Charter Street Cemetery Welcome Center, Salem, Massachusetts--See The New Database

 

On a very quiet April day in 2023, I was in Salem and decided to visit the new Charter Street Welcome Center that opened in June 2021. It was a smart move because I didn't need an appointment and I had a good amount of time to talk to the employee with the computer in the center. He also put a few of my ancestor's names into the database and they were on the list (see below). There are two rooms to view in the Samuel Pickman House, a mariner who acquired land to build his house in 1657. There is a gift shop and a museum. The Welcome Center photos are below.

51 Charter Street, Salem Ma. 01951 Charter Street, Salem Ma. 01970 | info@charterstreetcemetery.com70 | info@charterstreetcemetery.com

Charter Street Cemetery Stone Database at: https://www.charterstreetcemetery.com/accessioning

The database can be used at home, however, I was surprised that I had to scroll line by line to find who I was looking for. It isn't set up to just type in a name, hit search and there you are. I found five names, all of whom I already knew and had taken their photos many years ago.

Simon Bradstreet            03/27/1697

Steven Daniels                02/14/1687

John Marston                  19/12/1681

Miles Ward                      29/08/1764

Sarah Massey Ward          20/11/1728

Salem Witch Trials Memorial with a marker below of John Proctor, hanged August 19, 1692.

My Simon Bradstreet tombstone.

My husband and I visited the cemetery in April 2019. From these photos, you can see that a lot of tree-cutting and repairs have been done. The Welcome Center hadn't opened yet.

Miles Ward and his wife Sarah Massey Ward -- Salem, Massachusetts (Tombstone Tuesday)

Miles Ward

"Ward, Miles Born March 11, 1672 Died August 30, 1764 age 92 years. The son of Joshua and Hannah (Flint) and husband of Sarah (Massey)." Lot E 148 

FindAGrave 

Sarah Massey Ward

"Ward, Sarah (Massey) Born July 25, 1669 Died November 20, 1725 age 58 years. The daughter of John and Sarah (Wells) and wife of Miles." Lot E 171.

FindAGrave

My 6th great-grandparents were buried in The Burying Point Cemetery, also known as the Charter Street Cemetery in historic Salem, MA.

This Ground

The First Place set apart in

Salem

For the Burial of the Dead,

and since 1637, known as

The Burying Point,

contains the graves of

Governor Bradstreet,

Chief Justice Lynde, and

others whose virtues,

honors, courage, sagacity

have nobly illustrated

The History of Salem.

If you have ancestors buried in this cemetery, I'd like to recommend an excellent reference book, complete with all the names and a good amount of genealogical information about the individual. The quotes of my Miles and Sarah were taken from this book. In addition there is a map of the layout, including the Witchcraft Memorial. I've used the source below many times, because I have three other ancestors buried there (Stephen Daniels, Simon Bradstreet and John Proctor).

Charles Street Cemetery Burial Records
Salem, Massachusetts
Compiled by William C. Carlson
2012
(Copy at NEHGS in Boston)

Graves of Greatest Historical Interest.

Names mentioned:

Nathaniel Silsbee

Mary Cory

Jonathan Ward

Mary Cromwell

Benjamin Lynde

John and Anstiss Crowninshield

Clifford Crowninshield

Bartholomew Gardner

William Browne

Hilliard Veren

Habakuk Boditch

Hathaniel Bowditch

Deliverance Parkman

Simon Bradstreet

William Hollingworth

Samuel McIntire

John Hathorne

John Higginson

Richard More

John Turner

Timothy Lindall

Robert Peele

George Heusler

John Swinerton

Nathaniel Mather

Richard Derby

Simon Forrester

William Orne

Dr. Grimshawe

 

The cemetery is not in the best condition.

Early Honors, or Distinguished Tributes

Certain things catch my eye while researching and at that instant I know I must find out more. While looking through a listing of burials at the Salem Street Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts, I came across death information about Nathaniel Ward, who died at the age of 23. That wasn't all that caught my eye, it was the large paragraph showing the inscription on his headstone. My fourth great-granduncle was the Librarian at Harvard University! A 23-year-old, having that job is quite impressive, so I set out to discover more.

I discovered from a listing of Graduates of Harvard University, Nathaniel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1765, he was about 19.

Bibliographical contributions of the Librarians of Harvard University, Vol. 4, issue 52 : 29, provided the following sad information:

1768.

"Nathaniel Ward, dying 12 October 1768, just a week after his appointment as Librarian of Harvard, was a young man of unusual promise. The papers of the time with one accord deplored his death. The Essex Gazette said: "Few young Gentlemen ever received such early Honors, or distinguished Tributes to superior accomplishments; fewer so well deserved them."

Nathaniel Ward was born at Salem, 29 July 1746, the son of Miles and Hannah (Hathorne) Ward. He took his degree of A.B. in 1765, followed by the degree of A.M. He was particularly fond of mathematics in college, and was offered the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at King's (now Columbia) College, New York. This offer he declined, as well as a vacant tutorship in Cambridge. The office of Librarian at Harvard accepted and was looking forward with great pleasure to his duties when he was prostrated with a fever which proved fatal. He was to have married Priscilla, youngest daughter of President Holyoke. Among the tributes in the Boston Weekly Xeics-letter is the following: "Of an open and frank disposition, his mind was elevated above everything mean and groveling, and his whole conduct discovered the Benevolence of his Soul."

He is buried in the Charter Street Cemetery  Salem, where the Latin inscription over his grave is still to be seen. The calculations, transits, etc., for the 1769 edition of the "Essex Almanac" were made by Mr. Ward.

Authorities: Essex inst. Hint. Collection*, ii.206, (article by B. F. Browne). Essex Gazette, 18 Oct. 1768."

"Ward, Nathaniel Born July 29, 1746, Died October 12, 1768 age 23 years. The son of Miles and Hannah (Hathorne). The inscription on his headstone reads as follows: "In this grave are the deposited remains of Nathaniel Ward AM. Late librarian of Harvard College, whom penetrating genius, improved by extensive Acquaintance, with liberal arts and sciences rendered superior to most; his native good sense, and literary accomplishments, attracted universal notice, while amiable disposition, and social virtues, especially his singular frankness and dissembled benevolence, gained him esteem and love of all. He was a dutiful son and affectionate brother, a faithful friend and an agreeable companion. Sincere toward God, crowned his other virtues, and promised a life eminencely useful, but blasted hope. In vigor or youth amidst happy prospects, cut off by raging fever. He breath forth his soul October 12 in the year 1768 aged 23." From: Carlson, William Compiler. Charter Street Cemetery Burial Records: Salem, Massachusetts. Salem, MA: Higginson Book Co., 2009. Page 59.

Additional information:
His parents outlived Nathaniel by 24 or more years.

Nathaniel was the great-granduncle of William Frederick Poole, one of the most well-known of all Librarians in America.

Once the weather turns warm, I'll locate Nathaniel's stone, read, compare the inscription to the above, and take photos.

WARD of Massachusetts (4 generations) -- Surname Saturday

The Ward line is another early Massachusetts line, and I'm showing my first four generations. My direct lines are in green.

Descendants of MILES WARD

  

Generation No. 1

1.  MILES WARD  (HENRY) was born in of Erith, Kentshire, England, and died March 03, 1649/50 in Virginia.  He married MARGARET (__) 1639 in Kent Co., England. 

     

Children of MILES WARD and MARGARET were:

2.                i.    JOSHUA WARD, b. Abt. April 25, 1641, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. 1680.

                  ii.    JOHN WARD, b. Abt. December 26, 1641, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iii.    LYDIA WARD, b. Abt. January 31, 1646/47, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. ROBERT GLANFIELD, July 12, 1665, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iv.    MARTHA WARD, b. March 11, 1648/49, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. PASCA FOOTE, December 02, 1668, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 2

2.  JOSHUA WARD (MILES, HENRY) was born Abt. April 25, 1641 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died 1680.  He married HANNAH FLINT January 18, 1668/69 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of WILLIAM FLINT and ALICE WILLIAMS.  She was born Abt. 1647 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died January 20, 1723/24 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

     

Children of JOSHUA WARD and HANNAH FLINT were:

                   i.    MARY WARD, m. ADONIRAM COLLINS, November 20, 1701, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                  ii.    MARGARET WARD, m. JOHN PICKMAN.

                 iii.    JOSHUA WARD, b. January 16, 1668/69, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. 1680.

                 iv.    HANNAH WARD, b. January 02, 1670/71, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. ELEAZER MOSES, June 24, 1687, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

3.               v.    MILES WARD, b. March 11, 1673/74, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. August 29, 1764, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 3

3.  MILES WARD (JOSHUA, MILES, HENRY) was born March 11, 1673/74 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died August 29, 1764 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  He married (1) SARAH MASSEY September 16, 1697 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of JOHN MASSEY and SARAH WELLS.  She was born July 25, 1669 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died November 20, 1728 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  He married (2) SARAH ROPES January 23, 1736/37 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of WILLIAM ROPES and SARAH INGERSOLL.  She was born January 09, 1682/83, and died February 07, 1768.

     

Children of MILES WARD and SARAH MASSEY were:

                   i.    JOSHUA WARD, b. August 15, 1699, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. December 02, 1779, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. (1) SARAH TREVETT, September 17, 1722, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. (2) LYDIA BURRILL HAWKES, January 21, 1744/45, Marblehead, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

4.               ii.    MILES WARD, b. April 18, 1704, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 19, 1792, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iii.    JOHN WARD, b. July 07, 1707, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. HANNAH HIGGINSON, September 26, 1734, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iv.    EBENEZER WARD, b. April 10, 1710, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. March 03, 1791, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. RACHEL PICKMAN, October 23, 1735, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; b. Abt. 1718; d. January 07, 1789, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

Generation No. 4

4.  MILES WARD (MILES, JOSHUA, MILES, HENRY) was born April 18, 1704 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, and died June 19, 1792 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  He married (1) ELIZABETH WEBB January 03, 1727/28 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  She died April 13, 1737 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.  He married (2) HANNAH DERBY October 10, 1737 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, daughter of SAMUEL DERBY and HANNAH YOUNG.  She was born 1702 in Southold, Suffolk, Long Island, New York, and died October 28, 1796 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

     

Children of MILES WARD and ELIZABETH WEBB were:

                   i.    SARAH WARD, b. October 19, 1728, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. August 10, 1729, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                  ii.    ELIZABETH WARD, b. February 07, 1728/29, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. April 11, 1737, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iii.    ABIGAIL WARD, b. April 16, 1731, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. May 22, 1731, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 iv.    ABIGAIL WARD, b. March 17, 1731/32, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                  v.    MILES WARD, b. July 25, 1733, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. September 11, 1796, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 vi.    SARAH WARD, b. March 01, 1733/34, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                vii.    ANNE WARD, b. March 22, 1734/35, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. May 02, 1737, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

               viii.    EBENEZER WARD, b. April 12, 1737, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. April 13, 1737, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

     

Children of MILES WARD and HANNAH DERBY were:

                 ix.    ELIZABETH WARD, b. July 29, 1738, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. January 20, 1806, Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. WILLIAM POOLE, October 10, 1761, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; b. April 16, 1732, Medford, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; d. March 03, 1776, Danvers, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                  x.    SAMUEL WARD, b. April 30, 1740, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. July 31, 1812, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. PRISCILLA HODGES, January 02, 1768, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; b. Abt. 1750; d. June 02, 1822, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

                 xi.    MEHITABLE WARD, b. March 18, 1740/41, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. October 24, 1755.

                xii.    ANNE WARD, b. May 11, 1744, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

               xiii.    NATHANIEL WARD, b. July 29, 1746, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. October 12, 1768, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.

               xiv.    LUCRETIA WARD, b. August 26, 1748, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. September 12, 1809, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; m. JOSEPH OSGOOD, June 14, 1770, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 26, 1812.

                xv.    MARY WARD, b. October 1750.

               xvi.    JOSHUA WARD, b. October 25, 1752, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. October 24, 1784, "On his passage from Virginia on board Capt. Neal's vessel."; m. RUTH WOODWARD, June 02, 1773, Gloucester, Essex Co., Massachusetts; d. June 05, 1787, Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.