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 executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and the imprisonments of many others. The trials took place in Salem, a small town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The events that unfolded in Salem during this time have become synonymous with hysteria, superstition, and the dangers of religious and social intolerance. The origins of the Salem witch trials can be traced back to the deep-rooted fear and suspicion that existed within the Puritan community. The Puritans believed in the existence of witches and saw witchcraft as a threat to their strict religious and social order.
Thought to be built sometime between 1620 and 1642, it was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin (1640–1718) who investigated and presided over some of the Salem Witch Trials. The house is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials of 1692.
Citizens collected 42,000 for the relocation of both the Witch House and neighboring Bowditch House, the former residence of the founder of modern maritime navigation. Corwin was appointed to replace Judge Nathaniel Saltonstall for the Court of Oyer and Terminer, with Saltonstall resigning from the court after the execution of Bridget Bishop.
The Puritans believed in the existence of witches and saw witchcraft as a threat to their strict religious and social order. In addition to their religious beliefs, the Puritans were also influenced by the prevailing European witchcraft trials, which had taken place for centuries. The witch trials began when several girls in Salem Village began exhibiting strange behavior, including fits, screaming, and contortions.
The Witch House of Salem
The Salem witchcraft trials took place between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused, 59 were tried, 31 were found guilty, and 20 were executed. Those final unfortunates were hanged, and one man was crushed to death while being tortured.
Among the judges who convicted the witches (based on “spectral evidence,” evidence based upon dreams or visions) was Jonathan Corwin. As a local magistrate and civic leader, Corwin was called upon to investigate the claims of diabolical activity when a surge of witchcraft accusations arose in Salem and neighboring communities. He took the place of Judge Nathaniel Saltonstall, who resigned after the execution of Bridget Bishop. Corwin served on the Court of Oyer and Terminer, which ultimately sent nineteen to the gallows. All 19 refused to admit to witchcraft and maintained their innocence.
The Witch House, as it is now known, was his home and is the only structure still standing in Salem, Massachusetts with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. The house was bought by Judge Corwin in 1675, when he was 24 years old, and he lived there for more than forty years. Corwin is buried in the nearby Broad Street Cemetery. The house remained in the Corwin family until the mid-19th century.
Today the house is a museum focusing on 17th-century living. It’s one of the last remaining links to a time in American history when people were hanged because they supposedly inflicted pain by the use of “venomous and malignant particles, that were ejected from the eye.”
Know Before You Go
If you're visiting Salem during Samhain, better known as Halloween or anytime in the month of October, get there early (even during the week). One does not simply get a parking space for any length of time.
The Witch House was marked by the witch hunt, permanently touched by his intolerance. The “Corwin Curse,” too, marks the Witch House. With eight Corwin lives lost to premature death, this “Historic Home” has testified to tragedy, terror, and tall tale. The Witch House was even uprooted and relocated, mystifying an already mysterious two-and-half-story home.
The village doctor, who could find no medical explanation for their symptoms, concluded that they were under the influence of witchcraft. The girls accused three women of being witches, and thus began a chain of accusations and trials that would grip the community for several months. The trials themselves were highly flawed and relied on spectral evidence, which involved the use of visions and dreams as evidence. This allowed for the prosecution of individuals based solely on the testimony of the accuser, leading to a widespread hysteria and fear that anyone could be accused of witchcraft. As the trials progressed, many innocent people were accused and imprisoned. The accused were interrogated and often subjected to physical and psychological torture in order to extract confessions. Those who confessed to being witches were often spared execution, but those who maintained their innocence were executed by hanging. The Salem witch trials eventually came to an end when the governor of Massachusetts intervened and put an end to the proceedings. With the trials halted, the community began to question the validity of the accusations and the methods used during the trials. The trials were widely condemned and seen as a gross miscarriage of justice. The Salem witch trials have left a lasting impact on American history and have been the subject of numerous books, plays, and movies. The events in Salem serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria, the power of fear, and the devastating consequences of intolerance. The trials also highlight the importance of due process and the need for evidence-based investigations when dealing with accusations of wrongdoing..
Reviews for "The Witch House of Salem: Keeping the Story Alive"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Witch House Salem Inside". The storyline was all over the place and didn't make much sense. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. On top of that, the acting was subpar, with many scenes feeling awkward and unconvincing. Overall, it was a complete letdown and I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. Mike - 2 stars - "Witch House Salem Inside" was an underwhelming experience for me. The movie had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was off, with long stretches of slow, meandering scenes that dragged on without adding anything to the story. The horror elements were also lackluster, as the scares felt predictable and cliché. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many questions unanswered. Despite a few promising moments, this film ultimately fell flat for me.
3. Sarah - 1.5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Witch House Salem Inside," but it turned out to be a major letdown. The plot was confusing and disjointed, with multiple storylines that didn't tie together well. The cinematography was also disappointing, with dull and uninspired visuals that failed to create a sense of tension or atmosphere. The acting was mediocre at best, with unconvincing performances that made it difficult to invest in the characters' struggles. Overall, "Witch House Salem Inside" was a forgettable and frustrating film that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.