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Witch Trials - Salem
by Tiamat on Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:26 pm
THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS
Throughout time, witches have been feared even as far back in time as the early reign of William I, statutes have been made against Witchcraft. It was not until 1401, however, that the first of the Witchcraft Laws was passed. The description as to what Witchcraft was, has evolved over the Centuries but the penalty for being found guilty remained the same - being burnt at the stake
It was common belief that a ‘witch’ was a person who had made a pact with ‘the devil’ – It was said that they had sold their souls to obtain special powers with which to torment other mortals!
If you deviated from the social norm, fell out with your neighbours or you were unliked, you were likely to be accused of, as tried as a witch.
In 1603, James I amended the Witchcraft Act. His adaptations meant that being accused of Witchcraft was a felony and as such, could be tried in the common court - being burnt at the stake was eliminated - so they hung ‘offenders’ instead.. It also meant that those accused and convicted forfeited their land and goods to the Crown.
Financial incentive provided, an era of the most pervasive witch hunts began. Although these witch hunts were carried out world wide, they were mainly in Europe, England and America.
New England was at this time, under the English legal system and the Court of Oyer and Terminer followed the precedent of previous rulings. Should a person accused of Witchcraft confess they were stripped of all property but were allowed to live – a denial risked execution.
‘Spectral evidence’ was permissible in such cases, for it was said that a witch and their ‘familiars’, could astrally tormented their victims – there was no defence for this type of ‘evidence’.
One of the most famous of these ‘Trials’ were conducted in Salem, Massachusetts, where, 142 people were accused even though only 25 actually lived in Salem Village or nearby. Usually only women were accused; however, in these trials 7 men were also accused.
It all began in the winter of 1691, when Elizabeth Parris (aged 9) and Abigail Williams (aged 11), quickly joined by two friends Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcott, used a glass of water and an egg white to determine their future husbands occupation. When the shape of a coffin was seen the girls became frightened
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Re: Witch Trials - Salem
by Tiamat on Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:04 am
JANUARY 1692
Elizabeth (daughter of the parish minister Reverend Samuel Parris) and Abigail began to experience mysterious pains.
FEBRUARY 1692
When doctors were unable to give a medical explanation for such symptoms they declared “an evil hand” was at work.
Community fasting and prayers were conducted to rid them of the evil forces, when this failed Reverend Parris beat his slave Tituba forcing her to confess to being a witch, she said she knew some “magic” but only how to make a ‘witch cake’ and protect herself from evil
25 February 1692
At the request of Mary Sibley, Tituba made the witch cake - English folk lore stated that by feeding this type of cake to a dog the spell Elizabeth and Abigail were under would be reversed as a dog was believed to be a “familiar” of the devil.
Ironically, Mary Sibley was not accused of Witchcraft as it was viewed that she was trying to help Elizabeth and Abigail.
The girls, now under severe pressure to name the witch that had afflicted them pointed the finger at Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne. They were arrested on 29 February 1692.
1 March 1692
Tituba ‘confessed’ to seeing the devil and testified to “a conspiracy of witches at work in Salem”; she confirmed that Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were her co-conspirators. They were examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne in Corwin’s House (aka Witch House).
Within a matter of days more townspeople claimed that they had been harmed or seen ‘apparitions’ of other members of the community.
11 March 1692
Ann Putnam Junior displayed symptoms of being afflicted – a short while later so does Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott and Mary Warren.
12 March 1692
Martha Cory, a member of the church village and wealthy landowner, was accused by Ann Putnam Junior. However as Martha had good social standing it was difficult to prove the accusation but when several other members of the community claimed to have seen and been taunted by her ‘spectre’ she was arrested and examined before Magistrates Hathorne and Corwin on 21 March 1692.
19 March 1692
Rebecca Nurse, another church member, was accused by Abigail Williams. Rebecca was examined 24 March 1692.
23 March 1692
Sarah Good’s four year old daughter, Dorcas Hoar, was arrested by Salem’s Marshal Deputy Samuel Brabrook. Dorcas was interrogated 26 March 1692.
28 March 1692
Mary Warren, a servant, accused her employer Elizabeth Proctor.
3 April 1692
Sarah Cloyce, after defending her sister, Rebecca Nurse, was also accused.
11 April 1692
Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce were examined by Hathorne, Corwin, Captain Samuel Sewall and Deputy Governor Thomas Danford. Elizabeth’s husband, John made history when he was also accused when he protested against the accusations made against his wife.
Mary Warren admitted lying about her employer’s involvement with Witchcraft and stated that other girls who had made similar accusations had also lied.
13 April 1692
Ann Putnam Junior alleges that the ghost of a man who died at Giles Cory’s house was haunting her, therefore denouncing Giles as a witch.
Elizabeth (daughter of the parish minister Reverend Samuel Parris) and Abigail began to experience mysterious pains.
FEBRUARY 1692
When doctors were unable to give a medical explanation for such symptoms they declared “an evil hand” was at work.
Community fasting and prayers were conducted to rid them of the evil forces, when this failed Reverend Parris beat his slave Tituba forcing her to confess to being a witch, she said she knew some “magic” but only how to make a ‘witch cake’ and protect herself from evil
25 February 1692
At the request of Mary Sibley, Tituba made the witch cake - English folk lore stated that by feeding this type of cake to a dog the spell Elizabeth and Abigail were under would be reversed as a dog was believed to be a “familiar” of the devil.
Ironically, Mary Sibley was not accused of Witchcraft as it was viewed that she was trying to help Elizabeth and Abigail.
The girls, now under severe pressure to name the witch that had afflicted them pointed the finger at Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne. They were arrested on 29 February 1692.
1 March 1692
Tituba ‘confessed’ to seeing the devil and testified to “a conspiracy of witches at work in Salem”; she confirmed that Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne were her co-conspirators. They were examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne in Corwin’s House (aka Witch House).
Within a matter of days more townspeople claimed that they had been harmed or seen ‘apparitions’ of other members of the community.
11 March 1692
Ann Putnam Junior displayed symptoms of being afflicted – a short while later so does Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott and Mary Warren.
12 March 1692
Martha Cory, a member of the church village and wealthy landowner, was accused by Ann Putnam Junior. However as Martha had good social standing it was difficult to prove the accusation but when several other members of the community claimed to have seen and been taunted by her ‘spectre’ she was arrested and examined before Magistrates Hathorne and Corwin on 21 March 1692.
19 March 1692
Rebecca Nurse, another church member, was accused by Abigail Williams. Rebecca was examined 24 March 1692.
23 March 1692
Sarah Good’s four year old daughter, Dorcas Hoar, was arrested by Salem’s Marshal Deputy Samuel Brabrook. Dorcas was interrogated 26 March 1692.
28 March 1692
Mary Warren, a servant, accused her employer Elizabeth Proctor.
3 April 1692
Sarah Cloyce, after defending her sister, Rebecca Nurse, was also accused.
11 April 1692
Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce were examined by Hathorne, Corwin, Captain Samuel Sewall and Deputy Governor Thomas Danford. Elizabeth’s husband, John made history when he was also accused when he protested against the accusations made against his wife.
Mary Warren admitted lying about her employer’s involvement with Witchcraft and stated that other girls who had made similar accusations had also lied.
13 April 1692
Ann Putnam Junior alleges that the ghost of a man who died at Giles Cory’s house was haunting her, therefore denouncing Giles as a witch.
_________________
Never judge a book by its cover, or love by your lover
Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can, seldom found in woman..... NEVER found in man
Tiamat- Mod
- Number of posts: 60
Age: 36
Registration date: 2008-08-28
Re: Witch Trials - Salem
by Bram on Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:31 am
Wow, someones been busy studying! 
This was very informative, disturbing once you start to see the madness in it, but interesting nonetheless!
I don't know much about the witch trials, which is a little shameful really considering it was such an important period historically.
The extent of my effort into learning about it is reading the play The Crucible in college and watching that movie with Winona Ryder!
Probably not the best sources for historical accuracy!
This was very informative, disturbing once you start to see the madness in it, but interesting nonetheless!
I don't know much about the witch trials, which is a little shameful really considering it was such an important period historically.
The extent of my effort into learning about it is reading the play The Crucible in college and watching that movie with Winona Ryder!
Probably not the best sources for historical accuracy!
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Re: Witch Trials - Salem
by Pythia on Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:06 pm
It never ceases to amaze me just how much mass hysteria and greed can corrupt and drive people to such atrocities. 
Thank you Tia for posting such an informative piece.
IT does us good to never forget those that have gone before us.
Blessings All
XXX
Thank you Tia for posting such an informative piece.
IT does us good to never forget those that have gone before us.
Blessings All
XXX
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