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Chronology of Events: Salem Witch Trials
The Salem Witch Trials occurred during 1692. -
Reverend Parris: First Ordained Minister of Salem
Reverend Parris became the first ordained minister of Salem. Source Image Source -
Tension between Villagers and Reverend Parris
Tension increased between Reverend Parris and a faction of Salem villagers, who wished to removed Reverend Parris and averred that they would not contribute to his salary. Source -
Bizarre Behavior by Reverend Parris' Daughter and Neice
Reverend Parris' daughter, Elizabeth Parris, and neice, Abigail Williams, began to exhibit strange behaviors, such as seizures, incoherent babbling, and screaming. Source -
Dr. Griggs' Suggested Witchcraft as a Cause
Dr. Griggs attended to Reverend Parris' daugther and neice. He suggested that witchcraft was the cause of their strange behavior. Source -
Tituba, Carribean Slave, Made Witch's Cake
Tituba, a Carribean slave in the Parris household, made a witch's cake, which consisted of rye and the urine of the afflicted girls. It was believed that when the cake was fed to a dog, the person responsible for the witchcraft would be injured, thereby revealing his or her identity. Source -
Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne Accused and Arrested
Elizabeth Parris accused Tituba of bewitching her. Also accused were Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne. Upon further examination, Tituba later admitted to practicing witchcraft and claimed Good and Osborne were her co-conspirators. All three women were sent to a Boston prison. Source Image Source -
More Girls Reportedly Afflicted
Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Mary Warren claimed to be afflicted by witchcraft. Source -
List of Accused Continued to Grow during March and April
The list of the accused continued to grow during March and April. This included Martha Corey, Rebecca Nurse, John and Elizabeth Proctor, Sarah Cloyce, Giles Corey, Dorcas Wood, and Mary Warren. Source -
Accuser Mary Warren Admitted to Lying
The Proctors' accuser Mary Warren admitted to lying about the charges of witchcraft and accused other girls of lying. Source -
Mary Warren Recanted Previous Claims
Mary Warren recanted her previous claim that she was lying. She again rejoined the side of the accusers. Source -
Reverend George Burroughs Accused
Reverend George Burroughs was labeled as the "Black Minister" and accused of witchcraft. He was arrested at his home in Maine and jailed in Salem. He was later convicted and hanged in August. Source Image Source -
Bridget Bishop Was the First Convicted and Sentenced to Death
Bridget Bishop was the first to be tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Despite the conviction, Bishop contended: "I am no witch. I am innocent. I know nothing of it." She was hanged on June 10, 1692. Source Image Source -
More Convicted and Hanged
After being tried and convicted, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe, Sarah Good, and Sarah Wildes were hanged. Source <a href='http://www.google.com/imgres?q=susannah+martin&num=10&hl=en&biw=1122&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=voueq7VGklIGNM:&imgrefurl=http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/&docid=2ciIWoHJqqd7_M&imgurl=http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/images/07193.jpg&w=275&h=175&ei=dRoUUL3DB_Of6QGsl4H4Aw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=678&vpy -
Still More Were Convicted and Hanged
After being convicted, George Jacobs Sr., Martha Carrier, George Burroughs, John Willard, and John Proctor were hanged. Elizabeth Proctor was also convicted but was not hanged as she was pregnant. Source -
September Convictions and Hangings
Following their convictions on witchcraft charges, Martha Corey, Margaret Scott, Mary Easty, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Willmott Redd, Samuel Wardwell, and Mary Parker were hanged. Source -
Reverend Increase Mather Denounced Use of Spectral Evidence
Reverend Increase Mather, the father of Cotton Mather and President of Harvard College, denounced the use of spectral evidence in witchcraft trials. Source <a href='http://www.google.com/imgres?q=increase+mather&hl=en&biw=1122&bih=822&tbm=isch&tbnid=nx0y8jZuAJqaGM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Increase_Mather&docid=KC10c5tc_wI5AM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Increase_Math -
Governor Phipps Prohibited Spectral Evidence
Following Reverend Increase Mather's denouncement, Governor Phipps prohibited spectral evidence in witchcraft trials. He later banned further arrests and freed many accused witches. Source Image Source -
Superior Court for Witch Trials
A Superior Court was created to try the remaining villagers accused of witchcraft. Source -
Release of Many Accused
49 out of 52 accused of witchcraft were released since spectral evidence had been used to support their arrests. Tituba was released and sold to a new master. Source -
Governor's Pardon
Governor Phipps pardoned remaining parties accused of witchcraft. No further accusations or arrests were made, thus concluding the Salem Witch Trials. Source
