By Kristi O’Toole

From coast to coast it seems every state has their own famous haunted location; whether it be a private residence or popular hotel, every location is a local legend. For some us, the idea of a haunted house brings to mind a creepy dilapidated home on a hill, more than likely surrounded by headstones, bats and black cats. However, in most cases the opposite would be true with some of the most terrifying hauntings coming from the most unassuming properties.

One such haunted location belongs to, Joshua Ward House, Salem, Massachusetts. Finding a person that hasn’t heard of the Salem Witch Trials would be a difficult, if not impossible task. During the short time period of February 1692 and May 1693, twenty people were found guilty and executed with another one hundred and fifty accused of witchcraft; easily one of the most famous cases of mass hysteria throughout history. All but one were hanged.

In what was described as a land grab scheme, Giles Corey was accused of witchcraft and too sent to ‘trial’. Corey, knowing his fate before even going in, in a defiant move refused to address the court. In an attempt to make him talk, the court ordered him to be tortured by means of, ‘pressing’. Pressing is basically crushing a person to death by piling heavy rocks on their bodies, either the person will confess or die.

It is reported that Giles Corey’s final words during this torture were a curse at the sheriff of Salem, George Corwin, who was murdering him and trying to steal his property. Corwin died within a few years of a heart/blood ailment. While that may seem completely coincidental, in subsequent years every sheriff of Salem has died of heart and/or blood ailments. Okay, I get it, it’s a stressful job and heart problems are often related to stress; but having said that there are thousands of sheriffs across the country that keep law and order without becoming ill, and as it happens weren’t cursed.

Since 1991 the Salem sheriff works out of Middleton, sparing recent sheriff’s the effects of the curse. While I can’t be one hundred percent sure the curse had anything to do with the move to Middleton, what we can say is none of the good sheriffs since 1991 have become ill with heart or blood ailments. You decide.

So how does this all tie in to the Joshua Ward House you ask? The brick mansion was built for merchant Joshua Ward in the 1780s on a foundation that had previously been owned by Sheriff George Corwin, the very same sheriff that had come to be known as, ‘The Strangler’ for his role in the killing of many accused witches during the Salem trials of the 1690s, including Giles Corey. Corwin performed many torturous interrogations in his home including his favorite method that consisted of tying the accused prisoner’s neck to their ankles until blood came from their nose.

A strong theory regarding why some spirits stay behind is their death was so tragic or heinous that they refuse to believe they were killed, therefore cannot move on, or the more sinister theory that they are seeking revenge on their tormentors.

To add the possibility of a haunting, when sheriff Corwin died of a heart attack in 1697, he was interned in his cellar, more than likely because the ground was frozen during the winter at the time of his death. Also, the sheriff was so despised, that his family was afraid that his body would be dismembered by an unruly crowd. His grave remained there for many years before being relocated to Broad Street Cemetery, and another theory surrounding hauntings is when a grave or body is disturbed, it confuses the spirit making them restless.
I can only imagine the supernatural battles happening inside those four walls between the sheriff and his victims.

According to eyewitness accounts one of the more prominent entities that resides in the Ward house is a woman with wild black hair. She is thought to be one of the victims unjustly executed and she isn’t remotely happy. Her apparition has been reported roaming the hallways throughout the building. When a publicity photograph was taken at Ward house by Carlson Realty, the proposed image of this malevolent female spirit was caught on film standing in one of the mansions hallways.

Having viewed the photograph myself, the first thing that strikes me is that it could very easily be a fake. There is nothing about it that says it simply could not be a living breathing woman in costume or a disfigured Barbie doll as part of an elaborate hoax. Only those who were there at the time will know the truth.

A second entity said to be haunting the Ward house is not surprisingly, Giles Corey. Apparently, he isn’t happy either. A popular theory is he isn’t satisfied that his final curse has stayed with not only Sheriff Corwin, but has affected many sheriffs who followed in the years after his horrendous death. Routine incidences include trash cans being found turned over, books pulled from shelves and rooms being found in disarray. To add to that, candles are taken out and melted by an unknown person (living or dead) and regularly cold spots can be felt in certain rooms. While I’m a believer, I have aways felt cold spots are extremely dodgy evidence, especially in older locations; drafts in older homes aren’t exactly shocking.

Last, but certainly not least the spirit of good ol’ George himself is said to haunt the location where he once lived. An older male entity has been seen sitting in a rocking chair by a fireplace. Also, back in the 1980’s people reported being choked by an unseen entity. It stands to reason that it could be the sheriff, either trying to reclaim his authority, or it could be one of his victims trying to show the living what they suffered. In less frightening reports, items are moved around the mansion and candles are said to be bent into the shape of an’s’.

So what conclusion can we draw here, is The Joshua Ward House haunted? Or is it a case of people being influenced by the stories they’ve heard and the history of the location? Personally I feel it could be a combination of both, and here’s why. Unlike many ‘famous’ haunted locations, The Joshua Ward House has not had countless paranormal groups come in to investigate, but rather they prefer to keep the details of what happens within the four walls as quiet as possible. Instead of cashing in on what might be and creating publicity, what few details are released are very vague as they want to keep the environment for their workers a peaceful one.

As I stated before I am a believer, I can’t not believe after the life I’ve lived and the things I’ve seen. I feel when it comes to ghosts and hauntings until you have a personal experience you’re less likely to believe. I suppose all we can hope for in this case would be any restless, lost, sad or angry spirits that reside there find peace. I would pray for them to move forward and finally be able to rest.

Next time I’m going to take a step sideways and discuss our neighbors above us. No, not Canada, a little further above … extraterrestrials.

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