Magic, Myths, and Stories that are Probably True

Somewhere around the mid-1780s, the Joshua Ward House was built. Before that, the land where this impressive building stands was the home of George Corwin, high sheriff of Salem, Massachusetts during the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

Rumors would have you believe that the sheriff took the accused into his basement and tortured them, especially the women, into confessing the sin of witchcraft. It has been said that his methods of interrogation were so vile that the cries of his victims would be heard throughout eternity begging for mercy and forgiveness as they confessed to dealings with the devil.

There is no real evidence that I have found to support that Corwin ever brought prisoners to his home for interrogation or for any other purpose, though it is certainly true that Giles Corey suffered a most painful death not far from there at Corwin’s hand. It is also true that Corwin was responsible for interrogating the accused and confiscating their worldly goods in the name of “justice”. It is also true that it was Corwin himself who escorted the 19 people who were hanged to their fate.

It is safe to say that if people can be haunted, George Corwin would be an excellent candidate for a fright. Dying suddenly at the age of 30, perhaps he did.

After the original dwelling was gone, a very prominent merchant by the name of Joshua Ward build his impressive Federal style home for his growing family and there they remained for decades. Long after Joshua’s death the single family home was converted to The Washington Hotel and eventually it became the Merchant Hotel and it remains so today.

Since the 1980s there have been reports of hauntings at this location. Including visuals of Giles Corey, and a witch that roams the halls. Most disturbingly are tales of “The Strangler”, a nickname given to George Corwin based on the methods he tended to prefer to get the truth out of the many victims of the trials.

Is it haunted? Maybe. A lot of Salem will make anyone in tune with their surroundings tingle with the history, terror and grief of a town famous for being mad with fear and greed.

One thing I know for certain, is that around 200 people were imprisoned and accused of being in league with the devil. Mostly these were women with a sprinkling of men and even children. In the end, 19 were murdered by the very neighbors they had lived next to and likely worshiped with for most of their lives. A sordid and incredibly vile side of the human existence that we can never forget, because it is all to easy to let it happen again.