Cases Of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits
After Bishop was hanged, in attempt to stop the trials, respected minister Cotton Mather wrote a letter pleading the court to not allow testimonies of dreams and visions. The court ignored this request and eighteen others were hanged. The trials came to an end when Increase Mather, son of Cotton Mather and president of Harvard, wrote a treatise, Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits.
In October, in response to Mather's plea, Governor Phipps released many accused witches and dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer. In May, 1963, all who were in prison for witchcraft charges were pardoned.
In October, in response to Mather's plea, Governor Phipps released many accused witches and dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer. In May, 1963, all who were in prison for witchcraft charges were pardoned.
- The 1953 play by Arthur Miller, The Crucible, was based on the Salem witch trials.
- In 1992, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel dedicated the Witch Trials Memorial in Salem.
- The Peabody Essex Museum houses the original court documents and the Salem Witch Museum.
- Toxicologists said that eating ergot-contaminated foods can lead to muscle spasms, vomiting, delusions and hallucinations. Ergot thrives in warm and damp climates, which is similar to the swampy meadows in Salem Village.