Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Town House

Location of the Salem witchcraft trials

Nearly opposite this spot stood Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Cleary, August 11, 2023

1. Nearly opposite this spot stood Marker

Inscription. Nearly opposite this spot stood, in the middle of the street, a building devoted, from 1677 until 1718, to municipal and judicial uses. In it, in 1692, were tried and condemned for witchcraft most of the nineteen persons who suffered death on the gallows. Giles Corey was here put to trial on the same charge, and, refusing to plead, was taken away and pressed to death. In January, 1693, twenty one persons were tried here for witchcraft, of whom eighteen were acquitted and three condemned, but later set free, together with about 150 accused persons, in a general delivery which occurred in May.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1693.

Location. 42° 31.326′ N, 70° 53.757′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. It is on Washington Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker hangs on the left side of the front of the Salem Masonic Temple building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 72 Washington Street, Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Massachusetts’ North Shore,

in Greater Boston,

and in the Merrimack Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lyceum Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different

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marker also named The Town House (about 300 feet away); The First Meeting House Erected in Salem (about 300 feet away); The Witch Gaol (about 400 feet away); Alexander Graham Bell (about 600 feet away); Central Building (about 600 feet away); The Joshua Ward House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . .
1. The True Legal Horror Story of the Salem Witch Trials. From the New England Law school, this describes the legal background of the witch trials, including what changed in January of 1693.

Excerpt: In January 1693, the newly created Superior Court of Judicature began hearing the remaining witch trials. The judges could not accept spectral evidence and most of the remaining trials ended in acquittal. [Governor] Phips pardoned the rest.

(Submitted on August 11, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts.)

2. Salem Courthouse in 1692. (Submitted on June 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts.)

Additional keywords. Salem witch trials

72 Washington Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, April 29, 2024

2. 72 Washington Street

Building with the marker, which is left of the left archway. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Cleary, August 10, 2023

3. Building with the marker, which is left of the left archway.

Location of the court of Salem witchcraft trials Marker (earlier location) image. Click for full size.

Frank Cousins (courtesy of Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum), circa 1920

4. Location of the court of Salem witchcraft trials Marker (earlier location)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on June 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. Photos: 1. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. 2. submitted on June 24, 2024, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts. 3. submitted on August 11, 2023, by Michael Cleary of Salem, Massachusetts. 4. submitted on August 16, 2023. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.