Salem Witch Trials - Murder of the Innocent? Terror of the 1600's

The Salem Witch Trials took place between 1692-1693, altogether in Salem 20 innocent men and women were wrongly convicted of being witches and executed. Learn more about them here.

Bridget Bishop (1632-1692) Aged 60

Bridget was the first person in Salem to be executed for witchcraft. Bridget was accused of putting a spell on five young women. Bridget was previously accused of witchcraft but was acquitted, this time however she was found guilty and hanged.

Sarah Good (1652-1692) Age 39

Sarah was accused by two young girls of witchcraft they claimed that Sarah would bite them, pinch them and abuse them, they would also have fits, with their eyes rolling to the back of their heads. Sarah was found guilty and hanged, while in her jail cell she gave birth to a child who did not survive.

Elizabeth Howe (1635-1692) Aged 57

Elizabeth was accused by the Perley Family, who suspected that Elizabeth had bewitched their 10 year old daughter. Elizabeth was also accused of afflicting other girls in the village. Elizabeth was found guilty at her trial and hanged on Gallows Hill.

Susannah Martin (1621-1692) Aged 70

Susannah was accused of being a witch and accused of recruiting others to join her coven, she was also accused of bewitching livestock to drown themselves in the river. Susannah was found guilty and hanged.

Rebecca Nurse (1621-1692) Aged 70

Rebecca was accused of killing 7 children by witchcraft, Rebecca was found guilty despite her outstanding character, and was hanged.

Sarah Wildes (1627-1692) Aged 65

Sarah was accused of witchcraft due to a complaint by one of her neighbours, Sarah was also accused of transforming into a spectre by her accusers. She was found guilty and hanged on Gallows Hill.

Rev George Burroughs (1650-1692) Aged 40

George was the only minister executed during the trials, he was accused of witchcraft by his enemies from his former parish. During his execution George was said to recite the lords prayer.

Martha Carrier 1652-1692 Aged 42

Martha was accused of witchcraft by three young women known as 'The Salem Girls'. These girls made it their mission to root out and expose witches. Neighbors of Martha came forward and stated that she had bewitched them including a neighbor who had lost a fight and blamed Martha for bewitching him to lose. Martha was hanged to a cheering crowd at Gallows Hill.

John Willard (1657-1692) Aged 30

John was a constable in Salem, his duties included bringing in those accused of witchcraft. When John refused to bring in anymore suspects, he himself was accused of sorcery and murdering 13 people. John was hanged on Gallows Hill on August 19th.

George Jacobs Sr (1609-1692) Aged 83

George Jacobs Senior was accused by his daughter- in - law and granddaughter. His son George was also accused but he managed to evade capture. George an old toothless man with white hair was found guilty and hanged.

John Proctor (1632-1692) Aged 60

John was accused by a woman who claimed that she had choked her and made her touch the devils bible. While John was in prision,John's house and belongings were sold and he was then hanged .

Alice Parker (?-1692) Age ?

Alice was accused of murdering a girls mother by using witchcraft. She like many others maintained their innocence, but was found guilty and hanged, her body was disposed of in an unmarked grave.

Mary Parker (1637-1692) Aged 55

Mary was accused as a co-conspirator by another accused witch, so called victims of Mary's would fit in fear at the very mention of her name. After Mary's execution her body was tossed into a rocky crevice.

Ann Pudeator (1621-1692) Aged 71

Ann was a wealthy widow, accusations made against her include, that she made someone sign the devils bible, torture with pins and that she made a man fall out of a tree. She was executed by hanging, her body location is unknown but she does have a memorial stone.

Wilmot Redd (?-1692) Age ?

Wilmot was accused of unsavory acts of witchcraft on bodies. She was sentenced to death by hanging and buried in an unmarked commoners grave.

Margaret Scott (1616-1692) Aged 77

Margaret was accused by two prominent families, she was accused of turning invisible and hitting people with a stick. She was hanged alongside several others and now has a memorial bench dedicated to her.

Samuel Wardwell (1643-1692) Aged 49

Samuel was accused of witchcraft by a 14 year old boy. Samuel confessed the minute he was accused and was hanged even though he retracted his confession. His son was left destitute.

Martha Corey (1620 -1692) Aged 72

Martha was accused of witchcraft by two young girls, she was outspoken in her beliefs that accusers of the accused witches were lying. Martha's conviction and execution was a shock as she was thought of as a good Christian woman.

Mary Eastey (1634-1692) Aged 58

Mary was a highly respectable member of the community so her conviction as a witch came as a total shock. Mary was accused of bewitching young girls and trying to get them to break their necks. At her execution she prayed for the end of the trials and to be released.

This last man Refused to enter plea and was tortured to death.

Giles Corey 1611-1692 Aged 81

Giles was a farmer who refused to enter a plea when accused. He was tortured by pressing and died after three days.