As the night of mischief slowly approaches and people are preparing their costumes and candy for Halloween, it is important to reflect on the history of commonly told tales. Cauldrons, curses, and cats of darkness, all coined to one image: a witch. Whether one of the most popular spooky stories or a narrative or intrigue, the Salem Witch Trials, are so often mistold as misconceptions are spread. Listed below are the top 5 myths of the historical event, as well as 5 shockingly dark fast-facts.

Myth #1

Only women were accused of witchcraft.

Despite the majority of pop-culture representations of witches as women, the trials were not entirely composed of them. In fact, of the 19 people tried for witchcraft in Salem, 4 of them were women. An estimated 25% of the number of people accused of witchcraft in the time period were actually men.

Fast Fact: The youngest person tried for the crime of witchcraft was a 5-year-old girl.

Myth #2

Convicted witches were burned at the stake.

Popular media representations of the Salem Witch Trials present an image of tried witches being burned; however, no burnings took place in the United States and were only performed overseas in nations like England. During the actual events of the same story, most of the accused were hung, with one man being crushed under a large stone.

Fast Fact: 2 dogs were accused of bewitching their owner’s neighbors and were executed for witchcraft.

Myth #3

The witch hunt only took place in Salem, Massachusetts.

Despite contrary belief, witch trials did not only take place in Salem. Although they may have started in the town, “witches” arose from over 24 communities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Fast Fact: The trials were ended as the governor of the colony heard that his wife was accused of witchcraft.

Myth #4

Superstition was the leading cause of the witchcraft hysteria.

The mass fear driving the witch hunts was largely fueled by religion, as those who followed the Bible believed in witchcraft. At the time, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was regarded as the most well-educated area in the U.S. at the time, meaning a higher influx of individuals could read, particularly biblical scripture that warned against the practices of the witch. Furthermore, the accumulation of stresses and tensions in the colony also contributed to the outbreak of witchcraft accusations.

Fast Fact: The chief judge of the trials did not possess a legal background, but a history in theological studies. 

Myth #5

All of those accused of witchcraft were executed.

Of the 200 people accused in the Massachusetts Bay Colony Area, specifically centralized in Salem, only around 140 to 150 people were arrested. Moreover, of those 150 people, 20 were executed for the crime of witchcraft. Nevertheless, each and every death and tragic event that took place during the witch trials was a serious tragedy.

Fast Fact: Three presidents are descendants of those who were accused in Salem, including William Howard Taft, Gerald Ford, and Chester Arthur. 

When investigating sorrowful tales of woe, especially during the excitable time of Halloween, it is important to remember that not every mass-circulated idea is historically accurate and that there may be more twisted truths lurking beneath every story.