The Ghost of Ward House

By Crusader1307

 Salem, Massachusetts (US), is a City well known throughout The World. It was there in the 17th Century, that a period of panic and superstition led to misgivings and delusions of The Devil taking hold of the ''Good Christians'' of the then Colonial English Village. That time, known as The ''Salem Witch Trials'' was responsible for dozens of Men and Women being horribly tortured and executed as being Witches and Warlocks. And while time and research has shown that much of the event was mass hysteria and ignorance, it is no doubt that Salem is seen as a very ''haunted'' and even ''cursed locale''. The Joshua Ward House is one such abode. Built in 1784 by Joshua Ward, a wealthy Merchant and one well liked and respected by all, His new home was the first such built entirely of brick in Town. So pleasing to the eye, that even a visiting George Washington stayed a night there. Well maintained even today (but no longer part of any Ward Family Holdings), the Property would make an excellent Colonial Museum or ''Bed and Breakfast''. But you see, the House is VERY active.....by several past and very nasty Spirits.


While Ward may or may not have known at the time He purchased the land to build His house – it was once owned by one George Corwin. Corwin was elected as High Sheriff of Salem and was ultimately responsible for the executions of those convicted of Witchcraft during The Trials. Described as as ''unfeeling'' and ''cruel'' Man, Corwin may have even had a small residence on the property. But regardless of if He did or didn't, Corwin used the land as a location of Public executions. Pressings, hanging, scourging to death and perhaps even a stake burning or two – were conducted on the land. Another of Corwin's ''pleasures'' was to confiscate the personal property of His victims and their Families. He kept these articles for His use and sale.


It is not clear if any Ward Family members through History encountered ''anything'' Paranormal. But the house would be empty by the mid-19th Century and was once even going to be torn down. A private Holding Company stepped in during the 1980s and renovated it. It is here that the strange stories began. A construction worker and His Associate was working on the 2nd Floor of Ward House. So lucky to be chosen to do such work in the regionally famous Historic house, He wanted a picture to memorialize the moment. He snapped a picture of His friend for later. However, when the man developed the film, he was shocked to find that His friend was NOT in the frame. What was as terrifying.


The picture showed a gaunt and obviously female ''figure'' standing menacingly ''where'' His friend should have been. Long and unkempt hair billowing, the ''face'' of The Entity is part flesh and part skeletal. Dubbed ''The Witch'' by some, many assume that the ''figure'' is just that...one of Corwin's victims. The photo was examined and determined to be real and not faked. Other tell stories of violent shoves, kicks and slaps (from what is described as a ''Male Presence''. Cold Spots are common as are Orbs seen ''floating'' around the property. Perhaps this is why the ''perfect'' location was never developed as an Inn or related. It still stands today, an excellent land investment that is ''cursed'', perhaps forever.