John Richards ()

The Salem Witch Trials were a notorious episode in colonial history that led to the execution of 14 women and 6 men, in 1692, for charges of witchcraft. The trials began as a result of the bizarre and inexplicable behavior of two young girls, afflicted by violent convulsions and strange fits that seemingly rendered them unable to hear, speak, or see. In the ensuing hysteria during the summer of 1692, nearly 200 people were accused of witchcraft and imprisoned. Although the Salem Witch Trials are conventionally cited as an example of religious zealotry in New England, the trials were exceptional in the American colonies, with charges of witchcraft far more commonplace in Europeâ”particularly Germany, Switzerland, and the Low Countriesâ”during this period. Salem Witch Trial - Trial of George Jacobs. Douglas Grundy / Three Lions / Getty Images. Richard Bernard in England, which included guidance for prosecuting witches. The text was used by the judges in Salem. 1628: Salem was established with the arrival of John Endecott and about 100 others. 1636: Salem banished clergyman , who went on to found the colony of Rhode Island. 1638: A small group settled about 5 miles outside of Salem town, in what became Salem Village. wrote a letter to John Richards, a judge, with advice on how the court should proceed. Mather warned that the court should not rely on spectral evidence. Philip English was sent to jail in to join his wife there; they were treated quite well due to their many connections. To John Richards IV Coll 8/MHS December 14, 1692. December 14, 1692. Honorable Sir All that I now ask of my ever-honored Richards, to whom I have signalized my perpetual respects before the whole world, and whom I can�t endure to dissent from, is but thus much. Tell me that if I proceed in what I propound, it will be (tho� perhaps not easy, yet) not grievous to you. Tell me that if I go on, you will still hold a joyful communion with me in the points wherein we are agreed, and not be roiled in your heart about those wherein we are not. John Richards (died April 2, 1694) was a colonial military officer, businessman, politician, and magistrate, best known for his participation in the Salem witch trials in 1692. John Richards was born in England, and traveled with his parents in 1630 to North America as part of the first major wave of migration to the Bay Colony. In 1644 Ricards was enrolled in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, which he would remain involved with for the rest of his life. A resident of John Richards (died April 2, 1694) was a colonial military officer, businessman, politician, and magistrate, best known for his participation in the Salem witch trials in 1692. John Richards was born in England, and traveled with his parents in 1630 to North America as part of the first major wave of migration to the . In 1644 Ricards was enrolled in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, which he would remain involved with for the rest of his life. A resident of John Richards (died April 2, 1694) was a colonial military officer, businessman, politician, and magistrate, best known for his participation in the Salem witch trials in 1692. Life. John Richards was born in England, and traveled with his parents in 1630 to North America as part of the first major wave of migration to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1644 Ricards was enrolled in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, which he would remain involved with for the rest of his life. Phips' arrival occurred during the height of a witchcraft scare in the Salem area of Essex County. Phips created a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer, to which Richards was appointed. This court oversaw the conviction and execution of nineteen individuals in the infamous Salem witch trials. The Salem Witch Trials Page contains information and court transcripts dealing with the events and persons of this tragedy. Fearing that they can't get a fair trial in Salem Town, John Proctor and other prisoners write a letter from prison to the Reverends , James Allen, Joshua Moody, Samuel Willard and John Bayley. In the letter, they ask the ministers to support their request for a change of venue for the trials. William Stoughton, , John Richards, Wait Still Winthrop and Thomas Danford are its members. Spectral evidence is no longer considered in the remaining trials. 1693. Salem witch trials, (June 1692â“May 1693), in American history, a series of investigations and persecutions that caused 19 convicted âœwitchesâ to be hanged and many other suspects to be imprisoned in Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony (now Danvers, Massachusetts). Read More on This Topic. How Rye Bread May Have Caused the Salem Witch Trials. Salem witch trialWitch trial in Salem, Massachusetts, lithograph by George H. Walker, 1892. © Bettmann/Corbis. The trials. On May 27, 1692, after weeks of informal hearings accompanied by imprisonments, Sir (also spelled Phipps), the governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, interceded and ordered the convening of an official Court of Oyer (âœto hearâ) and Terminer (âœto decideâ) in Salem Town.