There are few episodes in American history as interesting and controversial as the Salem Witch Trials. This work provides a revealing analysis of what it was like to live in Massachusetts during that time, creating a nuanced profile of New England Puritans and their culture.What was it like to live in the colony of Massachusetts during the last decade of the 17th century, the decade famed for the Salem Witch Trials? Daily Life during the Salem Witch Trials answers that question, offering a vivid portrait essential to anyone seeking to understand the traumatic events of the time in their proper historical context.The book begins with a historical overview tracing the development of the Puritan experiment in the Massachusetts colony from 1620 to 1692. It then explores the cultural values and day-to-day concerns of Puritan society in the late-17th century, including trends and patterns of behavior in family life, household activities, business and economics, political and military responsibilities, and religious belief. Each chapter interprets a different aspect of daily life as it was experienced by those who lived through the social crisis of the witch trials of 1692-93, helping readers better comprehend how the history-making events of those years could come to pass.

A comprehensive, annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources readers can use to further explore the subject of daily life in late-17th-century New England

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChronology: Key Events in the Development of New England from 1620 to 17001. The Creation of Puritan New England, 1623-16922. The Impact of the Salem Witch Trials on the Massachusetts Bay Colony3. Domestic Life of the Salem Witch Trial Era: Homes and Families4. Business, Maritime Commerce, and Piracy in the 1690s5. Politics and War in the 1690s6. Religion, Law, and Education in Daily Life in the 1690s7. The Roles of Women and Men in the 1690s8. Marriage, Courtship, and Sex in the 1690sConclusion: Transition, Trouble, and Trade: The Evolution of Massachusetts in the 1690sAppendixGlossary of Key TermsBibliographyIndex