evaded arrest or escaped from jail. Cant wait to visit this place! While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It will be very easy. Unfortunately, I do not have any information on her family tree but you might want to check out a genealogy site like ancestry.com to find out more. The other two accused women, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne, werent well liked by the community either. Bridget Bishop was the first person brought to trial. This is really great. The preacher sad they could not kill the devil by shooting the dog but did anyway. . Good luck! http://www.easybib.com/cite/view. In mid-September, Corey was tortured this way for three days in a field near Howard Street until he finally died on September 19. It makes me sad sometimes writing about it. Thank-you for the great info you have shared. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. 10 Unsettling Facts About The Witch Trials, The Symptoms That Gave Witches Away Make No Sense At All, Women Could Save Themselves By Pointing A Finger (At Someone Innocent), Witch Trials In Germany Took Thousands Of Lives, It Wasn't Just Women Who Suffered Because Of The Trials, The Witch Tests Often Had No Way Of Getting Out Alive, As If They Didn't Suffer Enough, Social Outcasts Had It The Worst, Scary Stories: 10 Places For Stephen King Fans To Visit, 10 Scary Churches From Around The World That Will Creep You Out, Spooky Places: 10 Destinations For Fans Of Witches. The trials are believed to have been the reason why the US constitution recognizes witchcraft as a legal religion. Tituba was known to have played fortune-telling games, which were strictly forbidden by the Puritans. Dramatic historic events such as witch trials didn't just come out of nowhere. Farms were mortgaged or sold, first to pay prison fees, then to pay taxes; frequently they were abandoned. Im just going to use Smithsonian, ARe you the editor/author of this site @Rebecca Beatrice Brooks, Hi Gigi, yes Im the editor/author of this site, thanks so much I needed that for my homework, Where can I get a copy of the Salem 1692 map that you posted? The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 were a dark time in American history. The Salem witch trials, which resulted in several deaths in 1692 in the small town of Salem, Massachusetts, have never been adequately explained. Thirteen womenand five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows onthree successive hanging daysbefore the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that year. It was viewed as a sin against God, the church, and the Crown, and thus was treated as a crime. Both, like Good, were viewed as outcasts by the local community; Tituba for her race and Osborne for the shedding of any religious beliefs she might once have held. The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of Seemed like there was alot of hate towards one another just for being different. In the 300 years since the Salem Witch Trials, experts have gone to great lengths to offer explanations for the young Salem girls afflictions of a somewhat more rational nature than the witchcraft diagnosed at the time. As the cart bumps its way towards a hill on the outskirts, the five contemplate their mortality. Q&A: Were ducking stools ever used as punishment for crimes other than witchcraft during the Middle Ages. Did the Putnams purchase any of the land from those who were accused and killed? Five more people were hanged in July, one of which was Rebecca Nurse. Bridget Bishop was convicted at the end of her trial and sentenced to death. It seems like an easier thing to do than just sit there and be accused. Now that spectral evidence was not allowed, most of the remaining prisoners were found not guilty or released due to a lack of real evidence. Samuel Parris of Salem Village. Other diagnoses have focused more on the mental wellbeing of the Salem girls. An Account of the Life, Character, & C., of the Rev. 9, 17181718, Chap. 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. A flurry of accusations from girls with afflictions similar to those of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams resulted in an avalanche of arrests and prosecutions. Im glad it was helpful. 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. A total of 19 accused witches were hanged at Proctors Ledge, near Gallows Hill, during the witch trials. 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. His grandfather is a Putnam. On March 1st, Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osburn were arrested and examined. Alden spent 15 weeks in jail before friends helped break him out and he escaped to New York. In May, as the number of cases grew, Governor William Phips set up a special court, known as the Court of Oyer and Terminer (which translate to hear and determine) to hear the cases. Children were also accused of witchcraft. This site helped a lot for me to understand the history of Salem. Add in the numerous films and television series that reference Salem, and things get even more distorted. Id really like to see period sources for your assertion here. The hysteria gripping Salem a settlement resonating with the incessant sound of accusation and counteraccusation showed that no-one was exempt from suspicion. The Salem Village hangings were the last executions of accused witches in the United States. In February, Samuel Parris called for a doctor, who is believed to be Dr. William Griggs, to examine the girls. Learn Religions, Sep. 9, 2021, learnreligions.com/facts-about-the-salem-trials-2562897. With a 1562 act now permitting the death penalty for acts of witchcraft, they were hanged. A lot was changing in colonial America at the time. These spirits could inhabit any human or any creature. They were during the Colonial times. They were said to have helped witches and were referred to as their familiars. When the first accusations of witchcraft began in Salem Village, they initially targeted women. If the accused was indicted, they were not allowed a lawyer and they had to decide to plead guilty or not guilty with no legal counsel to guide them. Yet another crucial moment during the Salem Witch Trials was the public torture and death of Giles Corey. Thanks so much for this! Finally, many of the symptoms described by witnesses stopped and began again based on external circumstances, and that simply doesnt happen with physiological illness.