passageways for Satan to enter the body." Next was witness testimony. Neighbors retold stories of times that their crops died or livestock became sick, blaming it on the witches. Fourth was the most prominent kind: spectral evidence. The Puritans believed that Satan could not take the form of an unwilling person, and if anyone saw a spector, or spirit in the form of a person, that person was undoubtedly a witch. Last, the judges considered a confession from the accused. As the trials went on, it was obvious that sometimes this was the only way out (“Witchcraft in Salem”). The judges wanted to keep convicted witches in prison for as long as possible, in hopes that they would list other unknown witches (Meltzer 80). The verdict of each woman 's trial was unsurprisingly the same: guilty as charged. However, the courts were anywhere but finished when accusations suddenly ran wild. By mid-March, the entire town was experiencing mass hysteria, with neighbor suspecting neighbor, brother against brother, and husband accusing wife (History.com). The afflicted girls no longer saw Good, Osbourne, or Tituba 's spectors, but they saw numerous others. Ann Putnam Jr. listed three other women as witches. First she named Sarah Good 's four year old daughter Dorcas, who supposedly tried to pinch and choke her. Next she accused Martha Corey, a reverent, zealous Gospel Woman who was extremely involved in the local church. This was different than the first accusations, because Martha Cory was a highly respected member of society. With this news, the town was in uproar. Anyone could have been a witch. The third woman Ann incriminated was Elizabeth Proctor, the wife of a burly tavern keeper (Schanzer 42-43). Once again, the group of afflicted girls agreed that they all had seen the spectors of the new witches. Mary Warren, who was the slave of the Proctor family, claimed she had been struck by Martha Cory and her master John Proctor, Elizabeth 's wealthy husband. John was so furious by her accusing of innocent people that he threatened to thrust hot tongs down her throat (Schanzer 44). During her trial, Martha Cory begged Judge Hathorn to excuse her for prayer, but he refused. He constantly accused her of lying, convinced that she was a scheming witch. When she reminded that court that she was a Gospel Woman, Ann Putnam Jr. cried out, calling her a Gospel Witch. She was found guilty and thrown back in the filthy, crowded jail, full of accused witches awaiting trial or execution (“The Salem Witch Trials, 1692”). Among the imprisoned was Dorcas Good, who would go on to remain trapped in the terrible conditions until she went insane (Schanzer 127). On March 23, Thomas Putnam and his
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She was known to wear red corsets and see younger men, which gave her a negative reputation. With only one judge believing her innocence, Bishop was found guilty (Schanzer 55-85). On June 10th, Bridget Bishop was the first to hang for witchcraft (History.com). The first execution of the Salem Witch Trials helped to open the eyes of several people. Cotton Mather, a Boston minister, wrote that spectral evidence should not be used by itself in court. He believed in the Invisible World, but he also thought that the only evidence used against accused witches in court should be evidence people could actually see. Still, the court continued using spectral evidence. The Court convened again on June 29 for the trials of five women, including Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse. This time, there was physical evidence of an accuser getting trapped in a lie, but the judge simply warned them to be honest from then on. The five women were hanged and buried, but Rebecca Nurse 's family retrieved her body and took it to their family burial …show more content…
However, it was easier said than done. Some thought that the witchcraft trials should continue. Others were mortified at all the innocent deaths that had occurred. Most of the freed men and women were impoverished and bitter, their lives and reputations tarnished. The church was in disarray, having no money and filled with angry, depressed citizens (Schanzer 107-108, 117). In January 1697, the Massachusetts General Court declared a day of fasting for the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials
She was known to wear red corsets and see younger men, which gave her a negative reputation. With only one judge believing her innocence, Bishop was found guilty (Schanzer 55-85). On June 10th, Bridget Bishop was the first to hang for witchcraft (History.com). The first execution of the Salem Witch Trials helped to open the eyes of several people. Cotton Mather, a Boston minister, wrote that spectral evidence should not be used by itself in court. He believed in the Invisible World, but he also thought that the only evidence used against accused witches in court should be evidence people could actually see. Still, the court continued using spectral evidence. The Court convened again on June 29 for the trials of five women, including Sarah Good and Rebecca Nurse. This time, there was physical evidence of an accuser getting trapped in a lie, but the judge simply warned them to be honest from then on. The five women were hanged and buried, but Rebecca Nurse 's family retrieved her body and took it to their family burial …show more content…
However, it was easier said than done. Some thought that the witchcraft trials should continue. Others were mortified at all the innocent deaths that had occurred. Most of the freed men and women were impoverished and bitter, their lives and reputations tarnished. The church was in disarray, having no money and filled with angry, depressed citizens (Schanzer 107-108, 117). In January 1697, the Massachusetts General Court declared a day of fasting for the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials