Salem Witch Trials

The Salem witch trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The claims of Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams sparked these infamous trials that echo throughout history.

Parris and Williams claimed to be possessed by the Devil and exhibited a variety of symptoms such as uncontrollable fits of screaming and body contortions. In addition to the continuous outbursts, the girls claimed they were being pinched and pricked with pins. Upon William Griggs’ examination, he found no evidence to support illness of any kind. He instead turned to witchcraft to explain these mysterious symptoms.

As the hysteria grew, the outbursts became more frequent and saw other women accompany Parris and Williams: Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, and Mary Walcott. This resulted in the arrest of three women: Tituba, Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne. Tituba was Parris’ slave, Good was a beggar and Osborne was directly implicated by the girls.

The accused were brought before local magistrates and members of the Governor’s Council – John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin. Good and Osborne denied any part in the girls’ illness, whereas Tituba confessed. As with many confessions during this time, once someone admitted to using witchcraft, they were forced to name fellow witches within the community. Tituba listed a number of witches, detailing a conspiracy against Puritanism.

The high number of accused witches encouraged the creation of a new court system in 1692. Court of Oyer would note down any accusations made and the Terminer would decide on their fate. The Salem witch trials resulted in the execution of 20 accused witches; 19 by hanging and 1 by peine forte et dure (pressed to death).

Featured image: The central figure in this 1876 illustration of the courtroom is usually identified as Mary Walcott