We didn't talk about the Salem Witch Trials in class, but it's an outgrowth of the Puritanical dogmas that led to suspicion and abuse. In all the trials were not as widespread as the lore around them suggests. 19 "witches" were hanged in 1692, one "wizard" was pressed to death, and at least four others died in prison.
Here's a summary account of Mary Barker, one accused of witchcraft at the Salem trials of 1692-93 (Warning: the English is hard to follow because the spellings are exactly like our modern day.):
29'th August 1692 -- Before Maj'r Gidny Mr Hathorne Mr Cor-
win The Examination And Confession of Mary Barker of And-
ivor -- after Several Questions Propounded & Neagative ans'rs
Returned She at last acknowledged that Goody Johnson made her
a witch & that Some time last Sumer She made a Red Mark in the
Divels book w'th the fore finger of her left hand & the Divel would
have her hurt Martha Sprage Rose foster & Abigall Martin w'ch
She did on Satterday & Sabbath day last She Said She was not above
a Quart'r of an hour a Coming Dwone from Andivor to Salem to
afflict She S'd She afflicted the above S'd 3 persons by Squezing her
hands She Confesses She was at the Witch Metting at Salem Village
w'th her unkle, there was a grate many there & of her Company was
only her unkle W'm Barker & Mary Marston --
Martha Sprage S'd
that Mary Barkers apperition told that She was baptized at 5 Mile
pond -- S'd Mary Barker S'd ther was Such a load & weight at her
Stomack that Hindred her from Speaking & is afrayd She has Given
up her Self Soul & body to the Divel She Says She promised to Serve
worship & beleive in him & he promised to pardon her Sins but finds
he has deceived her & that She was left of god & all good people
& that Goody Johnson & Goody falkner apeared at the Same time
& threatned to tear her in peices if she did not doe what She then did
She further Said that She had Seen no aperance Since but a fly w'ch did Speak to her & bid her afflict those poor Creaturs w'ch She did by pinching With Clinching of her hands for w'ch She is Sorry -- &further the Divel told her it would be very brave & Cliver for her to Come Dwone to Salem among those acused persons & that She Should Never be brought out She promised to Confese what more She Shall hearafter Rememb'r
Was this simply suspicion with no proof? Were they really afraid of the Devil (Divel for them)? What else might they be concerned with, or what external pressures drove them to this kind of expected absolutism from all of their citizenry?
Friday, June 12, 2009
There's No Good In You... Witch!
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Mary Barker certainly believed that there was some virtue in serving the devil. The dogmas of the Puritans would not allow for that kind of belief. To them, it was either serving God their way or death. Her appeal was honest and open. It was an affront, though not intended, to Puritan dogmas and practices which centered in the fact that theirs was the true, and perhaps only, religion of God. With no stomach for Religious Liberty, any other beliefs, like that of Mary Barker was forcibly rejected. They were also concerned of witchcraft spreading among the 'faithful'.
ReplyDeleteToday,thanks for the likes as Roger Williams and the Founding Fathers, things are quite different...for the time being.
I think Mary Barker never really had a chance when she went to trial. You have to remember the Puritans came for relgious freedom, but in fact did not allow freedom to express your religious belief even if it was worshipping the devil. I really don't think all were witches. I believe they had some unfamiliar practices in religion that many Puritans rejected. If some of these people were innocent, they never had a chance to prove their innocency because they were already sentenced prior to trial. They were made examples so others would not try to come against the belief of the Puritans. Today, we do similar presumptions by unfamilir with other religous practices and condone them. Did we really overcome the obstacles of dogmas of the Church of England? Do we impose this same sigma on other religious belief?
ReplyDeleteAngela Webb
Mary Barker went to trial and was sentenced for something she believed in even if it was worshiping the devil. The Puritans were believers of God they did not accept Mary's faith. Her testimony was not convincing enough to keep her from being sentenced.
ReplyDelete