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Position:Home>History> How long were those who plead "guilty" to witchcraft jailed for?Question: How long were those who plead "guilty" to witchcraft jailed for!? I'm reading about the Salem witch trials in class, and it would help me write my essay if I could have help with this!. Anything specifically related to Salem would be great, but if it's from the same time period ( 1692-1693), it would still help!.
Thank you!Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Some remained in jail for many years to come ! There were no guaranties really, that you would ever have a trial !!! In 1692, Jacob Perkins’s sister Mary Perkins Bradbury was placed on trial for witchcraft!. Her reply to the indictment was as follows: "I plead not guilty!. I am wholly innocent of such wickedness through the goodness of God that hath kept me hitherto!. I am the servant of Jesus Christ, and have given myself up to him as my only Lord and Saviour, and to the diligent attendance upon him in all his holy ordinances, in utter contempt and defiance of the Devil and all his works, as horrid and detestable; and have endeavored to frame my life and conversation in accordance with His holy word and in that faith and practice, resolve, by the help and assistance of God, to continue to my life's end!. For the truth of what I have to say as to the matter of practice, I humbly refer myself to my brethren and neighbors that know me, and to the searcher of all hearts, for the truth and uprightness of my heart therein, human frailties & unavoidable infirmaties excepted, of which I bitterly complain every day!."Mr!. and Mrs!. Bradbury were prominent citizens!. This written testimony was not enough, as she was convicted anyway!. By this time the Court of Oyer and Terminer had agreed not to execute any who plead guilty, but Mary had pleaded not guilty!. She was convicted of witchcraft on 9 Sep 1692 and sentenced to be executed on 22 Sep 1692!. Her husband and friends, including Jacob, broke her out of the Ipswich jail and she fled to Amesbury where she died two years later!. Www@QuestionHome@Com Those who plead "guilty" did so under torture!. Once they "confessed" then the torture was continued to death!. No one was jailed for witchcraft!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I doubt they were lucky enough to be jailed in those times!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |