Dbq Salem Witch Trial

1469 Words6 Pages

Accused, trial, guilty, executed, devil, jury - the news spreading around Salem, Massachusetts was deathly. Starting with women, and then expanding to men, there were accusations of witchcraft encompassing the whole town. The arraigned did not stand a chance against the court. The accused witches went through one of the most arduous times of all people in Salem; however, after a well-abounding amount of trials, the cases were closed and the issue was solved. “It was the darkest and most desponding period in the civil history of New England.” - Charles W. Upham (Brooks). Many hardships had already struck Salem at this time such as low harvests, smallpox, Indian revolts, and an unstable government (Loiselle). The very first two episodes came from Abigail …show more content…

Tituba was accused of witchcraft by the girls and sent to jail (Loiselle). Tituba reported that the devil had come to her and five others, including Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne, and declared they aid him in hurting children. Sarah Good’s husband and their four-year-old daughter, Dorcas, both vouched that Sarah was more than likely a witch (Currie 12-14). Other girls who were accused of witchcraft brought up the chance of Dorcas Good being a witch. Soon after, Dorcas disclosed to her witchcraft (Mattes). Many people around the area of Salem took the allegation of witchcraft, and they all have their unique stories. Martha Corey, who took great involvement in her community and church, was accused of witchcraft by Ann Putnam. Martha visited Ann at her house because she wanted to deliver the message that she had not tried to, and did not plan on, harming her in any way. As soon as she arrived and stepped into Ann’s house, Ann started having fits. In the midst of the fit, Ann saw Martha’s spirit attacking the slave girl, Mercy Lewis, who then began having the fits too. Martha Corey became imprisoned (Currie