The Salem witch hunt
Subtitle: a brief history with documents
By: Richard Godbeer
Series: Bedford series in history and culture; Bedford series in history and culture
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martins
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 202
ISBN-13: 9780312484552
Subjects: Trials (Witchcraft); Social conditions; Witchcraft; History
Description: The Salem witch trials stand as one of the infamous moments in colonial American history. More than 150 people -- primarily women -- from 24 communities were charged with witchcraft; 19 were hanged and others died in prison. In his introduction to this compact yet comprehensive volume, Richard Godbeer explores the beliefs, fears, and historical context that fueled the witch panic of 1692. The documents in this collection illuminate how the Puritans' worldview led them to seek a supernatural explanation for the problems vexing their community. Presented as case studies, the carefully chosen records from several specific trials offer a clear picture of the gender norms and social tensions that underlie the witchcraft accusations. The final documents cover recantations of confessions, the aftermath of the witch hunt, and statements of regret. A chronology of the witchcraft crisis, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography round out the book's pedagogical support.The Salem witch trials stand as one of the infamous moments in colonial American history. More than 150 people -- primarily women -- from 24 communities were charged with witchcraft; 19 were hanged and others died in prison. In his introduction to this compact yet comprehensive volume, Richard Godbeer explores the beliefs, fears, and historical context that fueled the witch panic of 1692. The documents in this collection illuminate how the Puritans' worldview led them to seek a supernatural explanation for the problems vexing their community. Presented as case studies, the carefully chosen records from several specific trials offer a clear picture of the gender norms and social tensions that underlie the witchcraft accusations. The final documents cover recantations of confessions, the aftermath of the witch hunt, and statements of regret. A chronology of the witchcraft crisis, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography round out the book's pedagogical support.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Introduction : explaining the Salem witch hunt. Putting Salem into a larger context ; Puritanism and the supernatural world ; Dangerous women ; Malevolent neighbors ; The witch panic of 1692 ; The afflicted girls ; Trying a witch ; The collapse of the trials - The documents. 1. Signs and assaults from the supernatural world. The arrival of a comet and the death of a star preacher ; Samuel Sewall finds reassurance in a rainbow ; The death of Cotton Mather's infant son ; Strange afflictions in the Goodwin household ; The horseshoe controversy in Newberry, Massachusetts ; Mary Rowlandson's account of the Indian attack on Lancaster ; Cotton Mather on the Quaker threat ; The Dominion of New England ; Cotton Mather on the recent history of New England; title: ^; title: 2. Beginnings. John Hale's account, 1702 ; Deodat Lawson's account, 1692 ; Samuel Parris on the outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Salem village, March 27, 1692 ; Samuel Parris's statement to his congregations about Mary Sibley's use of countermagic, March 27, 1692; title: ^; title: ^^; title: 3. Witches on trial. Sarah Good. Arrest warrant for Sarah Good, February 29, 1692 ; Examination of Sarah Good (as recorded by Ezekiel Cheever), March 1, 1692 ; Elizabeth Hubbard against Sarah Good, March 1, 1692 ; Ann Putnam Jr. against Sarah Good, March 1, 1692 ; William Allen, John Hughes, William Good, and Samuel Braybrook against Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, March 5, 1692 ; Abigail Williams against Sarah Good, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, May 23, 1692 ; Indictment against Sarah Good for afflicting Sarah Bibber, June 28, 1692 ; Sarah Bibber against Sarah Good, June 28, 1692 ; Sarah Gadge and Thomas Gadge against Sarah Good, June 28, 1692 ; Joseph Herrick Sr.^; title: ^^; title: and Mary Herrick against Sarah Good, June 28, 1692 ; Samuel Abbey and Mary Abbey against Sarah Good, June 29, 1692 ; Henry Herrick and Jonathan Batchelor against Sarah Good, June 29, 1692 ; Samuel Sibley against Sarah Good, June 29, 1692 ; Death warrant for Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth How, and Sarah Wilds (July 12, 1692) and officer's return (July 19, 1692) - Tituba. First examination of Tituba (as recorded by Jonathan Corwin), March 1, 1692 ; Second examination of Tituba (as recorded by Jonathan Corwin), March 2, 1692 ; Elizabeth Hubbard against Tituba, March 1, 1692 ; Ann Putnam Jr. against Tituba, March 1, 1692 ; Indictment against Tituba for covenanting with the devil, May 9, 1693 - John Proctor.^; title: ^^; title: Elizabeth Booth against John Proctor, April 11, 1692 ; Abigail Williams against John Proctor, May 31, 1692 ; Physical examination of John Proctor and John Willard, June 2, 1692 ; Mary Warren against John Proctor, June 30, 1692 ; Petition of John Proctor, July 23, 1692 ; John DeRich against John Proctor and others, August 4, 1692 ; Samuel Sibley against John Proctor, August 5, 1692 ; Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor, August 5, 1692 ; Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor, August 5, 1692 - Bridget Bishop. Examination of Bridget Bishop (as recorded by Ezekiel Cheever), April 9, 1692 ; William Stacy against Bridget Bishop, May 30, 1692 ; Sarah Churchill and Mary Warren against Bridget Bishop and others, June 1, 1692 ; Physical examinations of Bridget Bishop and others, June 2, 1692 ; John Bly Sr.^; title: ^^; title: and Rebecca Bly against Bridget Bishop, June 2, 1692 ; Richard Coman against Bridget Bishop, June 2, 1692 ; John Louder against Bridget Bishop, June 2, 1692 ; Samuel Shattuck and Sarah Shattuck against Bridget Bishop, June 2, 1692 ; Susannah Sheldon against Bridget Bishop and others, June 3, 1692 - Dorcas Hoar. Examination of Dorcas Hoar (as recorded by Samuel Parris), May 2, 1692 ; Sarah Bibber against Dorcas Hoar, July 2, 1692 ; Elizabeth Hubbard against Dorcas Hoar, July 2, 1692 ; Ann Putnam Jr. against Dorcas Hoar, July 2, 1692 ; Mary Walcott against Dorcas Hoar, July 2, 1692 ; Mary Gage against Dorcas Hoar and others, September 6, 1692 ; John Hale against Dorcas Hoar, September 6, 1692 ; Joseph Morgan and Deborah Morgan against Dorcas Hoar, September 6, 1692 ; John Tuck against Dorcas Hoar, September 6, 1692 ; Petition of John Hale, Nicholas Noyes, Daniel Epes, and John Emerson Jr. September 21, 1692 - George Burroughs.^; title: ^^; title: Benjamin Hutchinson against George Burroughs and others, April 22, 1692 ; Examination of George Burroughs (as recorded by Samuel Parris), May 9, 1692 ; Elizar Keyser against George Burroughs, May 9, 1692 ; Mercy Lewis against George Burroughs, May 9, 1692 ; John Putnam Sr. and Rebecca Putnam against George Burroughs, May 9, 1692 ; Mary Walcott against George Burroughs, May 9, 1692 ; Simon Willard and William Wormall against George Burroughs, May 9, 1692 ; Abigail Hobbs, Deliverance Hobbs, and Mary Warren against George Burroughs and others, June 1, 1692 ; Mary Webber against George Burroughs, August 2, 1692 ; Ann Putnam Jr. against George Burroughs, August 3, 1692 ; Physical examination of George Burroughs and George Jacobs Jr. August 4, 1692 ; Hannah Harris against George Burroughs, August 5, 1692 ; Sarah Wilson and Martha Tyler against George Burroughs, September 15, 1692; title: ^^