The Middleton witch trials were a series of trials that took place in Middleton, Massachusetts, in the late 1600s. These trials were part of the larger witch trials that occurred throughout New England during the time period known as the Salem witch trials. The Middleton witch trials began in 1692, just a few months after the infamous trials in Salem Village. The accusations of witchcraft were sparked by claims made by several young girls in the area who claimed to have been bewitched. These accusations quickly spread throughout the community, leading to the arrest and prosecution of numerous individuals suspected of witchcraft. Like the Salem witch trials, the Middleton trials were marked by a climate of fear and hysteria.
Danvers
In the winter of 1691-1692, the beginnings of the Salem witch-hunt started when Rev. Samuel Parris’ daughter Betty and his niece Abigail Williams were afflicted by “an evil hand” in Salem Village, then part of Salem Town. In 1755, the Village became the town of Danvers.
Like the Salem witch trials, the Middleton trials were marked by a climate of fear and hysteria. The accused were largely women, many of whom were marginalized members of society, such as widows or those with low social status. The trials were conducted using questionable evidence, such as spectral evidence (evidence based on dreams or visions) and testimonies of the afflicted girls.
Explore
Edward & Sarah Bishop house site, 238 Conant Street. PRIVATE home. Edward (1648-1711) and Sarah (Wildes) Bishop owned an unlicensed tavern here, much to the dismay of their neighbors, who in 1692 accused them of witchcraft. They escaped from jail.
Sarah Holten house
First Church of Danvers, 41 Centre Street. After the witch trials, a new church was built here in 1702 at Watch Tower Hill. In 1706, following the reading of her apology, Ann Putnam Jr. (1679-1716) became a church member. The church has since been rebuilt. In the back of the sanctuary, there’s a plaque for Rev. George Burroughs, the former minister of Salem Village who was hanged in 1692.
Sarah Holten House, 171 Holten Street. Built circa 1670. After his swine were caught in her garden, Rebecca Nurse (1621-1692) scolded Benjamin Holten (1658-1689). He became ill and died two weeks later. His widow Sarah testified in 1692 that Rebecca caused the strange and violent fits that led to her husband’s death. (Also known as Judge Samuel Holten house.) Owned by Daughters of the American Revolution and accessible to the public.
Ingersoll’s Ordinary, 199 Hobart Street. PRIVATE home. Nathaniel Ingersoll’s home and the Ordinary where some of the accused witches were examined.
Rebecca Nurse house
Rebecca Nurse Homestead, 149 Pine Street. Built circa 1678. Home of accused witch Rebecca (Towne) Nurse (1621-1692) who was hanged in 1692, the site also includes Zerubabel Endecott’s barn (built circa 1681 and relocated here); a replica of the Salem Village Meeting House, built for the 1985 film Three Sovereigns for Sarah; and the family graveyard. View America’s Summer Roadshow video with never-before-seen rooms. Owned by the Danvers Alarm List Company and accessible to public.
Nurse Graveyard, 149 Pine Street. Family legend mentions retrieving Rebecca Nurse’s body after she was hanged for witchcraft, so no doubt she is buried in an unmarked grave, probably here. In 1885, descendants installed the Rebecca Nurse monument and a tablet listing the neighbors who supported Nurse during her trial and death. In 1992, the supposed remains of George Jacobs Sr. (1609-1692), another victim of the witch-hunt, were buried here and marked by a gravestone made to resemble the 17th-century style. (George lived on Margin Street and his house was torn down in the 1940s.) Owned by the Danvers Alarm List Company and accessible to the public.
Sarah Osborne House, 273 Maple Street. PRIVATE home. Home of accused witch Sarah (Warren) (Prince) Osborne (c. 1643-1692) who died in jail. Relocated from Spring Street about 1915.
Putnam Burial Ground, 485 Maple Street. Thomas, his wife Ann Sr., and daughter Ann Putnam Jr. are buried here in an unmarked burial mound.
Putnam House, 431 Maple Street. Built circa 1648. Lieutenant Thomas Putnam (1615-1686) bequeathed his homestead to youngest son Joseph Putnam (1669-1725), the only child born of his second marriage to the widow Mary Veren (d. 1695). In 1692, Joseph spoke out against the witch hunts in which his half-brother Thomas Putnam (1652-1699) was deeply involved since his wife Ann (Carr) and daughter Ann Jr. were afflicted accusers. Owned by General Israel Putnam Homestead Trust. Currently closed to the public.
Salem Village Meeting House site, across the street from 176 Hobart Street and memorial. Built 1672, the meeting house served as a place for civil, military, and religious meetings. Rev. Samuel Parris preached here in 1692 during the witch hysteria. In 1702, the meeting house was abandoned for the new church at the top of the hill. Visit the Rebecca Nurse homestead, where there’s a replica meeting house that was used for the 1985 film Three Sovereigns for Sarah.
Salem Village parsonage site
Salem Village Parsonage archaeological site, rear 67 Centre Street. Built in 1681 for Rev. George Burroughs (1650-1692), it was the home of Rev. Samuel Parris (1653-1720) when the Salem witch hunts started with his daughter Betty (1682-1760) and niece Abigail Williams first exhibiting signs of being “under an evil hand” (witchcraft). The original parsonage was torn down in 1784, though the 1734 two-and-a-half-story addition was moved and then torn down in the 1870s. The original site was excavated in the early 1970s, with thousands of artifacts uncovered. Now owned by the town, the site includes original foundation walls. Accessible to the public. Artifacts are at the Danvers Archival Center.
Wadsworth Cemetery, 18 Summer Street. Early settlers of Salem Village were buried here starting in the 1640s, though many graves are unmarked. Rev. Samuel Parris’ first wife Elizabeth (d. 1696) and Rev. Joseph Green (1675-1715) have gravestones still standing, while Rev. George Burroughs’ wives, who showed up as ghosts in the trials, have unmarked graves. Rev. Joseph Bayley’s first wife, Mary (Carr) (1652-1688), and Rev. Deodat Lawson’s first wife Jane are buried here.
Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial, 176 Hobart Street. Dedicated in 1992 for the 300th anniversary of the trials, the memorial is located opposite of the Salem Village Meeting House site where early witchcraft examinations took place. Town land, publicly accessible.
The accused were subjected to harsh interrogations and often faced unfair trials. Many innocent people were implicated and forced to confess under pressure. Some were even subjected to physical torture in order to obtain confessions. As a result, numerous individuals were falsely accused and falsely confessed to witchcraft. The Middleton witch trials resulted in the execution of several individuals, including both men and women. Others were imprisoned, while some managed to flee the area and escape prosecution. The trials eventually came to an end in 1693, when public opinion began to turn against the witch hunt mentality. In retrospect, the Middleton witch trials, along with the Salem witch trials, are seen as a dark chapter in American history. They serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of protecting innocent individuals from false accusations. The trials also shed light on the social and cultural dynamics of the time, particularly the treatment of women and marginalized members of society. Today, the Middleton witch trials serve as a cautionary tale and a subject of historical study. They are remembered as a tragic moment in American history, a time when fear and paranoia led to the persecution of innocent individuals. The trials also continue to be a topic of interest and research, as historians and scholars seek to understand the complex factors that contributed to this dark period..
Reviews for "Middleton Witch Trials: The Role of Fear in Shaping the Justice System"
1. John Doe - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Middleton Massachusetts Witch Trials" as I am a fan of historical fiction. However, I found this book to be extremely disappointing. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the characters lacked depth and development. The author seemed more focused on describing the historical context in painstaking detail rather than creating a gripping and engaging storyline. Overall, I was left feeling bored and uninterested throughout most of the book.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star
"Middleton Massachusetts Witch Trials" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked finesse. The dialogue was unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, lacking a clear direction. The overall execution of the story was sloppy and unimpressive. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-crafted historical fiction novel.
3. Samantha Johnson - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Middleton Massachusetts Witch Trials" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline was intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations felt shallow. The writing style was also quite average, lacking the descriptive prose I usually enjoy in historical fiction novels. I struggled to maintain interest throughout the book, and the ending was anticlimactic. Overall, it was a forgettable reading experience for me.