The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials Daily Course - How It Works | Day-by-Day History Education

Description:

Welcome to our YouTube channel! Discover a revolutionary way to learn about the Salem Witch Trials through our daily video series. This comprehensive course follows the actual 1692-1693 timeline, bringing you history as it happened day by day. In this informational episode, learn how our unique course structure works and see a sample daily lesson.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily videos throughout 2026-2027 as we follow the historical timeline!

What You'll Get on This Channel: ✅ Daily bite-sized video lessons (just a few minutes each) ✅ 75-week journey through the complete 1692-1693 timeline ✅ Watch on YouTube as we release them or binge full weeks ✅ Companion resources at AboutSalem.com

Beyond YouTube: 📚 Weekly workbooks with activities and challenges 📝 Blog posts recapping each week's content 🎙️ The Thing About Salem podcast 🏆 Achievement badges to track your progress

Course Features: 📚 Researched from primary sources 📝 Fill-in-the-blank summaries and reflection questions ✍️ Citation practice and character journal prompts 📖 Vocabulary building and quote analysis 🎯 Four weekly challenges to grow your expertise ⏱️ Watch at your own pace as all YouTube videos remain available

The Salem Witch Trials by the Numbers: • 156+ formal accusations • 30 convictions • 20 executions • Started January 1692 in Minister Samuel Parris's household • Legal proceedings: February 1692 - May 1693

Perfect for:

• History students and educators

• Homeschoolers seeking structured curriculum

• History enthusiasts wanting deep knowledge

• Descendants honoring family connections

• Anyone interested in colonial American history

👍 Like this video if you're excited to learn about the Salem Witch Trials! 🔔 Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don't miss daily uploads! 💬 Comment below: Are you planning to do the full course or just follow along casually?

Get the Full Course Experience: Visit AboutSalem.com to download this week's workbook, read the blog, and access all resources.

Course Hashtags: #SalemDailyStudent #SalemWeek2 #SalemDailyResearcher #SalemDailyGrad

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Connect With Us: 🌐 Website: AboutSalem.com 🎙️ Podcast: The Thing About Salem 📱 Share your progress: #SalemDailyStudent ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for daily history lessons!

This nonprofit educational project brings you meticulously researched history accessible to all learners. Whether you're doing the full course with workbooks or just following the daily YouTube videos, you're part of a community exploring this pivotal moment in American history.

New videos uploaded daily following the 1692 timeline!

Links

Salem Witch Trials Daily Videos & Course

The Thing About Salem Website

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

www.massachusettswitchtrials.org
Support the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

Colonial wars contributed to the rise and spread of the Salem Witch Trials. These conflicts added to a siege mentality felt by many colonists. On Salem Witch Trials Daily, we break down how the English Civil War, King Philip’s War, and King William’s War played roles in the witch hunt.

Francis J. Bremer, Puritanism: A Very Short Introduction

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Week 1 Course Work

The Thing About Salem

The Thing About Witch Hunts

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692

For the people of 17th century Massachusetts, the witch and the devil were intertwined through a diabolical covenant or pact. This mimicked the covenant signed by people joining churches and was a common feature in Salem Witch Trials documents. Right from the first question in the first courtroom procedure until the waning moments of the trials and beyond, the devil and this contract were key features of the witch-hunt and subsequent efforts at making amends. We discuss this contract and powers the devil gave to witches in today’s episode of Salem Witch Trials Daily.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Week 1 Course Work

The Thing About Salem

The Thing About Witch Hunts

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692

Over the past 334 years, many myths and misconceptions have been developed to explain the Salem Witch Trials. 

In this episode of Salem Witch Trials Daily, we look into these myths and answer questions like, were the people of Massachusetts hysterical? Were the witches of Salem old hags? Were there land grabs?

Francis J. Bremer, Puritanism: A Very Short Introduction: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780195334555

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext

Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

Week 1 Course Work: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily-course-week-1-setting-the-stage-for-salem/

The Thing About Salem: https://aboutsalem.com

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692: http://www.17thc.us/primarysources/accused.php

Hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack examine religion in 17th century Massachusetts. What religions were practiced in Massachusetts? Was it only Puritanism? In this video, we talk about how Massachusetts refused to tolerate non-puritan faiths until forced by kings to allow people to worship as they pleased, as long as they were Protestant Christians.

Francis J. Bremer, Puritanism: A Very Short Introduction: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780195334555

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

Increase Mather, Cases of Conscience: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A70086.0001.001/1:9.1?rgn=div2&view=fulltext

Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/

Week 1 Course Work: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily-course-week-1-setting-the-stage-for-salem/

The Thing About Salem: https://aboutsalem.com

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692: http://www.17thc.us/primarysources/accused.php

Why was Salem Village minister Samuel Parris embroiled in controversy throughout his time there? In today’s episode of Salem Witch Trials Daily, we look into the reasons many people were angry at their pastor. We give his biography leading up to his time in Salem and discuss his tenure up to the start of the witch hunt. Why did he struggle to get villagers to join his church? Why did the villagers decide not to pay him?

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Salem Village Record Book

Salem Village Church Record Book (Samuel Parris’ tenure)

Salem Witch Trials Daily Hub

Week 1 Course Work

The Thing About Salem

The Thing About Witch Hunts

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692

Historians view the Salem of 1692 as being comprised of 3 neighborhoods: Salem Town, Salem Farms, and Salem Village. What were these communities, and how did contention for independence contribute to the witch trials? In today’s Salem Witch Trials Daily, we explore the early history of these neighborhoods and name prominent residents and landholders.

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780190627805

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781589791329

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9780375706905

The Thing About Salem: https://aboutsalem.com

The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692: http://www.17thc.us/primarysources/accused.php

In today's Salem Witch Trials Daily, we discuss the founding of Salem, Massachusetts in 1626 and how the town was reshaped over the years leading up to the witch trials in 1692, as the population of New England surged.

Happy birthday, Salem!

The Thing About Salem

The Thing About Witch Hunts

People Accused of Witchcraft in 1692

HISTORY — The First Church in Salem

THE LONG HISTORY — The First Church in Salem

Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt

Emerson W. Baker, A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience

Marilynne K. Roach, The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege

Mary Beth Norton, In the Devil’s Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692

Sidney Perley, The History of Salem, Massachusetts

What Were Witches Actually Accused of Doing in Salem?Signing a mysterious book with blood. Attending midnight gatherings in the minister's pasture. Shape-shifting into wolves. Sending spirits through jail cell walls despite iron shackles. The accusations against Salem's alleged witches painted a picture of organized supernatural conspiracy that went far beyond what most people imagine.

But what did colonists actually believe witches were doing? How did the Devil supposedly recruit his servants? Why were investigators searching bodies for hidden marks? What made everyday misfortunes like spoiled milk or a bad dream transform into evidence of murder? And how did witnesses claim to see ghostly victims and impossible creatures with mixed animal parts?

The accusations reveal an elaborate belief system where witches weren't just casting spells. They were waging war against the Christian church itself, plotting to return New England to Satan's control one village at a time.

What's in This Episode:

• How Satan allegedly recruited and marked his followers • The role of spectral evidence in convicting the accused • Why metal shackles were believed necessary but didn't work • What investigators looked for during physical examinations • The supposed plot to establish the Devil's kingdom in Salem Village • How poppets, familiars, and fortune-telling became criminal evidence • Why witnesses testified to seeing ghosts in winding sheets

Key Topics:

Salem Witch Trials, witchcraft accusations 1692, spectral evidence, Devil's book, maleficium, witch marks and teats, familiars, poppets, Salem sabbats, Tituba confession, Bridget Bishop, Martha Carrier, George Burroughs, Rebecca Nurse, diabolical witchcraft, colonial New England, Samuel Parris, 17th century witch hunts

Discover the Answer:

What could transform your neighbor into a suspected servant of Satan? Join Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack to find out.

Links

Salem Witch Trials Daily Videos & Course

The Thing About Salem Website

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

www.massachusettswitchtrials.org
Support the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

When Rebecca Nurse and Mary Esty wrote petitions from their jail cells in 1692, they couldn't have known their words would inspire descendants 333 years later to continue the fight for justice.

Sarah Jack has now testified twice for her ancestors' exonerations. In 2023, she stood before Connecticut's Joint Committee on Judiciary on behalf of her ancestor Winifred Benham, part of a successful effort to absolve all the accused witches in Connecticut. Then in November 2025, she testified in Massachusetts for another ancestor, Mary Hale, Winifred's mother, who was accused in the Boston Witch Trials.

While Massachusetts has systematically cleared names from the Salem trials over centuries, eight people convicted in Boston have been overlooked. House Bill 1927 seeks to finally exonerate these eight, including Mary Hale, and acknowledge hundreds more accused across the state whose lives were destroyed by accusations.

The act of speaking up spans generations. Family members in the 1600s risked being accused themselves by defending loved ones. Descendants petitioned through the 1700s and 1900s. In 2022, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. became the last Salem conviction cleared. Now it's time for Boston's victims to receive the same justice.

What's in This Episode:

• The power of petitions across 333 years of seeking justice • Sarah Jack's experiences testifying in Connecticut and Massachusetts • The history of witch trial exonerations from 1711 to 2022 • How Connecticut successfully cleared all their accused witches • Why eight Boston victims remain convicted while Salem cases were resolved • What you can do to support Massachusetts House Bill 1927 before the committee deadline

Key Topics:

Witch trial exonerations, Massachusetts House Bill 1927, Connecticut witch trials resolution, Boston Witch Trials, Winifred Benham, Mary Hale, Rebecca Nurse, Mary Esty, descendant testimony, historical justice, Joint Committee on Judiciary, Elizabeth Johnson Jr., Salem Witch Trials

Take Action:

The committee is still accepting written testimony through the end of January. Learn how you can add your voice at massachusettswitchtrials.org

Links:

The Thing About Salem Website

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts YouTube

⁠The Thing About Witch Hunts Website

Sign the Petition: MA Witch Hunt Justice Project

Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project
Support the nonprofit End Witch Hunts Podcasts and Projects

Watertown News Article: Historian Backs Bill Exonerating People Accused of Witchcraft