1692 Before And After

Are Salem walking tours Worth it?

Ltinkham — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:10:07 +0000

Are Salem walking tours Worth it?

Discover the Best Guided Experiences in Salem, Ma.

Salem, Massachusetts, often known for its infamous witch trials of 1692, has become a hotspot for history buffs, paranormal enthusiasts, and curious tourists alike. The streets are filled with an air of mystery, and the historic landmarks offer windows into a bygone era. But if you’re planning a trip to this fascinating town, you might be asking yourself: Are Salem tours worth it? Let’s break it down:

1. A Deeper Understanding of Salem’s History

Salem’s past goes far beyond the Witch Trials, but they are undeniably the focal point of many tours. A knowledgeable guide will provide context, not only about the trials themselves but also about the broader social, political, and religious factors that contributed to them. A good tour will highlight other important facets of Salem’s history, from its maritime roots to its role in American trade and industry. Without a guide, you might miss key details or nuances that make the town’s history so compelling

Additionally, for those intrigued by the supernatural, Salem offers a variety of ghost and paranormal tours. These tours explore Salem’s haunted history, sharing eerie tales of spirits and supernatural occurrences tied to real historical events. Guides often lead guests to reputedly haunted spots, recounting chilling ghost stories intertwined with the town’s dark past. These paranormal tours are perfect for anyone fascinated by ghost lore or looking for a spine-tingling adventure while exploring the historic streets of Salem.

2. A Range of Experiences: Something for Everyone

Salem tours come in all shapes and sizes, catering to a wide array of interests. Whether you’re fascinated by the paranormal, captivated by colonial architecture, or intrigued by maritime history, there’s likely a tour designed for you.

Ghost Tours: For those interested in the errie, Salem offers some of the best ghost tours in New England. Walking through dimly lit streets while hearing tales of hauntings can be an unforgettable experience. Among the most popular ghost tours are:
- Black Cat Tours: Known for its historical accuracy and well-researched ghost stories, Black Cat Tours provides an eerie yet factual experience as you wander through Salem.
- Spellbound Tours: This tour blends ghost stories with witchcraft and occult history, offering a spooky yet educational dive into Salem’s Supernatural side.

Witch Trial Tours: If your more focused on the history of the 1692 Witch Trials, 1692 Before and After offers an outstanding experience with their 1692 Salem Tour hosted by guide Jeff Page. His in-depth knowledge offers a rich, historically accurate narrative that takes you back in time, explaining the complex factors that led to the tragic events and the long-lasting impacts of the trials.
Tours for kids: If you’re traveling with children, the Salem Kids Tour is a fantastic option. Guided by teachers, these tours are designed to engage younger minds with age-appropriate storytelling. They offer both history tours and ghost tours, making the experience fun and educational for the entire family.

3. Interactivity and Storytelling Make a Difference

A tour is only as good as its guide, and Salem is home to some truly gifted storytellers. Rather than just reciting dry facts, good guides know how to bring history to life through anecdotes and humor. The stories of Salem, particularly the witch trials, are often dramatic and tragic. But a skilled guide will balance the narrative, offering a mix of education and entertainment that leaves you walking away with a deeper appreciation for the town’s history.

4. Cost-Effective and Time-Efficient

Salem tours are typically affordable, especially given the value they provide. Instead of spending hours researching historical sites or wandering aimlessly, a guided tour gives you an efficient overview of the town’s major attractions. Many tours last 90 minutes to two hours and cover a lot of ground.

5. Local Insights and Recommendations

One of the greatest benefits of taking a Salem tour is gaining insight from the locals. Guides often have their own favorite shops, restaurants, and attractions, and they’re usually more than happy to offer recommendations. You’ll get tips on where to find the best food, which museum exhibits are must-sees, and even which streets to stroll down for the perfect photo ops.

A Worthwhile Investment

So, are Salem tours worth it? Absolutely. Whether you’re a history buff, a fan of the supernatural, or just looking to explore a new city in a fun and interactive way, Salem’s tours offer something for everyone. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of the City’s complex past, its fascinating characters, and its lingering mysteries.

3 Common Questions About The 1692 Salem Witch Trials

The Final Resting Place of the 20 Victims

The 1692 Salem Tour: A Walk Through History

Our 1692 Salem Tour allows visitors to step back in time and explore the memorials and landmarks that define the Salem Witch Trials legacy. Discover the stories of the twenty executed victims and uncover the tales of other notable figures who played pivotal roles in the trials. Explore Salem with a historian who will lead you through the cobblestone streets, providing insights into the events of 1692 that are seldom considered and discussed. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with history in the very place where it happened.

The post Are Salem walking tours Worth it? first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

December 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:32:36 +0000

December 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post December 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

November 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:31:58 +0000

November 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post November 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

October 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:31:14 +0000

October 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post October 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

September 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:30:44 +0000

September 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post September 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

August 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:29:56 +0000

August 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post August 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

July 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:29:16 +0000

July 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post July 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

June 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:28:45 +0000

June 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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The post June 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

May 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:28:10 +0000

May 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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May 2nd

With warm weather and a chance of thunderstorms, the court was in session by 10 a.m. at the meeting house. Only four out of six suspects were in custody at Ingersoll’s. Philip English was evading authorities in Boston, prompting the magistrates to issue a second arrest warrant for him. Meanwhile, George Burroughs was having breakfast with his family in Wells, Maine, when marshals arrived and, with little explanation, took him into custody.

The court began by questioning Sarah Morrell, Lydia Dustin, and Dorcas Hoar. After their examinations, all three were sent to jail to await trial. Susanna Martin was the last to be questioned. As she walked into the room, all the afflicted fell into fits, and she laughed at the spectacle. When the magistrates asked her what she was laughing at, Martin responded, “Well, I may laugh at such folly.”

The afflicted then testified against her. The magistrates asked if she thought they were bewitched, to which she replied, “No, I do not think they are.” Mercy Lewis testified that Martin had hurt her many times, Elizabeth Hubbard accused Martin of pinching her, and John Indian cried out, “She bites. She bites.”

The magistrates, finding the accusations credible, said, “Pray God discover you.” With a sharp tone, Martin replied, “Amen, amen. A false tongue will never make a guilty person.” The court then sent Martin to jail to await trial.

May 3rd

The jail guards enjoyed a warm breakfast at Ingersoll’s before escorting Sarah Morrell, Lydia Dustin, Dorcas Hoar, and Susanna Martin to Boston Jail.

Meanwhile, the specter of George Burroughs visited Elizabeth Hubbard again. This time, instead of afflicting her, he revealed that he wasn’t just a wizard; he was a conjurer.

Rebecca Nurse’s specter visited and tormented Mary Walcott, boasting about killing several of her neighbors. Ann Putnam was visited by the specter of George Burroughs, who attempted to force the Devil’s book on her. Burroughs’s two dead wives also appeared, looking like corpses, which frightened Ann even more than Burroughs. The ghosts of his wives told him that while they were in heaven, he would be in hell, and they revealed to Ann that he had murdered them.

After Burroughs and his wives vanished, other ghosts appeared to Ann later in the day. These included Deodat Lawson’s first wife and child, as well as Goody Fuller, all accusing Burroughs of killing them.

May 4th

George Burroughs arrived in Salem Town and was brought to Beadles Tavern.

May 6th

Hathorne and Corwin held court in Boston and issued a third arrest warrant for Philip English. Marshals searched George Hollard’s home, where English was hiding. He concealed himself behind a sack of dirty laundry and managed to evade arrest.

Margaret Jacobs, who lived in her grandfather George Jacobs’s house, saw the specter of Alice Parker.

May 7th

The specter of George Burroughs visited Mercy Lewis with an unfamiliar book. He assured her it was safe to touch, explaining that it had once been in his study when she worked for him in Maine. Burroughs revealed that he had recruited Abigail Hobbs and bewitched John Shepard’s daughter. When Mercy asked how he could cause so much trouble while imprisoned in Salem Jail, he replied that the Devil was his servant and had taken his form. Despite his efforts, Mercy refused to sign his book.

May 8th

On this sacrament Sabbath day, Reverend Parris addressed his congregation with a sermon based on I Corinthians 10:21: “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

Despite it being the Sabbath, Thomas Putnam and John Putnam Jr. traveled to Salem Town to speak with Magistrates Hathorne and Corwin. They reported that the girls were being tortured by Bethia Carter and her daughter Bethia Jr., as well as Ann Sears and Sarah, the daughter of Lydia Dustin. The magistrates promptly issued arrest warrants for the four new suspects.

Upon their return, they found that Ann had identified a new tormentor. She reported that an old, grey-headed man with a large nose had brought her the book, claiming to be Old Father Pharaoh.

May 9th

Before court began for the day, Mercy Lewis was abducted by the specter of George Burroughs and taken to a high mountain. Showing her the kingdoms of the earth, he promised them to her if she signed the book. She retorted that it wasn’t his to give. Infuriated, he threatened to break her neck and throw her onto a hundred pitchforks.

Unsuccessful in his efforts with Mercy, Burroughs’ specter turned his attention to Susanna Sheldon at Ingersoll’s. As he tortured her, he boasted about killing three children in Maine and claimed to have murdered his own two children and wives by smothering and choking them.

The court convened at the village meeting house, and William Stoughton and Samuel Sewall joined Hathorne and Corwin. The first to be questioned was Reverend George Burroughs. As he was led into the room, all the afflicted fell into fits. Susanna Sheldon testified about his dead wives, claiming they said he had killed them. The court read the testimonials of the other afflicted, who were also in fits. When asked what he thought of the testimony and depositions, Burroughs responded, “An amazing and humbling Providence, some of you may observe, that when they begin to name my name, they cannot name it.”

More testimony was given about his unusual strength, the witch meeting in Parris’s field, and his recruiting of others. Burroughs was sent to jail to await trial.

May 10th

At Susanna Sheldon’s house one morning, apparitions manifested, including the specter of Willard who threatened vengeance if she testified against him. Suddenly, an angel appeared, banishing Willard’s specter. This angel assured Susanna of protection on her journeys to and from the court, although it could not shield her during the examination. Later, the spirits of Willard’s deceased wives and other victims visited her. The angel disclosed the names of these ghosts and revealed their injuries. Among them was Josiah Southwick, visibly marked by a pitchfork impaled in his left side.

Later that day, the magistrates issued an arrest warrant for John Willard. However, by the time the constable reached his residence, Willard had already fled. The magistrates also ordered the arrests of George Jacobs Sr. and his granddaughter, Margaret. Both were successfully apprehended and taken to Thomas Beadle’s tavern in Salem Town.

George Jacobs Sr. was brought before the courtroom to face the accusations against him. As the magistrates began to summon the witnesses, one of them, his servant Sarah Churchill, took the stand. She testified that she had been afflicted the previous night at Ingersolls. Mary Warren, who was also present, described the perpetrator as a man wielding two staves. Subsequently, Sarah identified the man as her master, Jacobs Sr. She further recounted an incident where he had harmed her by the river and another instance when he had presented her with a book. Despite the allegations, Jacobs Sr. vehemently maintained his innocence, proclaiming, “Well, burn me or hang me! I will stand in the truth of Christ!”

After the court adjourned for the day, Sarah Churchill was approached outside by Ann Andrews, the daughter of George Jacobs Sr., and Sarah Ingersoll. Distraught and in tears, Churchill confessed to them that she had lied in her testimony. She revealed that the magistrates had threatened her, saying they would imprison her alongside Burroughs and other accused individuals if she did not cooperate.

May 11th

Salem Town

The magistrates questioned George Jacobs Sr. at Beadle’s Tavern. As he responded to their questions, the afflicted present fell into fits. Ann Putnam Jr. claimed he had promised to cure her if she signed his book. Elizabeth Hubbard, who had previously been unaffected by Jacobs, suddenly experienced afflictions attributed to him. Mary Walcott testified that he had come to her and beaten her with his walking stick. Despite these accusations, Jacobs maintained his innocence and denied all charges.

The magistrates then questioned Margaret Jacobs. Previously afflicted but now cured, others were convinced she must have signed the Devil’s book. The magistrates warned her that she should confess or face imprisonment and hanging, implying that only a confession could spare her life. Fearing for her life, Margaret confessed to save herself. She agreed with whatever the magistrates suggested and implicated her grandfather George Jacobs, Reverend George Burroughs, John Willard, and Alice Parker.

May 12th

Salem Town

The magistrates visited Salem Prison to question Abigail Hobbs, seeking information about the killing of George Burroughs neighbors in Maine. She claimed she did not know anything about the murders. However, she admitted to being a witch for six years and having made two covenants with the Devil: the first lasting two years and the second four years.

Next, the magistrates turned their attention to Mary Warren, questioning her further about signing the book. She explained that she didn’t initially know what the book was but was now certain it was the Devil’s book, which her master Proctor had forced her to sign. She confessed to afflicting the girls using image magic, revealing that her master had brought her a doll and that Alice Parker and Ann Pudeator had also provided her with dolls. She told them Ann Pudeator had killed James Cloyse’s Child.

The magistrates issued arrest warrants for Ann Pudeator and Alice Parker.

Alice Parker was arrested and brought before the magistrates. Despite suffering from fits caused by epilepsy, she denied being a witch. John Louder testified that he had been chased across Salem Commons by her specter. Mary recounted that after her father failed to mow Parker’s grass for hay, Parker visited their home and warned him to complete the task. Shortly after her visit, Mary’s mother and sister fell ill; her mother died, and her sister became mute.

The magistrates ordered the following be transferred to Boston Jail: George Jacobs Sr., Giles Corey, William Hobs, Edward and Sarah Bishop, Bridget Bishop, Sarah Wildes, Mary Black, Mary English, Alice Parker and Ann Pudeator.

May 13th

Salem Town

Mary Warren was so severely tormented by the specter of Abigail Soames that the magistrates ordered Soames to be arrested and brought to Beadle’s Tavern. Mary was taken from prison to the tavern for the questioning, pursued the entire way by Soames’ specter, which bit and pinched her. As soon as Abigail Soames was brought into the tavern, Mary collapsed and identified her as the woman who was hurting her.
A search of Abigail revealed a crochet needle in her apron, and once it was confiscated, Mary’s fits stopped. Mary stated that she had never seen Abigail before, only her specter, which had identified itself as Abigail Soames and claimed to have helped kill someone named Southwick. As Mary recounted this, she turned to face Abigail and fell into a severe seizure.
It was noted that Abigail had been bedridden for most of the past year. Abigail explained, “I have been distracted many a time, and my senses have gone from me, and I thought I have seen many a body hurt me, and might have accused many as well as she doth. I really thought I had seen many persons at my mother’s camp at Gloucester, and they greatly afflicted me as I thought.”
The court then ordered a touch test. Mary’s fits ceased as soon as Abigail took her hand, and this test was repeated three times during the questioning. As Mary drifted in and out of consciousness, she reported that Abigail’s specter threatened to bring an awl and stab her in the heart that night. Mary would fall into fits anytime Abigail looked at her. When asked if she thought witches caused the fits or believed there were witches, Abigail replied that she knew nothing about it and blamed the enemy or some wicked person. Abigail was sent to Salem Jail to await further questioning.

May 14th

Ann Putnam Jr. was visited by the specter of Elizabeth Hart. Initially, Hart was not there to cause harm but to discuss the accusations with Ann. However, when she failed to persuade Ann to drop her accusation, she began to torment her.
Nathaniel Ingersoll and Thomas Putnam then visited the magistrates to file official complaints against Elizabeth Hart and Thomas Farrar Sr. of Lynn, Elizabeth Coleson and Bethia Carter Jr. of Reading, and George Jacobs Jr., his wife Rebecca, and her brother Daniel Andrews, as well as Sarah Buckley and her daughter Mary Witheredge, all of Salem Village.

The post May 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

April 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

Ltinkham — Sun, 19 May 2024 16:26:55 +0000

April 1692

Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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April 1st

As Mercy Lewis drifted off to sleep, she found herself at a gathering of witches partaking in the Devil’s Sacrament. They offered her red bread and a red drink, but she refused, saying, “I will not eat, I will not drink; it is blood. That is not the Bread of Life. That is not the Water of Life. I will have none of it.” Suddenly, a shining figure appeared, causing the specters to flinch. She then heard a choir singing the word of God.

When she awoke, she was back in the Putnam house. As she recounted her experience to the elders, they cautioned her about Satan’s ability to disguise himself as an Angel of Light. This shining figure had appeared to the afflicted before, and they referred to him as the “white man.”

April 2nd

Abigail Williams was grievously tormented by the specter of Elizabeth Proctor at the Putnam parsonage. Meanwhile, the real Proctors were at home, dealing with the troubles caused by their maid, Mary Warren.

After returning home with John Proctor on March 25^th, Mary was put to work under his watchful eye. The Proctors refused to acknowledge her affliction, warning her that if she ran into fire or water during one of her fits, they would not intervene.

When her seizures finally ceased, Mary pinned a note to the meeting house wall the evening before the Sabbath, requesting prayers of thanks for her deliverance from the affliction. The Proctors were displeased when they learned about the note.

April 3rd

Reverend Parris discovered May Warren’s note and read it to his congregation. The note stated, “The afflicted persons did but dissemble.” Shocked by the note, the church members questioned her after the service.

The afflicted claimed that specters had told them their suffering would only cease if they signed the Devil’s book. This led some to suspect that Mary had signed it, believing that was the only way she could have been freed from her afflictions.

April 4th

Captain Johnathan Walcott and his uncle, Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersoll, traveled to Salem Town to speak with the magistrate about Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyse. They reported that these two women had been tormenting Abigail Williams, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam Jr., Mer Lewis, and John Indian. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the magistrates decided to delay issuing arrest warrants until they could consult with other government officials in Boston.

While being tormented by Elizabeth Proctor, a new specter joined in to afflict Abigail Williams. “You can pinch as well as your wife?” Abigail said to the specter of John Proctor.

April 6th

In the evening, specters appeared at Thomas Putnam’s home to torment Ann Putnam and at the parsonage to attack Abigail Williams. Abigail screamed to her uncle that Goodman Proctor was pinching her.

Just south of the village, Benjamin Gould was startled awake by the specters of Giles and Marth Corey standing beside his bed. As soon as he saw them, they vanished, leaving him with two sharp pinches in his side.

April 7th

As Benjamin Gould lay in his bed, he was visited by the specters of Giles and Marth Corey, along with the Proctors, Saah Cloyse, Rebecca Nurse, and, shockingly, Dr. Griggs’s wife, Rachel. They stood around his bed, leaving him with severe pain in his foot so intense that he couldn’t wear a shoe for three days.

April 8th

Word arrived in Salem Town from Boston that the Governor’s Council of Assistants would attend the next witchcraft hearing. In response, John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin finalized the arrest warrants for Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyse. They also arranged to move the proceedings to Salem Town to accommodate the visiting council.

April 10th

During the village’s Sabbath meeting, the specter of Sarah Cloyse appeared, biting and pinching John Indian so severely that he began to bleed.

After the meeting, some congregants gathered at Ingersoll’s Ordinary. Mercy Lewis had a seizure and cried out the name Goody Cloyse. When she awoke from her fit, she was asked who she had seen, but she claimed she had seen no one. Bystanders pressed her, asking if she saw Goody Cloyse or Goody Corey, but Mercy insisted she saw nobody.

Abigail Williams then spoke up, saying she had seen the specters of Goodwives Cloyse, Nurse, Corey, and Good. Both Abigail and Mary Walcott also reported seeing a shining angel whose presence had frightened the witches.

April 11

Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth and four assistants traveled to Salem town and convened in the meeting house for the examination of Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyse.

John Hathorne asked John Indian who had hurt him. He replied that Goody Proctor had hurt him first, followed by Goody Cloyse. When asked if he recognized them, he pointed to Sarah Cloyse and claimed she had hurt him many times. Cloyse exclaimed, “Oh! You are a grievous liar!” Abigail Williams and Mary Walcott then gave testimony against her.

The court then turned its attention to Elizabeth Proctor. The magistrates asked the afflicted if Proctor had harmed them. Mary Walcott said no. Mercy Lewis and Ann Putnam Jr. were unable to speak, and Abigail Williams had her mouth forcibly shut by unseen forces. However, John Indian managed to speak and claimed she had choked him and brought him the book.

John Proctor, who was in the audience, muttered that he would beat the Devil out of John Indian if he could. Elizabeth Proctor declared, “I take God in heaven to be my witness, that I know nothing of it, no more than the child unborn.” Ann Putnam asserted that Elizabeth had hurt her many times. Abigail and Ann then accused John Proctor of being a wizard. He was quickly taken into custody.

The magistrates heard more testimony and conducted a test on the accused by having them recite the Lord’s Prayer. Both Proctors and Sarah Cloyse misquoted it, thus failing the test. All three were subsequently taken to jail.

April 12th

The magistrates held examinations at the Salem Town meeting house. Reverend Parris tried to organize his notes, but struggled to focus amid the torment of the afflicted. Abigail Williams cried out, “There is Goodman Proctor in the magistrate’s lap,” before convulsing violently. John Indian, spotting a dog resting under Parris’s desk, shouted at it to come and claimed Goodman Proctor was riding on its back. He then fixated on the specter of Sarah Cloyse, unseen by others, and cried, “Oh, you old witch,” before falling into a fit of convulsions.

The proceedings were halted due to the outbursts from John Indian and Abigail Williams, and they were sent away to recover. Mary Walcott was the only afflicted girl who remained, calmly knitting.

As Reverend Parris finished his notes and read them aloud to the marshal, Mary stopped knitting and became visibly agitated. “Oh, yonder is Goodman Proctor and his wife, and Goody Nurse and Goody Corey and Goody Cloyse and Good’s child. Oh, Goodman Proctor is going to choke me,” she exclaimed, before starting to gag and choke.

Following these disturbances, all of the suspects, including young Dorothy, were sent to Boston Jail.

April 13th

At the Parris’s Parsonage, Abigail Williams was being tormented by the specters of Rebecca Nurse, Matha Corey, and Elizabeth Proctor. Nurse’s specter tried to compel Abigail to leap into the fireplace, but the young girl resisted her.

Meanwhile, at the Putnam house, Ann Putnam was being tormented by the newly identified specters of Giles Corey and Abigail Hobbs.

April 14th

Martha Corey continued to torment Abigail Williams, persistently trying to force the Devil’s book on her. Mary Walcott was visited by the specter of Abigail Hobbs, who tormented her grievously. Meanwhile, Mercy Lewis was beaten so severely by the specter of Giles Corey that she feared her back would break.

April 16th

The afflicted girls identified two new tormentors: Bridget Bishop of Salem Town and Mary Warren, the former afflicted maid of the Proctors.

April 17

The specter of Abigail Hobbs pinched and choked Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, Ann Putnam, and Elizabeth Hubbard, trying to force the Devil’s book on them.

Abigail Hobbs, a rebellious 14-year-old from Topsfield, had been claiming for over a year that she had sold herself to the Devil. Known for her defiant behavior, she once mocked baptism by flicking water into her stepmother’s face.

April 18th

With the girls in fits, Ezekiel Cheever and John Putnam Jr. traveled to Salem Town to file official complaints against the newly identified tormentors. Arrest warrants were issued for Giles Corey, Abigail Hobbs, Bridget Bishop, and Mary Warren. By the end of the day, the arresting marshal had brought all four to Ingersoll’s Ordinary.

April 19

The court returned to Salem Village, with Judges Hathorne and Corwin presiding over the day’s examinations. Giles Corey was the first to be led into the meeting house to answer the charges against him. Despite the testimony from the afflicted, Giles protested, “I never did hurt them.”

Next, Abigail Hobbs was examined. She confessed to signing the Devil’s book and carrying out his bidding. She told the court that Sarah Wildes had hurt her mother last Labor Day and that Sarah Good had come to her with the Devil’s book.

Following Abigail’s examination, Mary Warren was brought in. Initially, she denied being a witch, but after intense questioning, she collapsed into fits and cried, “I will tell, I will tell,” but could not say more as she started to convulse. The court ordered her removal until she could recover.

Bridget Bishop was then brought in, and the afflicted were grievously tormented. Bridget professed her innocence, saying, “I am innocent. I know nothing of it. I have done no witchcraft.”

The court called for Mary Warren to be brought back, but she immediately started convulsing again. Unable to speak, she was taken to a private room where the magistrates questioned her alone. Even there, she was seized with fits and could not answer their questions.

All four accused witches were subsequently taken to Salem Jail.

April 20th

The magistrates visited Mary Warren in Salem Jail to question her further. She revealed that her master, John Proctor, had brought her the Devil’s book, and she admitted to signing it. She claimed she did not know what the book was at the time and was unaware that the Proctors were witches. Mary also reported that Giles Corey had tormented her the previous night, describing the clothing he wore.

The magistrates decided to have Giles Corey brought in to face her accusations. When he arrived, Mary immediately fell into a fit.

While at the jail, the magistrates also questioned Abigail Hobbs. She spoke of a girl named Judah White, a friend from Casco Bay, Maine. Abigail claimed that as she was being brought in for questioning, the apparitions of Judah and Sarah Good visited her, urging her to flee and not answer any questions. She revealed that the Devil had given her wooden images of Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams, instructing her to stab them with thorns. Abigail also admitted to attending a witch meeting in Reverend Parris’s pasture.

Ann Putnam Jr. was visited by a new specter, this time a minister. She asked his name, and he responded that he was George Burroughs. He confessed to having killed his first two wives, as well as Deodat Lawson’s wife and child.

Later that night, Mercy Lewis encountered the specter of an elderly, grey-headed man who identified himself as George Jacobs Sr. He carried the Devil’s book and, when she refused to sign it, he beat her with his walking stick, boasting that he had killed his own first wife years ago.

April 21st

The magistrates were approached by four men from Salem Village who wished to file complaints against several individuals: Sarah Wildes, William and Deliverance Hobbs, Nehemiah Abbott Jr., Mary Esty (sister of Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Cloyes), Mary Black, Edward and Sarah Bishop, and Mary English. Arrest warrants were promptly issued, and the marshal was instructed to bring all the accused to Ingersoll’s by 7 a.m. the following morning.

Deacon Ingersoll’s foster son, Benjamin Hutchinson, returned to Ingersoll’s Ordinary after a trip to Salem Town and encountered Abigail Williams outside. She recounted how the specter of Reverend George Burroughs had confessed to her that he had killed two of his wives as well as Reverend Lawson’s wife and child. She also mentioned the minister’s unusual strength, claiming he was watching them from the road.

Hutchinson, holding a three-pronged iron fork, threw it at the spot Abigail indicated. As the fork hit the ground, Abigail fell into a fit and exclaimed, “You have torn his coat.” Hutchinson retrieved his fork, and Abigail pointed to another spot, saying, “There is a gray cat.” When he stabbed at the location she indicated, Abigail convulsed again, crying out, “You killed her,” and explained that Sarah Good had come to carry the cat away.

Later that day, after the lecture, the afflicted gathered at Ingersoll’s Ordinary when Abigail and Mary were attacked by the specters of William and Deliverance Hobbs. Benjamin Hutchinson drew his fork once more and swung it at the spot the girls indicated. “Oh, you have struck her on the right side,” they exclaimed.

Suddenly, the room seemed to fill with spectral witches, and Benjamin, along with Ely Putnam, began to fend them off. “You have killed a great black woman from Stonington and an Indian who comes with her,” the girls cried. “The floor is all covered with blood.”

April 22nd

On their way to the meeting house for the day’s court examinations, the afflicted girls saw witches flocking to Reverend Parris’s pasture. The witches noticed the girls and tried to drag them off to the pasture with them. As the girls screamed for help, neighbors attacked the spots the girls pointed at, attempting to fend off the invisible specters.

In the pasture, the witches gathered in front of George Burroughs as he began his sermon. He proclaimed that their mission was to replace God’s church with the Devil’s church, starting in Salem Village, and then spreading throughout New England to establish the Devil’s Kingdom. After finishing his sermon, deacons Nurse, Good, Osborn, and Wildes handed out the sacrament. They all then sat around a table and ate brown bread and cider.

The court convened at 10 in the morning, with the meeting house filled with spectators, the afflicted, and even the invisible spectral witches. The magistrates decided to test the afflicted girls by not announcing the name of the accused. The first to be examined was Deliverance Hobbs. The magistrates asked the afflicted to identify their tormentor. Most were uncertain, but Ann Putnam Jr. named and accused her, while John Indian claimed she had choked him.

Goody Hobbs denied the accusations, insisting she never authorized the devil to use her specter to harm them. Despite her denials, the afflicted testified, claiming to see her specter perched on a beam. Under the pressure of their testimonies, Goody Hobbs ultimately admitted to signing the Devil’s book, stating that Goody Wildes and Sarah Osborn had coerced her into doing so.

Next, the magistrates questioned Nehemiah Abbott Jr. Initially, Ann Putnam Jr. was certain he was one of the specters tormenting her. However, after some time, she and the others became less sure. The magistrates determined he was innocent and released him.

They then moved on to William Hobbs, who denied the accusations, declaring, “I am as clear as a newborn baby.” Despite his protests, Abigail Williams claimed to see his spirit leap from his body and attack Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcott, causing both to fall into fits. The magistrates concluded that he was likely guilty and committed him to jail.

April 23rd

Ann Putnam Jr. pleaded with the specter of John Willard to have mercy on her as it attempted to force her to sign the Devil’s book.

The real John Willard had served as a deputy responsible for arresting several suspects and had once been heard saying, “Hang them! They are all witches.” However, he resigned as the accusations continued and more people he believed to be innocent were accused.

In Salem Town, the magistrates questioned Deliverance Hobbs in jail. She confessed to being a witch and signing the Devil’s book. She admitted to attending the witches’ meeting in Reverend Parris’s pasture but insisted she did not partake in the witches’ sacrament. She described George Burroughs as the man with a white high-crowned hat and mentioned the women deacons.

The magistrates then summoned her stepdaughter, Abigail Hobbs. As Abigail entered the cell, she fell into a fit. Deliverance claimed that it was Giles Corey and a gentlewoman from Boston who was afflicting her daughter, attempting to break her neck.

April 24th

Giles Corey, angered that his sons-in-law Crosby and Parker had aligned with the accusers against him and his wife Martha, made a new will witnessed by Salem jailer William Dounton. He removed Crosby and Parker from his will, instead bequeathing his land, buildings, livestock, movables, and money to his other sons-in-law, William Cleeves and John Moulton.

Meanwhile, the specter of Dorcas Hoar attacked Elizabeth Hubbard and Ann Putnam Jr. Abigail Williams also identified Hoar, stating that she was the first to afflict her, even before Tituba. Ann Putnam was grievously tormented by the specter of John Willard, her cries of distress so loud that everyone in the house heard her call out his name.

April 25th

John Willard visited the Putnam’s to confront Ann about her accusations. Ann was adamant that it was his apparition she had seen. He attempted to convince her of his innocence, but she pleaded with him to stop hurting her, promising not to file a complaint if he ceased his torment.

April 27th

Susanna Sheldon was visited by the Devil and the specters of Giles Corey, Mary English, and Bridget Bishop. Each of them had familiars: a yellow bird, a pair of turtles, and a snake. They tried to force her to sign the Devil’s book, biting her when she refused.

April 28th

In the morning, the specters of Giles Corey and Philip English tormented Susanna Sheldon, preventing her from eating her breakfast. As she tried to lift her spoon to her mouth, Giles choked her, while Philip English tormented her with the Devil’s book.

Meanwhile, Ann Putnam Jr. was tormented by the specter of John Willard. The ghosts of his murdered victims also appeared, including his first wife, shrouded in a sheet, and Ann’s six-week-old sister, Sarah. Willard threatened to kill Ann if she did not sign his book.

April 29th

The specters of Bridget Bishop, Mary English, Giles and Martha Corey, and the Devil tormented Susanna Sheldon. Martha Corey had a hairless pig with her that suckled on her. All the specters knelt before the Devil in prayer. Bishop’s specter told Susanna that she had killed several women, including John Trask’s wife.

April 30th

While the afflicted girls were being tormented by various specters, Jonathan Walcott and Thomas Putnam traveled to Salem Town to report the names of their tormentors. Magistrates Hathorne and Corwin issued arrest warrants for Reverend George Burroughs, Lydia Dustin, Susanna Martin, Dorcas Hoar, Sarah Morrell, and Philip English. They ordered the marshals to bring all the accused to Ingersoll’s by 10 a.m. on Monday morning.

Philip English was told of his pending arrest and fled Salem Town to hide in a business associate’s house in Boston.

The post April 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials first appeared on 1692 Before And After.

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November 1692 – Events of the Salem Witch Trials

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Day-By-Day chronicle of events during the Salem Witch Trials

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