Account of the Salem Witch Trials By: Tan Ly

In late 1692, a mass hysteria fell over the Puritan inhibited town of town of Salem Village, Massachusetts. Strange and often unexplainable phenomenon was experienced by the townspeople. The disturbing events that took place ware attributed to malevolence of witchcraft. In less than six months, 19 men and women were hanged, 17 innocents died in filthy prisons, an 80-year old man was crushed to death, and two dogs were stoned to death for collaborating with the Devil The …

…man pressed to death, and in the deaths of more than seventeen who died in prison. It is amazing today to think of a time where people actually believed in absurd folklore such as witches flying and possessing their victims. As George Lyman Kittredge said, "Our forefathers believed in witchcraft, not because they were Puritans, not because they were [Colonialists], not because they were New Englanders - but because they were men of their time."