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Salem Witch Trials

A guide to resources concerning the Salem Witch Trials at the BPL and beyond.

Introduction

Because the trials quickly became thought of as a stain on their history, very few residents of the Salem area wanted to talk about what happened, let alone memorialize it in any way. It was not until the 19th century, when interest in events spiked, that memorials were first placed for the victims.

Below are some of the memorials dedicated to the victims of the trials throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Danvers

Rebecca Nurse Monument
Location: 149 Pine Street (graveyard at Rebecca Nurse Homestead)
Dedicated: July 1885
Description: Granite obelisk with inscriptions on all four sides, including excerpts from a poem about Rebecca Nurse written by John Greenleaf Whittier.

Grave of George Jacobs, Sr.
Location: Same as Rebecca Nurse Monument
Dedicated: 1992
Description: 18th century-style tombstone marking the grave of George Jacobs Sr, who was executed on August 19, 1692. His remains were discovered by his descendants in the 19th century on property he had owned and reinterred in the graveyard at the Nurse Homestead in 1992. It is the only known burial site for the executed victims of the trials.

Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial
Location: 175 Hobart Street
Dedicated: May 9, 1992
Description: A granite Bible box and book with metal shackles. Behind the box are granite panels inscribed with the names of the executed, the date and manner of their execution, and the town where they were from. Quotes from eight of the accused are also inscribed.

Salem

Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Location: 24 Liberty Street, next to Charter Street Cemetery.
Dedicated: August 5, 1992
Description: Granite benches inscribed with the name, means of execution, and execution date of each of the 20 victims who were executed. Quotes from the victims taken from court transcripts are inscribed on the surrounding walls.

Proctor’s Ledge Memorial
Location: 7 Pope Street
Dedicated: July 19, 2017, the 325th anniversary of the executions of Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Wildes.
Description: A semi-circular stone wall at the base of a hill, inscribed with the names of the 19 victims that were executed on the site. A small tree is planted at the front of the site, with We Remember inscribed in granite at the base. See photos at left.

Elsewhere in Essex County

Susannah Martin House Marker
Location: North Martin Road, Amesbury
Dedicated: 1894
Description: A stone with a metal plaque commemorating the site of Susannah Martin’s home. Susannah was executed on July 19, 1692

John Willard Memorial
Location: 9 Pleasant Street, Middleton, next to former site of Middleton Historical Society
Dedicated: 1992
Description: Stone with metal plaque inscribed with: John Willard, Victim of the Witchcraft Delusion, 1692

Giles and Martha Corey Memorial
Location: Lowell Street & Crystal Drive, Peabody
Dedicated: September 22, 1992, the 300th anniversary of Martha Corey’s execution.
Description: Two granite markers, one dedicated to Giles Corey and the other to Martha Corey. The stones are inscribed with their names and a brief description of what happened to them.

Wilmot Redd Cenotaph
Location: Old Burial Hill Cemetery, Marblehead, next to Redd’s Pond and site of Wilmot’s home
Dedicated: 1998
Description: Granite marker inscribed with: In Memory of Wilmot Redd of Marblehead, An innocent victim of the Salem Witchcraft Trials, Hung on September 22, 1692