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Analytical Essay: The Bridget Byshop Trial

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The Salem Witch Trials were a series of court trials in Salem, Massachusetts from 1692 to 1693 alleging the practice of witchcraft and murder by a number of women and men. With Massachusetts descent from a Puritan England, these accusations were serious, and they developed into mass panic. Among those accused was Bridget Byshop who was the first to be executed after she was found guilty. The document, “The Examination of Bridget Byshop at Salem Village 19. April.1692 by John Hauthorn & Jonath: Corwin Esq’rs” was handwritten by Samuel Parris, and recorded the lawyers examination against Bridget Byshop. In this essay, this transcript for the trial of Bridget Byshop will be examined, and the context of these proceedings will be explained. …show more content…

Samuel Parris recorded this transcript, and the examination of Bridget Byshop was conducted by
John Hauthorn and Jonath Corwin, Esq’rs, Samuel Parris was a Reverend at Salem’s church and preached against the Devil’s work. This document, in other words, this is an early example of a court transcript. This document also is an example of a divided class within Salem, as John Hauthorn came from a family that was well known and served as a lawyer for this trial, and presumably others; thus he was well respected. Jonath Corwin was also notable as his English ancestry was well respected. While it could be false, there is evidence that these two gentlemen were related and brothers-in-law. This is an interesting twist and could potentially have biased the

examination of these proceedings. This transcript is an important document. The paper was hand written in English on April 19, 1692, not a surprise as Salem is an English speaking town having been settled by English settlers. The paper was handwritten in cursive with formal language indicating the lawyers, who were the examiners, were well spoken and educated, this is likely the case for recorder as well. The main purpose of this transcript was to record the examination of the alleged charges of witchcraft and murder against Bridget Byshop whom was the first person to be executed for witchcraft following this trial, making this document a historical

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Many people involved in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are mockingbirds in history, especially the innocent women who were executed for witchcraft. Bridget Bishop, the first convicted witch to be hanged, “was a widow who lived in Salem town. [She] had a bad reputation because she had been accused of witchcraft years before and had frequent run-ins with the law. ”(Brooks, “Bridget Bishop”) When Bridget’s husband passed away she began to behave strangely, a common trait in witches.

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In document C its shows the examination of Bridget Bishop recorded by Samuel Adams. The thing that makes this case significant is that Samuel Adams nine-year-old daughter Betty had accused someone of witchcraft. This meant that if Samuel Adams did not prove that Bridget was a witch, her daughter was lying and was going to be known as a liar for the rest of her life and it would have looked bad on Samuel Adams family. So he was determined to prove her guilty and get her killed for something she didn 't do just to save his family from embarrassment and judgment. In document D it also shows a paragraph written by a historian in the 19th century.

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I am Elizabeth Proctor, widow of John Proctor and mother to two children. Reverend Samuel Parris is the Revered of the local church I attend on occasion. The recent events in Salem of the supposed outbreak of witchcraft in the community has left many family heartbroken because of the lies believed in this court. The unjust punishment no, mass murder. I will not blink at this brutality which is due to this man’s carelessness.

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