Through its extensive use of primary source materials and provision of explanations, this book places readers into the context of late 17th-century Salem to shed light on one of the darkest events in American history—the Salem witch trials.
The Salem witch trials are one of the most fascinating events in American history. Despite being commonly covered in school curricula, the nature of the trials are often misunderstood. This book enables readers to get unique perspective and insight into the nature of this event through a representative selection of primary source materials, each of which is prefaced with explanatory editorial comments. The result is a work that clarifies the belief systems and religious and social culture of 17th century Massachusetts and places them into a comprehensible context to make sense of how the Salem witch trials came to happen.
The book provides an introductory overview of the Salem witch trials, which is followed by an array of primary sources that tell the Salem story in the words of both the accusers and the victims of that episode. Editorial commentary accompanies each of the documents, placing it into its historical framework and clearly explaining archaic terminology and testimony.
The primary sources used in this work are drawn from the vast archive of Salem witch trial sources, including court testimonies, court depositions, commentary from journals, miscellaneous court records such as arrest and death warrants, and writings by contemporary critics of the trials. This broad and balanced mix of documents gives students of the Salem witch trials a unique sense of the extent and impact of this event on the people of colonial Massachusetts as well as the complexity of the event.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Evaluating and Interpreting Primary Documents
Historical Introduction
Chronology
Chapter 1 February to May 1692
1. Governor William Phips, "Letter Two of Governor William Phips," February 21, 1692/1693
2. Unknown, "Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard v. Tituba," February 25, 1691/1692
3. Unknown, "Deposition of Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Tituba," February 25, 1691/1692
4. Ezekiel Cheever, "The Examination of Tituba," March 1, 1691/1692
5. Samuel Parris, "Deposition of Samuel Parris v. Tituba," March 1, 1691/1692
6. Deodat Lawson, "A Brief and True Narrative of some Remarkable Passages Relating to Sundry Persons Afflicted by Witchcraft, Salem Village," March to April 5, 1692
7. Unknown, "Examination of Sarah Osborne," March 1, 1691/1692
8. Ezekiel Cheever, "Examination of Sarah Good," March 1, 1691/1692
9. Ezekiel Cheever, "Examination of Tituba—A Second Version," March 1, 1691/1692
10. Jonathan Corwin, "Summary of Examinations of Tituba," March 1, 1691/1692
11. Constable George Locker, "Officer's Return," March 1, 1691/1692
12. Unknown, "Tituba's Second Examination," March 2, 1691/1692
13. Unknown, "Mary Walcott v. Dorothy Good," March 21, 1691/1692
14. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Warrant v. Dorothy Good," March 23, 1691/1692
15. Samuel Braybrook, "Officer's Return," March 24, 1691/1692
16. Unknown, "Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Dorothy Good," March 24, 1691/1692
17. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Examination of Rebecca Nurse," March 24, 1691/1692
18. Unknown, "Mercy Lewis v. Dorothy Good," April 3, 1692
19. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Indictment No. 1 v. Sarah Cloyce, for Afflicting Abigail Williams," April 9, 1692
20. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Indictment No. 2 v. Sarah Cloyce, for Afflicting Mary Walcott," April 9, 1692
21. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Warrant for the Arrest of Giles Corey, Mary Warren, Abigail Hobbs, and Bridget Bishop," April 18, 1692
22. Samuel Parris, "Examination of Bridget Bishop, First Version," April 19, 1692
23. John Rucke, "Indictment v. Bridget Bishop, No. 1," April 19, 1692
24. John Rucke, "Indictment v. Bridget Bishop, No. 2," April 19, 1692
25. John Rucke, "Indictment v. Bridget Bishop, No. 3," April 19, 1692
26. John Rucke, "Indictment v. Bridget Bishop, No. 4," April 19, 1692
27. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Examination of Mary Warren," April 19, 1692
28. Unknown, "Examination of Mary Warren in Prison," April 20, 1692
29. Unknown, "Examination of Mary Warren," April 21, 1692
30. Unknown, "Deposition of Ann Putnam, Jr. v. George Burroughs, No. 1," April 21, 1692
31. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Examination of Mary Black," April 22, 1692
32. Elisha Hutchinson, "Warrant for Arrest of George Burroughs," April 30, 1692
33. Unknown, "Deposition of Ann Putnam, Jr. v. George Burroughs, No. 2," May 5, 1692
34. Unknown, "Deposition of Deliverance Hobbs v. Bridget Bishop et al.," May 3, 1692
35. Unknown, "Examination of Rev. George Burroughs," May 9, 1692
36. Unknown, "Indictment v. George Burroughs, for Afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard," May 9, 1692
37. Unknown, "Indictment v. George Burroughs, for Afflicting Mercy Lewis," May 9, 1692
38. Unknown, "Indictment v. George Burroughs, for Afflicting Ann Putnam," May 9, 1692
39. Unknown, "Indictment v. George Burroughs, for Afflicting Mary Walcott," May 9, 1692
40. Unknown, "Examination of Mary Warren," May 12, 1692
41. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Warrant v. Roger Toothaker," May 18, 1692
42. John Hale, "Deposition of Rev. John Hale et al. v. Sarah Bishop," May 20, 1692
43. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Deposition of Thomas Putnam and Ezekiel Cheever v. Tituba," May 23, 1692
44. Unknown, "Thomas Gage and Pickworth v. Roger Toothaker," May 23, 1692
45. John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin, "Warrant for Apprehension of Martha Carrier and Officer's Return," May 28, 1692
46. William Stacey, "Deposition of William Stacy v. Bridget Bishop," May 30, 1692
47. Unknown, "Examination of Martha Carrier," May 31, 1692
48. Unknown, "Indictment No. 1 v. Martha Carrier, for Afflicting Mary Walcott," May 31, 1692
49. Unknown, "Indictment No. 2 v. Martha Carrier, for Afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard," May 31, 1692
50. John Hathorne and Jonathan Cowrin, "Warrant for Apprehension of Wilmott Reed," May 28, 1692
51. Unknown, "Indictment v. Wilmott Reed, No. 1," May 31, 1692
52. Unknown, "Indictment v. Wilmott Reed, No. 2," May 31, 1692
53. Unknown, "Examination of Wilmott Reed," May 31, 1692
54. Reverend Cotton Mather, "Reverend Cotton Mather Letter to John Richards," May 31, 1692
Chapter 2 June to July 1692
55. Elizabeth Hubbard, "Deposition of Elizabeth Hubbard v. Bridget Bishop and Mary Warren," June 1, 1692
56. Thomas Newton, "Confession of Sarah Churchill," June 1, 1692
57. John Hathorne and Jonathan Cowrin, "Deposition of Mary Warren v. Bridget Bishop and Nathaniel Cary," June 1, 1692
58. Susannah Sheldon, "Deposition of Susannah Sheldon v. Bridget Bishop, Mary English, Phillip English, Giles Corey, and Martha Corey," Date Unknown
59. J. Barton et al., "Physical Examination of Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, Alice Parker, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Good, No. 1," June 2, 1692
60. Rebecah Sharpe et al., "Physical Examination of Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, and Susannah Martin, No. 2," June 2, 1692
61. Unknown, "Deposition of John Bly, Sr. and Rebecca Bly v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
62. Unknown, "Deposition of John Bly, Sr. and William Bly v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
63. Unknown, "Deposition of John Cook v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
64. Unknown, "Deposition of John Louder v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
65. John Hathorne, "Deposition of Richard Coman v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
66. Steph Sewall, "Deposition of Samuel and Sarah Shattuck v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
67. Unknown, "Deposition of Susannah Sheldon v. Bridget Bishop," June 2, 1692
68. William Stoughton, "Death Warrant for Bridget Bishop," June 10, 1692
69. Reverend Cotton Mather et al., "The Return of Several Ministers Consulted by His Excellency and the Honorable Council upon the Present Witchcrafts in Salem Village," June 15, 1692
70. Benj'a Walker et al., "Return of the Coroner's Jury on the Death of Roger Toothaker," June 16, 1692
71. Rebecca Nurse, "Petition of Rebecca Nurse to the Court," June 28, 1692
72. Robert Payne, "Indictment No. 1 v. Candy, for Afflicting Mary Walcott," July 2, 1692
73. Robert Payne, "Indictment No. 2 v. Candy, for Afflicting Ann Putnam Jr.," July 2, 1692
74. John Hathorne, "Examination of Candy," July 4, 1692
75. William Stoughton, "Death Warrant for Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth How, and Sarah Wilds," July 19, 1692
76. Assorted Friends and Neighbors of Mary Bradbury, "Petition for Mary Bradbury," July 22, 1692
77. Unknown, "Indictment v. Mary Bradbury, for Afflicting Timothy Swan," July 26, 1692
78. Thomas Bradbury, "Testimony of Thomas Bradbury for Mary Bradbury," July 28, 1692
Chapter 3 August to December 1692
79. Examination Committee, "The Physical Examinations of George Burroughs and George Jacobs, Jr.," August 4, 1692
80. Samuel Sibley, "Samuel Sibley against John Proctor," August 5, 1692
81. Reverend John Wise, "Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor No. 1," August 5, 1692
82. Nathaniel Felton Sr. and Others, "Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor No. 2," August 5, 1692
83. Abraham Haseltine, "Indictment v. Mary Bridges, Jr. for Afflicting Rose Foster, No. 1," August 25, 1692
84. Hon. William Stoughton, "Verdict and Death Sentence for Abigail Faulkner," September 17, 1692
85. Stephen Sewell, "Summons for Witnesses v. Mary Bradbury," September 5, 1692
86. Stephen Sewell, "Summons for Mary Towne and Rebecca Towne," September 8, 1692
87. Ann Putnam, "Ann Putnam Jr. v. Mary Bradbury," September 8, 1692
88. Mary Warren, "Deposition of Mary Warren v. Mary Bradbury," September 9, 1692
89. Mercy Lewis, "Deposition of Mercy Lewis v. Giles Corey," September 9, 1692
90. Robert Payne, "Indictment No. 3 v. Sarah Cloyce, for Afflicting Rebecca Towne," September 9, 1692
91. Mary Easty, "Petition of Mary Easty," c. September 9 to 21, 1692
92. Stephen Sewell and James Smith, "Summons for Witnesses against Wilmot Redd," September 13, 1692
93. Mary Warren, "Mary Warren v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
94. Ann Putnam Jr., "Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
95. Sarah Dodd, "Sarah Dodd v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
96. Ambrose Gale, "Ambrose Gale v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
97. Charity Pitman, "Charity Pitman v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
98. Mary Walcott, "Mary Walcott v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
99. Elizabeth Hubbard, "Elizabeth Hubbard v. Wilmott Reed," September 14, 1692
100. Thomas Brattle, "The Letter of Thomas Brattle to a Reverend Gentleman," October 8, 1692
101. John Osgood, "Petition of John Osgood and Eight Others," October 1692
102. Reverend Timothy Osgood and Others, "Petition of the Andover Ministers and Twenty-Two Others," October 18, 1692
103. Gov. William Phips, "Letter One of Governor William Phips," October 12, 1692
104. Abigail Faulkner, "Petition of Abigail Faulkner," December 3, 1692
105. John Osgood and Others, "Petition of John Osgood and Seven Others," December 1692
106. George Herrick, "The Petition of George Herrick," December 8, 1692
107. Widow Penny and Others, "The Petition of Ten Prisoners at Ipswich," c. January 1692
108. Reverend Francis Dane, "The Statement by the Rev. Francis Dane on the Andover Outbreak," January 2, 1693
109. Unknown Court Officer, "Recognizance for Dorothy Good," December 10, 1692
110. Reverend Increase Mather, "Rev. Increase Mather's Report of His Conversation in Prison with Mary Bridges, Sr.," January 1692
111. Jonathan Elatson, "Recognizance for Mary Bridges, Sr.," January 12, 1692/1693
Chapter 4 Post–Salem Witch Trials—The Aftermath
112. Unknown, "The Indictment of Tituba Indian," May 9, 1693
113. Jonathan Elat, "Recognizance for Mary Bridges, Sr.," January 1692/1693
114. George Jacobs Jr., "A Statement of Loss Submitted to the Colony of Massachusetts for Damages upon the Estate of George Jacobs, Sr., Victim of the Salem Witch Trials," c. 1693
115. Hon. Samuel Sewell, "The Public Apology of the Honorable Samuel Sewall," January 14, 1697
116. Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World, 1700
117. Ann Putnam Jr., "The Public Confession of Ann Putnam," August 25, 1706
118. Governor Joseph Dudley, "The Massachusetts General Court Makes Restitution," December 17, 1711
Conclusion: The Impact of the Salem Trials to the Present
Annotated Bibliography
Index
About the Author :
K. David Goss, MA, PhD candidate, is professor of history and museum studies at Gordon College, Wenham, MA.
Review :
An excellent addition to the United States history collections of any academic or research-based library. Students will find this slim volume an easily accessible source of primary resources for their searches and thus it serves well for lower-level undergraduates. The extent and depth of the documents also make this work valuable to upper-division students focusing on colonial American history.
