They began in 1692, a full 73 years before the start of the American Revolution and some 40 years before George Washington was even born. Here are 12 Salem witch trials facts that will send chills down your spine. The events in Salem in 1692 were but one chapter in a long story of witch hunts that began in Europe between 1300 and 1330 and ended in the late 18th century (with the last known execution for witchcraft taking place in Switzerland in 1782). In October 1692, a girl in Andover accused a neighbors dog of trying to bewitch her. This evidence was later banned bythe courts, leading to a sharp drop in accusations. Historically, women were the ones to be called witches, and unfortunately, they were also the . One of the most notorious periods of American history, the Salem witch trials of 1692 resulted in the execution by hanging of fourteen women and five men who were accused of being witches during a period of mass hysteria. Much of the evidence brought agains the witches, at least at first, was called spectral evidence, where people testified to seeing an apparition of the accused trying to inflict harm on them. They argue that the trialscreated a taboo in America against mixing religion and government, and George Lincoln Burr called it, the rock on which the theocracy shattered. There is also no question that the incident remains a constant reminder in our collective minds about the importance of due process in a legal system, and the dangers of premature overreaction and irrational hysteria. In fact, there was fear in Europe that an entire group of evil witches were consciously attacking Europeans in order to destroy Christendom. Credit where credit is due! For those who are unaware, Salem is located in Massachusetts, which, as you might remember from history class, was New Englands first established colony dating back to the arrival of the Pilgrims of the Mayflower at Plymouth in 1620. The Putnams, a prominent family hed borrowed money from, sued Burroughs for unpaid debts and later accused him of witchcraft. Between 1692 and 1693, more than two hundred people were accused. Squabbles over property were commonplace, and litigiousness was rampant. One dog was shot after a girl suffering from convulsions accused the dog of trying to bewitch her. Because of the similarity in time period, location, and story, people often mix up the Puritans with the Pilgrims, the group of Dutch settlers who created what we now know as the holiday of Thanksgiving. Accessed May 6, 2021. https://famous-trials.com/salem/2078-sal-acct. Another more disturbing theory proposed by researchers like behavioral psychologist Linnda Caporael suggests that Salem suffered from ergot poisoning. 4. The Salem witch trials are considered one of Americas most noteworthy cases of mass hysteria. Between February 1692 and May 1693, colonial Massachusetts was the scene of a mass hysteria sparked by false accusations from several young girls. 10 Astonishing And Tragic Facts Of 17th-Century Salem. Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The first witch trial occurred because the daughter (Betty Parris) and niece (Abigail Williams) of the local Salem Reverend had become violently ill. For example, the infamous Putnam family had been one of the earliest settler dynasties to come to the Massachusetts Bay colony and establish themselves there. When all was said and done, 25 people lost their lives because of the trials. Due to its association with the supernatural and the haunted, Salem is now a popular destination for Halloween festivities, which run throughout the month of October. His vocal support for his wifewho was also accused of witchcraftand claims that the accusers were lying were among the possible reasons why suspicion fell on him as well. Another executed man was John Proctor, a wealthy farmer who spoke out against the witch trials, particularly after his wife Elizabeth had been arrested for witchcraft. Because of Philip Englishs wealth, he was allowed his freedom during the day and could rent rooms in the home of his jailer for himself, his wife, and daughter. Upon interrogation, the girls named Tituba (an Indian woman enslaved by the Parris family), Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne as witches. Kyle Climans has been a published writer since 2011. The people of Salem often ate rye bread,and in wet, swampy conditions (which Salem had at the time), rye can foster a fungus called ergot. Tackling the same twisted subject as Stacy Schiff's much-lauded book The Witches: Salem, 1692, this Sibert Honor book for young readers features unique scratchboard illustrations, chilling primary source material, and powerful narrative to tell the true tale.In the little colonial town of Salem Village, Massachusetts, two girls began to twitch, mumble, and contort their bodies into strange shapes. This series of prosecutions and hangings of those accused of practicing witchcraft provoked a major backlash, and the event still haunts us today. Despite being known as the Salem witch trials, some of the trials actually took place in Ipswich and Andover in addition to Salem itself. It seems that a shocking number of accusations were made by members of the Putnam family. Ergot causes hallucinations, convulsive fits, and sometimes death, and LSD derives from the substance. Large rocks and boulders were then laid on the planks, which slowly crushed him., After Governor Phips put an end to the witch trials, many involved in the proceedings expressed guilt and remorse about the events that occurred, including judge Samuel Sewall and the governor himself. Unlike the others who were hanged, this unfortunate fellow was crushed to death by stones. His sixth great grandson was Walt Disney. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. Call them ignorant, call them malicious, the, Life, woman, life is Gods most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it., 20 Brave Facts About the House of Gryffindor, 25 Money-Making Facts About Hollywood Industry, Hero to Zero Facts About Robert Devereux, The Rebellious Earl of Essex. Linder, Douglas O. Witches were considered to be followers of Satan who had traded their souls for his assistance. Spectral evidence refers to the description of harm committed by the specters of the accused, described by those who were bewitched [PDF]. So if witchcraft wasnt really happening in Salem, what actually caused those girls to have the fits? No, it doesnt sound that romantic or comic to me either. It was believed that they employed demons to accomplish magical deeds, that they changed from human to animal form or from one human form to another, that animals acted as their familiar spirits, and that they rode through the air at night to secret meetings and orgies. Other proof was the touch test, where if a witch who cursed someone touched the cursed person in the midst of a fit, theit fit would stop. Its sad to think that all of the trials and the numerous deaths could have been caused by ergot poisoning, and no one in the town had any idea. This obviously meant that you must also be a witch. Burroughs was brought back to Salem, tried, and executed. Apparently they felt that giving gifts took away from ones ability to focus on serious religious thought, and they did not like the pagan origins of some aspects of the holiday. Salem was . Another famous incident from the trials was the case of John Proctor. They accused several women in their town of being witches. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Descendants of the Salem community have made constant efforts to clear the names of those ancestors and relatives who were falsely accused and convicted back in the 1690s, with some being officially recognized as innocent by the Massachusetts government as recently as the beginning of the 21st-century. If a dog was fed a cake made with rye and the urine of an afflicted person, and it displayed the same symptoms as the victim, it indicated the presence of witchcraft. While Wyatt sneaks away from the bunker to face an unbelievable truth, Lucy, Rufus and Flynn chase the Mothership to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. It involved a woman by the name of Tituba, a most likely South American slave from Barbados, who was the first victim of Salems witchcraft accusations. The phrase witch hunt, commonly used to refer to an unjustified or falsely conjured-up prosecution, is thought to originate as a reference to this time period in American history. They found it by following clues in an accused witchs writings and through guesses on where prisoners would be transported. Soon after, other girls including Anne Putnam, Jr., 12, and Elizabeth Hubbard, 17, also started showing similar symptoms. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. The Salem witch trials of the late 17thcentury were a formative episode in Americas early history, and have remained at the forefront of the national consciousness ever since. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. Because most of the trials were occurring in Salem . The three convicted individuals received pardons. The first accusations during the Salem Witch Trials were against people who were for various reasons marginalized by society. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. Of them, thirty were found guilty, and nineteen of whom were executed. 9 Things You Might Not Know About the Salem Witch Trials, The world's largest online family history resource - Start now, New England, Salem Witches and Others Tried for Witchcraft, 1647-1697, 6 Unusual Last Names You Wont Believe Exist, The Experience of an Ancestral Home Visit, Discovering African American Heroes in My Family Tree. 25 DISTURBING Facts About The Salem Witch Trials 429,208 views Sep 12, 2018 6.3K Dislike Share Save List 25 2.51M subscribers Get ready to pull out your history books as we bring you the most. Thanks for your time! In 1702, the court declared the trials unlawful. But by October 1692, his wife Mary found herself the target of sorcery accusations. These 10 lesser-known facts about the . Spooky stories abound at the Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts. Learn about the Salem witch trials and their legacy. Over the following year many trials were held and many people imprisoned. It is easy to feel like we've long known everything there is to know about it. Linder, Douglas O. Additionally, he is an accomplished scriptwriter, having written the successful AA Meeting series for the stage and the award-winning film Depth of Pyaar. Make sure to watch this video all the way to the end to see which crazy witchcraft fact made our top 10! Brooks, Rebecca Beatrice. She was an enslaved woman believed to have been from Central America, captured as a child from Barbados, and brought to Massachusetts in 1680 by Reverend Parris. 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. Seven more died in jail. This often led to panicked citizens pointing out their innocent neighbors, adding to the rising toll of victims. Another famous incident from the trials was the case of John Proctor. Make sure to leave us a comment after you watch this video to tell us what you learned and what video youd like to see next! From unbelievable witch swimming tests to the role of Salem smallpox in the trials, this list will bring you every crazy witch trial fact that you never knew existed! You . For instance, after being accused of witchcraft, Philip and Mary English were held for trial in a Boston jail. He was the first to suggest the girls may be under the evil influence of witchcraft. So if you are a witch, no need to worry about this ever happening again! One man was pressed to death under heavy stones, the only such state-sanctioned execution of its kind. In May of 1693, Phips released from prison all remaining accused or convicted witches. On January 14, 1697five years after the trialsthe General Court ordered a day of fasting and prayers for the tragedy of Salem, stating, That so all God's people may offer up fervent Supplications unto him for ye preservation & prosperity of his Majtys.. Credit where credit is due! Despite their obvious Christian commitment, the early American Puritans actually banned Christmas in the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1659, deeming it a sacrilege. He brought to Salem Village his wife, their three children, a niece, and two slaves who were originally from BarbadosJohn Indian, a man, and Tituba, a woman. Here are three notable facts about the Salem witch trials: About 42-50 people died being accused of witchcraft over the course of 300 years. Witch trials had actually been a fairly common phenomenon in Europe during that period. Sarah Good also gave birth to a daughter, Mercy, while in custody. The Court of Oyer and Terminer was established in June 1692 because the witch trials were overwhelming the local jails and courts. This caused her to be accused of conspiring on behalf of the witches, and eventually of being a witch herself. It involved a woman by the name of Tituba, a most likely South American slave from Barbados, who was the first victim of Salems witchcraft accusations. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft and 20 were killed during the hysteria. People thought that witches used demons to do magic. Its name comes from the Anglo-French phrase oyer et terminer, which literally translates to hear and determine.. Interestingly, dogs role did not end here. Lieutenant Governor William Stoughton served as its chief magistrate and Thomas Newton as the Crowns Prosecuting Attorney. (There is uncertainty regarding the relationship between the slaves and their ethnic origins. Arthur Miller, the famous playwright who authored Death of a Salesman, responded to the McCarthy hysteria by writing The Crucible, a play about the Salem witch trials, as a metaphor for what the country was going through in the 1950s. During the trials, two dogs were killed based on suspicions of witchcraft. Unfortunately for Bishop, that allegation of witchcraft would not be her last. The magistrates then had not only a confession but also what they accepted as evidence of the presence of more witches in the community, and hysteria mounted.
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