The Indicted
Those first accused of being in league with the devil were the lowly, outcasts of the community. This was due to the fact these accusations were believable. Had the “afflicted” pointed fingers at the reputable people in Salem, their accusations would not have been perceived as credible. The trials set off as a hidden way to rid their society of the expendables. As the hysteria spread and infected a plethora of minds, the accusations began to encompass those of ideal reputations. Those involved in the trials convinced themselves that witchcraft existed and was plaguing their town. Many also believed they, themselves, were affected which added to the placebo effect of the trials. Those claiming to be afflicted were not actually under any charm or bewitchment, they deceived their minds into thinking they were in order to conform to the situation at hand. All of these factors enabled the accusations of those with seemingly flawless reputations to be irrefutable. Without the involuntary cooperation of the entire community, the trials would not have grown to the magnitude of its' final state.
The Executed
Sarah Osborn
Roger Toothaker
Lyndia Dustin
Giles Corey
Martha Corey
Mary Eastey
Ann Pudeator
Alice Parker
Mary Parker
Wilmott Redd
Margaret Scott
Samuel Wardwell
George Burroughs
Martha Carrier
John Willard
George Jacobs, Sr.
John Proctor
Rebecca Nurse
Sarah Good
Susannah Martin
Elizabeth Howe
Sarah Wildes
Bridget Bishop
The Tried
Abigail Barker
Mary Barker
William Barker, Jr.
Mary Bridges, Jr.
Mary Bridges, Sr.
Sarah Bridges
Sarah Buckley
Sarah Cole
Lydia Dustin
Sarah Dustin
Eunice Frye
Sarah Hawkes, Jr.
Margaret Jacobs
Rebecca Jacobs
Elizabeth Johnson, Sr.
Julie Kildunne
Mary Lacey, Jr.
Mary Marston
Hannah Post
Susannah Post
Mary Toothaker
Hannah Tyler
MaryTyler
Mercy Wardwell
Mary Witheridge
...and many more...
Post-Trials
After the exclusion of spectral evidence, the trials began their demise. Those that were convicted and still alive were acquitted, pardoned, and released from jail. Nineteen men, women, and two dogs had been executed before the conclusion of the trial. Those pardoned attempted to return to the state their lives were in preceding the trials and the condemners realized the lack of accuracy their verdicts contained and publicly apologized as compensation. The village of Salem could finally begin to restore their community and rebuild their economy.
Those first accused of being in league with the devil were the lowly, outcasts of the community. This was due to the fact these accusations were believable. Had the “afflicted” pointed fingers at the reputable people in Salem, their accusations would not have been perceived as credible. The trials set off as a hidden way to rid their society of the expendables. As the hysteria spread and infected a plethora of minds, the accusations began to encompass those of ideal reputations. Those involved in the trials convinced themselves that witchcraft existed and was plaguing their town. Many also believed they, themselves, were affected which added to the placebo effect of the trials. Those claiming to be afflicted were not actually under any charm or bewitchment, they deceived their minds into thinking they were in order to conform to the situation at hand. All of these factors enabled the accusations of those with seemingly flawless reputations to be irrefutable. Without the involuntary cooperation of the entire community, the trials would not have grown to the magnitude of its' final state.
The Executed
Sarah Osborn
Roger Toothaker
Lyndia Dustin
Giles Corey
Martha Corey
Mary Eastey
Ann Pudeator
Alice Parker
Mary Parker
Wilmott Redd
Margaret Scott
Samuel Wardwell
George Burroughs
Martha Carrier
John Willard
George Jacobs, Sr.
John Proctor
Rebecca Nurse
Sarah Good
Susannah Martin
Elizabeth Howe
Sarah Wildes
Bridget Bishop
The Tried
Abigail Barker
Mary Barker
William Barker, Jr.
Mary Bridges, Jr.
Mary Bridges, Sr.
Sarah Bridges
Sarah Buckley
Sarah Cole
Lydia Dustin
Sarah Dustin
Eunice Frye
Sarah Hawkes, Jr.
Margaret Jacobs
Rebecca Jacobs
Elizabeth Johnson, Sr.
Julie Kildunne
Mary Lacey, Jr.
Mary Marston
Hannah Post
Susannah Post
Mary Toothaker
Hannah Tyler
MaryTyler
Mercy Wardwell
Mary Witheridge
...and many more...
Post-Trials
After the exclusion of spectral evidence, the trials began their demise. Those that were convicted and still alive were acquitted, pardoned, and released from jail. Nineteen men, women, and two dogs had been executed before the conclusion of the trial. Those pardoned attempted to return to the state their lives were in preceding the trials and the condemners realized the lack of accuracy their verdicts contained and publicly apologized as compensation. The village of Salem could finally begin to restore their community and rebuild their economy.