The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the execution of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and the imprisonment of more than 150 others. One of the most well-known figures from the Salem witch trials was Mary Easty. She was born in England in 1634 and later migrated to Massachusetts with her family. Mary was married and had seven children. She lived in Topsfield, a town near Salem.
“I will say it, if it was my last time, I am clear of this sin.”
During the trial, when Mary Easty clasped her hands together, the hands of Mary Lewis, one of the afflicted girls, were clenched and not released until Easty released her hands. Her examination followed the pattern of most in Salem the girls had fits, and were speechless at times, and the magistrate expostulated with her for not confessing her guilt, which he deemed proven beyond doubt by the sufferings of the afflicted.
She lived in Topsfield, a town near Salem. Mary Easty's involvement in the witch trials began when her own sister, Rebecca Nurse, was accused of witchcraft in March 1692. Despite Mary's efforts to defend her sister, Rebecca was convicted and sentenced to death.
Mary Easty: Hanged as a Witch in Salem, 1692
Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute.
Updated on March 03, 2019This deeply affected Mary and her family. A few months later, in April 1692, Mary Easty herself was accused of witchcraft. She was arrested and brought before the court. During her trial, several people testified against her, claiming that she had made them ill or afflicted them with fits. However, many others spoke in favor of Mary, testifying to her good character and innocence. Unfortunately, the court was biased against the accused and often relied on spectral evidence, which was based on visions or dreams, to justify the convictions. Mary was found guilty and sentenced to death. She was executed by hanging on September 22, 1692, along with several other accused witches. After Mary's execution, her family continued to fight for her innocence. Her husband, Isaac Easty, petitioned the court to clear her name and restore her reputation. Eventually, in 1711, the government passed a bill that exonerated those who had been convicted during the witch trials. This included Mary Easty. Mary Easty is remembered as one of the innocent victims of the Salem witch trials. Her story serves as a reminder of the dangers of hysteria, superstition, and a lack of due process. The trials had a profound impact on the community of Salem and the wider region, leading to a period of reflection and remorse in the years that followed..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Mary Easty: Remembering the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials"
1. John Doe - 1 star
I found "Mary aasty salem witch trials" to be a poorly written and unengaging book. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The author missed an opportunity to explore the historical context of the Salem witch trials and create a compelling narrative. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
While I appreciate the effort to shed light on the Salem witch trials, "Mary aasty salem witch trials" fell short for me. The writing style was inconsistent, with awkward sentence structure and excessive use of clichés. The characters lacked development and their motivations were unclear. The author also failed to capture the atmosphere and tension of the time period, making the story feel disconnected from its historical setting. I was hoping for a more engaging and thought-provoking read, but unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.
3. Mark Johnson - 1 star
I found "Mary aasty salem witch trials" to be a tedious and unenjoyable read. The plot was disjointed and the pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, and the characters lacked depth and believability. Additionally, there were several grammatical and spelling errors throughout the book, which further detracted from the reading experience. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
"Mary aasty salem witch trials" had potential, but it didn't quite live up to it for me. The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, with little attention given to important details and historical accuracy. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in their stories. The writing style was also average, lacking the descriptive language and evocative storytelling that I was hoping for. Overall, while the concept was intriguing, the execution fell short, resulting in a mediocre reading experience.
5. Michael Brown - 1 star
I regret picking up "Mary aasty salem witch trials" as it turned out to be a disappointing read. The writing was amateurish, with clunky dialogue and an abundance of unnecessary adjectives. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, following a formulaic structure that failed to surprise or engage me. The characters were poorly developed and their actions often felt forced. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to others.