HISTORY OF NEW SALEM
The city originally known as Salem was renamed New Salem in 1879, following the Ipswich witchcraft trial of 1878. This transformation was aimed at distancing the city from its dark past and symbolizing a rebirth and triumph over evil. New Salem was created to be a beacon of spiritual purity, promoting righteous living and peace. Below you will find history, myths, and folklore related to and around New Salem, Massachusetts.
COURT OF OYER & TERMINER
Due to the overwhelming influx of witchcraft accusations,
The Court of Oyer and Terminer was established
during the witch trials to assist local Salem courts
by exclusively focusing on cases of witchcraft
and determining the fates of the accused.
The court disbanded after the witch trials,
but has been used as a political talking point
in mayoral races since.
THE SWIM TEST
Accused witches were taken to a nearby pond or river,
stripped down, and bound. They would be dragged into
the water by ropes attached to their arms. Those holding
the ropes would dunk them multiple times in
hopes of eliciting a confession. Afterward, they
would release the ropes to see if the
accused would sink or swim.
THE SISTERS OF BABYLON
The Sisters of Babylon was founded
in the 1800s by Sister Magdeline May after
having a vision of all religions destroying each other
and causing armageddon.
She started the order as a
way for all religions to find common ground,
coexist in peace, and worship safely.
