Colonial Burial Ground, Salisbury Massachusetts (MA)

In memory of
Major Robert Pike
1616 - 1706
one of the first settlers of Salisbury
A leader in civil and military affairs
he stood far in advance of his time
having the wisdom and courage
to proclaim witchcraft a delusion
and to advocate religious freedom

His name is included in the monument dedicated to the first ministers of Salisbury.

He was a judge who presided at the Essex County Quarterly Courts held in Ipswich along with Maj. Nathaniel Saltonstall, Esq., Maj. Samuel Appleton, Esq. and Bartholomew Gedney

June 28th 1689 Robert Pike received a letter from Richard Martyn, William Vaughn, Richard Waldron Jr., Samuel Wentworth and Benjamin Hull notifying him of the massacre at Cocheco (Dover, NH) with a request that he write the Governor in Boston. He wrote the following letter:
"To the much Honored Syman Bradstreet, Esq., Governor, and the Honorable Council now sitting at Boston, these present with all speed—Haste, post Haste":—
SALISBURY, 28th June, (about noon) 1689.
Much Honored:—After due respect, these are only to give your honours the sad accounts of the last night's providence at Cocheco, as by the enclosed, the particulars whereof are awful. The only wise God, who is the keeper that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth is pleased to permit what is done. Possibly it may be either better or worse than this account renders it. As soon as I get more intelligence, I shall, God willing, speed it to your honours, praying for speedy order or advice in so solemn a case. I have dispatched the intelligence to other towns with advice to look to yurselves. I shall not be wanting to serve in what I may. Should have waited on your honours now, had I been well. Shall not now come except by you commanded, till this bustle be abated. That the only wise God may direct all your weighty affairs, is the prayer of your honours' most humble servant, ROBERT PIKE."

Salisbury Deaths: Pike, Robert, Maj. Dec. 12, 1706 n. ct. bk. 42

Major Robert Pike was an associate of the court and a judge on several occasions held at Hampton and Salisbury during the 1670's and 1680's. 36

Robert Pike is my 10th great grandfather.

A genealogy link for Robert Pike.

Another genealogy link for Robert Pike.

According to some sources, he wrote a letter to Judge Jonathan Corwin questioning the use of spectral evidence in the Salem Witch Trials.

Books

Loyal Dissenter: The Life and Times of Robert Pike


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In memory of Major Robert Pike 1616 - 1706 one of the first settlers of Salisbury A leader in civil and military affairs he stood far in advance of his time having the wisdom and courage to proclaim witchcraft a delusion and to advocate religious freedom His name is included in the monument dedicated to the first ministers of Salisbury. He was a judge who presided at the Essex County Quarterly Courts held in Ipswich along with Maj. Nathaniel Saltonstall, Esq., Maj. Samuel Appleton, Esq. and Bartholomew Gedney June 28th 1689 Robert Pike received a letter from Richard Martyn, William Vaughn, Richard Waldron Jr., Samuel Wentworth and Benjamin Hull notifying him of the massacre at Cocheco (Dover, NH) with a request that he write the Governor in Boston. He wrote the following letter: "To the much Honored Syman Bradstreet, Esq., Governor, and the Honorable Council now sitting at Boston, these present with all speed—Haste, post Haste":— SALISBURY, 28th June, (about noon) 1689. Much Honored:—After due respect, these are only to give your honours the sad accounts of the last night's providence at Cocheco, as by the enclosed, the particulars whereof are awful. The only wise God, who is the keeper that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth is pleased to permit what is done. Possibly it may be either better or worse than this account renders it. As soon as I get more intelligence, I shall, God willing, speed it to your honours, praying for speedy order or advice in so solemn a case. I have dispatched the intelligence to other towns with advice to look to yurselves. I shall not be wanting to serve in what I may. Should have waited on your honours now, had I been well. Shall not now come except by you commanded, till this bustle be abated. That the only wise God may direct all your weighty affairs, is the prayer of your honours' most humble servant, ROBERT PIKE." Salisbury Deaths: Pike, Robert, Maj. Dec. 12, 1706 n. ct. bk. 42 Major Robert Pike was an associate of the court and a judge on several occasions held at Hampton and Salisbury during the 1670's and 1680's. 36 Robert Pike is my 10th great grandfather. A genealogy link for Robert Pike. Another genealogy link for Robert Pike. According to some sources, he wrote a letter to Judge Jonathan Corwin questioning the use of spectral evidence in the Salem Witch Trials. Books Loyal Dissenter: The Life and Times of Robert Pike Copyright © 2001 - 2005, Jenn Marcelais. a Soul Oyster Web Studios production. Web Site Design, Development, and Innovation