Old Burying Point Cemetery

Twilight settles over Charter Street like a gray shroud.

Ancient gravestones lean at odd angles, their inscriptions worn smooth by centuries of New England weather. Shadows stretch long across the grass, reaching between the stones like dark fingers.

Leaves skitter through the iron gates, propelled by wind that seems to come from nowhere. The crunch of gravel underfoot. Footsteps. Your own, you think. But when you stop walking, the sound continues for just a moment longer.

This is Old Burying Point Cemetery, though locals still call it by its original name, Charter Street Cemetery. Established in 1637, it’s one of the oldest burial grounds in New England.

Nearly four centuries of Salem’s dead rest here. Puritan settlers. Ship captains. Ministers. Judges. Some whose names are recorded in history books. Others whose stones have crumbled to dust, their stories lost to time.

But one group of the dead is notably absent. The twenty victims of the Salem Witch Trials aren’t buried here. They were denied proper burial, their bodies thrown into unmarked graves or rocky crevices.

Yet their presence haunts this place anyway. The judges who condemned them lie here. The ministers who preached against them rest beneath these stones. And visitors claim to hear whispers that don’t belong to the living.

Old Burying Point Cemetery is where Salem’s history sleeps. But sleep, it seems, is restless here.

The Weight of History Beneath the Soil

In 1637, Salem was still young. A Puritan settlement clinging to the Massachusetts coast, struggling to survive in the New World.

They needed a burial ground. Somewhere to lay their dead with proper Christian ceremony. The land on Charter Street was designated for this purpose, and Old Burying Point Cemetery was born.

For over a century, this was Salem’s primary burial ground. Generation after generation was interred here. The founding families. Community leaders. Merchants who built Salem’s fortune. Ministers who shaped its soul.

The stones tell stories of infant mortality and lives cut short. Skull and crossbones motifs remind the living of death’s certainty. Angel wings promise resurrection. Inscriptions warn the reader to remember their own mortality.

“Remember me as you pass by / As you are now, so once was I / As I am now, so you must be / Prepare for death and follow me.”

By 1692, when witch fever gripped Salem, many of the town’s most prominent citizens had already been laid to rest here. But more would follow, including some directly responsible for the trials.

The cemetery sits adjacent to the Witch Trials Memorial, dedicated in 1992. The proximity is symbolic and haunting. The accusers and the commemorated victims separated by a wall and three centuries, yet forever linked.

Step from one to the other. From the memorial stones bearing the victims’ names and final words to the ornate graves of those who condemned them. The contrast is stark and unsettling.

Old Burying Point holds approximately 600 graves, though some records suggest thousands more were buried here in unmarked or long-deteriorated graves. The soil itself is layered with history. With bones. With memory.

And perhaps with something that refuses to rest.

Notable Graves and Their Stories

Judge John Hathorne — “The Hanging Judge”

Walk through Old Burying Point and you’ll find him. Judge John Hathorne, one of the most zealous prosecutors of the Salem Witch Trials.

His gravestone stands intact, though weathered. A testament to a man who showed no mercy and expressed no remorse.

Hathorne was relentless during the trials. He interrogated the accused with brutal efficiency, accepting spectral evidence and rejecting denials. When the convicted hung from the gallows, he felt he’d served justice.

Unlike some of his fellow judges who later expressed regret, Hathorne never apologized. He went to his grave in 1717 believing he’d done God’s work.

His descendant, author Nathaniel Hawthorne, was so ashamed of this ancestor that he added a “w” to the family name to distance himself from the judge’s legacy.

Today, Hathorne’s grave attracts considerable attention. Some visitors come with reverence for history. Others with anger at his role in the executions. Many come simply because they’ve heard the stories.

The paranormal stories.

Visitors report an oppressive feeling near his gravestone. A heaviness. Some describe sudden, overwhelming guilt or dread. Others feel anger that isn’t their own, as if emotions from the past are bleeding through.

A dark figure has been spotted near Hathorne’s grave at dusk. Tall and imposing, dressed in what appears to be period clothing. He stands motionless, facing the stone. When witnesses approach, he’s gone. Simply vanished.

Is it Hathorne himself, forever tied to his earthly remains? Or one of his victims, still seeking justice after three centuries?

Some psychics claim to sense multiple presences around the grave. Accuser and accused, locked in eternal proximity. The haunting isn’t peaceful. It’s confrontational. Unresolved.

Reverend John Higginson

Another prominent stone belongs to Reverend John Higginson, one of Salem’s most influential Puritan ministers.

He died in 1708, having served the community for decades. His gravestone is elaborate by Puritan standards, reflecting his status in the colony.

Higginson represents the strict moral world of Salem Village. The worldview that saw Satan’s hand in every misfortune. That believed witches walked among the godly, plotting their destruction.

He didn’t directly participate in the trials, but his sermons and teachings created the theological environment in which witch hysteria could flourish.

His grave is less frequently reported as a site of paranormal activity, but it serves as a reminder. The witch trials didn’t happen in isolation. They emerged from a culture of fear, suspicion, and rigid belief systems that these ministers cultivated.

The Unknown Dead

But the most haunting graves at Old Burying Point might be the ones you can’t read anymore.

Centuries of weather have erased many inscriptions. Stones have cracked and fallen. Others were never marked to begin with—poverty meant some received only a wooden marker that rotted away decades ago.

Walk the cemetery and you’ll see them. Blank stones. Illegible carvings. Graves marked only by depressions in the ground.

Who were they? What were their stories? Did they witness the trials? Support them? Quietly question them?

We’ll never know. Their names are lost. Their lives forgotten.

But locals whisper that the forgotten dead are the most restless. Those without names. Without recognition. Without anyone to remember them.

Some paranormal researchers theorize that spirits seek acknowledgment. To be seen. To be remembered. The nameless dead of Old Burying Point have been denied even this basic recognition.

Perhaps that’s why so many unexplained experiences happen near the unmarked areas of the cemetery. Why visitors report feeling overwhelmed by sadness in sections where the stones are too worn to read.

The dead want to be remembered. And when they can’t be, they make themselves known in other ways.

The Haunting of Old Burying Point Cemetery

Ghostly Encounters

Old Burying Point Cemetery has earned its reputation as one of Salem’s most haunted locations through decades of consistent reports.

Shadow figures are the most common sighting. Dark shapes moving between headstones. Too tall to be children. Too solid to be tricks of light. They appear in peripheral vision, and when you turn to look directly, they’re gone.

Or they’re not. Some witnesses report shadow figures that remain visible, gliding between graves with purpose. Moving toward the back of the cemetery or disappearing near the boundary wall.

The scent of old smoke appears without source. Not wood smoke from nearby fireplaces. Something older. Some describe it as burning herbs. Others as the acrid smell of charred wood and something worse.

This phenomenon particularly manifests near Judge Hathorne’s grave. As if the smoke from witch-burning pyres (though hanging was Salem’s method of execution) still lingers in the air.

Temperature drops happen suddenly and locally. One visitor might feel winter-cold air while standing directly beside someone who notices nothing. The cold spot moves, shifting between graves.

These cold areas are often accompanied by a feeling of being watched. Of presence. Of not being alone.

Whispers and voices are reported on still nights. When there’s no wind, when the cemetery is otherwise silent, visitors hear soft sounds that might be words. Might be prayers. Might be pleas.

One paranormal investigation team recorded what sounds like a woman’s voice saying “I didn’t” repeatedly. Another captured audio that seems to say “remember my name.”

Apparitions in period clothing appear occasionally. A woman in a dark dress and white cap, standing near one of the unmarked sections. A man in a tall hat at the cemetery’s edge. They appear solid, real, until they simply aren’t there anymore.

Children often react to the cemetery before adults do. They point at “nothing” and ask who the people are. They become frightened or refuse to walk in certain areas. Animals behave similarly, pulling against leashes or refusing to enter specific sections.

Paranormal Investigations

Old Burying Point Cemetery has been investigated by numerous paranormal research teams and featured on several ghost-hunting television shows.

EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings have captured unexplained audio:

• Responses to questions asked by investigators
• Names spoken in the darkness
• What sounds like colonial-era English phrases
• Breathing and sighs when no one is near the recording equipment

Photographs reveal anomalies that skeptics and believers continue to debate:

• Orbs of light near specific graves, particularly Hathorne’s
• Mist formations on clear, dry nights
• What appear to be faces or figures in the background of photos where nothing was visible to the photographer
• Light anomalies that move between frames of video footage

Equipment malfunctions happen frequently. Fully charged batteries drain in minutes. Recording devices shut off without explanation. EMF meters spike to maximum readings near certain graves, then return to normal when moved just feet away.

One investigation team reported all their equipment failing simultaneously near the back wall of the cemetery. Cameras, recorders, meters—everything went dead at once. When they left that area, the equipment functioned normally again.

Temperature anomalies recorded on thermal cameras show cold spots moving through the cemetery. These aren’t consistent with environmental factors like wind or shade. They appear suddenly, move with apparent purpose, then dissipate.

Motion sensors placed in the cemetery after hours have triggered repeatedly when security cameras show no person or animal present.

Ghost tour guides who walk through Old Burying Point nightly accumulate their own experiences:

• Regular visitors who appear in the same spots night after night, then vanish when approached
• The sense of being watched from the trees bordering the cemetery
• Unexplained sounds of footsteps on the gravel paths
• The feeling that something follows groups out of the cemetery, only to stop at the gates

One guide reported that on particularly foggy nights, she sees figures in the mist that she knows aren’t part of her tour group. They stand among the graves, watching. She’s learned not to acknowledge them directly.

A Reflection of Salem’s Guilt and Memory

Old Burying Point Cemetery occupies a unique psychological space in Salem’s collective memory.

It’s not where the victims of the witch trials were buried. Those unfortunate souls were denied proper burial, their bodies discarded in unmarked graves or rocky crevices near the execution site.

But it is where their accusers rest. The judges. The witnesses. The community members who fed the hysteria or failed to stop it.

This creates a strange dynamic. The guilty sleep in consecrated ground with carved monuments. The innocent were thrown away like refuse.

Does the cemetery carry guilt? Can a place absorb the moral weight of what its residents did?

Many visitors say yes. They describe feeling Salem’s shame soaked into the soil. The unease isn’t just about ghosts—it’s about injustice. About the terrible things humans do to each other when fear overrides reason.

The proximity to the Witch Trials Memorial makes this even more poignant. Stand at the memorial and read the names of the executed. Their final words carved in stone: “God knows I am innocent.” “I am no witch.”

Then turn and walk thirty feet into Old Burying Point. There lie those who condemned them.

The peaceful appearance of the cemetery—ancient stones, dappled shade, birdsong—contrasts sharply with the violence of 1692. But that contrast is itself unsettling. Evil doesn’t always look like evil. Injustice was committed by people who considered themselves righteous.

Some theorize that Salem’s hauntings are less about individual ghosts and more about collective trauma. The entire town carries the weight of what happened. The witch trials are Salem’s open wound, and places like Old Burying Point are where that wound bleeds through.

The city has tried to heal. To acknowledge its past. To memorialize the victims. But can a place ever truly heal from such darkness?

The ghosts suggest not. Or perhaps they suggest that healing requires memory. That the dead—both guilty and innocent—must be acknowledged before they can rest.

Old Burying Point serves as Salem’s conscience. A reminder carved in stone. The city remembers. The dead ensure it.

Visiting Old Burying Point Cemetery Today

What to Expect

Old Burying Point Cemetery is small by modern standards, covering less than an acre. But it feels much larger when you’re walking among the graves.

The atmosphere hits you immediately. Ancient stones lean at precarious angles, settling into earth that’s shifted through centuries of freezes and thaws. Some stones have fallen completely, lying flat on the ground like sleeping giants.

The carvings vary in style and condition. Early Puritan stones feature skulls with wings (representing the soul’s flight to heaven) and hourglasses (time running out). Later stones show cherubs and willow trees, reflecting changing attitudes toward death.

Many inscriptions are still legible, offering glimpses into 17th and 18th-century Salem:

• “Here lies buried the body of…”
• Age at death (infant mortality was tragically common)
• Brief epitaphs warning the living to prepare for death

Narrow paths wind between the graves. Trees provide shade, their roots sometimes disturbing the ground near old graves. In autumn, fallen leaves blanket the stones in reds and golds.

The cemetery borders busy Charter Street on one side. The sounds of modern Salem—traffic, voices, tour groups—create a strange juxtaposition with this ancient space.

But step away from the street edge toward the back of the cemetery, and the noise fades. It becomes easier to imagine Salem as it was centuries ago. Quieter. Smaller. More isolated.

The Witch Trials Memorial shares a wall with the cemetery. This juxtaposition is deliberate and powerful. You can visit both in one stop, experiencing the full weight of Salem’s history.

Atmospheric details:

• Dappled light filtering through old trees
• Bird sounds and rustling leaves
• The crunch of gravel underfoot
• Silence that feels heavy, almost expectant
• Fog from Salem Harbor on cool mornings
• That distinctive old cemetery smell—earth, stone, age

Even skeptics admit the place affects them. There’s a solemnity here. A sense that you’re walking on sacred ground, whether literally haunted or not.

Tour and Visitor Tips

Guided tours offer the best experience at Old Burying Point. Knowledgeable guides provide historical context and point out significant graves you might otherwise miss.

Popular tour options:

• Historical walking tours that include the cemetery as part of a broader Salem exploration
• Evening ghost tours that emphasize paranormal experiences and local legends
• Witch trial-focused tours that connect the cemetery to the events of 1692
• Photography tours designed for those who want to capture the cemetery’s atmosphere

Best times to visit:

• Dusk offers the most atmospheric experience as shadows lengthen
• Autumn evenings when fog rolls in from the harbor create an ethereal mood
• October is crowded but also when Salem’s supernatural energy peaks
• Early morning provides solitude and beautiful light for photography
• Overcast days create a moody atmosphere without harsh shadows

Respectful visiting guidelines:

• This is a cemetery. Real people are buried here. Treat it with appropriate reverence.
• No grave rubbings — it damages the historic stones
• Stay on designated paths
• Don’t touch, lean on, or climb on gravestones
• Keep voices low and conversations respectful
• Pick up any trash, even if it’s not yours
• Photography etiquette: Photos are allowed, but be mindful of other visitors. Don’t use flash near people. Don’t stage disrespectful photos.
• Don’t leave offerings, coins, or trinkets on graves without understanding their significance
• If you feel unwelcome or uneasy in an area, simply move to another section

Practical information:

• Open daily from dawn to dusk (hours may vary seasonally)
• Free admission
• No restrooms on site (use facilities in downtown Salem)
• Partially accessible, but historic paths can be uneven
• Parking is limited; walk or use public transit
• Allow 20-30 minutes for self-guided visit, longer if on a tour

Combine your visit with:

• The Witch Trials Memorial (adjacent)
• The Witch House (five-minute walk)
• Salem Witch Museum (nearby)
• Old Town Hall (across the street)
• Downtown Salem shops and restaurants

For paranormal enthusiasts:

• Bring a camera with good low-light capability
• EMF readers and voice recorders may pick up interesting data
• Visit during less crowded times for better conditions
• Join a dedicated paranormal investigation tour for equipment and guidance
• Review your photos and audio recordings carefully afterward

Remember that experiences vary. Some visitors feel nothing unusual. Others are profoundly affected. Approach with an open mind and respect for the location’s history.

The Legends That Refuse to Die

Beyond documented history and verified paranormal investigations, Old Burying Point Cemetery has accumulated layers of local folklore.

The gates that open themselves. Multiple witnesses claim to have seen the cemetery’s iron gates swing open on windless nights when they should be locked. Security footage is inconclusive, but the stories persist. Some say it’s the dead inviting visitors in. Others believe it’s the spirits leaving the cemetery to wander Salem’s streets.

Voices calling names. Several visitors report hearing their own name called while walking through the cemetery. They turn, expecting to see a friend or tour group member. No one is there. The voice is clear, close, and distinctly addresses them by name. No explanation is ever found.

The woman who weeps. A figure in dark clothing is occasionally seen near the unmarked graves, appearing to weep or search for something. Some believe she’s a mother looking for her child’s grave. Others think she’s one of the accused witches, still seeking her name among the stones, seeking recognition that was denied her in life.

The judge who walks. Near Judge Hathorne’s grave, a tall figure in a wide-brimmed hat is sometimes seen at dusk. He appears to be inspecting the graves, walking with purpose from stone to stone. When anyone approaches, he vanishes. Local legend identifies him as Hathorne himself, unable to rest due to his role in the trials.

Objects that move. Small stones, coins, or flowers left by visitors have been found moved from one grave to another overnight. Security never catches anyone on camera, but the objects clearly relocate. Some believe the spirits rearrange them, accepting offerings or rejecting them based on unknown criteria.

The path that changes. A few visitors report walking a path through the cemetery only to find it leads somewhere different than expected. They end up at an unfamiliar section or near a grave they don’t remember passing. When they try to retrace their steps, the path seems to have shifted.

Animals that refuse entry. Dogs, particularly, often refuse to enter certain sections of Old Burying Point. They pull back on leashes, whine, or become agitated. Horses in colonial days reportedly did the same, particularly near the back wall of the cemetery.

The most persistent legend is that the spirits of the unjustly accused still wander here, searching for their names among the stones. They were denied burial in consecrated ground, denied mourning, denied memory. So they return to this place where their accusers sleep, seeking the acknowledgment that was stolen from them.

These legends blend with verified history and documented experiences, creating a tapestry of haunting that’s impossible to fully untangle. What’s true? What’s folklore? What’s wishful thinking or overactive imagination?

Perhaps the answer doesn’t matter. The legends serve a purpose—they keep memory alive. They ensure Salem doesn’t forget. And they draw visitors to a place where history can be touched, felt, and remembered.

Old Burying Point Cemetery’s connection to Salem’s haunted identity is inseparable. You cannot understand Salem without standing among these graves. The city’s supernatural soul lives here, in the space between history and mystery.

Closing Scene: When the Bells Stop Tolling

The last daylight fades over Charter Street, painting the sky in shades of purple and gray.

The gravestones glow silver in the rising moonlight, their weathered surfaces catching and holding the pale illumination. Shadows pool between them, deeper than they should be.

A chill rises from the ground. Not the natural cold of evening, but something more. Something that comes from beneath. From the soil. From the bones of centuries past.

The sounds of Salem—traffic, voices, modern life—fade to a murmur. In the stillness, other sounds emerge. The rustle of leaves though the air is still. The creak of iron gates. The soft crunch of gravel as if someone walks the path.

But the path is empty. The cemetery is locked. No living person remains among the stones.

Yet something does.

In Old Burying Point Cemetery, the line between past and present grows thin as night falls. The dead of Salem sleep here, but their sleep is restless. Troubled. Unfinished.

Time passes differently among these graves. Three centuries ago feels like yesterday. The accused witches’ screams still echo. Judge Hathorne’s questions still ring out. The guilt still weighs heavy.

The stones stand as witnesses. Silent sentinels marking the passage of years while holding memories that refuse to fade. Names carved in granite. Lives reduced to dates. Stories that demand to be told.

Stand here at twilight, and you might understand. Salem remembers because it must. The dead ensure it. The spirits whisper it. The very earth holds it.

In Old Burying Point, time doesn’t heal — it remembers.

Have you visited Old Burying Point Cemetery? Experienced something unexplained among the ancient graves? We want to hear your story! Share it with us at contact@epicspookyadventures.com. And explore our complete guide to Salem’s most haunted locations for more supernatural adventures!