John Hale (minister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hale
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Title page of A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft by John Hale (Boston, 1702)
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| Born |
John Hale
June 3, 1636 |
| Died | May 15, 1700 (aged 63) |
| Education | Harvard College |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Known for | Minister associated with the Salem witch trials |
| Spouse(s) |
Rebecca Byles
(m. 1664; Sarah Noyes
(m. 1656–1697) |
John Hale (born June 3, 1636 – died May 15, 1700) was a Puritan church leader. He served as the pastor in Beverly, Massachusetts. John Hale played a part in the famous Salem witch trials in 1692. He was a very important minister during this time. At first, he supported the trials. But later, he changed his mind. He even wrote a book that questioned what happened.
His book was called A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft. It was published after he died. In the book, Hale suggested a different idea. He thought that evil spirits might have pretended to be the accused people. This could have tricked everyone involved. He likely changed his mind because his own wife was accused. Luckily, she was never put on trial.
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John Hale's Early Life and Career
John Hale was born on June 3, 1636. His hometown was Charlestown, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the oldest child of Robert Hale, who was a blacksmith. John went to Harvard College in Cambridge. He finished his studies there in 1657.
Around 1664, he started preaching in a place called Bass-river-side. This area later became known as Beverly. On September 20, 1667, he became the first official minister of the church there. This happened when the church in Beverly separated from Salem. On December 15, 1664, he married his first wife, Rebecca Byly. She passed away on April 13, 1683, when she was 45 years old.
John Hale and the Salem Witch Trials
When John Hale was a child, he saw something important. He witnessed the execution of Margaret Jones. She was the first person put to death for witchcraft in New England. This happened between 1648 and 1663.
In 1692, Hale was involved in the Salem witch trials. He was present when many people were questioned and tried. He supported the court's actions at first. However, things changed on November 14, 1692. A 17-year-old girl named Mary Herrick accused Hale's second wife, Sarah Noyes Hale. Mary also accused the ghost of Mary Eastey, who had been executed. But Sarah Hale was never officially charged or arrested.
A historian named Charles Upham later wrote about the trials. He believed this accusation against Hale's wife was important. It helped change public opinion. It also made Hale rethink his support for the trials. After the trials ended, Sarah Hale passed away. John Hale then started writing his book. He suggested that the fear of witchcraft was so strong it affected everyone's judgment. This might have led to innocent people dying. Hale died in 1700 at age 63. His book was published two years later.
John Hale in 'The Crucible'
John Hale is a character in Arthur Miller's play The Crucible. This play was written in 1953. It tells a fictional story about the Salem witch trials. In the play, Samuel Parris asks Hale to examine his daughter, Betty Parris. This quick visit makes Hale one of the main characters.
In the play, Hale is a young minister. He has studied witchcraft and evil magic for a long time. He wants to destroy these things for God. He even found a "witch" in his own town of Beverly, Massachusetts. Hale is the minister in charge of finding people with "marks of the Devil." He believes it is his duty to find witches and save their souls.
But as he sees the terrible things happening, Hale changes his mind. He sees that people are losing their rights. He speaks out against the trials. He tells Judge Danforth that the trials are wrong. Hale leaves the court when Mary Warren accuses John Proctor. He famously says, "I denounce these proceedings. I quit this court!"
'The Crucible' on Screen
The 1957 movie version of the play featured Yves Brainville as Hale. In the 1996 film version, Rob Campbell played Hale. He was shown as much younger than the real John Hale. The real Hale was 56 during the trials. However, Arthur Miller's play itself changes some historical details. For example, Abigail Williams would have been closer to 12, not 17. John Proctor would have been nearly 60.
In the 1996 movie, Abigail Williams accuses Hale's wife. This happens when Abigail suspects Hale is doubting her. Judge Danforth quickly dismisses this accusation. This leads to Abigail running away from the village. Later, Hale sadly watches the hangings of Rebecca Nurse, Martha Corey, and John Proctor.
John Hale is also played by Xander Berkeley in the 2014 TV series Salem. In this show, he is called Magistrate Hale.
Images for kids
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Rev. John Hale Farm
