facts about the salem witch trials

42 Wicked Facts About the Salem Witch Trials - factinate.com The Salem witch trials began because a group of girls claimed they were possessed by the devil. That same month, four more women were accused and arrested:Rebecca NurseMartha CoreyDorothy GoodRachel Clinton (from Ipswich). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Found Guilty and Executed:Bridget Bishop (June 10, 1692)Sarah Good (July 19, 1692)Elizabeth Howe (July 19, 1692)Susannah Martin (July 19, 1692)Rebecca Nurse (July 19, 1692)Sarah Wildes (July 19, 1692)George Burroughs (August 19, 1692)Martha Carrier (August 19, 1692)John Willard (August 19, 1692)George Jacobs, Sr (August 19, 1692)John Proctor (August 19, 1692)Alice Parker (September 22, 1692)Mary Parker (September 22, 1692)Ann Pudeator (September 22, 1692)Wilmot Redd (September 22, 1692)Margaret Scott (September 22, 1692)Samuel Wardwell (September 22, 1692)Martha Corey (September 22, 1692)Mary Easty (September 22, 1692), Refused to enter a plea and tortured to death:Giles Corey (September 19th, 1692), Found Guilty and Pardoned:Elizabeth ProctorAbigail Faulkner SrMary PostSarah WardwellElizabeth Johnson JrDorcas Hoar, Pled Guilty and Pardoned:Rebecca EamesAbigail HobbsMary Lacy SrMary Osgood, Died in Prison:Sarah OsburnRoger ToothakerAnn FosterLydia Dustin, Escaped from Prison:John Alden Jr.Edward Bishop Jr.Sarah BishopMary BradburyWilliam Barker Sr.Andrew CarrierKatherine CaryPhillip EnglishMary EnglishEdward Farrington, Never Indicted:Sarah BassettMary BlackBethiah Carter, JrBethiah Carter, SrSarah CloyceElizabeth HartWilliam HobbsThomas Farrer, SrWilliam ProctorSarah ProctorSusannah RootsAnn SearsTituba, Evaded Arrest:George Jacobs JrDaniel Andrews. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. The Salem witch trials marked a seven-month period of mass hysteria in 1692 Colonial America. 121, p. 108. 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. This is really great. As the cart bumps its way towards a hill on the outskirts, the five contemplate their mortality. As the years went by, the colonists felt ashamed and remorseful for what had happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Where did theses trials take place were there anymore places then Massachusetts Bay. Hoffer, Peter Charles. Many of the accusers were adults and more than a few of them were people who had themselves been accused. To understand the events of theSalem Witch Trials, it is necessary to examine the times in which accusations of witchcraft occurred. I am the author and publisher of this blog. Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather: A Reply. Keeping to yourself and minding your own business seemed suspicious. Twenty-four people died during the Salem witch trials, though many more were accused of witchcraft. At the center of the Salem witch trials were a core group of accusers, all girls and young women ranging in age from nine to 20, who screamed, writhed, barked and displayed other horrifying. Women were not the only ones believed to be witchesmen and children were accused too. All witches are women, but not every woman is a witch. In Salem, they actually didn't do any burning at all. This is basically what got me an A on my history fair assignment, I appreciate all the time and effort put into writing this! It went all the way back to the Salem Witch trials. It makes me sad sometimes writing about it. Dr Griggs was a relative through my grandmother. The history (both good and bad) is something we should all know about. The governor released the last few prisoners the following May. 9 Things You Might Not Know About the Salem Witch Trials While many modern-day Pagans cite the Salem trials as an example of religious intolerance, at the time, witchcraft was not seen as a religion at all. Psychosomatic disorders have been suggested as the root of the hysteria, most notably the societal strains placed on them in a strict, deeply religious adult world that made no contingency for the developmental needs of children. 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. Salem Witch Trials Of 1692 | Landmarks, Events, & More (Eds.). They were said to have helped witches and were referred to as their familiars. Anja Grar is a writer, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The doctor was unable to find anything physically wrong with them and suggested they may be bewitched. No one was burned at the stake in the Salem witch trials. what was the ratio of men to women. The Salem Witch Trials are a dark stain on American history and on the history of Christianity. King William's War (war in the America colonies against the French) ended with many people having to be relocated so there were many strangers moving into town. I need a bibliography for my class report. 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. This illustration shows him speaking at Witches Hill, the site of his execution. This, coupled with the fact that the accused also had their estates confiscated if they were convicted has led many historians to believe that religious feuds and property disputes played a big part in the witch trials. 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. It's unlikely that anyone in Salem was actually practicing witchcraftmost of the community consisted of devout and pious Christians. Check them out below. Between 1647 and 1688, 12 women had been sentenced to death for making covenants with the devil. 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. At the time, Salem Village was a small New England town populated mostly by Puritans, or religious individuals with a belief in the devil. Most of the eyewitness accounts can be found in the court records and the books written by the ministers involved in the trials. It tells of a period of time where religious extremest of a good and pure faith massacred several of their own kind in demented and mad ways. 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. I lasted edited this page on October 18, 2015. The ages of the accused ranged from 12 to 72 years old, with the average age being 41. Here are some of our favorite Salem attractions: Salem Witch Museum Your first stop should be the Salem Witch Museum. Although she wasnt released, most people were confident she would be found not guilty and released. 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. 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. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. While the Salem of today is a thriving metropolitan area, in 1692 it was a remote settlement on the edge of the frontier. The other two accused women, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne, werent well liked by the community either. Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2005Upham, Charles Wentworth. 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. The persecutors had to come up with a whole irrational legal system in order to justify this insanity. Good luck! 10 Unsettling Facts About The Witch Trials - TheTravel Not many people fled Salem, only a handful did, because Salem was their home and had been for a long time. Before we get into the interesting facts about Salem and the Witch Trials, let's do a brief history of the Salem Witch Trials. What gave witches away were body marks, such as scars and moles. When was this site last edited? 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." Is there any credence to this theory? Add in the numerous films and television series that reference Salem, and things get even more distorted. All would await trial for a crime punishable by death in17th-century New England the practice of witchcraft. The primary sources of the Salem Witch Trials offer a wealth of information on these infamous trials. Learn Religions. "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. Text adapted from the National Geographic book Witches! 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. Does that mean they couldnt have been practicing witchcraft? There the accused were questioned by a judge in front of a jury, which decided whether or not to indict the accused on charges of witchcraft. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In February, Samuel Parris called for a doctor, who is believed to be Dr. William Griggs, to examine the girls. There were the ordinary stresses of 17th-century life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The new court released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting execution. Also, when was his last updated? Boston, MA. Salem Village was populated mostly by poor farmers, and Salem Town was a prosperous port full of middle-class and wealthy merchants. (2021, September 9). There are many theories that explain why the witch trials began in Medieval Europe. Sources:Upham, Charles W. Salem Witchcraft: With an Account of Salem Village and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft. In 1813, the wooden structure of the jail was remodeled into a Victorian home and in 1956 the home was razed. The link can be found in the section of this article titled Salem Witch Trial Victims. How many people (male and female) were killed in the Trials? Rebecca Nurses execution was a pivotal moment in the Salem Witch Trials. The parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and more modem examples ofwitch huntinglike the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, are remarkable. Many people lived in a constant state of fear, tension, and paranoia. Corey was accused of witchcraft in April during his wifes examination. Oh and sorry for talking a lot but if you need a website for your bibliographys heres an awesome sight I use it for school a lot and its supper easy use. In November of 1991, Salem town officials announced plans for a Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Salem. Visit this site's About page to find out more about Rebecca. There is actually a compilation of all of the primary sources on the Salem Witch Trials. 62, No. As years passed, apologies were offered and restitution was made to the victims families. William Stoughton is an ancestor of mine, sorry to say. I am as innocent as the child unborn. You have been so helpful! William Ives and George W. Pease, 1857Session Laws. The 190th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2001/Chapter122The 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The Salem Witch Museum, www.salemwitchmuseum.com/education/salem-witch-trialsBlumberg, Jess. 14 (in the history 201 course-pack compiled by S. McSheffrey & T. McCormick), Trans. Hi Indigo, Im assuming you mean eyewitness accounts. A 1976 study, printed in the journal Science, attributed the girls hysterical and possibly hallucinogenic behaviour to the ingestion of rye bread made with grain infected with ergot of rye. He was later exonerated. Also, In 17th century Massachusetts, people often feared that the Devil was constantly trying to find ways to infiltrate and destroy Christians and their communities. Salem Witch Trials Mass hysteria, social ignorance, and religious intolerance all describe the chaos that took place in Massachusetts during the year 1692. Knowing that if he was convicted his large estate would be confiscated and wouldnt be passed down to his children, Corey brought his trial to a halt by refusing to enter a plea. Nige Tassell is a freelance journalist specialising in history, This content first appeared in the January 2016 issue of BBC History Revealed, Save up to 49% AND your choice of gift card worth 10* when you subscribe BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed PLUS! Those who lived nearer to Salem Town engaged in commerce and were seen as a bit more worldly. 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. Salem Witch Trials Facts, Worksheets & Information For Kids - KidsKonnect Here are 10 facts about the witch trials that will surely send chills down your spine. I need to do a bibliography, and I have this page on it. Boyer, P., & Nissenbaum, S. According to the official Salem website, the trials were shorter than most people believe, but they were still deadly. Historians and sociologists have examined this most complex episode in our history so that we may understand the issues of that era and view subsequent events with heightened awareness. From unbelievable witch swimming tests to th. Bernard Rosenthal, "Medievalism and the Salem Witch Trials," in: Protests against early modern witch trials, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Cultural depictions of the Salem witch trials, Medical and psychological explanations of bewitchment, List of wrongful convictions in the United States, "Six Victims of 1692 Salem Witch Trials "Cleared" by Massachusetts", "Massachusetts Clears 5 From Salem Witch Trials", "Salem may pardon accused witches of 1692", "On 325th anniversary, city dedicates Proctor's Ledge memorial to Salem Witch Trials victims", "Memorable Providence, Relating to Witchcraft and Possessions", "Examination of Dorothy Good, As Told by Deodat Lawson", "Religiosity and the political economy of the Salem witch trials", Virginia.edu Salem witch trials (archives), "Massachusetts Archives: Superior Court of Judicature Witchcraft Trials (JanuaryMay 1693), Cases Heard". Web. Yet another crucial moment during the Salem Witch Trials was the public torture and death of Giles Corey. The Salem Witch Trials and Ergot: Mushroom Madness? Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, vol. The other two accused and arrested at the same time were Sarah Osborne and Tituba, the Parriss black slave. This was so helpful for my project! Rev Nicholas Noyes, one of the local clergymen who had vigorously pursued the prosecutions, was the particular focus of Sarah Goods anger: You are a liar. By the end of the trials in 1693, 24 people had died, some in jail but most by hanging. 143159, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 02:44. The trials were held in the Salem courthouse, which was located in the center of Washington Street about 100 feet south of Lynde Street, opposite of where the Masonic Temple now stands. In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft. 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. 1. A large proportion of the case against Bishop also focused on her lifestyle, especially her rumoured promiscuity and un-Puritan ways. Another interesting fact about the witch trials is not everyone in Salem actually believed in witchcraft or supported the trials. 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]. All of the accused were finally pardoned in 1711. The new court was presided over by William Stoughton, Thomas Danforth, John Richards, Waitstill Winthrop and Samuel Sewall. Dr. John Lienhard of the University of Houston writes in Rye, Ergot and Witches about Mary Matossians 1982 study which supports Caporaels findings. Rebecca Beatrice Brooks is the author and publisher of the History of Massachusetts Blog. Corey still refused to offer a plea and paid with his life. Corbis/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images. Although the witch hunt started in Salem Village, it quickly spread to the neighboring towns, including Amesbury, Andover, Salisbury, Topsfield, Ipswich and Gloucester, and numerous residents of those towns were brought to Salem and put on trial. Children were also accused of witchcraft. Very interesting article; Im glad I came across it! http://www.easybib.com/cite/view. It has so many details that I need. 1, pp. It was last updated Sept 4, 2016. Well, most of the people accused lived in the part of Salem Village that was full of businesses and shops. The two communities were three hours apart, by foot, which was the most common method of transportation at the time. Meanwhile, those who lived further away clung to their rigid Puritan values. And this was for a people who saw themselves as ordered by God to build their shining City on a Hill. This legal tactic was known as peine forte et dure which means strong and harsh punishment.. The European witch trials took place in the 15th century. 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. [State v. Dustin, 122 N.H. 544, 551 (N.H. Many modern theories suggest the girls were suffering from epilepsy, boredom, child abuse, mental illness or even a disease brought on by eating rye infected with fungus. The infamous Salem witch trials lasted for approximately one year. Chapter 145 of the resolves of 1957, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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. A Reply. 25 DISTURBING Facts About The Salem Witch Trials - YouTube Its entirely possible that much of the blame placed upon Tituba during the trials was based on her racial and social class. Letters of Governor Phips to the Home Government, 16921693, "Woman condemned in Salem witch trials on verge of pardon 328 years later", "Indictment of Sarah Good for Afflicting Sarah Vibber", "Indictment of Abigail Hobbs for Covenanting", "The Devil's Specter: Spectral Evidence and the Salem Witchcraft Crisis", Narratives of the Witchcraft Trials, p. 342, "Role of skin lesions in the Salem witchcraft trials", "329 years later, last Salem 'witch' who wasn't is pardoned", Cornell University Library Witchcraft Collection, Salem Massachusetts Salem Witch Trials The Stones: July 10 and July 19, 1692, Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial, etext.virginia.edu, Chapter 122 of the Acts of 2001, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Actual Site Of Salem Witch Hangings Discovered", "The Real Salem Witch Hanging Site Was Located", Salem Witchcraft Trials: The Perception Of Women In History, Literature And Culture, Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project, SalemWitchTrials.com Essays, biographies of the accused and afflicted, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salem_witch_trials&oldid=1142737002. im doing a huge assessment in my language arts class called national history day and i love how into detail this went! I think they where viewed in an horrible way, because the people who where accused where not really witches. thank you for the bibliography it helps a lot! The theory first came to prominence in the 1970s, when Linnda R. Caporael wrote Ergotism: The Satan Loosed in Salem? It is pretty sad. In mid-January 1692, Elizabeth "Betty" Parris, the 9-year-old daughter of the local Reverend Samuel Parris, and. Cotton Mather and the Salem Witch Trials - The History Junkie Salem was . 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. I love this site! Hi William, thats really cool that you are a descendant of Mary Easty. 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. On September 22, eight people were hanged. The fact is, no accused witches were burned at the stake in Salem, Massachusetts. Im glad it was helpful. Proctors entire family was accused, including all of his children, his pregnant wife Elizabeth, and sister-in-law. This was a special type of court in English law established specifically to hear cases that are extraordinary and serious in nature. The court didnt believe them, and found all three women guilty of practicing witchcraft. And, of course, theres the theory that it was all down to good old fashioned spite. Its good to see that the court system has progressed. Presided over by William Stoughton . More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraftthe devil's magic and 20 were executed . The doctors diagnosis? They hanged the poor souls instead. The two communities were three hours apart, by foot, which was the most common method of transportation at the time. InJanuary 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. A child pointed to a dog and said it bewitched me and shot the dog immediately. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. I was wondering if there was a written document or agreement signed that ended the trials. Next: Spooky Places: 10 Destinations For Fans Of Witches. This helped with my English assignment! Not that the prosecutions were concluded even then. On October 29, Phips dismissed the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Salem witch trials began because a group of girls claimed they were possessed by the devil. Lienhard says, In recent years, though, the ergot theory has been questioned. The following are some facts about the Salem Witch Trials: The Salem Witch Trials were a series of witchcraft cases brought before local magistrates in a settlement called Salem which was a part of the Massachusetts Bay colony in the 17th century. 126. Thank you for this amazing article! By the way, thank you so much for this wonderful website; its really thorough and cool. Hi Julanii, I am the writer and publisher of this article. 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. And insularity bred paranoia, as Schiff sharply explains. Thank you, using this as a source! They took place in a number of cities in Massachusetts Bay Colony in the years 1692 and 1693, but primarily in the town of Salem. As the trials and executions continued, colonists began to doubt that so many people could actually be guilty of this crime. I see that you told someone quite a while ago but I dont think that is up to date. 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. Curious to know the Publisher of this article. Bridget Bishop was convicted at the end of her trial and sentenced to death. Find out what started the witch hunt of 1692. The Untold Story of the Salem Witch Trials Welcome back to Unfolding History!While the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are often remembered as a dark period of. The hysteria gripping Salem a settlement resonating with the incessant sound of accusation and counteraccusation showed that no-one was exempt from suspicion.