In the late 17th century, the small town of Salem, Massachusetts was gripped by a wave of hysteria and fear as accusations of witchcraft began to spread. This period is now known as the Salem witch trials, and it resulted in the deaths of many innocent individuals. To this day, the names of the witches who were hanged in Salem serve as a haunting reminder of this dark chapter in American history. One of the first names that comes to mind when thinking of the Salem witch trials is Bridget Bishop. She was the first person to be brought to trial and ultimately executed for witchcraft. Bishop was known for her unconventional lifestyle, which made her an easy target for accusations.
Connecticut 'witches' exonerated by Senate lawmakers
Eleven of the 12 were hanged after trials that the state Senate now acknowledges were a "miscarriage of justice".
It follows a long-running campaign by descendants to clear the names of those wrongfully accused of being witches.
Dozens were executed for witchcraft in the US in the 17th Century.
On Thursday, Connecticut's Senate voted 33-1 to exonerate those convicted in trials that took place in the state in the mid-to-late 1600s.
The senator who voted against the move, Rob Sampson, said that he believed it was wrong to "dictate what was right or wrong about periods in the past that we have no knowledge of".
"I don't want to see bills that rightfully or wrongfully attempt to paint America as a bad place with a bad history," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
"I want us to focus on where we're going, which is a brighter and better future."
The resolution had already passed in Connecticut's House of Representatives, with 121 votes in favour and 30 against.
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The resolution follows nearly two decades of lobbying by the CT Witch Trial Exoneration Project, a group set up in 2005 by descendants of the accused.
The group said they are "ecstatic, pleased, and appreciative" especially as the decision comes on the eve of the 376th anniversary of the first witch-hanging in New England - that of Alice Young.
"We are grateful to descendants, advocates, historians, legislators of both parties and many others who made this official resolution possible."
They added that they "will continue to advocate for historical education and memorialisation of the witch trial victims".
Some members of the organisation discovered their family links using genealogy tests.
The family members and their supporters argue that the exonerations are an important step to learning from the mistakes of the past.
Saud Anwar, a state senator who took an interest after a constituent discovered their ancestor was a witch accuser, told the AP that witchcraft trials still take place around the world.
"It's relevant, even to this time as well," he said.
The Witch Trial Exoneration Project hopes that in addition to correcting past wrongs, that this will bring awareness to "deadly witch hunts still happening in many parts of the world due to fear, misogyny and superstition".
At least 45 people were accused of witchcraft in colonial Connecticut, although the Witch Trial Exoneration Project believes the record is likely incomplete.
In the more widely-known Salem Witch Trials in nearby Massachusetts, about 200 people were accused, leading to the deaths of 25 people.
Last August, Massachusetts formally exonerated Elizabeth Johnson, the last person to be convicted during the Salem Witch Trials.
While initially sentenced to death, she was granted a reprieve and lived to be 77. Historians now believe she suffered from a mental disability.
Other countries have also sought to recognise people that were unfairly persecuted for witchcraft in the past.
Last year, then-First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon offered a formal apology to 4,000 Scots, mostly women, who were accused of witchcraft between 1563 and 1736.
About 2,500 of them had been executed.
Murder at the Salem Witch Trials?
There are many theories surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. One theory suggests that the trials began because of a lack of communication between the colony and England. Another theory says that the trials were due to the fact that there was no single leader of the colony. Still others say that the trials were due solely to religious zealots.
The most common explanation given for the Salem Witch Trials is that they were sparked by a combination of religious zealotry, fear and superstition, according to History.com. The Puritans believed that God could use anyone to punish those who did evil things.
They also feared that Satan was trying to take over the world. These fears combined with the belief that some people were possessed by demons led to the persecution of innocent people.
In 1692, the Massachusetts Colony passed a law making witchcraft punishable by death. This law was later repealed. However, the trials continued into 1693. During the trial, 19 people were hanged. Others were imprisoned for life. Some of the accused were tortured.
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Bishop was known for her unconventional lifestyle, which made her an easy target for accusations. In June 1692, she was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Another prominent name among those who were hanged in Salem is Rebecca Nurse.
Witch hunts
In early modern Europe, there are many cases of people accused for witchcraft and put to death for it. These witch trials were often based on hearsay evidence and most of those accused did not receive a proper trial. This article looks into how witches were perceived in medieval society and how they were treated during the witch hunts.
A witch hunt began after the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. People would accuse others without clear evidence. They would even accuse themselves and others just to avoid being blamed for something else. Cotton Mather wrote a letter to the court asking them to stop using spectral evidence, which he called “superstitious.” Increase Mather spoke out against the use of spectral testimony.
Governor William Phips outlawed the practice of witchcraft trails after the trials had ended. He believed it was a waste of public money.
Nurse was an elderly woman who was highly respected in the community. However, her reputation was not enough to protect her from being accused of witchcraft. Despite the testimonies of her neighbors and family members attesting to her innocence, Nurse was hanged in July 1692. Martha Corey is also a well-known name from the Salem witch trials. Corey's husband had publicly denounced the trials, which made her a prime target for accusations. Her refusal to confess to being a witch sealed her fate, and she was hanged in September 1692. A particularly tragic case is that of Sarah Good, who was accused alongside her young daughter, Dorcas. Good was a poor beggar who garnered suspicion from her neighbors. She was found guilty in June 1692 and hanged, while her daughter managed to escape execution by confessing to witchcraft. These are just a few examples of the names of witches who were hanged in Salem. Many others suffered the same fate during this tumultuous period. It is important to remember their stories and the injustice they faced, as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of ensuring a fair and just legal system..
Reviews for "The Tragic Fates: Uncovering the Names of Witches Hung in Salem"
1. Susan - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Names of Witches Hung in Salem." The book promised to shed light on the historic events of the Salem witch trials, but instead, it felt like a mere list of names. There was no depth or analysis provided, and I found myself wanting more context and information. I was also disappointed with the writing style, which felt dry and lacking in emotion. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of the Salem witch trials.
2. Mike - 2 stars
While "Names of Witches Hung in Salem" had an intriguing concept, I found the execution to be lacking. Instead of delving into the stories and backgrounds of the accused witches, the book simply listed their names without providing any further insight. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of the individuals and the societal factors that led to the witch trials, but unfortunately, this book fell short. It felt more like a reference guide rather than a thoughtful exploration of the subject matter. I would recommend seeking out other books that provide a more in-depth analysis of the Salem witch trials.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was excited to learn more about the Salem witch trials through "Names of Witches Hung in Salem," but unfortunately, I found it to be a very dry read. The author seemed more interested in providing a list of names rather than presenting a compelling narrative. I was hoping for more context and analysis to truly understand the historical significance of these events, but that was sorely lacking. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and informative read about the Salem witch trials.