Salem Witch Trials: A Dark Chapter in American History

The Salem Witch Trials were a horrible event in the history of the United States of America. The Salem Witch Trials happened in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. During this event over 200 people were accused of being witches and the ones found guilty or would not confess were executed 20 people ended up being executed. The court finally admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted (Blumberg). Before the witch trials Salem had a colorful history. Salem was known for its 600 residents; many of the residents believed that the economy made it too individualistic. According to Sutter, the Putnam’s were the leaders of the separatist group primarily because they owned the most farmland in the village.

John Hawthorne was one of the many judges; he was born into a Salem family on August 5, 1641. Hawthorne became a local Salem Magistrate, chosen by Governor Sir William Phips to be a judge in the Salem Witch Trials. During those trials, Hawthorne took on the role of prospector rather than an impartial judge. Hawthorne always seemed to be on the side of the accusers and always thought that they were guilty. He also encouraged the accused to confess and tell who else was a witch. On May 10, 1717, he passed away and was the target or criticism by his own great-grandson, Nathaniel Hathorne. Thomas Danforth was a politician, magistrate, and landowner in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As a Puritan, he served for many years as one of the colony’s councilors and magistrate. Danforth was the leading figure in the colony at the time of the Salem Witch Trials, but did not sit on the Court of Oyer and Terminer. In the play he seemed to be the hateful and rude; however, in reality, he is recorded as critical of the conduct of the trials and played a role in bringing them to an end. John Hale was born in Charleston in 1636. Hale was a preacher and was First Parish Church in Beverly’s first official pastor in 1667. Hale was among the foremost ministers intent upon seeking out and eliminating the witches responsible. Hale was called on to testify against members of his congregation. John Hale wrote a book about the trials, but

Their first case was Bridget Bishop and on June 10, she was found guilty and hanged on Gallows Hill (Blumberg). Another trial was Martha Corey. On Friday, March 11, 1692, was the day that Salem fasted and prayed. On that day, Rev. Parris asked the girls to reveal another witch. They found their next victim, and her name was Martha Corey. She was a new member of the congregation. She was sarcastic responding. The accusers acted with agony and acted to be forced by an unseen power to mimic the movement of the witch. “On Monday, the 21st of March, they decide her examination of Corey.” She ended up denying the charges and that they could not prove it so they sent her to jail (The Salem Witch Trials, 1692). After all of this, the aftermath of the accused, Governor Phipps after his own wife being questioned for witchcraft, prohibited further arrests, released many accused witches and dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer on October 29. By May 1693, he pardoned all who were in prison on witchcraft charges. But the damage had been done; 19 were handed on Gallows Hill, a 71- year old man was pressed to death, and the rest of them died in jail waiting to be