The Salem Witch
Many people have visions of witches looking like old hags and
large noses wearing a dunce type hat.
So not true. Many years have
passed since the Salem Witch Trials and many of the unexplained occurrences
back then, can now be explained.
The Salem Witch accusations started in Salem, Massachusetts in
February 1692. Two young girls became ill and physicians of the time couldn't
find anything medically wrong with the children. Being of unknown origin and the beliefs of the era, townspeople
cried "Witchery". Out cries
from townspeople and children had accused many of their fellow residents. The three women stood accused in front of
Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hawthorne in February of 1692.
The first arrests for witchcraft were made on March 1st,
1692 and the last hanging was done on September 22nd. New appointed courts of judges were
overseeing the trials come June of 1692.
The courts of judges were disbanded in October of the same year. Trials lasted less then one year, 14 women
and 5 men were hanged at the gallows for being condemned of witchcraft. There were a total of 24 people who died
during this time. One man, Giles Corey,
refused trial and pled his innocence; he was tortured for 2 days before he
died.
After Governor Phipps disbanded the court in October, The Superior Court of Judicature was formed and it replaced the
court that was foreseeing the witch trials.
It did not allow spectral evidence.
Those who were hanged were condemned on this evidence. The new court
released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting execution. The trials had finally come to an end.
Over the next few years, apologies were made and restitution was
made to the victim's families.
A day of feasting and remembrance
was instituted in the aftermath of the trials.
Information provided by Salem Witch Museum and Salem, Massachusetts Site