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Strange Behavior Begins
Elizabeth Parris and Abigail Williams began to exhibit odd behavior such as screaming, seizures, trance-like states, and mysterious spells. Soon, other Salem girls began to exhibit similar behavior. -
Physicians Examine Afflicted
Physicians examine the afflicted girls, and when they are unable to determine any physical cause for the symptoms, it is concluded that they are under the influence of Satan. -
Witches Identified
Reverand Parris, upon hearing that the girls were under the influence of Satan, began ordering prayer services and community fasting in hopes of banishing the evil that plagued the girls. One town member, John Indian, even baked a "witch cake" with rye meal and the afflicted girls' urine. This cake was supposed to reveal the identities of the witches. The afflicted girls named three women as witches: Tituba, the Parris family's slave, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. -
Witches Examined
Magistrates examined Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. Only Tituba confessed to practicing witchcraft, while the others maintained their innocence. Other townspeople came forward, accusing more people of witchcraft, mostly because they themselves did not approve of the person's behavior or economic circumstances. -
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More Witches Accused/Examined
Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, Sarah Cloyce, Abigail Hobbs, Bridget Bishop, Giles Corey, Mary Warren, Nehemiah Abbott, William and Deliverance Hobbs, Edward and Sarah Bishop, Mary Easty, Mary Black, Sarah Wildes, Mary English, Sarah Morey, John Proctor, Lydia Dustin, Susannah Martin, Dorcas Hoar, and George Burroughs were accused/arrested/examined. Only Nehemiah Abbott was cleared of charges. Abigail Hobbs confessed. -
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More Examinations and a new Governor
Burroughs is examined, and so is an afflicted girl, Sarah Churchill. George Jacobs Sr. and granddaughter Margaret examined, Margaret testifying that she, her grandfather and George Burroughs were both witches. Sarah Osborne died in prison. Increase Mather brings back a new governor- Sir William Phips and a new charter from England. Mary Easty released from prison, and arrested a second time after protests by her accusers. -
Court of Oyer and Terminer
Governor Phips sets up the Court of Oyer and Terminer to try witchcraft cases. Judgement is based on intangible evidence, such as confessions, supernatural attributes like "witchmarks", reactions of the afflicted girls, and spectral evidence- that the Devil could assume the "specter" of an innocent person. -
More "Witches" Examined
Martha Carrier, John Alden, Wilmott Redd, Elizabeth Howe, and Phillip English are examined. -
First Session of the Court of Oyer and Terminer
At the first session of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Bridget Bishop was the first "witch" to be tried and found guilty of witchcraft and condemned to death. Soon after, a member of the Court, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned because he did not agree with the Court's proceedings. -
First "Witch" Hanged
Bridget Bishop was hanged in Salem. After her death, more accusations of witchcraft arose, and so did petitions on behalf of those accused! -
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More Witchcraft Trials
Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Sarah Wildes, Sarah Good, and Elizabeth Howe were tried and convicted of witchcraft. -
Andover Witch Hunt Begins
Joseph Ballard of nearby Andover enlisted the help of the accusing girls of Salem in an attempt to expose the witches in his life. This began the Andover Witch Hunt. -
More "Witches" Executed
Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe, Sarah Good, and Sarah Wildes are executed for being "witches". -
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More Witch Trials and More "Witches" Condemned
George Jacobs, Sr., Martha Carrier, George Burroughs, John and Elizabeth Proctor, and John Willard are tried and condemned for "witchcraft". -
Even More "Witches" are Executed
George Jacobs, Sr., Martha Carrier, George Burroughs, John Proctor, and John Willard were hanged on Gallows Hill. -
More "Witches" are Tried and Condemned
Martha Corey, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Dorcas Hoar, and Mary Bradbury were tried and condemned to death. -
More Witch Trials and Witches Condemned to Death
Margaret Scott, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, Mary Parker, Abigail Faulkner, Rebecca Eames, Mary Lacy, Ann Foster, and Abigail Hobbs are tried for witchcraft and condemned to death. -
"Witch" Killed for Refusing Trial
Accused "witch" Giles Corey was pressed to death for refusing a trial. -
"Witch" Confesses, Execution Delayed
Dorcas Hoar was the first "witch" who had been pleading innocent to confess. Her execution was delayed. -
More "Witches" Hanged
Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Mary Parker were hanged. -
Shift in Witch Trials
Thomas Brattle wrote a letter criticizing the witchcraft trials and the number of people killed by them- 20 supposed "witches"! Governor Phips was affected by that letter, and ordered reliance on spectral and intangible evidence no longer be allowed in witch trials. -
Court of Oyer and Terminer Dissolved
Governor Phips dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer. -
Superior Court Created
The General Court of the colony created the Superior Court to try the remaining witch trials. The trials were held in May 1693, and no one was convicted this time! In total, 24 people were killed in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692- 19 were hanged, and others such as Roger Toothaker, Lyndia Dustin, and Ann Foster died in prison.
