The Salem Witch Trials

Facts March 1692 – January 1963 – Dates of the Witch Trials in Salem Samuel Parris - Minister during the time – Tituba – his servant Abigail Williams and Elizabeth Parris – niece and daughter – Suffered Afflictions after being caught practicing witchcraft – Became colonial celebrities during the Witch Trials Victims – 140 Accused 19 hanged 5 died in prison 1 pressed to death Social Impact – Biggest news and event of the colonies – Governors wife eventually accused – beginning of the end Increase Mather Wrote – Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Personating Men Better to let 10 witches go free then to condemn on innocent person Ended the witch Trials

How to spot a witch? Confession Usually by Force or coercion Social Outcast or “Outsiders” Feared for not following Puritan Values Physical Proof Birthmarks, disabilities, unique strength, etc… Anger followed by mischief Using witchcraft to punish your enemies Rise or Decline of Economic or Social Status Shows the lost of gods grace, or the Devils favor Spectral Evidence Cannot be proved – used mostly to convict witches

Salem Village vs. Salem Town Salem Town – Merchant Economy One of two main harbors in New England – Second after Boston Harbor – Diverse Religion and Society Harbor encourages diversity of population Progressive and new New England Society Salem village – East of the Town Under towns political control Basis for conflict – Farming Economy Family Farms passed on from generation to generation Land becoming scare each generation – Puritan Traditional and oldest New England Society Upset by towns non-puritan values Bitter about towns control over the affairs of the village

Salem Village vs. Salem Village The Village suffered from strong internal rivalries – Pro-Salem Town Easter Village Residences = Physically closer to town – Economically and politically more prosperous part village Large Family Farms, merchants, innkeepers, skilled artisans – Ipswich Road and Rivers connected to Salem Town and Boston » Close economic ties to town and Boston » Creates more diverse Economic Activities » Weak Puritan Values – More valuable land and better farming – Pro-Independent Salem Village Wanted to separate the village from the town Western Village Residences = Rural and difficult travel to town – Economy based on small family farms » Farm Land less profitable and difficulty taking goods to town – Limited Economic opportunities because of location Stronger Puritan Faith – Members of the Puritan elite – Pro-Independent Church – wanted to create a church separate from the town

Porters vs. The Putnams Porters – Pro-Salem Town, Eastern Residents – Strong and multiple economic endeavors – Controlled Village Council in 1692 – Anti-Witch Trials Supporters received most witch accusations Putnams – Pro-Salem Village – Generation Land Concerns – Joseph Putnam vs. Thomas Putnam Jr. Resulted in village Putnam’s loosing their wealth – Pro-Witch Trials Supporters issued most witch accusations

Puritanism vs. Capitalism Puritans – Communal Society – Hard Work = Godliness – John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” Madame Bubble Capitalism – Changing Colonial Society – Promotes anti-puritan beliefs – Salary Disputes of Village Ministers

The Five ministers of Salem Village Lack of Leadership – Minister = Village leader – Factional disputed extended to ministers James Bayley (Pro-Putnam) – Bayley Dispute = Legitimacy George Burroughs (Pro-Porter) – Salary Dispute – Accused and hanged during witch trials Deodat Lawson (Pro-Porter) – Avoid political opposition Samuel Parris (Pro-Putnam) – Witch Trials Joseph Green – Stability of Village, did not take part in factions

Why did the Witch Trials take place? Were people witches? – No Reasons – Village Politics – Economic – Religion – Weak ministers