Salem Witch Trials Daily

Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack
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Witch trials unfolded one document at a time. Salem Witch Trials Daily follows the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693 in real time, day by day and document by document. Hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, each micro-episode covers the Salem witchcraft accusations unfolding on this exact date. Court examinations. Arrests. Hearings. Petitions. Executions. The real calendar of the Salem witch hunt, built from primary sources and leading scholarship. Free course at aboutsalem.com #witchtrials #SalemWitchTrials #Salemwitchcraft #1692 #Salem #witchcraft #history #colonialamerica #historypodcast #

  1. Oct 17

    Dorcas Hoar Gets a Month to Save Her Soul: September 21, 1692

    Dorcas Hoar’s Reprieve Petition and Joan Penny’s Examination Fragment (Sept 21, 1692)On September 21, 1692, Ipswich Constable John Choate arrested Joan Penny and took her to Salem for her examination. A surviving fragment of this hearing indicates she made one mistake while attempting the Lord’s Prayer.Beverly minister John Hale, Salem minister Nicholas Noyes, and schoolteachers Daniel Epps Jr. and John Emerson Jr., petitioned authorities to delay Dorcas Hoar’s scheduled execution so she could prepare for eternity.Sarah Cole’s apparition reportedly troubled Mary Brown in Reading, and Mary Herrick’s claimed that Mary Esty’s specter appeared to her before her hanging and spoke of her own innocence .00:00 Daily Introduction00:07 Joan Penny Examined00:36 Dorcas Hoar Reprieve01:36 Sarah Cole Apparition01:59 Mary Esty WarningLinksSalem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.comHigh Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection): https://pem.quartexcollections.com/collections/salem-witch-trials-collectionBernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

  2. Oct 17

    Cotton Mather Prepares to Defame Innocent People: September 20, 1692

    On September 20, 1692, Cotton Mather wrote to Stephen Sewall, requesting copies of the records of six to twelve trials of “the principal witches that have been condemned.” He was working on a book (Wonders of the Invisible World) about the trials, which was approved by Gov. William Phips and other colonial leaders. In this book, Cotton would defend the witch trials and defame the accused.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Setup00:05 Warrant for Joan Penny00:16 Cotton Mather Seeks Records00:41 Wonders of the Invisible World LinksSalem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.comHigh Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection): https://pem.quartexcollections.com/collections/salem-witch-trials-collectionBernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

  3. Oct 16

    Giles Cory is Pressed to Death for Standing Mute: September 19, 1692

    On September 19, 1692, Giles Cory was pressed to death. According to judge Samuel Sewall, Giles Cory’s old friend, Capt. Thomas Gardner, had spent two days pleading with Giles to change his mind and agree to a trial, to no avail.According to tradition, Giles was pressed in a pasture across the street from a jail. Officers compelled Giles to lie on the ground, placed boards over his body, and began to pile heavy stones atop the boards. The idea was to get Giles to agree to trial or simply to die. Even if he had changed his mind and agreed to a trial, at some point in the process, the damage would have been irreversible.Tradition also has it that Giles spoke just once, at the end of the process, when he got out the words “more weight” before dying from the damage wrought by the pressure of so many heavy stones crushing him.Years later, witch trial critic Robert Calef wrote that Giles’ tongue was pressed out of his mouth as he was dying and that Sheriff George Corwin pushed Giles’ tongue back in with his cane. This story was also passed down by observers who recalled it in their later years.Giles was the only person in the history of Massachusetts to face this form of punishment by his government. As we reported yesterday, Thomas Putnam wrote a letter to Samuel Sewall today. He claimed that Giles Cory had once pressed a man to death with his feet. In reality, Cory did contribute very much to the death of the man but by beating him relentlessly. Chapters 00:00 Daily Introduction 00:05 Giles Cory Pressed 00:37 How Pressing Worked 01:00 More Weight Legend 01:16 Aftermath Accounts 01:44 Putnam Letter Claim 01:52 Closing Context Links Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805 Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329 Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

  4. Oct 16

    Giles Cory Excommunicated: September 18, 1692

    Giles Cory Excommunicated: Putnam’s Letter, Ann’s Torment, and the Ghost of Jacob Goodell The Salem church excommunicated Giles Cory on Sunday, September 18, 1692. The day before, he had  refused to answer when he was asked if he would stand trial. His silence was treated as guilt. In other news, Ann Putnam Jr reportedly encountered the specters of witches, who warned her she would die before Giles Cory would (he died on the 19th). We discuss why these witches threatened to press Ann to death, who Giles Cory himself nearly beat to death, and how Thomas thought Giles got away with murder. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:03 Giles Cory Excommunicated 00:15 Ann Putnam's Torment 00:41 Jacob Goodell Beating 01:12 Ghostly Accusations 01:38 Hanging and Pressing 01:53 Coroner's Inquest Findings 02:06 Court Avoids Prosecution Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619 Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805 Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329 Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905 Deodat Lawson, A Brief and True Narrative: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A49794.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext Samuel Willard,Some Miscellany Observations: https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/willard/index.html Thomas Brattle, Letter of Thomas Brattle: https://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=modern_english/uvaGenText/tei/BurNarr.xml;chunk.id=d18;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d18;brand=default Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext Cotton Mather, Wonders of the Invisible World: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28513/pg28513.txt Thomas Maule, Truth Held Forth and Maintained: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00599.0001.001?view=toc John Hale, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00872.0001.001/?view=toc Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A32160.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

  5. Oct 16

    The Court Condemns 9 People to Death by Hanging: September 17, 1692

    Abigail Faulkner Convicted as Nine Are Condemned: Salem Witch Trials Daily (Sept. 17, 1692) On September 17, 1692, the Court of Oyer and Terminer continued its work in Salem. Before the grand jury and then the trial jury, Abigail Faulkner Sr. faced charges of allegedly afflicting Sarah Phelps and Martha Sprague. William Procter was examined again, even though two indictments against him had already been returned ignoramus, meaning there was not enough evidence for the grand jury to indict him. Unfortunately for William, accusations continued, and the justices took a renewed interest in him. Tragically, the court condemned nine more people to hang for witchcraft before adjourning with plans to meet again in November for more trials. Chapters 00:00 Daily Overview 00:15 William Procter Reexamined 01:15 Touch Test Evidence 02:05 Abigail Faulkner Accusations 03:59 Indictment And Guilty Verdict 04:08 Nine Sentenced To Hang 04:45 Executions And Pregnancy Delays 05:27 Court Shutdown And Aftermath 06:09 September Wrap Up  Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619 Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805 Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329 Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905 Deodat Lawson, A Brief and True Narrative: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A49794.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext Samuel Willard,Some Miscellany Observations: https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/willard/index.html Thomas Brattle, Letter of Thomas Brattle: https://xtf.lib.virginia.edu/xtf/view?docId=modern_english/uvaGenText/tei/BurNarr.xml;chunk.id=d18;toc.depth=1;toc.id=d18;brand=default Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext Cotton Mather, Wonders of the Invisible World: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/28513/pg28513.txt Thomas Maule, Truth Held Forth and Maintained: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00599.0001.001?view=toc John Hale, A Modest Enquiry into the Nature of Witchcraft: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N00872.0001.001/?view=toc Robert Calef, More Wonders of the Invisible World: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A32160.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

  6. Oct 14

    Torture Ordered for Giles Cory: September 16, 1692

    Sept. 16, 1692: Mary Parker and Margaret Scott Tried; Giles Cory Stands Mute In Salem on September 16, 1692, Mary Parker and Margaret Scott were tried and 6 new Andover residents were examined. Significantly, Giles Cory was asked if he would stand trial. Instead of answering, he stood mute. For this transgression, the justices ordered him to be tortured through a process only used this once in Massachusetts. 00:00 September 16 Overview 00:22 Andover Suspects Examined 00:43 Johanna Tyler Confession 02:04 Barker and Cory Depositions 02:40 Mary Parker Trial 03:24 Margaret Scott Convicted 03:56 Giles Cory Stands Mute Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

  7. Oct 13

    Mary Esty's Petition: September 15, 1692

    September 15, 1692: Indictments, Confessions, and Petitions in the Salem Witch TrialsOn September 15, 1692, as grand jurors weighed cases against Sarah Buckley, Rebecca Eames, Margaret Scott, Job Tookey, and Mary Whittredge, Deputy Sheriff George Herrick arrested Sarah Cole on a warrant tied to alleged afflictions. Confessions were reaffirmed in court, and new statements and depositions were submitted. In particular, this so-called evidence was leveled against Margaret Scott and Rebecca Eames. We highlight the petitions of Mary Esty and Ann Pudeator, in which they criticized the methods employed by the Court of Oyer and Terminer, rejected false testimony, and pleaded hard for the bloodshed to stop.Chapters:00:00 Daily Intro00:04 Grand Jury Docket00:19 Sarah Cole Arrest01:09 Testimony Against Scott02:18 Wycomb Cornfield Tale04:19 Indictments And Outcomes05:51 Speed Of Justice06:24 Burroughs Aftermath08:56 Andover Examinations09:33 Buckley Whittredge Complaint10:23 Mary Esty Petition12:30 Ann Pudeator PetitionLinks:Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhuntSalem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhuntsThe Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.comSalem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

  8. Oct 13

    The Witchcraft Trials of Samuel Wardwell and Wilmot Redd: September 14, 1692

    September 14, 1692: Elizabeth Colson Captured, Grand Juries Convene, and Redd & Wardwell Condemned Wednesday, September 14, 1692 was another busy day for the Court of Oyer and Terminer in Salem, as grand juries weighed cases against Sarah Buckley, Margaret Jacobs, Mary Lacey Sr., Wilmot Redd, and Samuel Wardwell. Authorities finally captured the elusive witchcraft suspect Elizabeth Colson and jailed her in Cambridge with 3 members of her family. Mary Lacey Sr. was indicted for afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard and Mercy Lewis and was condemned on September 17th but not hanged. The governor granted her and others a reprieve in 1693. Wilmot Redd was indicted for afflicting Elizabeth Hubbard. The trial jury convicted her. In the case of Samuel Wardwell, who had recanted his confession, new testimony was presented. Samuel was convicted.  In addition, Martha Cory received word of her excommunication, and in Connecticut, Governor Robert Treat served as chief justice of a different Court of Oyer and Terminer. Chapters: 00:00 Day Overview 00:18 Elizabeth Colson Captured 00:42 Margaret Jacobs Indicted 01:27 Mary Lacey Sr Case 03:30 Wilmot Redd Trial 05:31 Samuel Wardwell Evidence 08:40 Sarah Buckley Proceedings 09:32 Excommunication and Connecticut  Links: Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

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Witch trials unfolded one document at a time. Salem Witch Trials Daily follows the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693 in real time, day by day and document by document. Hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack, each micro-episode covers the Salem witchcraft accusations unfolding on this exact date. Court examinations. Arrests. Hearings. Petitions. Executions. The real calendar of the Salem witch hunt, built from primary sources and leading scholarship. Free course at aboutsalem.com #witchtrials #SalemWitchTrials #Salemwitchcraft #1692 #Salem #witchcraft #history #colonialamerica #historypodcast #

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack
  • Show Website
    Salem Witch Trials Daily

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