Jessica Lovell American Civilization 1700

Accusations and Defenses in the Salem Witchcraft Trials

The Salem witch trials occurred in Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. During this time, many religious people strongly believed that the Devil could give certain people the power to harm others in return for their loyalty. About 300 people give or take were charged with witchcraft and devil worship during the first colonial century. The majority of the accused were women who were generally middle-aged and older. Most of these women accused of witchcraft were seen as rebellious and independent. Before they were charged, many of them had been suspected of heretical religious beliefs, others of sexual immodesty, and some because they had inherited or were about to inherit property. Only 20 of the accused in Salem were executed and all were innocent. John Procter was a tavern owner in the village of Salem in the year 1692. He was one of the few men among the accused of witchcraft and one of the most well-known as he was the leading character in Arthur Millers play, The Crucible. Procter was a firm disbeliever of witchcraft and sorcery. He believed that all accusing villagers were liars and frauds. When Procter was accused of being a witch himself, given the result of past trial sentences, he had very good reason to be concerned. This all started when one of Procters servants, Mary Warren, began having fits and behaving strangely, Procter did what he thought was the best way to handle the situation, he beat the girl senseless in an attempt to get her to behave. His efforts proved successful and shortly after, Procter left home on business. Unfortunately, the girls fits returned.

Jessica Lovell American Civilization 1700

When Procters case came to trial, there were at least three witnesses testifying against him: Sarah Bibber, Ann Putnam, and Mary Warren. Each of the girls testimonies were similar in the fact that each claimed Procters spirit had tormented them and pinched them. In Marys testimony, she confirmed these accusations by stating that she had seen the apparition of John Procter Sr among the witches and he hath often tortured me by pinching me and biting me and choking me and pressing me one my stomach tell the blood came out of my mouth. John, knowing all too well the verdict of past trials and the outcome of the innocently accused, understood that he would not have much chance of a fair trial in Salem, therefore he pleaded to the clergy to either appoint different judges or allow his trial to be moved to Boston. He said, The innocency of our Case with the Enmity of our Accusers and our Judges, and Jury, whom nothing but our Innocent Blood will serve their turn, having Condemned us already before our Tryals, being so much incensed and engaged against us by the Devil, makes us bold to Beg and Implore your Favourable Assistance of this our Humble Petition to his Excellency, That if it be possible our Innocent Blood may be spared, which undoubtedly otherwise will be shed, if the Lord doth not mercifully step in John knew that if the clergy didnt agree to his request, he and his family would be doomed. In another effort to defend himself, Procter compared the interrogations his sons and others faced to Popish Cruelties. As an example he said, My son William Procter, when he was examind, because he would not confess that he was Guilty, when he was Innocent, they tyed him Neck and Heels till the Blood gushed out at his Nose, and would have kept him so 24

Jessica Lovell American Civilization 1700 HoursThese actions are very like the Popish Cruelties. They have already undone us in our Estates, and that will not serve their turns, without our Innocent Bloods. These Popish Cruelties Procter talked about referred to the actions of the Church of Rome. The Roman Catholic Church throughout Europe was known for its inhumane cruelty and gory persecutions. These events go to show that before a stable government was established in the United States, the diplomatic system of the colonies was unorganized and no