Committee Political Ferment

Committee 1691 Petition Social Committee 1694 Petition Social
Nurse, Francis
Anti-P
Householder
Putnam, Liuet. Nathanill
Pro-P
Church
Porter, Joseph
Anti-P
Householder
Flint, Ensigne Thomas
Pro-P
Householder
Hutchinson, Joseph
Anti-P
Householder
Fuller, Corporall Thomas [Jr]
Pro-P
Church
Andrew, Daniell
Anti-P
Householder
Willknes, Henry
Pro-P
Church
Putnam, Joseph
Anti-P
Householder
Putnam, Thomas
Pro-P
Church
Committees of 1691 and 1694

The Committee Yearly Data Set can identify shifts the factional affiliation of Salem Village's committees. Scanning the committee make-up year by year shows distinct patterns. The committees from 1685-1690 were factionally divided.  Pro-Parris members generally constituted a majority, but at least two members on each committee opposed him or were unaligned.

A significant change occurred in 1691 (see chart above). In that year, all five members of the committee opposed Parris, and for the next two years, anti-Parris members controlled at least four of the five committee positions.  Thus, in the period immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the witchcraft outbreak, Salem Village's committees were dominated by men who found Parris objectionable and who presumably resisted or had misgivings about the witch hunt.

But in 1694, another transition took place.  For the next three years, the Parris loyalists controlled at least four of the five committee positions and used their position to attempt to restore his salary and secure his ownership of the ministry house.

In 1697, another change occurred.  Salem Village's Committee reverted to the divided condition that had existed prior to 1691.  This new period coincided with the end of Parris's ministry and the selection of a permanent replacement, Rev. Joseph Green, who proved to be a healing and conciliatory force for the village.

The data itself does not explain how these turnovers occurred; explanations must be sought in other historical records. But they draw attention to years of intense political rivalry, shifts of power, and strains in Salem Village revolving around its church and minister, Samuel Parris.

To explore the social composition of these committees, click Next.