October 9th
The Salem Witch Museum
Mother Nature decided we had been having too much sunshine and decided to continue the downpour. We are such fair weather travelers, that although we do not melt, a rainy day puts a damper on our mood.
Our ship does not dock in Boston until close to 11:00, which means our daylight hours are cut short. Hopping on a full bus, we head out-of-town toward Salem. The main focus of the day is to learn more about the witch hunt, trials and the consequences that took place in this small town back in 1692.
The story begins with young girls screaming and barking like dogs. Unusual behaviors warranted the family doctor being called. He diagnoses them as not being ill, but being bewitched. The search is on for who has bewitched these young girls and fingers start pointing towards several women of Salem including the Reverend Parris’ slave from the Caribbean named Tituba.
Salem witch trial reenactment
People are charged and put on trial. According to USHistory.org, evidence that could be used against them included:
- First, the accused might be asked to pass a test, like reciting the Lord’s Prayer. This seems simple enough. But the young girls who attended the trial were known to scream and writhe on the floor in the middle of the test. It is easy to understand why some could not pass.
- Second, physical evidence was considered. Any birthmarks, warts, moles, or other blemishes were seen as possible portals through which SATAN could enter a body.
- Witness testimony was a third consideration. Anyone who could attribute their misfortune to the SORCERY of an accused person might help get a conviction.
- Fourth was spectral evidence. Puritans believed that Satan could not take the form of any unwilling person. Therefore, if anyone saw a ghost or spirit in the form of the accused, the person in question must be a witch.
- Last was the CONFESSION. Confession seems foolhardy to a defendant who is certain of his or her innocence. In many cases, it was the only way out. A confessor would tearfully throw himself or herself on the mercy of the town and court and promise repentance. None of the confessors were executed. Part of repentance might of course include helping to convict others.
By November of 1692, twenty people were put to death, having been convicted of witchcraft. Nineteen of them were hung and one was pressed to death.
The dead were claimed by relatives and buried in unmarked spots for fear that their bodies would be dug up and torn to shreds.
Local Salem Cemetery
Across the street from the museum is a small memorial where twenty stone benches are along two sides of a small fenced courtyard next to the cemetery. The names of all twenty “witches” are engrave, each on its own bench and flowers are often placed on top of each in a show of respect.
Tribute benches for the 20 who were killed as witches in Salem
A late lunch was on our own, and Tim and I found a restaurant along the water where I chose to chomp down on a local favorite – a lobster roll.
Lobster roll
By the time we bussed back to Boston, it was starting to get dark. With our bus windows already fogged over and rain drops blurring the view, it became impossible to see the many items that were being pointed out to us.
Along the Freedom Trail
We did however make a short stop at the church involved with the Paul Revere story. I’m sure many of you remember the poem, “One if by land, two if by sea”, which tells about the midnight ride and signal lanterns used to determine in which direction the British were arriving.
Inside the church where lanterns were hung to signal the British were coming
GRATITUDE MOMENT: It is sad that so many innocent people paid with their lives in Salem within a culture dominated by fear and superstitions. Today I am grateful that we, as a society, have for the most part, grown, matured and become more tolerant of those who have a different viewpoint from our own.
Thanks for sharing about Salem; I have always wanted to visit but given our cruise ship only spent one day in Boston we chose to explore there instead. Did you enjoy the Old North Church? My husband and I found it to be our favorite spot on the Freedom Trail.
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We did enjoy seeing the Old North Church. We spent several days in Boston back in 2014, so chose Salem on this itinerary. But if we had not already been to Boston, I certainly would have made the same decision you did.
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Good account Joanne. The Salem trials have long vexed me for what they represented about oppression, intolerance and religion gone awry. And for their modern day vestiges.
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Mike, I think if I had lived in Salem back in 1692, I probably would have been one of those found guilty…
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Salem and Boston 2 places to wander and marvel in the history that surrounds them. Praying for better weather for you 2.
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Both places require more than just a few hours, especially Boston.
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Yes they do.
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The Salem story is always an important reminder of how we can go so terribly wrong. Thanks for sharing, Joanne. –Curt
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I hope we have learned a little something from it, and have grown as a civilization.
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I think so, Joanne. But I also believe there is a rather thin line between us and similar behavior. We’ve certainly seen it in other locations. –Curt
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Got to love those east coast lobster rolls. You almost need to ask for a spare bun to make them into 2 portions. Almost…. who’s sharing!
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I managed to eat it ALL!
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Boston is one place that I would just love to see. Since I’m a lover of Historic places, it has been on my Bucket List for quite some time. Walking the Freedom Trail and actually seeing the Old North Church would be exciting. Sorry you all had that bad weather. The saying goes “Real Tourists Do It Rain or Shine.”
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Les, we have endured the elements on some of our trips, but I SO prefer the sunshine. My nickname is Goldilocks, because I like everything “just right” 🙂
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Very interesting about the witches. I’d heard of the trials of course, and how once accused you could never really win. It was indeed the original “witch hunt”. Really sad.
Alison
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Allison, it was really sad, and a bit disheartening to realize that our ancestors were so misinformed and hateful toward others.
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Fascinating stuff. How strange were the thought processes of so many people in the past (and often now!!) What some minds choose to believe never ceases to amaze me! What a learning journey you are on! Continue to enjoy. Best wishes.
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Joy, we too found all of this hard to process, but interesting at the same time.
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Very interesting. Also interesting is how we look back with today’s knowledge and standards and judge people for what they did in the distant past. I wonder how future generations will judge us? Not that I condone what happened at Salem, just saying…..
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An excellent question. I hope each future generation will move closer to a more loving, peaceful society.
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I LOVED witches all my life. Imaginary and those accused in Salem and Europe. I couldn’t wait to go to Salem and was completely entranced by all the things that portrayed the history of the witch hunts there. Loved the museum, and the memorial, and the re-enactments. I want to go back!
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Well, Salem is definitely the place to go if you have a fascination with witches. So glad you got to experience it!
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I love going to Salem.
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There is certainly some interesting history there.
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I am not sure I would enjoy the Salem experience. I have little tolerance for the sins of our ancestors, who persecuted anyone unlike themselves. I feel the same when learning about the awful treatment of the native Americans, the Jim Crow days, etc. But that lobster roll, oh my, now that would be on my agenda!
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Lobster rolls alone are worth the trip!
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