In 1692 a mass hysteria over witchcraft came over Salem, Massachusetts. The Salem Witch Trails led to the convictions of over 100 people, many were jailed, others here hanged or pressed to death.http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/salemwitchtrials/story/story.html
The Accused
Over 150 people were accused and imprisoned for the crime of witchcraft and 29 were tried and convicted. Fourteen women and five men were hanged as witches. Another man, who was over eighty years old, was crushed with stones for refusing to enter a plea. At least seven others, including an infant, died in prison.
In May of 1693 all the accused witches remaining in jail were pardoned and allowed to go free after they had paid their prison bills.
Salem Witch Trials Notable Figures
- Samuel Parris I Betty Parris I Abigail Williams I John Hale I Cotton Mather I George Burroughs I Tituba I Ann Putnam I Sarah Good I Sarah Osborne I Martha Corey I Rebecca Nurse I Dorcas Good I Elizabeth Proctor I John Proctor I Giles Corey I Bridget Bishop I Mary Warren I George Burroughs I Susannah Martin I John Willard I Ann Pudeator I Roger Toothaker I Wilmot Redd
Salem Witch Trials Timeline
1629: Salem, Massachusetts settled
1641: Witchcraft declared a capital crime in England
1688: Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions published
1692
January 20: Several children begin exhibiting strange behavior in Salem, Massachusetts
February 15: It is determined that Witchcraft is the cause
February 25: A Witch Cake is made
February 29: Sarah Good,Sarah Osborne and Tituba arrested
March 12: Ann Putnam accuses Martha Corey of Witchcraft
March 19: Abigail Williams accuses Rebecca Nurseof Witchcraft
March 23: Dorothy Good(4 yrs old) arrested
March 28: Elizabeth Proctor arrested
April 11: John Proctor arrested
May 4: George Burroughs arrested
May 10: Sarah Osborne dies in jail
June 2: Bridget Bishop sentenced to death
June 10: Bridget Bishop hanged at Gallows Hill
June 30: Rebecca Nurse,Susannah Martin, Sarah Wildes, Elizabeth Howe & Sarah Good sentenced to death
July 19: Sarah Good, Sarah Wildes, Elizabeth Howe, Rebecca Nurse & Susannah Martin hanged at Gallows Hill
August 5: George Burroughs, John Willard, Martha Carrier, George Jacobs, Elizabeth Proctor & John Proctor sentenced to death
August 19: George Burroughs, John Willard, Martha Carrier, George Jacobs & John Proctor hanged on Gallows Hill
September 9: Martha Corey, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Dorcas Hoar & Mary Bradbury sentenced to death
September 17: Wilmott Redd, Rebecca Earnes, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, Abigail Hobbs, Margaret Scott, Mary Parker & Samuel Wardwell sentenced to death
September 19: Peine Forte Et Dure torture began on Giles Corey
September 21: Giles Cory dies
September 22: Ann Pudeator, Alice Parker, Willmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty & Mary Parker hanged on Gallows Hill
Ocotober 3: Use of spectral evidence forbidden
November 25: Superior Court established to try remaining witches
1693 January: Jailed ctizens charged of Witchcraft released due to arrests based on spectral evidence
1697: January 14 Day of fasting & prayer for victims of Salem Witch Trials ordered
1702: The General Court declares the Salem Witch Trials unlawful
1706: Ann Putnam apologizes for her actions
1711: Bill passed restoring good names of accused and grants restitution to families
1957: Massachusetts officially apologizes for the Salem Witch Trials
1992: 300th anniversary of Salem Witch Trials a Wtchcraft memorial is dedicated in Salem, Massachusetts