The documentation of witch trials refers to the records, accounts, and various forms of written evidence that were produced during the period of witch-hunting in different parts of the world. Witch trials were a phenomena that occurred during the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods, where individuals, predominantly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and then prosecuted and punished for these alleged crimes. The documentation of witch trials exists in several forms, including court records, trial transcripts, confessions, and pamphlets. These documents provide valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and judicial procedures of the time. They also shed light on the social and cultural context in which witch trials took place. Court records and trial transcripts form a significant part of the documentation of witch trials.
Court records and trial transcripts form a significant part of the documentation of witch trials. They contain detailed accounts of the accusations, testimonies of witnesses, and the verdicts and sentences imposed on the accused. These documents reveal the methods used by the courts in determining guilt or innocence and demonstrate the prevalence of superstitious beliefs and pseudoscientific methods of evidence during the trials.
Read the Document That Condemned a Woman to Death in the Salem Witch Trials
“I was taken very ill again all over & felt a great pricking in ye soles of my feet, and after a while I saw apparently the shape of Margret Scott, who, as I was sitting in a chair by ye fire pulled me with ye chair, down backward to ye ground, and tormented and pinched me very much.” So swore Mary Daniel, the teenager whose deposition was submitted on September 15, 1692 to the court in Salem, Massachusetts, during the infamous witch trials of that year.
The rare original manuscript of Daniel’s statement against accused witch Margaret Scott went up for auction at Christie’s in New York on June 15, 2017, and was quickly snapped up in the auction’s opening minutes for $137,500, setting a new record price for any Salem-related document or artifact. Before the sale, Christie’s had estimated the deposition would go for between $50,000 and $80,000.
The deposition of Mary Daniel against Margaret Scott, auctioned by Christie’s in June 2017. (Credit: The Eric C. Caren Collection Catalogue/Christie’s)
The 77-year-old Scott was the only person from the town of Rawley, Massachusetts, to face charges of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials, which gripped the Massachusetts colony starting in the spring of 1692. One of 19 men and women executed, her case is much less well known than some of the other accused witches, largely due to the fact that so few documents relating to her trial have survived to the present day.
“The fact that we only have nine documents in her case is really remarkable,” said Margo Burns, a historian specializing in the Salem witch trials.
Speaking before the auction, Burns said she wouldn’t be surprised if the deposition caused more excitement on the auction block than even the original indictment, which sold for $31,200 back in 2012. “The indictments are interesting because that shows exactly what the charges were that she was tried on,” Burns told HISTORY. “The depositions are far more interesting because you start hearing actual voices of the people accusing her.”
Salem Witch TrialsAccording to Mark Rice, writing for the University of Virginia’s Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive, the combined documents from Margaret Scott’s trial suggest her neighbors had pegged her as a possible witch for nearly 20 years. Like other women accused of witchcraft, she was a poor, elderly widow who had been reduced to begging, and a longtime outsider in the community. Several of Scott’s children had also died very young, which was true of many accused female witches.
Though not much is known of her accuser Mary Daniel, she may have worked as a servant to Rowley’s minister at the time, Reverend Edward Payson. Among the other witnesses who testified against Scott were Frances Wicom, the 17-year-old daughter of a prominent leader in the Rowley community, and Sarah Coleman, who accused Scott of torturing her by “pricking, pinching and choaking of me.” Frances’ father, Captain Daniel Wicom, appeared as Scott’s chief accuser, claiming the widow cast a spell that immobilized his oxen, making it impossible to harvest his field.
Painting depicting the Salem witch trials. (Credit: Pictorial Press/Alamy Stock Images)On September 22, a week after the court heard Daniel’s deposition, Scott was hanged on Salem’s Gallows Hill, along with seven other accused witches. It would be the last day of executions that year, as public opinion had begun to turn against the trials, which would end for good in 1693.
Burns, who was the associate editor of 2009 book “Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt,” told HISTORY that of the nine original documents to have surfaced from Scott’s trial, two are in the Essex County Court Archive (housed at the Peabody-Essex Museum), and four were discovered at the Boston Public Library in 2012. The original of one court document, transcribed by Thomas Gage in an 1840 history of Rowley, has yet to surface.
According to Burns, the two remaining documents—Daniel’s deposition and the original indictment against Scott—had been circulating among private collectors until they were both purchased by the Eric C. Caren Collection in the 1980s. The deposition was among over 100 items from the Caren Collection in the Christie’s auction; a second Salem-related item, an advertisement for Cotton Mather’s account of the trials published in The Athenian Mercury in December 1692-January 1693, went for $1,375.
Here’s the full text of the Mary Daniel deposition, courtesy Christie’s:
I was taken very ill again all over & felt a great pricking in ye soles of my feet, and after a while I saw apparently the shape of Margret Scott, who, as I was sitting in a chair by ye fire pulled me with ye chair, down backward to ye ground, and tormented and pinched me very much, and I saw her go away at ye door, in which fit I was dumb and so continued till ye next morning, finding a great load and heaviness upon my tongue …
There appeared to me the shape of some woman, who seemed to look and speak most fiercely and angrily, and beat, pinch’d and afflicted me very sorely telling me I should not have said so, or told such things & to yt purpose … In some of ye fits yt I had afterwards, I was senseless and knew not yt I saw who it was yt afflicted me. In one fitt (upon ye beginning it) I thought I saw Goodw Jackson, and widow Scott come walking into the chamber with yr staves, one of ym came & sat upon me so yt I could not stir … In another fitt I saw ye appearance of sd Scott in ye room who afflicted me, and being speechless, I continued so, untill I went to ye sd Scott, who taking me by ye hand, I had ye liberty of speech again as formerly. The last fitt I had was upon ye last Sabbth day, in which I saw ye shapes of four women or five, of whom widow Scott was one, ye rest I knew not, nor knew yt any did hurt me, unless sd widow Scott.
On September 22, a week after the court heard Daniel’s deposition, Scott was hanged on Salem’s Gallows Hill, along with seven other accused witches. It would be the last day of executions that year, as public opinion had begun to turn against the trials, which would end for good in 1693.
Confessions of the accused witches are another crucial aspect of the documentation of witch trials. These confessions were often obtained through torture and coercion, making them highly questionable in terms of reliability. However, they provide insights into the beliefs and practices that the accused were forced to admit. Confessions often included descriptions of alleged pacts with the devil, flying on broomsticks, and participation in sabbaths or secret gatherings. In addition to court records and confessions, pamphlets and other printed materials were produced to disseminate information about the witch trials. These publications often portrayed witches as dangerous and malevolent beings, justifying the persecution and execution of those accused. They served as a means of propaganda and played a significant role in shaping public opinion and maintaining the authority of the courts and the church. Despite the questionable methods and biases present in the documentation of witch trials, they remain vital historical sources for understanding the social, religious, and legal climate of the time. The documents provide valuable insights into the beliefs and fears of the people, the power dynamics between different social groups, and the role of the church and the state in controlling and suppressing perceived threats to their authority. In conclusion, the documentation of witch trials comprises court records, trial transcripts, confessions, and publications that offer valuable insights into the social, cultural, and legal aspects of this dark period in history. Despite their shortcomings, these documents are crucial for understanding the causes, consequences, and legacy of witch trials..
Reviews for "Witch Hunts and Trials: Documenting the Stories of the Accused"
- John Doe - 2 stars - I found the "Documentation of witch trials" to be quite lacking in substance. The author seemed to rely solely on historical accounts without delving into any deeper analysis or critical examination of the events. The book read more like a dry textbook rather than a captivating exploration of a dark period in history. I was hoping for a more engaging narrative, but unfortunately, this book fell short in that aspect.
- Jane Smith - 3 stars - While the "Documentation of witch trials" provided a comprehensive collection of primary sources and documents related to witch trials, I felt that the organization and presentation of the material could have been better. Without any contextual explanations or analysis, it was sometimes difficult to fully understand the significance and implications of the documents. Additionally, the book lacked any personal stories or anecdotes that could have added a human touch to the otherwise detached historical documentation.
- Robert Thompson - 2 stars - As someone who has a genuine interest in the history of witch trials, I was disappointed by this book. The author failed to provide any fresh insights or alternative perspectives on the subject matter. It felt like a regurgitation of commonly known information without offering anything new to the reader. Furthermore, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I would not recommend "Documentation of witch trials" to anyone looking for a captivating examination of this dark period in history.