List of people of the Salem witch trials facts for kids
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of legal hearings and trials that took place in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. During this time, many people were accused of witchcraft. The trials led to the execution of twenty people, most of whom were women.
Many people involved in the trials were related because the population in the area was small. Sometimes, arguments between families led to accusations of witchcraft. This list helps you learn about the different people involved in these historical events.
Contents
People Who Accused Others
The "Afflicted" Accusers
These were people, often young women, who claimed to be suffering from strange fits, pains, or visions. They said these problems were caused by the witchcraft of others. Their accusations were a big part of the trials.
- Elizabeth Booth – age 18, from Salem
- Sarah Bibber – age 36, from Salem
- Sarah Churchill – age 25, from Salem Village
- Elizabeth Hubbard – age 17, from Salem Village. She was the niece of Dr. William Griggs.
- John Indian – a slave of Rev. Samuel Parris and husband of Tituba.
- Mercy Lewis – age 17, a servant from Salem Village.
- Elizabeth "Betty" Parris – age 9, daughter of Rev. Samuel Parris.
- Ann Putnam Jr. – age 12, daughter of Ann Putnam Sr.
- Mary Walcott – age 17, from Salem Village.
- Mary Warren – age 20, a servant from Salem.
- Abigail Williams – age 11, cousin of Betty Parris.
Other Accusers
Some people who were accused of witchcraft themselves later "confessed" and then accused others.
- Abigail Hobbs
- Deliverance Dane
The Doctor Who Diagnosed "Bewitchment"
- William Griggs – A local doctor who said the strange symptoms of the "afflicted" were caused by witchcraft.
People Who Were Executed
These individuals were found guilty of witchcraft and were put to death, mostly by hanging.
- Bridget Bishop – Died June 10, 1692, by hanging.
- Sarah Good – Died July 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Rebecca Nurse – Died July 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Elizabeth Howe – Died July 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Susannah Martin – Died July 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Sarah Wildes – Died July 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Rev. George Burroughs – Died August 19, 1692, by hanging.
- George Jacobs Sr. – Died August 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Martha Carrier – Died August 19, 1692, by hanging.
- John Proctor – Died August 19, 1692, by hanging.
- John Willard – Died August 19, 1692, by hanging.
- Martha Corey – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Mary Eastey – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Mary Parker – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Alice Parker – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Ann Pudeator – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Wilmot Redd – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Margaret Scott – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
- Samuel Wardwell Sr. – Died September 22, 1692, by hanging.
Died from Refusing to Plead
- Giles Corey – Died September 19, 1692. He was pressed to death with heavy stones because he refused to say if he was guilty or not guilty. This was a very unusual and harsh punishment.
People Who Died in Prison
Some people accused of witchcraft died while they were held in prison, often due to harsh conditions or illness, before their trials or executions.
- Ann Foster – Died December 3, 1692. She confessed to witchcraft, possibly to protect her daughter and granddaughter.
- Sarah Osborne – Died May 10, 1692.
- Lydia Dustin – Died March 10, 1693. She was found not guilty but couldn't pay her court fees, so she remained in prison.
- Roger Toothaker – Died June 16, 1692. He was a doctor who claimed to be able to find and punish witches.
- Mercy Good – Daughter of Sarah Good. She was born in prison after her mother's arrest and died there before her mother was executed.
People Who Survived the Trial Period
Many people accused of witchcraft did not die. Some were sentenced but not executed, others fled, were released, found not guilty, or pardoned.
Sentenced but Not Executed
- Elizabeth Proctor – She was pregnant, which delayed her execution. Later, she was saved by a general pardon.
Fled to Avoid Imprisonment
- Philip and Mary English – They fled to New York and returned after the trials ended.
Released on Bail
- Dorothy Good – Daughter of Sarah Good.
Found Not Guilty
- John Alden Jr.
- Mary Bradbury
- Sarah Dustin – Daughter of Lydia Dustin, who died in prison.
Pardoned
- Abigail Faulkner Sr. – She was pregnant.
- Dorcas Hoar – She "confessed" to witchcraft.
- Sarah Pease – Pardoned by the Governor in May 1693.
Pleaded Guilty and Pardoned
- Tituba – A slave from Barbados who worked for Rev. Samuel Parris. She was one of the first people accused and confessed.
People Not Tried
Some people were accused or arrested but never went to trial.
Born in Prison
- John – Son of Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor.
Released After the Governor Ended the Trials
- Mary Black – A slave who was arrested but never went to trial.
- Esther Elwell – An ancestor of actress Sarah Jessica Parker.
Not Indicted by a Grand Jury
- Sarah Cloyce – Sister of Rebecca Nurse and Mary Eastey, both of whom were executed.
- Tituba – Although she confessed, she was not formally tried.
Named, but No Arrest Warrant Issued
- Sarah Hale – Wife of Rev. John Hale.
- Lady Mary Phips – Wife of Massachusetts Governor Sir William Phips.
Court Officials
These were the people who ran the courts and made decisions during the trials.
Magistrates (1692)
- William Stoughton – Chief Magistrate.
- John Richards
- Nathaniel Saltonstall – He resigned from the court because he disagreed with how the trials were being handled.
- Samuel Sewall
- John Hathorne
- Jonathan Corwin
Justices (1693)
- William Stoughton – Chief Justice.
- Thomas Danforth
- Samuel Sewall
Important Public Figures
These individuals held important positions in the government or society during the time of the trials.
- Sir William Phips – Governor of Massachusetts.
- Thomas Brattle – A critic of the trials.
Clergy (Ministers)
Ministers played a significant role in the community and often influenced opinions during the trials.
- John Hale – Minister in Beverly.
- Cotton Mather – A well-known minister from Boston.
- Increase Mather – Cotton Mather's father, also a prominent minister.
- Samuel Parris – Minister of Salem Village, father of Betty Parris and uncle of Abigail Williams, two key accusers.
- Samuel Willard – Minister from Groton and Boston.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Personas de los Juicios de Salem para niños
