We Carry Your Burden When Life Becomes a Witch
In Salem, Massachusetts, early 1692, a courtroom determined that witches were causing illnesses in the townspeople. Life in the Colonies was hard, fear of losing food supply, warring tribes nearby, recent smallpox epidemic were a few of the daily struggles. Those worries, plus a strong belief in the devil made it easy for people to accept that illnesses may be caused by witches. A special court was formed, Court of Oyer and Terminer, meaning "to hear and to decide". This court was made up of a Chief Justice, magistrates and jurors. They would hear evidence, which was really just accusations, and then find the accused guilty. In the 15 months that followed, 14 women and 5 men were hanged, and another man was crushed to death. Five others, including 2 infants died in prison. There were other witch trials in neighboring towns and also in Connecticut. In the fall, the governor disbanded the court. The following spring, the Superior Court of Judicat