Salem: Overview 1692-1693
Background-
More than 200 people accused
19 executed
1957 act pronouncing the innocence of all was pronounced
First settlers in Salem had left England in 1630
1630-1642 10,000 puritans had migrated to Salem
Glorious Revolution 1688 and removal of James II added to the sense of unease
First Indian War 1675-78
In Massachusetts 1/10th of all men fighting age had been killed
Second Indian War 1688-97
1691-92 many fled raids by native Americans
Samuel Parris was an active preacher who believed the church was under threat
from the devil
Cotton Mather continually preached and wrote against witches
1689 Mather produced ‘memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and
possessions’
Navigation acts 1651, 1660, 1662, 1673 – reduced money and resources flowing to
Massachusetts
Reasons for Persecutions-
Salem was isolated
Economic divisions- puritans were afraid of vagrancy and denounced the giving of
charity
Many internal disputes
o The Putnam’s from Salem Village wanted independence from Salem Town
whereas the Porters wanted to maintain links with Salem Town
o The Putnam’s wanted the village to have its own congregation and supported
people like Samuel Parris
In 1691 the rate committee was replaced with a Porter majority
Samuel Parris tried to increase his own salary and the town was refusing to pay his
wages
Tituba was beaten by Parris and forced to confess
Scientific revolution had not ben felt in British Colonies
Clergy supported the trials at the start and then helped to end them
Lieutenant Governor and Chief Judge William Stoughton influenced the judicial
course of events- when Governor Phips returned from fighting the proceedings
stopped
Nature-
Prior to 1690s only 100 cases had been heard in 50 years
Victims:
o Sarah Good- a social outcast
o Sarah Osbourne- lived with a servant
o Bridget Bishop- innkeeper and independent woman
Background-
More than 200 people accused
19 executed
1957 act pronouncing the innocence of all was pronounced
First settlers in Salem had left England in 1630
1630-1642 10,000 puritans had migrated to Salem
Glorious Revolution 1688 and removal of James II added to the sense of unease
First Indian War 1675-78
In Massachusetts 1/10th of all men fighting age had been killed
Second Indian War 1688-97
1691-92 many fled raids by native Americans
Samuel Parris was an active preacher who believed the church was under threat
from the devil
Cotton Mather continually preached and wrote against witches
1689 Mather produced ‘memorable providences relating to witchcrafts and
possessions’
Navigation acts 1651, 1660, 1662, 1673 – reduced money and resources flowing to
Massachusetts
Reasons for Persecutions-
Salem was isolated
Economic divisions- puritans were afraid of vagrancy and denounced the giving of
charity
Many internal disputes
o The Putnam’s from Salem Village wanted independence from Salem Town
whereas the Porters wanted to maintain links with Salem Town
o The Putnam’s wanted the village to have its own congregation and supported
people like Samuel Parris
In 1691 the rate committee was replaced with a Porter majority
Samuel Parris tried to increase his own salary and the town was refusing to pay his
wages
Tituba was beaten by Parris and forced to confess
Scientific revolution had not ben felt in British Colonies
Clergy supported the trials at the start and then helped to end them
Lieutenant Governor and Chief Judge William Stoughton influenced the judicial
course of events- when Governor Phips returned from fighting the proceedings
stopped
Nature-
Prior to 1690s only 100 cases had been heard in 50 years
Victims:
o Sarah Good- a social outcast
o Sarah Osbourne- lived with a servant
o Bridget Bishop- innkeeper and independent woman
