Quick Overview of the Salem Witch Trials
Welcome! Recently, I've decided to do my semester project over the cause of the Salem Witch Trials. There are many different theories, but there is one thing that doesn't change: the events. Therefore, I decided to try out writing the events and history of what happened. I'm not going to share any theories or any ideas about what could have possibly made the events occur. If that's something that you're interested in reading about, let me know! As soon as I finish my research, I'll type up a paper to base my presentation off of. If it's something that people are interested in, I'll post a paraphrased version of it on here! With all of that aside, let's get into it!
The Salem Witch Trials began in spring 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) with two girls, Elizabeth Parris (9 years old) and Abigail Williams (11 years old). It may be important to point out that Abigail was also the daughter and niece of Samuel Parris who was the minister of Salem Village. The two girls became sick and had violent convulsions and would scream uncontrollably. The local doctor, William Griggs, decided that the girls were suffering from a case of bewitchment. Shortly after, Ann Putman Jr., Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Walcott, and Marry Warren all began experiencing similar symptoms. With so many girls falling ill to this, something had to be done. In February 1692, Tituba (the Parris' slave), Sarah Good (a homeless beggar), and Sarah Osborn (a poor elderly woman).
While Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn proclaimed their innocence to magistrates Jonathon Corwin and John Hathorne, Tituba confessed to cursing the girls. Today, it's believed her confession was given under torture. She also claimed other people in the community were also witches and had helped her. The town quickly became enveloped with hysteria. Other women and girls were accused such as Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and the four-year-old daughter of Sarah Good. Others who were accused began confessing and accusing others. This led to a huge amount of accusations and not enough people to go through them all. This led to the establishment of a special Court of Oyer and Terminer by the governor of Massachusetts, William Phips, in May 1692. The court was created primarily to go through the accusations of witchcraft for Suffolk, Essex, and Middlesex counties.
The court was presided over by judges such as Hathorne, Samuel Sewall, and William Stoughton. They handed down their first conviction on June 2, 1692, against Bridget Bishop. Eight days later, Salem Town gained a new landmark known as Gallows Hill when Bridget was hanged. July and August would each have five more hangings respectively while September would have eight. Seven other accused would die in jail with Martha's husband actually being pressed to death by stones after refusing to enter a plea.
September 1692 showed public opinion beginning to change. Many influential figures spoke out against the Trials and most of the public began to speak out against them. Governor Phips dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer in October and made sure that there wasn't any way that spectral evidence could be used in court again. The Trials did continue on until early 1693 although the intensity had dwindled. By May 1693, Phips pardoned and released all of the accused who were still in prison for witchcraft.
January 1697 saw the Massachusetts General Court declaring a day of fasting in honor of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials. The leading justice apologized for his role and the General Court in 1711 provided financial restitution to the survivors of the victims. The painful history still lingers today although many see it as simply a tourist spot.
The Salem Witch Trials were a tragedy that led to men, women, and children losing their lives. Most of those accused and executed were the outcasts of the town who were misunderstood Although some were members of the church, the panic spread too quickly for anyone to stop it. Today, we can remember those who died and prevent any future trials from occuring.
The Salem Witch Trials began in spring 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) with two girls, Elizabeth Parris (9 years old) and Abigail Williams (11 years old). It may be important to point out that Abigail was also the daughter and niece of Samuel Parris who was the minister of Salem Village. The two girls became sick and had violent convulsions and would scream uncontrollably. The local doctor, William Griggs, decided that the girls were suffering from a case of bewitchment. Shortly after, Ann Putman Jr., Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Walcott, and Marry Warren all began experiencing similar symptoms. With so many girls falling ill to this, something had to be done. In February 1692, Tituba (the Parris' slave), Sarah Good (a homeless beggar), and Sarah Osborn (a poor elderly woman).
While Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn proclaimed their innocence to magistrates Jonathon Corwin and John Hathorne, Tituba confessed to cursing the girls. Today, it's believed her confession was given under torture. She also claimed other people in the community were also witches and had helped her. The town quickly became enveloped with hysteria. Other women and girls were accused such as Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and the four-year-old daughter of Sarah Good. Others who were accused began confessing and accusing others. This led to a huge amount of accusations and not enough people to go through them all. This led to the establishment of a special Court of Oyer and Terminer by the governor of Massachusetts, William Phips, in May 1692. The court was created primarily to go through the accusations of witchcraft for Suffolk, Essex, and Middlesex counties.
The court was presided over by judges such as Hathorne, Samuel Sewall, and William Stoughton. They handed down their first conviction on June 2, 1692, against Bridget Bishop. Eight days later, Salem Town gained a new landmark known as Gallows Hill when Bridget was hanged. July and August would each have five more hangings respectively while September would have eight. Seven other accused would die in jail with Martha's husband actually being pressed to death by stones after refusing to enter a plea.
September 1692 showed public opinion beginning to change. Many influential figures spoke out against the Trials and most of the public began to speak out against them. Governor Phips dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer in October and made sure that there wasn't any way that spectral evidence could be used in court again. The Trials did continue on until early 1693 although the intensity had dwindled. By May 1693, Phips pardoned and released all of the accused who were still in prison for witchcraft.
January 1697 saw the Massachusetts General Court declaring a day of fasting in honor of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials. The leading justice apologized for his role and the General Court in 1711 provided financial restitution to the survivors of the victims. The painful history still lingers today although many see it as simply a tourist spot.
The Salem Witch Trials were a tragedy that led to men, women, and children losing their lives. Most of those accused and executed were the outcasts of the town who were misunderstood Although some were members of the church, the panic spread too quickly for anyone to stop it. Today, we can remember those who died and prevent any future trials from occuring.
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