Photo: the Wolfe Tavern & Hotel, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Courtesy of James Zafris of Newburyport.

The Swindling Wolf of Wolfe Tavern

By Melissa Berry on March 31, 2023

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry writes about a brazen swindler who once stayed at her ancestor’s Wolfe Tavern & Hotel... (Read More)

Photo: portrait of Judge Samuel Putnam from “Chronicles of Danvers (Old Salem Village] Massachusetts, 1632-1923,” Harriet Sylvia Tapley, 1923, page 66.

A Spooky Real-Life Murder Mystery, Part IV

By Melissa Berry on November 8, 2021

Melissa Berry concludes her story about a murder that happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1830 and shocked the country, focusing on the murder trial... (Read More)

Illustration: a portrait of Captain Joseph White. Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum; photo taken by staff member Ben Arlander.

A Spooky Real-Life Murder Mystery, Part III

By Melissa Berry on November 2, 2021

Melissa Berry continues her story about a murder that happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1830 and shocked the country, focusing on the trial... (Read More)

Illustration: image of the murder of Captain Joseph White from "Trials of Capt. Joseph J. Knapp, Jr. and George Crowninshield, Esq. for the murder of Capt. Joseph White of Salem, on the night of the sixth of April 1830." Charles Elms, 1830, page 20.

A Spooky Real-Life Murder Mystery for Halloween, Part II

By Melissa Berry on October 28, 2021

In this article, Melissa Berry continues her story about a spooky murder mystery that happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1830 and shocked the country... (Read More)

Photo: Gardner-Pingree House, 128 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts. Image from the Frank Cousins Collection, Phillips Library, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. Courtesy of Digital Commonwealth.

A Spooky Real-Life Murder Mystery for Halloween, Part I

By Melissa Berry on October 26, 2021

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry writes about a spooky murder mystery that happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1830 and shocked the country... (Read More)

Photo: Belleville Church, Massachusetts, built in 1867. Credit: Museum of Old Newbury, Christopher Snow collection.

Leonard Choate: Newburyport’s Infamous Arsonist, Part III

By Melissa Berry on April 13, 2021

Melissa Davenport Berry concludes her story about a 19th century arsonist who ravaged Newburyport, Massachusetts – and how he was finally caught... (Read More)

Leonard Choate: Newburyport’s Infamous Arsonist, Part II

By Melissa Berry on April 9, 2021

Melissa Davenport Berry continues her story about a 19th century arsonist who ravaged Newburyport, Massachusetts – and how he was finally caught... (Read More)

Photo: Leonard Choate's childhood home, 3 Oakland Street, Newburyport, Massachusetts. Credit: Mary Jane Stirgwolt; Historic Commission.

Leonard Choate: Newburyport’s Infamous Arsonist

By Melissa Berry on April 7, 2021

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry writes about a 19th century arsonist who ravaged Newburyport, Massachusetts – and how he was finally caught... (Read More)

Photo: state historical marker at the old jail, Bellville, Texas. Credit: Djmaschek; Wikimedia Commons.

A Family History Story: The Killing of Moses Chatham

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on February 5, 2021

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about tracking down the truth of family stories about one of her ancestors... (Read More)

Tag: Crime and Criminals