The Salem Witch TrailsThe Salem Witch Trails

Written by:Written by:

Rebecca GillieRebecca Gillie

Bry SniadeckiBry Sniadecki

Kaleigh Kennedy Kaleigh Kennedy

Nina MarcanoNina Marcano

Where?Where?

Massachusetts Bay ColonyMassachusetts Bay Colony

Salem VillageSalem Village

Essex County Essex County

The hangings took place at Gallows HillThe hangings took place at Gallows Hill

WhenWhen

16921692 Affliction, accusation, arrest, Jan-May 1692 Affliction, accusation, arrest, Jan-May 1692 Trials, Executions, June -Sept 1692 Trials, Executions, June -Sept 1692 In 1688 &1689, the King of England and the In 1688 &1689, the King of England and the

imperial governor of MA (Sir Edmond imperial governor of MA (Sir Edmond Andros) were removed from office.Andros) were removed from office.

Conflict in the ChurchConflict in the Church

After having 3 different preachers from 1672- After having 3 different preachers from 1672- 1688 Samuel Parris was hired as preacher of the 1688 Samuel Parris was hired as preacher of the Salem Church after “private negotiations” in June Salem Church after “private negotiations” in June 16891689

In October, 1689 the Parris family was given the In October, 1689 the Parris family was given the parsonage and the land around it even though the parsonage and the land around it even though the Villagers had agreed in 1681 that the parsonage Villagers had agreed in 1681 that the parsonage would not be transferred to specific people. It was would not be transferred to specific people. It was supposed to be left available for the ministry supposed to be left available for the ministry forever.forever.

In Feb. 1689, Salem Villagers ask to separate In Feb. 1689, Salem Villagers ask to separate Salem Town and Salem Village.Salem Town and Salem Village.

Hysteria in Salem IgnitesHysteria in Salem Ignites

When a few young girls claimed to be When a few young girls claimed to be possessed a flame of paranoia and chaos was possessed a flame of paranoia and chaos was ignited throughout Salem.ignited throughout Salem.

The girls accused women in Salem county of The girls accused women in Salem county of bewitching them and claimed the women were bewitching them and claimed the women were witches.witches.

When exposed to the women the young girls When exposed to the women the young girls exhibited odd behaviors such as foaming and exhibited odd behaviors such as foaming and bleeding from the mouth and fits of seizures. bleeding from the mouth and fits of seizures.

The town of Salem became aware of this and The town of Salem became aware of this and was emerged into a state of mass chaos.was emerged into a state of mass chaos.

Over 150 people were accused and arrested for Over 150 people were accused and arrested for practicing witchcraft. practicing witchcraft.

The accused were jailed and tortured while The accused were jailed and tortured while they awaited trial.they awaited trial.

The clergy set up a special court in Salem to The clergy set up a special court in Salem to try those who were accused.try those who were accused.

The court was judged by Samuel Sewall, John The court was judged by Samuel Sewall, John Hathorne, and William Stoughton.Hathorne, and William Stoughton.

Most of the accused were sentenced to be Most of the accused were sentenced to be hanged.hanged.

The Famously Accused The Famously Accused Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba were the three women Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba were the three women

originally accused. originally accused.

Bridget Bishop- the first to be tried at the new court of Oyer Bridget Bishop- the first to be tried at the new court of Oyer and Terminer.and Terminer.

Rebecca Nurse, age 75, was one of the oldest accused. Rebecca Nurse, age 75, was one of the oldest accused.

-Some even wrote letters claiming Nurse was innocent and she -Some even wrote letters claiming Nurse was innocent and she was even questioned gently.was even questioned gently.

-But, still she was sent to jail to await a trial that would sentence -But, still she was sent to jail to await a trial that would sentence her to be hanged .her to be hanged .

John ProctorJohn Proctor

Unlike most, did not fall into the mass hysteria.Unlike most, did not fall into the mass hysteria. His pregnant wife was accused of being a witch and he His pregnant wife was accused of being a witch and he

burst into the courtroom as a last effort to testify for her.burst into the courtroom as a last effort to testify for her. This apparently made him look just as guilty as her.This apparently made him look just as guilty as her. Elizabeth Proctor was accused and her husband was Elizabeth Proctor was accused and her husband was

sentenced to be hanged for doing little more than sentenced to be hanged for doing little more than defending her.defending her.

Mrs. Proctor was allowed to remain in jail until the baby Mrs. Proctor was allowed to remain in jail until the baby was born.was born.

What evil spirit have you familiarity with?None.Have you made no contract with the devil?No.Why do you hurt these children?I do not hurt them. I scorn it.Why do you imploy then to do it?I imploy nobody.What creature do you imploy then?No creature. I am falsely accused.

Dialogue based on the examination of Sarah Good by Judges Hathorne and Corwin, from The Salem Witchcraft Papers, Book II, p.355

ushistoryimages.com

spookyfiles.com

“I am not a witch. I am innocent and know nothing of it” – Bridget Bishop

enwikipedia.org

“Oh Lord, help me! It is false. I am clear. For my life now lies in your hands”-Rebecca Nurse

eyewitnesshistory.org

“…They told me if I would not confess I should be put down into the dungeon and would be hanged, but if I would confess I should save my life.” –Margaret Jacobs

Cited SourcesCited Sources

Boyer, Paul & Nissenbaum, Stephen (1974). Boyer, Paul & Nissenbaum, Stephen (1974). Salem possessed: The social origins of witchcraftSalem possessed: The social origins of witchcraft . . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Carol, F.K. (2007). The Salem Witch Trials. Carol, F.K. (2007). The Salem Witch Trials. American ErasAmerican Eras. Vol 2. Retrieved October 14, 201.1 . Vol 2. Retrieved October 14, 201.1 Gale History in Context. Gale History in Context.

  

Cheever, E. (2002). Cheever, E. (2002). The examination of Sarah Good: Salem court documents, 1692The examination of Sarah Good: Salem court documents, 1692 . In A.N. . In A.N. Applebee (ed.) The language of literature: American literature. (145-147). Evanston, IL: Applebee (ed.) The language of literature: American literature. (145-147). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.McDougal Littell.

  

Miller, L. M. (2003). Evidence used against witches (1693, by Increase Mather). Miller, L. M. (2003). Evidence used against witches (1693, by Increase Mather). Dictionary of Dictionary of American History, 2003American History, 2003. Vol 9. Retrieved October 14, 2011 from Gale U.S. History in . Vol 9. Retrieved October 14, 2011 from Gale U.S. History in ContextContext..

  

Salem Witch Trials and Executions. (2001). Salem Witch Trials and Executions. (2001). Witchcraft in AmericaWitchcraft in America, Vol 1, 45-68. Retrieved , Vol 1, 45-68. Retrieved October 14, 2011. Gale History in ContextOctober 14, 2011. Gale History in Context