Facts On The Salem Witch Trials In 1692

Facts on the Salem Witch Trials The Salem Witch Trials were a series of trial that took place in 1692, when it was believed “witches” were casting spells on people in the village of Salem. Back in the 17th - century there was a great amount of stress caused by many different things in that era. Those people lived in quite a horrific time. Especially since they moved to a new area of land and had a poor society.

Many factors had played into how the trials began. People displaced from the war going on found refuge in Salem (Blumberg, Jess). They also came about because of fights between families, church politics, and hysterical children (Wallenfeldt, Jeff). Controversy grew after the first ordained minister came into the church (Blumberg, Jess).

Stress of 17th - century life created a ground of fear (Salem Witch Museum). Teenage girls gathered in the kitchen with Tituba the slave in early 1692 (Independence Hall Association). Black magic dances were believed to be performed by Tituba and the girls in the nearby woods. There were over 200 accusations of practice of witchcraft (Blumberg, Jess). Puritan church members believed a witch had to perform a spell in order for someone to be bewitched (Independence Hall Association). A fungus that grew in the area at the time was known to cause vomiting, delusions and hallucinations along with muscle spasms (Blumberg, Jess). Toxicologists believe Ergot fungus in food was a cause for the girls

People were arrested when names were cried out by young girls who were suffering from “fits” (Salem Witch Museum). They would wait for trial, the crimes they had been accused of were punishable by death during the time of 17th - century New England. Bridget Bishop, a resident of Salem, was the first to be hung, she was hung June 10, 1692. Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne claimed their innocence in their trials ( Blumberg, Jess). Tituba the Caribbean slave was the 3rd to be tried. She confessed and all three were put in jail. Tituba had said “the Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” She talked about elaborate images including black dogs, red cats, yellow birds and a “black man.” There were five types of evidence they would use during the trials (Independence Hall Association). The first thing they were tested on was if they were able to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Those on trial would have their birthmarks and other blemishes used as physical evidence. Witness testimony, spectral evidence, and lastly a confession were also types of evidence