Salem End Road and the Salem Witch Trials 

In the western part of Framingham, Massachusetts there is an area known as Salem End Road.  In 2007 it was voted as one of the "Absolute Best Streets" by Boston Magazine.  Some of the traits that were taken into consideration were aesthetics, environment, amenities and public services. 

There is diversity of home styles on Salem End Road with everything to ranches, contemporaries, stately colonials as well some very important historical buildings.

The winding, wooded and scenic road begins at the border of Ashland running thorough the Ashland Town Forest and ends where it parallels Route 9 and joins into High Street. 

But, the true fascination of Salem End Road starts with its history and its critical involvement in the Salem Witch Trials. 

In 1692 Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth was one of the early judges who presided over the infamous witch trials and it is widely thought that he left that position with distain over the inhumane persecutions.  

Judge Danforth had previously acquired at least 16,000 acres of land in Colonial government grants that had become his home.  This settlement was originally known as "Danforth Farms" and was later to be called "Framingham." 

After leaving the witch trials Thomas Danforth worked behind the scenes to rescue some of the accused including Sarah Cloyes and her husband and children. 

In fact, Judge Thomas Danforth turned over a large portion of his settlement to a number of Salem families who were seeking asylum and safety from the accusations and potential death sentences that they faced.  Among them were the Towne, Nurse, Bridges, Barton and Cloyes families.  This part of the new settlement quickly became known as Salem End Road. 

Rich in history and graced with beautiful architecture, today Salem End Road remains a quiet, upscale and residential part of Framingham that borders on the Framingham Country Club and is convenient to the Mass Pike as well as the MBTA. 

 Copyright 2010 "Salem End Road and the Salem Witch Trials"

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