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The Beginning
Reverend Paris's Niece (Abigail Williams) and Daughter (Elizabeth) begin to throw "fits" where they would throw hings, scream, etc. When visited by the local doctor he blamed Witchcraft -
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Innocent people convicted of witch craft
Throughout the span of the witch trials more than 200 people were accused of witch craft. The youngest of them was five and the oldest was 80. Witches were hanged, drowned, and some were even stoned to death -
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People are tried and killed for witchcraft in Salem
Throughout the time of the witch trials an estimated 200 people are convicted and killed of witch craft. The youngest being a five year old girl and the oldest being eighty. Among them 19 were hanged, one old man was pressed to death (crushed by stones), some were drowned and others died in jail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ZaFmX72EY&t=1s -
The Beginning
Reverend Paris niece (Abigail Williams) and Daughter (Elizabeth) start throwing "fits" where they would throw things, shout, etc. The doctor claims that witchcraft is to blame. -
First women are convicted
Abigail and Elizabeth claim that the three women who are responsible for their fits are Sarah Good (a local homeless woman), Sarah Osborn (an old woman in the community) and Tituba (their house slave) -
First women tried for charges of with craft
The girls say that Sarah Good, Sarah Osborn, and Tituba are to blame for their fits. The women are tried and Good and Osborn claim that they are innocent. However Tituba does not saying "the devil came to me and bid me serve him" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCTREqf62Ck -
Court of Oyer and Terminer established
Governor William Philips established this court in order to hear cases of witchcraft throughout Salem village. The first case was Bridget Bishop's who was a local woman known for being a gossip and for being promiscuous. She also claimed she was innocent -
Special court of Oyer and Terminer established
First case broght before the court was that of Bridget Bishop. Bishop was a local gossip and was known for being very promiscuous. Bishop also claimed innocents but was still convicted. -
Bishop becomes the first person hanged for being a witch
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Bishop becomes the first woman who is hanged for witch craft
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Cotton Mather requests no spectral evidence
five days after Bishop was killed minister Cotton Mather requests that dreams, visions etc. should not be allowed to convict someone of witch craft. His request is denied. -
Cotton Mather requests that spectral evidence not be used when convicting witches
Five days after Bishop was killed Cotton Mather requested that evidence such as dreams, visions, and other things like that not be used when convicting people of witch craft. His request was denied. -
Philips dissolves Court of Oyer and Terminer
Governor Phillips dissolved the court after Cotton Mather's father requested that spectral evidence not be allowed and after his wife was also convicted. -
Witches Pardoned
Governor Philips pardoned all people who were in jail that had been accused of witch craft -
Day of fasting
The general court orders a day of fasting to commemorate those who had died in Salem from the trials -
General court offers a day of fasting
The court of Mass. declares a day of fasting to commemorate those who were killed in Salem -
Trials declared unlawful
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Good names and rights restored
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Bill passed that restored the good names of those convicted
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Massachusetts apologizes for the trials.. 250 years later
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Massachusetts Apologizes 250 years later
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The First trial is held
The first trial is held for the three convicted women Good and Osborn don't confess but Tituba does claiming that "The devil came to me and bid me serve him". She also said that she signed a book which made her a servant to the devil.
