Salem History

"Leap Not to Witchcraft"

Situated north of Boston along the winding Massachusetts coastline, a charming seaside town stands as a testimony to the devastating effects of collective hysteria. Salem is one of New England's most alluring coastal cities, with an illustrious maritime history and fascinating cultural attractions, despite how it has become synonymous with a series of tragic events that occurred over 300 years ago.

Peace in the Fishing Place

The quaint waterfront town of Salem sits on the northeast coast of Massachusetts on a stretch of land arcing into the Atlantic Ocean. The first known inhabitants of Salem were nomadic Naumkeag people, who lived in the area for at least 8,000 years before Europeans arrived in the early 17th century. The Naumkeag tribe was part of the Algonquian-speaking peoples who referred to the area around what is now Salem as "the fishing place."

The first European settlement in the area was established in 1626 on the land that would become known as Salem Village (now modern-day Danvers), to be followed by the construction of an adjacent Salem Town. Founded by Puritans seeking religious freedom from the Church of England, the town quickly grew into an important center of trade and commerce, one that clung steadfastly to strict religious doctrine.

The town was named in honor of Jerusalem, which stems from a Hebrew word meaning "peace". The colonists believed that naming their new colony after a holy place would ensure its success.

Salem's first industry was fishing; however, the city soon began to prosper from its advantageous location at the mouth of the North River and its proximity to Boston. The city grew rapidly and became known for its shipbuilding, shipping, and trade industries. Over time, Salem became and important port town for colonial America; in addition to being a trade hub for goods like fish, furs, and lumber, Salem also gained prominence as a center for shipping out livestock such as horses to European markets- a practice that continued into modern times. 

The Devil Comes to Town

In 1692, Salem was gripped with fear when several young girls began acting strangely: convulsing, chanting unintelligibly, and making accusations against local residents or witchcraft. These accusations led to a mass hysteria that grew throughout the area, with over 150 people being put on trial for practicing witchcraft. After a series of trials that lasted over a year, 19 people were hanged as a result of these accusations, and one man was crushed to death.

"...I never complied, but prayed against [Satan] all my days... I will say it, if it was my last time, I am clear of this sin."

from Mary Easty's trial transcript

The trials finally ended when other judges overturned those convictions and freed those who were still imprisoned on suspicion of being witches. The hysteria had played itself out- but Salem would be forever marked by the impact of the collective injustice that changed the legacy of the town forever.

Today, Salem is known as "The Witch City" and has transformed the trauma of its past into power for its people, becoming a premiere travel destination for those interested in learning more about the history of this fascinating town.