Witchcraft in Salem, 1692
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Transcript of Witchcraft in Salem, 1692
Witchcraft in Salem, 1692Jessica Stern, PhDCalifornia State University, Fullerton
Timeline, 1692January: Betty & Abigail afflicted in Salem Village
February 29: Justices of the Peace Hathorne and Corwin issue first three arrest warrants
Late March: Accusations spread to Salem Town
May 14: Sir William Phips arrives with new charter and becomes governor, ending the interim government
May 27: Court of Oyer and Terminer established
June 10-September 22: 20 executions
October 8: Gov. Phips prohibits the use of spectral evidence
October 29: Gov. Phips prohibits more arrests, releases many, and dissolves the Court of Oyer and Terminer
May 1693: Phips pardons those remaining in prison
Judicial phasesSalem Village Examinations
January 29-May 27
Justices of the Peace John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin issue arrest warrants and conduct public examinations
Suspects held in Salem prison awaiting formal trial
Salem Court of Oyer and Terminer
May 27-October 29
Men’s and Women’s jury examined the accused bodies for physical evidence
Grand Jury collected testimony and interviewed suspects to determine trial viability
Petty Jury heard cases of individuals indicted by Grand Jury and issued final verdict
Signs one’s a witch
Being accused of being a witch (presumption)
Having a relative who is a witch (presumption)
Having quarreled with someone who shortly thereafter faced a tragedy (presumption)
Having a devil’s mark (evidence)
Charms, books, puppets on property (evidence)
Inability to recite the Lord’s prayer (evidence)
Touch test (instituted after May 1692) (evidence)
CONFESSION
Spectral EvidenceMost fraught debate between government officials, ministers,
and the Oyer and Terminer judges.
In accepting spectral evidence, the Salem judges radically deviated from the New England tradition and William Perkins, one of the main authorities on witchcraft prosecution.
Ultimately led to the dismantling of the witchcraft trials.
Main question: Could the Devil impersonate an innocent person?
Jean de Lèry, Historia Indiae Occidentalis, Tomis duobis comprehensa. Brazil ([Geneva], 1586)
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