THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

In the story of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, The event in history known as the Salem Witch Trials is referenced. Here is a little background on the Salem Witch Hunts.
Caption: The Headless Horseman chasing Ichabod Crane

WHO DID IT INVOLVE?

The main people who were involved with the Witch Trials were, Cotton Mather, Anne Putnam, Tituba, Sarah Good, John Proctor, Mary Easty, Sarah Osborne, Betty Parris, and Abigail Williams.
Caption: Grave of Mary Easty

PEOPLE

• Cotton Mather was a minister and author
• Tituba was a slave
• Anne (Ann) was one of the accusers and the only one to confess to it
• Betty was an accuser
• Abigail was an accuser
• Mary was a respected citizen who fell to the accusers and was hanged
• Caption: People being hanged

PEOPLE

• John Proctor was a farmer and tavern keeper
• Sarah Osborne was a social outcast and had a devastating illness so she had not attended church in a long time before trials
• Sarah Good was another social outcast
• Caption: Someone being outcasted like Sarah was

WHAT Happened?

Between 1692 and 1693, 19-24 people were hunted down and accused of witchcraft. The reason for this was because Anne(Ann) Putnam Jr, Betty Parris, and Abigail Williams started acting very peculiar and pointed fingers for the reason why. Many people were innocent and were still killed.
Caption: A man being burned for being accused of witchcraft

WHEN DID THIS OCCUR?

The Witch Hunts of Salem took place from 1692-1693 only lasting about a year.
Caption: A clock showing years

WHERE WAS IT?

The Salem Witch Hunts and Trials took place in the colonial Salem, Massachusetts.
Caption: The town of Salem, Massachusetts

WHY DID THE TRIALS HAPPEN?

The Witch Hunts happened because the Puritans believed Satan was just as real as God. They thought it was the work of Satan so it was a mixture of fear and superstition.
Caption: The word fear symbolizes the feeling the people felt back then

That was a little background on the tragic event known as The Salem Witch Trials. I hope you enjoyed and now get the reference you have heard in the story.
Caption: Salem Witch Trials memorial

SOURCES

• Assignments from Mr. Singleton Class
• school.discoveryeducation.com
• Wikipedia
• Caption: A source of light