Today's Did You Know

I was all prepared to start plotting my second book in my witch series today, but then a funny thing happened. I never usually dream plots of books, but last night I had a doozy. Starring Mr. Benjamin Bratt! I guess watching E Ring (tree missed episodes) got me to having Ben on the Brain...and oh what a sweet subject he is! So I guess I'll start work on this book and maybe get it finished before too long so I can move on...maybe I'll work on both! LOL Who knows what's going to happen today!

Ok Today's Did You Know, as promised, the subject is:
The Salem Witch Trials 1692

What evil spirit have you familiarity with?None.
Have you made no contract with the devil?No.
Why do you hurt these children?I do not hurt them. I scorn it.
Who do you imploy then to do it?I imploy no body.
What creature do you imploy then?No creature. I am falsely accused.
Dialogue based on the examination of Sarah Good by Judges Hathorne and Corwin, from The Salem Witchcraft Papers, Book II, p.355

The events which led to the Witch Trials actually occurred in what is now the town of Danvers, then a parish of Salem Town, known as Salem Village. Launching the hysteria on January 20, 1692 was the bizarre, seemingly inexplicable behavior of two young girls; the daughter, Betty, and the niece, Abigail Williams, of the Salem Village minister, Reverend Samuel Parris. In February, 1692, three accused women were examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne. The accusatins, trials and convictions continued for 11 months, finally ending on November 25.

By the time the hysteria had spent itself, 24 people had died. Nineteen were hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town, but some died in prison. Giles Corey at first pleaded not guilty to charges of witchcraft, but subsequently refused to stand trial. This refusal meant he could not be convicted legally. However, his examiners chose to subject him to interrogation by the placing of stone weights on his body. He survived this brutal torture for two days before dying.

The General Court of the colony created the Superior Court to try the remaining witchcraft cases which took place in May, 1693. This time no one was convicted.

As mentioned there are several court transcript documents still surviving today from those long ago trials. In them some of the accused are quoted.

William Hobbs"I can deny it to my dying day."~~Executed

Dorcas Hoar"I will speak the truth as long as I live."~~Hanged.

Margaret Jacobs"... They told me if I would not confess I should be put down into the dungeon and would be hanged, but if I would confess I should save my life."

Bridget Bishop"I am no witch. I am innocent. I know nothing of it."~~ Guilty and condemned to death. Hanged.

Rebecca Nurse"Oh Lord, help me! It is false. I am clear. For my life now lies in your hands...."~~Executed.

Elizabeth Howe"If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent..."~~Executed.

Susannah Martin "I have no hand in witchcraft." ~~Executed.

Martha Carrier"...I am wronged. It is a shameful thing that you should mind these folks that are out of their wits."~~Hanged.

George Jacobs"Because I am falsely accused. I never did it."~~Hanged.

Mary Bradbury"I do plead not guilty. I am wholly innocent of such wickedness."~~Hanged

Mary Easty"...if it be possible no more innocent blood be shed......I am clear of this sin."~~Hanged

It has been often suggested that these children were feeling the strictures of puritanical life, rebelled and needed protection from ounishment for their behaviors so they continued to act out until they were diagnosed as bewitched.

Some have suggested the girls had epileptic fits and this caused their behavior. Due to the medical advances of the period it went undiagnosed and could only be blamed on witch craft.

We'll never know the exact cause of the actions that put this disasterous time in motion. We do know that alot of the people that were condemnd to death were done so out of dislike, mistrust, fear and in some cases greed. The accused would have their property confiscated by the accusers, the executioners, or the judges.

For more information about the Salem witch trials on the web:
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SALEM.HTML
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/97/salem/
http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/ for information on the museum dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives in the trials.

May you have happy reading!

Huggles,
Donica