The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and five men. One man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death for refusing to plead, and at least five more died in jail. Twelve other women had previously been executed in Massachusetts and Connecticut during the 17th century. Despite being generally known as the Salem witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in a variety of towns across the province: Salem Village, Ipswich, Andover, and Salem Town. The most infamous trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town.
The most infamous trials were conducted by the Court of Oyer and Terminer in 1692 in Salem Town. Over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned, with even more accused. The two courts convicted twenty-nine people of the capital felony of witchcraft.
The Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch trials started in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 and ended in 1693. According to Smithsonian Magazine there were more than 200 people accused of witchcraft and 20 of those people were executed.
The hysteria started in January 1692 when Reverend Parris’ daughter Elizabeth and niece Abigail started to experience “violent contortions and uncontrollable outbursts of screaming.” After the doctor diagnosed the two girls with bewitchment, five other women and girls began to experience the same fits. Arrest warrants were issued in February for Reverend Parris’ slave, Tituba, and two other women. The arrested were questioned by Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne. Tituba was the only one who confessed and told the men that there were other witches. Several more of the accused confessed and there were so many trials that the local court had too many cases. To alleviate the burden on the local court, Governor Phips created the Court of Oyer and Terminer to hear and decide any cases involving witchcraft.
John Hathorne, Samuel Sewall, and William Stoughton were among the judges on the court. They convicted Bridget Bishop on June 2, 1692 and she was hanged eight days later. Cotton Mather wrote a letter to the court discussing whether the accused should be convicted based on spectral evidence of dreams and visions since “a demon may…appear…in the shape of an innocent…man.” The court did not respond to his letter and continued with the trials.
Later that same year, on October 3, Harvard President Increase Mather spoke against spectral evidence like his son. He stated, “It were better that ten suspected witches should escape, than that one innocent person should be condemned.” On October 29, Governor Phips proclaimed that the Court of Oyer and Terminer “must fall” in response to both Mather’s requests and the fact that Phips’ wife was being questioned for witchcraft. In all, fourteen men and women were convicted by the court and died before the court was disbanded by Governor Phips.
Since the trials ended there have been attempts to right the wrongs that were inflicted on the individuals accused, those killed, and their families. The trials were declared unlawful in 1702 and in 1711, a bill passed which restored the rights and good names to the accused. It was not until 1957, though, when Massachusetts issued a formal apology for the events that took place in Salem in 1692.
For more information and resources, see our LawGuide on the Salem Witch Trials.
When an accused witch appeared in front of the Court of Oyer and Terminer during the Salem witch trials, the law assumed they were guilty. Today, the presumption of innocence, or the idea that an individual accused of a crime is “innocent until proven guilty,” is one of the fundamental rights underlying the U.S. criminal justice system.
Nineteen of the accused, fourteen women and five men, were hanged. One man who refused to enter a plea was crushed to death under heavy stones in an attempt to force him to do so. At least five more of the accused died in jail. Twelve other women had previously been executed in Massachusetts and Connecticut during the 17th century. Fourteen women and five men were hanged. One man was crushed to death by rocks for refusing to enter a plea. 157 people were arrested, more were accused and the afflicted filled the jails and asylums. Trials took place in several towns..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Truth: Debunking Myths about the Salem Witch Trials"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Salem Witch Trials Passes." The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was also very slow, and I found myself constantly checking the time, waiting for something interesting to happen. Overall, I would not recommend this book if you're looking for an engaging and well-written historical fiction novel.
2. John - 1 out of 5 stars - "Salem Witch Trials Passes" was a complete letdown. The author seemed more focused on trying to shock readers with graphic depictions of violence and torture rather than crafting a compelling narrative. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to believe in the authenticity of the characters. Furthermore, the historical accuracy was questionable, with many inaccuracies and inconsistencies throughout the book. Save your time and skip this one.
3. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "Salem Witch Trials Passes," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The prose was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to follow the actual storyline. The book also lacked a clear direction, with various subplots that felt forced and unnecessary. The pacing was uneven, with periods of extreme tedium followed by rushed and underdeveloped resolutions. I struggled to finish this book and was ultimately unsatisfied with the lackluster ending.