Salem Witch Trials of 1692 at Salem Village, Massachusetts

1692 Salem, Massachusetts was the sight of the worst case of mass hysteria in American history! It started with the ravings of 4 young girls and ended with the imprisonment of hundreds and the deaths of 24 men and women all accused of the sin of witchcraft! When the infamous Salem Witch Trials were over, 19 men and women were hanged to death on Gallows Hill, 4 died in prison, and one defiant man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death beneath a board and stones in a torturous attempt to obtain a confession.

300 years later, many of the historic sights in Salem, Mass. are still preserved for generations to come. The Salem cemetery, (the 2nd oldest cemetery in the country), still holds the final resting places for many of the 'Witch Trial' participants and, though the tombstones are worn from time they are still legible. The gallows tree still stands, and the original homes of accused witch, Rebecca Nurse, and trial Judge Jonathan Corwin still stand as a reminder that "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."

Welcome to Salem, Mass. On the left is the sign that welcomes you to the 1692 memorial, and on the right is the official emblem of Salem. Though some residents objected to the witch logo, it is the logo that even the Police Dept. displays on their vehicles.

Giles Corey refused to give testimony at the 1692 Witch Trials. He would neither confess nor deny the charges brought upon him. So, in order to obtain a statement, he was taken outside, a board placed across his body, and heavy stones piled on top. It is said that his only words before he was crushed to death were; "More weight!"

Giles Corey
Giles Corey wax figure

The Salem Cemetery

The cemetery in Salem, Mass. is the 2nd oldest cemetery in the United States. It is the final resting place to several of the key figures in the trials of 1692, including Judges John Hathorne, and Jonathan Corwin. Also buried here is the first wife of Giles Corey, Mary Corey.
Many of the headstones are hard to read as they have been weather worn over 300 years, and many of them are cracked or even broken, but there they remain to tell the story of Salem to those who visit.

This is my sister, CeeJay by the headstone of John Hathorne, witch trial judge.

Here lies the body of Dorothy Cromwell. Died Sept 27, 1673.
This is the oldest headstone.

This is the small headstone of Mary Corey, first wife of Giles.
Died 1683.

CeeJay and Caity on the tomb of John Turner
who built the 'House of Seven Gables' in 1668.
Turner died in 1680.

Simon Bradstreet's tomb. He was the Governor from 1688 till June, 1692. His wife, Ann Dudley, was America's first female poet.

Some of the headstones are reinforced with wooden borders...Hey! What's that mysterious white image in the front? Could it be the ghost of Giles Corey?

As Salem did not have a courthouse in 1692, the trials were held at the Inn of John Ingersoll. Here lies his Grandson's wife, Hannah Ingersoll. Died 1791

The house at 'Olde Burying Point'

Nathaniel Hawthorne's house.

Judge Jonathan Corwin's house

The House of Seven Gables

Click the thumbnails to see these other 'Witch Houses'

Scenes from the Salem Wax Museum

Sarah Goode is hanged.	John & Elizabeth Proctor
Judge John Hathorne	Accused Bridget Bishop

Many of those accused of witchery awaited their fates inside small prison cells, approximately 6 by 4 feet, like this one my Father is locked in. (He kinda looks like he belongs there, huh?) But unlike the unfortunate 'witch suspects', Dad can walk away from here. Many of those incarcerated died in prison before they had to suffer the torture of the trial and that long walk to the noose on Gallows Hill!

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