The town of Salem was founded in 1626, by the first Europeans. The town of Salem was selected by Rodger Conant in 1626 because of it's fine natural harbor on the Atlantic Ocean. The town began as a fishing station and a trading post that would depend on trade with Europe and the West Indies. In 1630, the settlement of the Salem villages began. In 1680, a man named George Burroughs is hired as reverend for the Salem village. From here, development came in place, and witch craft arose. The Salem villages today in the town of Danvers, Massachusetts, is known for it's bold History of the witch trials. In the town of Salem, Puritan life was practiced. The Puritans were a religious group (referring to a number of protestant groups) of people who believed in God and were single-minded visionaries, who felt that Christian worship and church organization should be simplified. In the town of Salem, the Puritans tried to help reduce the witch craft happening during these trial periods. Over the course of History, these events had led to religious, and social awareness. The Salem Witch Trials has been influential in America by helping with the formulation of the constitution, a right to a free trial, the right to defend oneself, etc. All of these can be linked to the Salem Witch Trials.
A map of the town of Salem, Massachusetts today.
The picture on the left shows a Salem Witch Trial museum found in Salem, Massachusetts. This museum portrays many things such as the village life of the people in Salem, certain witch craft taking place during the time, and shows historical documents and papers of the witch trials.