Witchcraft in Salem The Salem witch trials were a series of infamous events that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1692 to 1693. These trials were a result of a wave of hysteria and panic, as numerous people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Throughout this period, a total of twenty people were executed, with others being imprisoned or tortured. The trials were initiated when a group of young girls exhibited strange behavior, including fits and seizures. They accused several women of bewitching them, which quickly escalated into a full-blown witch hunt. The accusations were fueled by a strong belief in supernatural forces and fears of the devil's influence on society.
What little is known about Tituba is through her involvement in the witch trials. Documents refer to her as “Indian,” but it is likely that she was from an Indigenous community in the Caribbean, Florida, or South America. Reverend Samuel Parris enslaved Tituba and brought her to Boston and then Salem Village when he returned north from Barbados in 1680. Betty Parris, Parris’s daughter, and her cousin Abigail Williams identified Tituba as the perpetrator of their January and February afflictions, the first accusations of 1692. Tituba’s testimonies on March 1–2 confirmed for locals that a witchcraft conspiracy existed. In addition to confessing — undoubtedly under pressure — she accused Sarah Osburn and Sarah Good and said there were seven more witches, quickly widening the scope of the crisis. The court left Tituba to languish in prison until May 1693 when a grand jury rejected the charges brought against her. Shortly after, an enslaver, whose name is not known, paid her jail debts and released her to their ownership. The remainder of her life is a mystery.
These facts along with his son s friendship with the Porter family, enemies of the powerful Putnam family made Jacobs an easy target for early accusers. Male friends and family of a woman accused of witchcraft would also be accused of witchcraft, and witchcraft was believed to be passed down in families, to grandchildren for instance.
The accusations were fueled by a strong belief in supernatural forces and fears of the devil's influence on society. The court proceedings during the witch trials were deeply flawed. Evidence against the accused was often based on spectral evidence, meaning the testimonies of the afflicted girls when they claimed to have been attacked by the accused witches in their dreams or visions.
The 3 Biggest Myths About the Salem Witch Trials
In this 1869 oil painting 'Witch Hill (The Salem Martyr)' by Thomas Satterwhite Noble, the young woman posing as a condemned witch was a descendent of one of the hanged victims.
Thomas Satterwhite Noble/New-York Historical Society October 8, 2022 7:00 AM EDTSalem is having a moment. This past July, Massachusetts passed a lot that officially exonerated Elizabeth Johnson, Jr., the last person accused of being a witch. On Oct. 7, an exhibit opened at the New-York Historical Society—offering details on the real history of the Salem witch trials.
And then, of course, there’s Hocus Pocus 2. The sequel to the 1993 cult classic was Disney+’s biggest film premiere yet when it came out on Sep. 30. For the uninitiated, it features Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker reprising their roles as 17th-century witches who find themselves in modern-day Salem.
All of this speaks to a broader public fascination with the Salem witch trials. According to Emerson Baker, author of A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience, 156 people were formally charged with witchcraft—mostly women. Between June and September 1692, 19 people were hanged to death for the crime, and one was pressed to death by a rock. Five more died in prison between May 1692 and May 1693. Additionally, at least 120 were imprisoned for a year or more.
Joseph Glanvill's 1700 wordcuts 'Saducismus Triumphatus' aim to depict a rebuttal to any skepticism about the existence of witchcraft.
Joseph Glanvill/New-York Historical SocietyMore from TIME
But this history is often misunderstood, much like the women who were accused of being witches were misunderstood. While people are not being put on trial for being witches in 2022, Baker sees the shadows of witch hunts in some of our modern-day paranoia—“Salem moments,” as he calls them. “Extremism, scapegoating, racism, hatred, bigotry—as long as we have that, we’re going to have some version of witch hunts,” he says.
Below, Baker outlines three of the biggest myths about the Salem witch trials.
This type of evidence was highly subjective and unreliable, leading to many innocent individuals being condemned based on mere accusations. The social dynamics of the Salem community also played a significant role in the witchcraft hysteria. The accusations targeted individuals who were often seen as outcasts or had strained relationships with their neighbors. Economic and personal rivalries within the tightly-knit Puritan society further fueled suspicion and animosity, leading to an increased number of accusations. As the trials progressed, public opinion began to shift. People started questioning the validity of the accusations and doubting the reliability of spectral evidence. Eventually, the colony's governor stepped in and ordered an end to the trials, recognizing the injustice being committed. The Salem witch trials left a lasting impact on American history and have since become a prominent symbol of mass hysteria and the dangers of unfounded accusations. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of due process, skepticism, and the need to safeguard the rights of individuals, even in times of fear and uncertainty..
Reviews for "Puritanism, Religion, and Witchcraft in Colonial Salem"
1. John Smith - 2 stars
I found "Witchcraft in Salem" to be quite disappointing. The author seemed more interested in regurgitating well-known facts about the Salem Witch Trials rather than providing any new or unique insights. The writing style was dry and lackluster, making it quite a laborious read. Additionally, the book failed to effectively capture the essence of the time period and the fear that plagued the people of Salem. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on the Salem Witch Trials.
2. Sarah Johnson - 1 star
I had high hopes for "Witchcraft in Salem," but unfortunately, it fell far short of my expectations. The book was filled with factual errors and inaccuracies that significantly undermined its credibility. It was evident that the author didn't conduct thorough research or fact-checking. Furthermore, the writing was disjointed and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the chronology of events. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book, and I would caution others against wasting their time on it.
3. Emily Thompson - 2 stars
I found "Witchcraft in Salem" to be a rather mediocre account of the Salem Witch Trials. The author failed to delve deep into the motives and psychology of the accused individuals, making their stories feel one-dimensional. The book also lacked a coherent narrative, jumping from one event to another without adequate context or explanation. While it did provide some basic information about the trials, it was far from comprehensive or enlightening. In my opinion, there are much better books out there that cover the topic more thoroughly and engagingly.