Then & Now: The Ingersoll Ordinary

The on Hobart Street in Danvers has a fascinating historical connection to the Salem Witch Trials. The house, which has long been known as part of the Ingersoll Ordinary, was used as an inn and a place of entertainment. In 1692, however, the house on Hobart played a pivotal role in the witch hysteria.

When girls in the community began to seem “afflicted” with some type of dark magic, the community was sent into a tailspin. A popular doctor, Dr. Griggs, began examining the girls to find out what exactly was wrong with them. He immediately jumped to the thought of witchcraft which ultimately drove the town into suspicion of many of their community members.  It was at this Danvers home that many of the examinations took place.

The girls that were considered to be under the spell of dark magic were Elizabeth Parris, Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, Elizabeth Booth, Susannah Sheldon, Mary Warren, and Sarah Churchill. Their odd behavior, which was said to be inspired by the stories of Parris’ servant Tituba, caused their parents to demand names of those who “bewitched” them, and through their own fear, they named several members of their village. The examinations of the accused witches also took place in this home. Many of the accused ultimately lost their lives including, Sarah Good, , Sarah Wildes, Bridget Bishop, Martha Corey, Sarah Osburn, and Giles Corey to name a few.

After the hysteria died down, the house where the examinations took place was renovated. It was once used as a meeting house, but after the witch trials, the townspeople decided not to use it any longer because of its association with the historical tragedy. In 1753, the home was made bigger in size and eventually became a rectory for the church for a short time.

Most recently, the historic home was put on the market and was .