Almost 100 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States began a country of its own, North America was home to many British colonies, including the colony of Massachusetts. It was here that Puritan colonists held the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Setting the Scene 491647
It was a period of unrest in Salem, Massachusetts at the end of the 17th Century. There were struggles between the two distinct parts of Salem - Salem Village and Salem Town. Many of the farmers resided in Salem Village and were bent on separating from Salem Town. They soon set up their own church where Reverend Samuel Parris presided. It was because of Reverend Parris' daughter and niece that the Salem Witch Trials began.
The Finger Pointing Begins 3g5d2r
Samuel Parris' daughter, Elizabeth Parris, and his niece, Abigail Williams, came down with a witchcraft, both Sarah Osborne and Sarah Good professed their innocence until the day they died.
Accusations Continue 5c3042
Despite the accused witches' pleas of innocence, more and more people were stones placed upon his chest over a period of two days. All the while, he continued to profess his innocence.
The End of the Salem Witch Trials 416w63
In October of 1692, the witchcraft trials were called to an end. All those who had been accused of witchcraft were pardoned. Those who were still in prison had to pay for the food they ate while in jail, otherwise they would have to remain there. Many people lost everything they owned.
The Legacy 5q91a
To this day, no one really knows what caused the girls' illness. Five years after the witch trials ended, Samuel Parris and his family moved to another town in Massachusetts, but the devastating effects of the witch trials lasted long after they had gone.
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