5 Things To Know About Salem Massachusetts | F. Robert Allison

Home » Community News » 5 Things You Might Not Know About Salem Massachusetts During the winter of 1692, Salem, Massachusetts, was the setting for some of the most infamous trials in American history. Driven by fear of the supernatural, the residents of the town hanged nineteen of their neighbors for the crime of witchcraft. Several more were tortured to death or perished in prison before they could be tried.Today Salem is a very different place. Though the dark legacy of the witchcraft trials is still a part of the town’s rich character, there’s a lot more to Salem than just witches.Here are some things you might not know about the town:Salem was the birthplace of the American military. In 1628, Governor John Endecott was authorized to create an official militia to defend the town. All men between ages 16 and 60 were obligated to serve. The first muster of the militia took place on Salem Common in 1637.William Driver, a ship’s captain based in Salem is first credited with nicknaming t...