Most convicted witches in the Salem witch trials were executed by hanging. Nineteen people were hanged in 1692, making it overwhelmingly the most common execution method during the trials.
The executions took place on four dates: June 10, July 19, August 19, and September 22, 1692. Bridget Bishop was the first person hanged, followed by groups of five and then eight accused people. The victims included women such as Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey, as well as men including John Proctor and George Burroughs.
The one exception was Giles Corey, an 81-year-old farmer who refused to enter a plea. Because he would not submit to trial, authorities subjected him to pressing, placing heavy stones on his body until he died. He was not hanged, which is why the overall death toll is often described as nineteen hanged plus Corey.
Burning is commonly associated with witch executions in parts of Europe, but it was not the standard method in colonial Massachusetts. Drowning was also not used in the Salem executions.