Samuel Parris: The Salem Witch Trials

In 1689, a man by the name of Samuel Parris opened up a new church in Salem Village, Massachusetts. Parris had attended Harvard University a few years prior before leaving to pursue a career in ministry. At the time, the village of Salem was divided into two different parts: Salem Town and Salem Village. The two parts of the village were set apart according to their economy, class, and character. The residents of Salem Village were mostly poor farmers, while Salem Town was a prosperous port town with mostly wealthy wholesalers. The division between these two towns is believed to play a small role in the Salem Witch Trials (Economic and Social Divisions). During the winter of 1692, the minister’s daughter, Betty Paris, became extraordinarily

The chief justice of the court was an avid witch hunter by the name of William Stoughton. Mather urged Stoughton and the other judges to admit “spectral evidence,” and his advice was followed. The judges, who had little to no legal training, looked to the ministers for guidance. Evidence that would be excluded in courts today, such as hearsay, gossip, and stories, were generally admitted as evidence. The judges allowed touching tests to take place during court. Touching tests were completed by asking the defendants to touch the affiliated person to see if their touch was a touch of the witches. Defendants’ bodies were also examined for “witch’s marks” such as moles. Many protections that are allowed in today’s modern courts such as legal counsel and being able to have someone testify on their behalf were not allowed during the Salem trials. However the witches were able to speak for themselves, present evidence, and cross examine their accusers

One of the most famous cases was the one of John Proctor. Ann Putnam, Abagail Williams, Indian John, and eight-teen year old Elizabeth Booth all testified against Procter and his wife during the trial. Booth claimed that ghosts came to her and accused Proctor of serial murder. Proctor denied this over and over and demanded that his trial be moved to Boston. His request was denied and Proctor was hanged. His wife, Elizabeth Proctor, was also convicted of witchcraft; however, she was pardoned from the execution because she was pregnant at the