old salem witches

The end of the witch trials came when a new superior court was created. They released those who were awaiting trial and those who were facing execution. Apologies and restition was offered over the years to the families of the victims.

The accused witches in Old Salem faced many different forms of torture, including having their feet hog-tied to their necks until blood dripped from their eyes and nose, having to stand for hours in a pillory, being deprived of water and food, and being stripped of clothing and pricked on any birth marks or blemishes.

The conditions of those accused of witchcraft were harsh. Some even described the atmosphere as “Suburbs of Hell”. Mice and rat infestations smothered each cell, not to mention they were all kept in complete darkness. During high tide, it flooded quite a lot, the water up to the prisoners’ ankles. Examinations and insults were unending at the jail, along with brutal torture and humiliation.

Another theory is that the salem witch jail was an opportunity to generate income. Based on what we have researched, we've found that all of the prisoners had to buy their necessities. Such as, clothes, food, water, etc. They also had to pay for things that were forced upon them, like chains or even their own cells. If you could not pay the price, you would go without, or be put into a small coffin like cell with only room to stand. With only these few examples a theory can be created that the government saw this as a chance to gain wealth. 

Eventually, after around 20 people were executed for witch craft, the government admitted they were wrong. They then compensated the families for the convicted.

Over 200 people were accused of witch craft during the Salem Witch Trails.

The Salem Witch Trials began in the spring of 1692 in Colonial Massachusetts.