Timothy Swan
Timothy Swan
Died February
ye 2 1692/3 & in
ye 30 year of
His Age
Timothy Swan
Timothy Swan
Died February
ye 2 1692/3 & in
ye 30 year of
His Age
It is interesting to note that the grave of Timothy Swan is located
some distance away from the graves of family members.
The following is courtesy of the Salem Witch Museum site:
The peculiar notation of dates on these gravestones is worth mentioning.
In the seventeenth century, England and her colonies officially began the
New Year on March 25. The last day of the year fell on March 24. Around
1690, an impetus arose to adopt the Gregorian calendar and begin the New
Year on January 1 instead of March 25. Consequently, dates in January,
February, and early March during this time were often given fractional
notations, such as 1692/3: still 1692 under the old calendar but under
the new calendar already 1693. January 1 was not officially made the first
day of the year in English North America until 1752.
Salem Witch Museum, Washington Square Salem, Massachusetts 01970