The Salem ghosts book is moving ahead nicely. I’ve visited Salem several times in recent weeks, researching various haunted locations.
One of my favorites is the foundation of the home where the “witch” hysteria began: The home of the Reverend Mr. Samuel Parris*.
His home was in Salem Village. Today, that’s Danvers, the town next to Salem. The infamous site of Parris’ parsonage — where he lived with his family and the accused “witch” Tituba — is at 67 Centre Street in Danvers, in back of the homes on that street.
Look for a sign between two more modern homes, indicating that it’s the path to the Parris archaeological site. (There’s no reason to trespass on anyone’s private property. The path is open to the public, and the Parris site is fascinating, with historical markers explaining some of its history.)
The hysteria began with Mr. Parris and his household, and that home was the former residence of the Rev. Mr. George Burroughs, hanged as a witch in 1692.
The story of Mr. Burroughs is interesting. Claimed by some to be the “ringleader” of the witches, he’d only lived in Salem Village for a couple of years. After his wife died and Rev. Burroughs had a salary disagreement with John Putnam, the minister moved to Maine.
Mr. Burroughs was devoutly religious and had been serving the people of Wells, Maine, for nine years when he was brought back to Salem and charged with witchcraft. One of his loudest accusers was the nephew of John Putnam.
32 respected members of the Salem community signed a petition to save the life of George Burroughs. One of his accusers recanted her testimony. At the gallows on August 17, 1692, Mr. Burroughs recited the Lord’s Prayer without a single error or pause — an act no “witch” was supposed to be able to do — but he was hung anyway.
20 years later, his children were given money by the government, as partial compensation for the minister’s unjust death.
So, there are several reasons to spend time at this site.
If you’re looking for a site with intense energy related to the Witch Trials, this is a must-visit location. Parking can be difficult on busy Centre Street; it may be easier to park on a nearby side street.
While you’re there, walk around the corner to visit the Salem Village Witch Memorial in Danvers. Nearby, you’ll see homes that were part of the 1692 story.
References
Samuel Parris (Wikipedia article) That’s his image, at right.
George Burroughs (article at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law)
Salem Village Witch Memorial (article at University of Virginia Library)
Danvers Massachusetts: Historical Sites (also at UVA library)
*Mr. Parris remained in Salem — and generally despised — for several years after the Witch Trials had concluded. He then preached in various parts of New England, including Concord and Dunstable, Massachusetts.
He died on February 27, 1720. Many speculate that his unmarked grave is in the Old South Burial Ground in Nashua, NH (then part of Dunstable). That cemetery is next to Royal Ridge Shopping Center at Spit Brook Road (exit 1 from Rte. 3) and Dan’l Webster Highway.
The grave of the minister’s wife, Elizabeth Parris, is at Wadsworth Cemetery in Danvers. She died in Salem Village in 1696.
Now that the warmer weather is returning and it’s easier to continue reliable paranormal research, I’m in the field, working on my Salem book again.
This morning, I posted an 18-minute podcast that gives an overview of some haunted locations near Salem, Massachusetts. Three are related to the witch trials, and one is from even earlier.