Massachusetts is known for its colonial architecture, historic events, and sleepy coastal towns. Being one of the oldest states in the nation makes us proud, but it also means we have our fair share of ghost stories. Salem, Massachusetts, in particular, is a town rife with ghostly lore and legends. Accordingly, today’s feature article is about a spooky tale from Salem that involves a centuries-old curse that may still be around today.

Salem, Massachusetts is perhaps best known for being the location of some of history’s most infamous witch trials.
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Though the town has since repented for the 17-century hysteria that claimed at least 19 lives, this little coastal community may still be plagued by a spooky curse.
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Giles Corey was a Salem farmer. In 1692, he and his wife Martha Corey were accused of witchcraft.
Wikimedia Commons/Howard Pyle
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Because he refused to enter a plea of guilty or innocent, Giles Corey was made to lie under a board as heavy stones were placed atop him.
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Sheriff George Corwin administered the torture, which was designed to make Corey enter a plea. At the time, people who did not plea could not technically be tried for a crime.
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Over the course of two days, Corey was pressed by the sheriff (who occasionally stood on the board himself) and always answered "more weight" when asked to enter a plea.
Wikimedia Commons/James Stark
When he finally died without entering a plea on September 19, Corey’s estate passed to his sons. If he had plead, the estate would have gone to the government.
Wikimedia Commons/Remisser
According to some tellings, Corey used his last words to curse the sheriff and the town of Salem.
Getty/ Drea Dizon

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Since then, the role of sheriff in Salem has come with a scary price.
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In 1978, Salem Sheriff Robert E. Cahill was forced to retire due to developing a rare blood condition and heart problems.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
After looking into the history of the department at the sheriff’s office, he discovered a chilling pattern.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
The sheriff before him had also developed a rare blood condition. And the sheriff before that had died of a heart attack.
Flickr/Mass Matt
And the sheriff before that. And the sheriff before that.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Apparently, Cahill found that as far back as the records went, every Salem sheriff since Corwin had suffered some sort of heart of blood problems.
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Some say the curse was broken when the sheriff’s office was moved from Salem to the town of Middleton in 1991, but others aren’t so sure.
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Local legends also hold that the ghost of Giles Corey appears at his graveside just before a catastrophe is about to strike Salem. Accounts from the Great Salem Fire of 1914 relate that a strange man was seen standing at the Corey grave the night before the disaster.
Flickr/Ryan Taylor
Though we can’t say whether the curse is fact or fiction, the legend of Giles Corey still lingers in Salem to this day.
Flickr/Amy Meredith

Did you know about this spooky urban legend? Have you gone ghost hunting in Salem, Massachusetts, before? To learn more about the creepiest spots in the state, check out our terrifying road trip through Massachusetts.

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Salem, Massachusetts

Sarah M. | January 04, 2023

Is Salem the most haunted town in Massachusetts?

Most of us have heard about the Salem witch trials by now, but that is only the tip of the iceberg for this small and spooky Massachusetts town. Salem is allegedly home to numerous accounts of paranormal activity, and many say that you can’t go anywhere without feeling an eerie presence. This small coastal town is home to dozens of sites that have spotted supernatural activity, making it one of the most haunted towns in all of Massachusetts. From Burial Point to the Witch House, Salem is as creepy as it gets! Here are some of the creepiest stories about Salem:

  • The House of the Seven Gables was built in 1668 and inspired a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and is said to be one of his greatest novels. This house was eventually sold to the author's cousin, and is one of the most visited structures in Salem. Visitors consistently report strange activity like flickering lights and cold spots. Legend has it that Susan's ghost and a young boy roam the home.
  • The Ropes Mansion may be even more haunted—the most haunted in the town. Nathaniel Ropes was Loyalist Judge who lived in the mansion in the 18th century. While he died of smallpox during a time where angry mobs were chasing him, his wife died in a fire years later. It's said that both spirits have never truly left. Fun fact: This is Allison's home from the movie "Hocus Pocus!"
  • The Jonathan Corwin House looks like something out of a Wes Craven nightmare. This is the only house in Salem that is still standing that was directly related to the witch trials, and its exterior is something straight out of a nightmare with its dark panels and high overlook. The house is nicknamed the "Witch House", and it was bought by Jonathan Corwin who was a judge during the trials. It's said that both Corwin and those he sent to torture haunt the house. This house is now open to the public as a museum, so you can experience the creepiness up close.

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