Salem Witch Trials Chronology

1620

Plymouth is settled

1626

Salem is settled

1641

English law makes witchcraft a capital offense

1672

Town of Salem splits from Salem Village

November 1689

Revered Samuel Parris is named minister of Salem

October 1691

Villagers decide to stop paying Parris’ salary and to replace him

January 1692

Betty Parris and Abigail Williams begin acting strangely

March 1, 1692

Tituba “confesses”

March 19, 1692

Rebecca Nurse was accused

March 28, 1692

Elizabeth Proctor is accused

Early April, 1692

Mary Warren admits to lying and says that the other girls are lying too

April 11, 1692

John Proctor is accused

April 13, 1692

Giles Corey is accused

April 19, 1692

Mary Warren reverse her confession and rejoins the accusers

May 27, 1692

Gov. Phips establishes the court of Oyer and Terminar (hear and determine)

June 2, 1692

First trial and conviction: Bridget Bishop

June 10, 1692

First hanging of the trial: Bridget Bishop

July 19, 1692

Rebecca Nurse is hanged

August 19, 1692

John Proctor is hanged

September 19, 1692

Giles Corey dies after 2 days of pressing

September 22, 1692

Martha Corey is hanged

October 8, 1692

Spectral evidence could no longer be allowed in trial

October 29, 1692

Gov. Phips dissolves the court of Oyer and Terminar and forbids further arrests

1693

Tituba is released from jail, but she is sold

January 1693

49/52 people still jailed are freed due to the spectral evidence ruling

May 1693

Gov. Phips pardons the remaining accused and still convicted

1697

Samuel Parris is ousted from Salem

January 14, 1697

General court declares a day of fasting and prayer for Salem (somber holiday)

1702

Salem witch trials are declared unlawful

1706

Ann Putnam Jr. publicly apologizes

(Ruth Putnam in the play)

1711

Massachusetts restores the rights and reputations of the accused

1752

Salem village becomes Danvers

1957

Massachusetts formally apologizes for the Salem witch trials

1992

Salem witch trials memorial is dedicated in Salem, Massachusetts

2022

Final exoneration is issued: Elizabeth Johnson