A new settlement, called Naumkeag would become now known as Salem. Naumkeag meant comfort haven by the Native Americans.
But in 1629, the settlement was renamed Salem for Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace.
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Paris of Salem village bacame very ill. she was diagnosed
of bewitchment by the village doctor, William Griggs. His diagnosis put forces in motion that would result in the hanging
deaths of 19 men and women. Also with the deaths of a man being crushed to death and with several others passing away in prison.
Therefore, the lives of many were forever changed.
There were ordianry stresss in the Massachusettes Bay Colony. There was a strong belief in the devil, factions
among Salem Village and rivalry with nearby Salem Town mixed in with a recent small pox episode and the threat of atck by
warring tribes. This created a good ground for fear and suspision. Soon, young girls began to "cry out" names of men and women
from the towns surrounding Salem. There were more then 150 of them all and all of the men and women would await trial for
a crime punishable by death - The Practice Of Witchcraft.
On June of 1692, the Court of Oyer and Treminer (to hear and decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft.
The court was made up of magistrates and jurors, presided over by Cheif Justice William Stoughton. Bridget Bishop of Salem
was the first to be tried who was found guilty and was hanged on June 10. Thirteen women and five men followed her to the
Gallows Hill on three successice hanging days before the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that
year. The Superior Court of Judicature, formed to replace the "witchcraft" or the Court of Oyer and Terminer, did not allow
spectral evidence. The new court released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting exicution. The Salem Witch Trials
were over.
Gallows Hill -
Many report unknown
phenomena happenings. Said to be the so called witches that were hanged there in the olden days.
The Ward House -
Haunted by the ghosts of the
evil Sheriff George Corwin and witchcraft victim Giles Cory. Corwin is buried in the cellar.
