Transcript The Salem Witch Trials

The Salem Witchcraft Trials
1692
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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“The historian would find a great amount and
variety of material in the annals of this town-greater perhaps, than in any other of its size in the
country. But there is one chapter in our history of
preeminent interest and importance. The
witchcraft delusion of 1692 has attracted universal
attention for the last century, and will, in all
coming ages, render the name of Salem notable
throughout the world.”
--Rev. Charles W. Upham, 1831
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of
Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village-modern-day Danvers, Massachusetts--became
ill. When they failed to improve, the village
doctor, William Griggs, was called in. His
diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the
forces that would ultimately result in the death
by hanging of nineteen men and women.
Rocko
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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In addition to the aforesaid nineteen, one
man was crushed to death; seven others
died in prison, and the lives of many were
irrevocably changed.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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A Hostile Environment
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A strong belief in a literal Devil and his all-too-oft
exemplified ability to interfere in individuals’ lives
Factions among Salem Village fanatics
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Disputes over land-ownership
Accusations regarding the death of children, animals, crops,
et cetera
Chronic rivalry with nearby Salem Town
Ever-present threat of Indian attack
Smallpox epidemic
Waffles
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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After Betty, Abigail, and other neighborhood girls including twelve-year-old Ann
Putnam began experiencing “fits,” one eyewitness said:
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“These children were bitten and pinched by invisible
agents; their armes, necks, and backs turned this way
and that way. . . . Sometimes they were taken dumb,
and their mouths stopped, their throats choked, their
limbs wracked and tormented so as might move an
heart of stone.”
Conan
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Under pressure to name their afflicters, the girls
identified:
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Rev. Parris’s Barbadian slave, Tituba
Sarah Good
Sarah Osburn
According to “the afflicted,” as the band of girls would
come to be called, these women’s spectres--invisible to
all but the girls themselves--were tormenting them.
 “Spectral” evidence refers to that which is
incorporeal--that which is supernatural (i.e.: not
audible, visible, or tangible).
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Warrant of Arrest--Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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“The Sarahs”--Good and Osburn--denied any
wrongdoing.
Tituba, when, examined, unraveled a frightful
confession of an actual meeting with the Devil.
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Indicated that the Devil told her to hurt the children
Indicated that there were other undiscovered witches
lurking in the neighborhood
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer
(to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in
Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft.
Presided over by Chief Justice William
Stoughton, the court was made up of
magistrates and jurors.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Jonathan Corwin “Witch House”--310 1/2 Essex St.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Judge Hathorne’s gravestone, The Old Burying Point--1637
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of
Salem who was found guilty and hanged
on June tenth. Thirteen women and five
men from all stations of life followed her to
the gallows on three successive hanging
days before the court was disbanded by
Governor William Phipps in October of the
same year.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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“Snowball Effect”
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The “afflicted” girls began to accuse others…
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Who, in turn, accused others…
 And others…
 And others…
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The “afflicted” continued to publicly display,
loud, horrific fits.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Rebecca Nurse
 “Saint, but witch victim”
 Covenant member of the Salem Town Church
 Known for her piety and devotion to God
 When told she was spoken against by several of the
“afflicted,” she responded, “Well, if it be soe, ye [sic]
will of the Lord be done.”
 In response to the magistrates’ accusations, she
responded, “As to this thing, I am Innocent as the
child unborne.”
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Rebecca Nurse (continued)
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March 24, 1692
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Brought to the crowded, Salem Village meetinghouse for
examination
The “afflicted” persons began falling into “terrifying fits”;
the examination turned into pandemonium.
Ann Putnam stated that the “shape” of Nurse had come
to her home and almost killed her.
Rebecca Nurse: “I cannot help it, the Devil may appear in
my shape.”
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Rebecca Nurse (continued)
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On Tuesday, July 19, 1692, seventy-one-year-old
Rebecca Nurse was executed by hanging at Gallows
Hill.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Later, Rebecca’s children secretly retrieved their
mother’s lifeless body, bore it to her beloved
homestead, and placed it in the family burial
ground.
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Rebecca Nurse homestead--149 Pine St., Danvers, Massachusetts
Mountain Goat
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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The Superior Court of Judicature, formed to
replace the witchcraft court, did not allow
spectral evidence.
“It is better that ten suspected witches should
escape than one innocent person should be
condemned.”
--Increase Mather
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Title page of Increase Mather’s Cases of Conscience (1693)
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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Executed for the crime of witchcraft, 1692
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Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Susannah Martin,
Elizabeth Howe, Sarah Wildes, George Burroughs, Martha Carrier,
John Willard, George Jacobs, Sr., John Proctor, Martha Corey,
Mary Eastey, Ann Pudeator, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Wilmott
Redd, Margaret Scott, Samuel Wardwell, Giles Corey*
Died in prison, 1692**
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Sarah Osborn, Roger Toothaker, Lyndia Dustin, Ann Foster
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*Pressed to death
**Possibly as many as thirteen--sources conflict as to the exact number
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
Memorial for Giles Corey
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
The End
The Salem Witchcraft Trials
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