My Salem Blog:

Between 1692 and 1693, the American colonial town of Salem Village was forever immortalized due to the frenzy of witch trials which occurred at this time. Its population of fervently religious Puritans wholeheartedly believed in such things as witchcraft and demonic possession and it is no wonder that fear quickly grew around the village when supernatural events were suspected.
Two local young girls, Betty Parris and Abigail Proctor sparked the hysteria of the witch craze which would account for over one hundred people being arrested and nineteen people convicted and hanged. Although this chronicled episode was short lived, it left an indelible mark on the regions history and remains an important tool in understanding themes of Puritan ideologies in early modern American witch trials.

Recently, new information has been discovered which provides critical insight into the mindset of some of the most important players during the trials. Excerpts from diaries written during the witch trials by Betty Parris, Abigail Williams and John Proctor allow the modern reader new knowledge about what life was life in the village and why the trials happened in the first place. While there has been substantial debate about the roles of the two girls and their reasons for their involvement, these diaries seem to prove that they were fully commited to causing turmoil due to boredom and being dangerous juvenile delinquents. The diaries were found this year in remarkably good condition and I have posted them on my new Salem blog. Please Enjoy!

[Pictures courtesy of Salem Witch Trials 1692- Famous American Trials. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_PHO.HTM Accessed April 7th 2011.]