Self-Guided Visit
Self-Guided Cemetery Walk
Wander the 1638 burying ground, view 17th-century slate carvings, Revolutionary War graves, and the 1998 memorial stone to Wilmot Redd on the Pond Street side.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Photo coming soon
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Old Burial Hill
A 1638 hilltop Puritan burying ground in Marblehead that holds a memorial to Wilmot Redd, the only Marblehead resident executed in the 1692 Salem witch trials, and is reputed to be among the town's most haunted spots.
50 Orne Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free to visit; open to the public during daylight hours.
Access
Limited Access
Steep grassy hillside with stairs from Pond and Orne Streets; uneven ground and old footpaths.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1638 · One of the oldest burying grounds in New England (established 1638) · Site of Marblehead's first meeting house · Holds a memorial to Wilmot Redd, the only Marblehead resident executed in the Salem witch trials · Contains roughly 600 mostly-unmarked Revolutionary War-era graves
Old Burial Hill sits on a rocky rise overlooking Redd's Pond in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The site was established in 1638 as the location of the town's first meeting house, and the surrounding churchyard became Marblehead's earliest burying ground. Over the following centuries it accumulated hundreds of graves, including some of the oldest surviving Puritan headstones in New England, carved with the winged death's-heads, cherubs, and urn-and-willow motifs that trace the evolution of colonial gravestone art.
The cemetery is closely associated with Marblehead's maritime past. It is said to hold roughly 600 Revolutionary War-era graves, most of them unmarked, reflecting the heavy toll the era took on the fishing town's seafaring families. The hill's commanding view of the harbor made it both a practical and symbolic resting place for generations of sailors and their families.
Old Burial Hill is best known for its connection to the Salem witch trials. Wilmot Redd, a Marblehead fisherman's wife, was the only person from the town executed for witchcraft. She was arrested in May 1692, convicted on September 17, 1692, and hanged on September 22, 1692, as part of the last group of executions. Her body, like those of the other victims, was buried in an unmarked common grave whose location is unknown. In 1998 the town erected a memorial stone in her honor on the Pond Street side of the cemetery; additional markers to her stand at the King Hooper Mansion garden and at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
The nearby Redd's Pond is named for Wilmot Redd, who lived close to the site. Today Old Burial Hill is maintained by the Town of Marblehead and is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful and historically significant cemeteries in the United States.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Burial_Hill_(Marblehead,_Massachusetts)
- https://salemwitchmuseum.com/locations/old-burial-hill/
- https://historyofmassachusetts.org/old-burial-hill-marblehead-ma/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmot_Redd
Disembodied screams and voicesShadow figures and apparitionsSudden cold spotsSense of being watchedPhantom footsteps
The most enduring legend attached to Old Burial Hill concerns Wilmot Redd, the Marblehead woman hanged in 1692. According to Sam Baltrusis in his book "Wicked Salem: Exploring Lingering Lore and Legends," locals believe Redd still haunts the hill, and some claim to hear her cackling or screaming among the old headstones. The Salem Witch Museum likewise notes that the cemetery is believed to be haunted by Redd and by others connected to the witch-trial era.
Visitors to the cemetery have reported a consistent set of phenomena: shadow figures moving among the stones, apparitions, disembodied voices and footsteps, sudden cold spots, and a strong feeling of being watched by an unseen presence. The dramatic Shadowlands-style claim that Redd cursed the town with the cry "this town shall burn" is not supported by the historical record and appears to be later folklore embellishment; her documented story is simply that of a fisherman's wife wrongly executed during the witch hysteria.
The cemetery's age, its commanding and atmospheric setting above Redd's Pond, and its direct tie to one of the darkest chapters in colonial New England history have made it a fixture on regional ghost tours and a recurring subject of haunted-Marblehead features and podcasts.
Notable Entities
The spirit of Wilmot Redd
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old Burial Hill family-friendly?
A historic, scenic cemetery suitable for families interested in colonial history; steep terrain and stairs make it harder for small children or strollers. Content (witch-trial executions) is handled soberly and may prompt questions from younger visitors. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Old Burial Hill?
Free to visit; open to the public during daylight hours. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Old Burial Hill wheelchair accessible?
Old Burial Hill has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Steep grassy hillside with stairs from Pond and Orne Streets; uneven ground and old footpaths..