Salem Witch Trials
Image courtesy of 4
Image courtesy of 4
Trials and executions
People of Salem getting ready to hang a "witch"
(12.) Bridget Bishop
(15.) Bridget Bishop's tombstone
(14.) Margaret Scott's tombstone
(15.) Using the pressed punishment to Giles Corey
(16.) |
The List of Methods:
In Salem, witchcraft was a major issue during 1692 and 1693. People where so scared of the unknown they started turning on each other. If one's farm animals suddenly died, or a family member was injured, it always had to be someone in the colony's fault. It was so bad, over two-hundred people where accused of being a witch. Nineteen people where executed, and thirteen died in prison. One, however, was pressed to death because he refused to plead. If one was accused of witchcraft, and found guilty, they would be executed. If one was executed, some of the punishments where:
The Nitty Gritty: (Major Punishment) The main punishment for these trials where for them to be hung. The nineteen people from the two-hundred, have been reported of being hung. For a trial to properly begin, the accused would have to do five things to be proven guilty or to not be executed. First step would be to recite God's Prayer, second step would to have a physical exam, third step would be to write a written testimony, fourth step would be a spectral exam, the last step would be to confess (even if you really didn't have anything to do with witchcraft) and name your accomplices. Eventually, the colonial government realized what had happened was wrong, and tried to apologized to the family members of who they killed. Here are the names and short biography's of the nineteen people who where executed.
Written By: Kendra J. Doornbos |