Witch Hill in Topsfield holds a significant place in the history of the Salem witch trials. Located in Massachusetts, this hill is believed to have been the site where accused witches were taken to have their guilt or innocence determined. During the witch trials, which took place in the late 17th century, many innocent people were accused of practicing witchcraft. In Topsfield, a small town near Salem, a number of these accused individuals were brought to Witch Hill to undergo the infamous witch tests. At Witch Hill, accused witches were subjected to a variety of tests to determine their guilt or innocence. These tests often involved physical examinations such as searching for "witch marks" on the accused person's body or throwing them into the water to see if they would float.
Peirce Farm at Witch Hill
In 1692, Mary Easty was arrested for the second time from her son Isaac’s house on the hill.
116 Boston Street, Topsfield, MA, USA
116 Boston Street, Topsfield, MA, USA
More About Peirce Farm at Witch Hill
Historian George Francis Dow says on page one of his 1940 book History of Topsfield, Massachusetts, “Like its namesake in the County of Essex, England, Topsfield has within its bounds some of the highest land in the county. The Pierce [sic] Farm Hill rises 280 feet above the sea level…” It appears that sometime in the 1980s, the name “Witch Hill” also began to be used for Peirce Farm Hill.
Long before the Newburyport Turnpike (aka Route 1) was built between 1803-4, this property south of the Ipswich River belonged to Isaac Easty Jr., son of Isaac and Mary Easty. Mary was arrested for witchcraft on April 21, 1692. She was released on May 18 when she was cleared of charges after her accusers started to have doubts about her guilt. Mary was re-arrested at her son Isaac Easty’s house on the hill after only two days of freedom, when accuser Mercy Lewis suffered such dramatic torments observers thought she might die. Lewis claimed it was Mary Easty who caused her pain.
According to George Francis Dow, “Aaron Easty, grandson of Mary, and son of Isaac Jr. was born in 1698, in the house on the hill. He married Esther Richards who lived to be one hundred years old and died in Topsfield in 1805. She told her children that Mary Easty was taken to prison, the second time, from the house on the hill, the sheriff coming for her in the night. This was stated to Mrs. Abbie (Peterson) Towne, by a grandchild of Esther Richards. Mrs. Easty was kept in prison for nearly five months, three weeks of this time in Boston, and during the entire period her husband visited her twice each week, carrying food and whatever she needed. … Her husband, while speaking of it nearly twenty years afterwards, called it an hellish molestation.”
A beautiful, three-story mansion stands on the hill today, along with a renovated Victorian-era barn. According to the Topsfield Historical Society, “It is said that one corner of the foundation of the present house is part of the foundation of Isaac Easty’s house.”
Lawrence Bond in his Houses and Buildings of Topsfield, says the house that stood on the hill in 1798 was remodeled in 1821 by Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy under Presidents Madison and Monroe. In the 1850s, the house and property were owned by railroad tycoon Thomas Wentworth Peirce, who created a 500-acre gentleman’s retreat. The Peirce family remained on Peirce Farm Hill until 1947, and then again from 1950 until 1975, undertaking more renovation and improvements to the house.
The Haunting at Witch Hill
October 19, 2016 – This Halloween, Essex Heritage – known for connecting people to the unique places around Essex County – is taking people back to the Victorian era with a fundraising party at Peirce Farm at Witch Hill in Topsfield on All Hallows’ Eve Eve (October 30 at 6:30 PM). After hearing historically relevant haunting tales in the manor house, guests will enjoy bewitching cocktails, Victorian games, and music in the barn.
Peirce Farm at Witch Hill has been part of Essex County’s rich history dating back to the 17th century. In fact, the foundation still includes some portions of the original 1690s farmhouse where Mary Easty’s son, Isaac, lived. It is believed Mary Easty (1634-1692) hid in the cellar of the property when she was arrested – for a second time – on accusations of being a witch. From Isaac’s home, Mary was taken to Beadle’s Tavern in Salem town for her pre-trial examination and later was indicted on two charges of witchcraft. She was jailed in Ipswich then Boston, and was hanged that fall.
In the 18th century, Captain Benjamin Crowninshield transformed the Easty Farm into a stylish rural country retreat, and in doing so, he and others like him, ushered in a trend that would help to preserve Topsfield’s historic agricultural resources for many years to come.
Railroad tycoon Thomas Wentworth Peirce (1818–1885) further enhanced the home and the stables creating a 500 hundred-acre gentleman’s retreat in the 19th Century. A railroad siding beside the house even accommodated his private train car, a rare luxury.
Today, the property’s décor has been recreated in the styles of T.W. Peirce, and is open to the public for events and corporate meetings. In the fall of 2014 the property was purchased by Essex Heritage Trustee Sean Ward and his business partner Michael Gutman who intend to make the property a place that lots of people can share. They believe that it is each generation’s responsibility to be the custodians of the treasures of our past and to ensure that future generations will have the fortune of experiencing them. In order to achieve this, they “repurpose, reclaim and reuse” as much as they can, and the unique history of the property is evident in all they have accomplished.
“Our mission is to engage the public in sustaining the exceptional places that make this region so unique” explained Essex Heritage CEO Annie Harris. “We hope to inspire Essex County residents and visitors to make meaningful connections to places like Peirce Farm through fun events like the Haunting at Witch Hill.”
The Haunting at Witch Hill, sponsored by Salem Five Bank and the Topsfield Fair, is a fun fundraiser for Essex Heritage, now celebrating 20 years of preserving and enhancing the unique natural, cultural and historic places of the region for the benefit of all who live, work and visit. Tickets are available online and include haunting tales, a drink ticket, and light hors d’oeuvres. Victorian attire is encouraged.
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Peirce Farm at Witch Hill
Known to most local residents as "Witch Hill," the property located at 116 Boston Street, Topsfield, MA. was erected before 1798. According to John H. Towne, Mary Towne Estey, who was accused of witchcraft in 1692, was taken from this property to Salem jail. She was tried and later executed. Her son, Isaac, was living in the home at that time, while her husband and family were living in a house located on property associated with the "Agricultural Farm," which later served as the location of the Essex County Cooperative Farming Association.
In 1821, Honorable Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy under Presidents Madison and Monroe, purchased and remodeled the property.
In 1856, Colonel Thomas W. Peirce of Dover, N.H., moved his shipping business to Boston, where he chose the Boston Street property as a primary residence. He had the main house remodeled in 1872-73, adding a wing and third floor.
Thomas W. Peirce, Jr., commissioned Pitman and Brown of Salem to make major structural changes to the home in 1900, removing the east chimney, adding another, altering a staircase and removing partitions on the first floor. Thomas Jr.'s widow Gabrielle (Dexter) took ownership of the house at his death in 1923. She married Howard Brown and died in 1941.
In 1947, the Peirce family conveyed the house and 13 acres to psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Riggs.
In 1950, the house was returned to the Peirce family when Cornelia (Pentecost) Marean and her husband Browning Marean (Selectman 1968-75) bought the property. During their residency, they removed the cupola and 1870 wing.
In 1975, with Mr. Marean's passing, the property was conveyed to Roy P. Cheever, formerly of Lynn.
In 2014, the property was purchased from the Cheever family by business partners and co-owners of Syllogistic Management Solutions Sean T. Ward and Michael Gutman, of Peirce Farm, LLC., who have recently converted the property into an event and conference center.
These tests often involved physical examinations such as searching for "witch marks" on the accused person's body or throwing them into the water to see if they would float. It was believed that if a person floated, they were guilty of witchcraft, whereas if they sank, they were innocent. The trials and tests conducted at Witch Hill were part of the mass hysteria and panic that gripped Salem and its surrounding areas during the witch trials.
References:
Bond, C. L. (1989). Houses and Buildings of Topsfield, Massachusetts: An Up-date of "The Houses and Buildings of Topsfield, Massachusetts 1902" by J. H. Towne. Topsfield, Mass. : Topsfield Historical Society. View record in the library catalog.
Burgess, A. “Plans change for historic home.” Tri-Town Transcript, 7 March 2014.
D'Amario, A. “Plans are brewing at Peirce Farm on Witch Hill.” Tri-Town Transcript, 21 November 2014. Accessed online 7/121/2016 at: http://boxford.wickedlocal.com/article/20141121/News/141129430
The trials resulted in the execution of numerous men and women who were wrongly accused and convicted of witchcraft. Today, Witch Hill stands as a reminder of this dark period in history. It serves as a symbol of the injustices inflicted upon innocent individuals and the dangers of mass hysteria. Tourists and history enthusiasts can visit Witch Hill to learn about the events of the witch trials and reflect on the importance of due process and the preservation of individual rights. Overall, Witch Hill in Topsfield holds historical significance as the site where accused witches were taken during the Salem witch trials. It stands as a reminder of the injustices of this period and serves as a place for reflection on the importance of justice and the preservation of individual rights..
Reviews for "Witch Hill in Topsfield: Exploring the Supernatural"
1. Sarah - 2/5 Stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Witch Hill Topsfield" as I am a fan of supernatural stories. However, I found the book to be quite underwhelming. The plot was slow-paced and lacked any real suspense or excitement. The characters were also quite one-dimensional and hard to connect with. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with this book.
2. Mark - 1/5 Stars
I regret picking up "Witch Hill Topsfield". The writing style was incredibly dull and unengaging. There were numerous spelling and grammatical errors that made it difficult to read. The story itself was predictable and lacked any originality. The author failed to create a believable and immersive world, and I struggled to stay interested. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 Stars
I found "Witch Hill Topsfield" to be quite cliche and uninspired. The storyline followed all the usual tropes of a typical supernatural novel, and there was nothing unique or memorable about it. The characters were all stereotypical and lacked depth. The writing itself was mediocre, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, this book did not leave a lasting impression on me and I would not read it again.
4. David - 2/5 Stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Hill Topsfield" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of nothing happening, followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The development of the magical elements in the story was poorly explained and left many unanswered questions. I found it hard to stay engaged with the plot, and overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book.