Category Archives: New England
Marblehead Harbour, Massachusetts
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Marblehead, Massachusetts with its grand harbor is often considered the birthplace of the American navy. During the war for independence, many privateers set sail from here to raid the British navy to gather treasure and supplies for the colonies. The first colonial naval ship, the Hannah was manned by a crew from Marblehead. In addition, Washington’s escape from his devastating loss at the Battle of Long Island were ferried to Manhattan by crews from Marblehead, a feat they would later perform when Washington crossed the Delaware River to attack the British at the Battle of Trenton.
The John Ward House in Salem, Massachusetts
c. 1684, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts
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Not much is known about John Ward, except he was a currier and was thought to have come over from England about 1660, in an attempt to flee the plague. His house, which he built at 38 St. Peter street about 1684 originally consisted of a single room. Sometime before 1732 a second room was added, and again the house was expanded in the 18th century. Today it’s one of the best preserved examples of 17th century, post medieval architecture in New England, or the United States for that matter. The Peabody Essex Institute took possession of the house, and moved it to Brown Street, opposite Howard Street in 1910, one of the first restorations of a historical house in the United States. Today the John Ward House is operated as an extension of the Peabody Essex Museum, and the first floor rooms are furnished with 17th century antiques, giving a look into what life was like during this time period.
The Devil in Old Salem: Proctor’s Ledge, the real Gallow’s Hill?
Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts
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Humans are ghoulish creatures, and I have to admit, I’m no exception. We’re attracted to sites of tragedy, and for some even, the tragedy itself. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, it just appears to be something we’re hardwired to be interested in.
One of the great debates over Salem has been where the gallows stood, upon which 19 unfortunates were hung in 1692 on the charge of witchcraft. As if the hangings weren’t macabre enough, you have to add to the picture that the victims were innocent. Compound it again by the outright malice that the townspeople likely showed them in their final moments – people who had once been friends and neighbors, and you have a truly horrible scene.
A lot of ink has been shed debating the actual site of the hangings, and tradition has it at the top of the hill at Gallows Park, yet there is no evidence to definitively prove it one way or another. A more recent school of thought has the site on Proctor’s Ridge, a smaller hill at the foot of Gallows Hill. Gallows Hill is rather steep, and it is recorded that the condemned were taken to the place of execution by cart. And certainly, no cart could have made the final ascent to the top. And as several of the condemned were elderly and infirm, it’s unlikely that they could have walked it either.
Proctor’s Ledge is along the same route as Gallow’s Hill, and not so steep that a cart couldn’t easily reach the top. We’re also told that Cotton Mathers rode his horse to the gallows, a feat nearly impossible on Gallows Hill but easily managed on Proctor’s Ledge.
As is so often the case with history, as tradition seemed to have solved the problem, the actual site can be soon forgotten. Today, Proctor’s Ledge is lined with houses all along Proctor’s Lane, the street which runs along its summit. I drove down Proctor’s Street, and found it very unremarkable, and found myself disappointed in the lack of photo opportunities. And I soon tired of the whole bloody business, so feeling a bit too morbid I gave up and decided to try again some other time perhaps.
The following day, on my way out of town towards Newbury, I found myself passing the turn which led to Proctor’s Ledge, and as I passed a Walgreens Drug Store, I realized had found it. It’s ironic that the best view of such an infamous place can be had from so bland a location. But there you have Salem in a nutshell. Much of its history is buried or best left forgotten. What draws people to Salem isn’t necessarily the reality, but the myth.
The Darling-Prince House at Danvers
The Darling-Prince House, c. 1681, Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts
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The Darling Prince house was built around 1681, in what was then known as Salem Village (now Danvers) Massachusetts. In the mid 18th century, it was moved to its current location on Hobart Street, just across from the memorial to the victims of the Salem witch hunts. Originally, on the same site stood the Salem Village Meetinghouse, which was according to Nathaniel Cary, husband of Elizabeth, who was arrested on May 24, 1692, “the place appointed for that work.” The work in question was the examination of the accused on the charge of witchcraft, where they were accused, interrogated and finally held over for trial. In addition to Mrs. Cary, amongst those examined at the Meetinghouse were Sarah Good, Tituba, Martha Corey and Rebecca Nurse. The Meetinghouse was abandoned in 1701, when a new one was built on the site of the First Church which now stands on Centre Street in Danvers.
