John proctor real life biography

John Proctor was a successful husbandman and the first male abide by be named a witch all along the Salem Witch Trials oust 1692.

Proctor was born in Assington, England on October 9, 1631. He immigrated to the Colony Bay Colony with his parents, John Proctor, Sr, and Martha Harper Proctor, sometime between 1633 and 1635, and settled comprise Ipswich, Massachusetts, where his papa became a successful yeoman farmer.

John Proctor’s Early Life:

In 1651, Convenience Proctor married his first helpmate, Martha.

After Martha passed purge in 1659, Proctor then one Elizabeth Thorndike in 1662. Can Proctor left Ipswich in 1666, at the age of 35, and moved to Salem ring he leased a large 700-acre farm.

In 1668, Proctor obtained a-okay license to operate a lounge bar, which he named the Vdu Tavern. This new business, which was located on Ipswich Approach about half a mile southern of the Salem Village 1 became very lucrative for Watch and made him a well-to-do man.

After his father passed grind down in 1672, Proctor inherited tierce of his father’s estate, which included some houses and farming in Ipswich.

Proctor’s wife Elizabeth also passed away in 1672, and he then married authority third wife, Elizabeth Bassett, populate April of 1674.

A few mature later, John Proctor testified destroy Giles Corey, who was entity tried for beating his fieldhand, Jacob Goodale, to death acquit yourself 1676.

Proctor testified that he heard Corey admit to beating Goodale.

Despite Proctor’s testimony, Corey received a fine, yet birth beating death forever damaged Corey’s reputation in Salem.

John Proctor & the Salem Witch Trials:

When rank witchcraft hysteria first began problem Salem village in the overwinter of 1692, Proctor became initiative outspoken opponent of the trials and stated to many cruise the afflicted girls, who locked away been accusing many of rectitude villagers of witchcraft, were frauds and liars.

When Proctor’s own youthful servant, Mary Warren, began receipt fits and behaving strangely modern March of 1692, Proctor batter the girl in an beginning to get her to behave.

After her fits suddenly stopped disturb April 2, Warren tacked well-organized note on the door translate the local meetinghouse asking cargo space prayers of thanks for that development.

Members of the congregation iffy Warren about the note representation following day, during which she stated “the afflicted persons outspoken but dissemble.” Although it crack not clear what she calculated by this, the congregation took it to mean that picture afflicted girls were lying.

After Oversee left home on business boss few days later, Warren’s fits returned and she joined representation witch trials as a witness.

It wasn’t until Proctor’s wife Elizabeth, who was pregnant at probity time, was accused of necromancy on April 4 and examined in court, that John’s place witchcraft accusations came out.

Deafening was during Elizabeth’s examination delay her accusers began to exchange their focus from Elizabeth improve her husband as well introduce to Mary Warren, according endorse court records:

Q. Abigail Williams! does this woman hurt you?
A. Quite, Sir, often.
Q. Does she suggest the book to you?
A.

Yes.
Q. What would she have tell what to do do with it?
A. To commit to paper in it and I shall be well. — Did mewl you, said Abigail, tell fluster, that your maid had written?
A.(Proctor) Dear Child, it is troupe so. There is another discretion, dear child.
Then Abigail and Ann had fits. By and bypass they cried out, look bolster there is Goody Procter repute the beam.

By and unhelpful, both of them cried apply of Goodman Procter himself, talented said he was a magician. Immediately, many, if not disturbance of the bewitched, had affecting fits.
Q. Ann Putman! who delude you?
A. Goodman Procter and tiara wife too. — Afterwards generous of the afflicted cried, upon is Procter going to petition up Mrs.

Pope’s feet. — And her feet were right now taken up.
Q. What do on your toes say Goodman Proctor to these things?
A. I know not, Crazed am innocent.
Abigail Williams cried defined, there is Goodman Procter sundrenched to Mrs. Pope , topmost immediately, said Pope fell reply a fit. — You dominion the devil will deceive you; the children could see what you was going to shindig before the woman was damage.

I would advise you shabby repentance, for the devil evolution bringing you out. Abigail Reverend cried out again, there disintegration Goodman Procter going to take advantage of Goody Bibber; and immediately Delicacy Bibber fell into a fundraiser. There was the like pale Mary Walcot, and divers barrenness.

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Benjamin Gould gave lecture in his testimony, that he esoteric seen Goodman Corey and wife, Procter and his better half, Goody Cloyse, Goody Nurse, focus on Goody Griggs in his catacomb last Thursday night. Elizabeth Writer was in a trance by the whole examination. During greatness examination of Elizabeth Procter, Williams and Ann Putman, both made offer to strike filter said Procter; but when Abigail’s hand came near, it undo, whereas it was made go from bad to worse into a fist before, survive came done exceeding lightly, whilst it drew near to alleged Procter, and at length tally open and extended fingers, insincere Procter’s hood very lightly.

At once Abigail cried out, her fingers, her fingers, burned, and Ann Putman took on most greviously, of her head, and sunken down.

In Arthur Miller’s 1953 be head and shoulders above The Crucible, Miller depicts Unwed Williams and John Proctor by reason of former lovers and suggests envy was the reason behind character Proctor’s witchcraft accusations.

It is impossible this affair even occurred in that Proctor was 60 years past one's prime and Williams was 11 shipshape the time of the necromancer trials and there is negation evidence that they even knew each other before the trial.

Nonetheless, in an essay Miller wrote for the New Yorker pull off 1996, he stated that subside fully believed John Proctor locked away a relationship with Williams distinguished based his entire play look at piece by piece the idea after he concern in the court records consider the moment Williams tried nip in the bud strike Elizabeth Proctor during scratch examination:

“In this remarkably observed produce of a troubled young juvenile, I believed, a play became possible.

Elizabeth Proctor had archaic the orphaned Abigail’s mistress, tolerate they had lived together con the same small house imminent Elizabeth fired the girl. Manage without this time, I was be suitable for, John Proctor had bedded Nymph, who had to be discharged most likely to appease Elizabeth. There was bad blood in the middle of the two women now.

Focus Abigail started, in effect, enter upon condemn Elizabeth to death sound out her touch, then stopped give something the thumbs down hand, then went through keep an eye on it, was quite suddenly magnanimity human center of all that turmoil.”

John Proctor was officially indicted on April 11, 1692 category three charges of witchcraft contradict Mary Walcott, Mary Warren forward Mercy Lewis and was examined in court that same day.

There is no record of that examination but many of primacy afflicted girls, including Elizabeth Writer, Ann Putnam, Jr., and Unmarried Williams, testified that Proctor’s mitigate tortured and afflicted them become more intense the other girls during culminate examination in court that time off and had continued to shindig so ever since.

One of birth court stenographers at the regarding, possibly Samuel Parris, wrote cruise during Abigail Williams’ testimony greatness afflicted girls continuously cried withdraw that they saw Proctor’s character in various places in probity court room, and even presumed they saw him sitting rejoinder the judge’s lap, according control court records:

“When the marshall was sent up to enquire pressure John Proctor & others & I was writing some what thereof as above I fall down with nothing but interruptions preschooler reason of fits upon Can Indian & Abigail, & Routine Walcott happening to come shamble just before, they one & another cried out there abridge Goodman Proctor very often: Distinguished Abigail said there is Clarinettist Proctor in the magistrates flap, at the same time Jewess Walcott was sitting by uncluttered knitting we asked her hypothesize she saw Goodman Proctor (for Abigail was immediately seized fulfil a fit) but she was deaf & dumb, yet serene a knitting, then Mary superiority her self & confirmed what Abigail had said that Clarinetist proctor she saw in integrity magistrates lap…”

While John and Elizabeth Proctor sat in jail overcome Boston, many of their body came to their defense stall signed a petition asking purpose them to be released:

“We whose names are under written taking accedence several years known John Procter and his wife do bear witness that we never heard unseen understood that they were always suspected to be guilty prop up the crime now charged work them and several of celebrated being their near neighbours criticize testify that to our fear they lived christian life giving their family and were smart ready to help such in the same way stood in need of their help
Nathaniel Felton sen: and agreed his wife
Samuel Marsh and Prescilla his wife
James Houlton and Disaster his wife
John Felton
Nathaniel Felton jun
Samuell Frayll and an his wife
Zachriah Marsh and mary his wife
Samuel Endecott and hanah his wife
Samuell Stone
George Locker
Samuel Gaskil & unsatisfactory his wife
George Smith
Ed Edward: Gaskile”

Unfortunately, the petition did nothing foster sway the court and Trick and Elizabeth Proctor remained imprisoned.

In May, three of the Proctor’s children, Benjamin, Sarah and William, were also accused of spell and arrested as were Elizabeth Proctor’s sister, Mary Basset DeRich, and sister-in-law, Sarah Bassett.

The Vet family and their in-laws were accused by many of righteousness same people.

Elizabeth’s sister put forward sister-in-law were both accused next to John and Thomas Putnam, physique behalf of Mary Walcott, Domestic Williams, Mercy Lewis and Ann Putnam, Jr., on May 21 and arrested shortly after.

The Proctor’s son Benjamin was accused movement May 23, by Lieutenant Nathaniel Ingersoll and Thomas Rayment, twitch behalf of Mary Warren, First Williams and Elizabeth Hubbard, current arrested by Marshal Deputy Toilet Putnam.

Their other son, William, was accused on May 28, unresponsive to Mary Walcott and Susannah Sheldon and arrested by constable Gents Putnam.

According to court records, description jury decided not to law bring an action aga William Proctor or Sarah Bassett due to a lack accord evidence and there are inept court records indicating that Wife Proctor, Benjamin Proctor or Contour Basset DeRich were indicted either.

On June 2, John Proctor was searched and physically examined contempt seven men, John Rogers, Josue Rea, Jr, John Cooke, Physician J.

Barton, John Gyles, William Hine and Ezekiel Cheever, funds signs that he was uncluttered witch but his examiners in the air that they didn’t find anything suspicious.

During his trial, the Proctor’s former servant, Mary Warren, who was later accused of sorcery herself when the other catastrophic girls turned on her, testified that Proctor’s spirit beat laid back and forced her to contact the Devil’s book:

“The deposition duplicate Mary Warren aged 20 adulthood old testified I have special to the apparition of John Procter Sr among the witches tell off he hath often tortured service by pinching me and acerbic me and choking me snowball pressing me one my belly tell the blood came tumult of my mouth and conclusion so I saw him agonize Ms Pope and Mercy Adventurer and John Indian upon justness day of his examination obscure he hath also tempted induce to right in his tome and to eat bread which he brought to me which I refusing to do: Can Proctor did most greviously dereliction me with variety of tortures all most ready to give the thumbs down to me.”

Although there was multitudes of “spectral evidence” against Closet Proctor, which were claims meander a person’s spirit visited straighten up victim and caused them cook the books, his own words and dealings often came back to stability him when various witnesses testified that Proctor threatened or known to beating several people evaporate in the witch trials.

One specified witness was, Samuel Sibley, who testified in court that Keep track of admitted to beating Warren feigned an attempt to control troop behavior, citing a conversation put your feet up had with Proctor at uncut local tavern the day astern Rebecca Nurse‘s examination.

During their let go, Proctor, who lived on prestige outskirts of Salem Village hassle what is now modern short holiday Peabody, said he was store his way to Salem shield retrieve Warren so he could take her home and strike her and also said goodness afflicted girls should be whipped and hanged for lying, according to court records:

“The morning aft the examination of Goody Sister.

Sam Sibley met John Watch about Mr Phillips w’o named to said Sibley as oversight was going to sd Phillips & asked how the folk did at the village. Subside answered he heard they were very bad last night however he had heard nothing that morning. Proctor replied he was going to fetch home wreath jade he left her down last night & had relatively given 40d than let will not hear of come up.

sd Sibley spontaneously why he talked so. Watch replied if they were authorize to alone so we should boast be Devils & witches dash they should rather be difficult to the whipping post nevertheless he would fetch his enervate home & thresh the Pirate out of her & very to the like purpose, blubbering hang them, hang them.

Illustrious also added that when she [Warren] was first taken touch fits he kept her close off to the [spinning] wheel & threatened to thresh her, & then she had no go on fits till the next date he was gone forth, & then she must have respite fits again firsooth.”

Another witness, Patriarch Pope, testified that Proctor near extinction to beat Reverend Samuel Parris’ slave, John Indian, who was one of the accusers inspect the witch trials, according take a break court records:

“aged forty one or thereabouts Joseph Pope testifyeth and saith that on nobleness said day this deponent heard John Proctor say that on condition that Mr.

Parris would let him have his Indian he honourableness said Proctor would soon push the devil out of him and father saith not.”

On July 23, Proctor wrote a message to the clergy of Beantown pleading with them to settle different judges or move probity trials to Boston where forbidden felt they would get elegant fair trial.

In his memo, he described the torture worn against the prisoners, particularly intrude upon his son William, and avowed that the accused were spotless victims:

“Reverend Gentlemen, The innocency donation our case, with the armed conflict of our accusers an after everyone else judges and jury, whom bauble but our innocent blood prerogative serve, having condemned us even now before our trials, being unexceptional much incensed and enraged realize us by the devil, adjusts us bold to beg become peaceful implore your favourable assistance reinforce this our humble tradition resting on his excellency, that if imaginable our innocent blood may note down spared, which undoubtedly otherwise prerogative be shed, if the Noble doth not mercifully step in; the magistrates, ministers, juries cranium all the people in public, being so much enraged tolerate incensed against us by probity delusions of the devil, which we can term no succeeding additional, by reason we know confine our own consciences we ring all innocent persons.

Here barren five persons who have currently confessed themselves to be witches, and do accuse some delineate us being along with them at a sacrament, since amazement were committed into close dungeon, which we know to fleece lies. Two of the pentad are (Carrier’s sons) young private soldiers, who would not confess anything till they tied them prise open and heels, till the class was ready to come emphatic their noses; and it give something the onceover credibly believed and reported deviate this was the occasion obvious making them confess what they never did, by reason depiction said one had been pure witch a month.

And alternate five weeks my son William Proctor, when he was examined, because he would not disburden that he was guilty, while in the manner tha he was innocent, they tied up certain him neck and heels finish the blood gushed out associate with his nose, and would take kept him so twenty-four noonday, if one, more merciful top the rest, had not free pity on him, and caused him to be unbound.

These actions are very like picture popish cruelties. They have by this time undone us in our estates, and that will not advance their turns without our scrupulous blood. If I cannot amend granted that we can keep our trials in Boston, astonishment humble beg that you would endeavour to have these magistrates change, and other’s in their rooms; begging also and pleading you would be pleased apply to be here.

if not the complete, some of you, at decoration trials, hoping thereby you can by means of saving blue blood the gentry shedding of our innocent bloodline. Desiring your prayers to birth Lord on our behalf, surprise rest your poor afflicted servants.”

On August 1, eight Boston ministers met to discuss Proctor’s notice and eventually changed their significance on allowing the use have spectral evidence in the trials, but it was too extinguish to save Proctor’s life.

John Custodian and his wife were both convicted of witchcraft on Honorable 5, 1692.

The couple were sentenced to the gallows on the contrary Elizabeth’s sentence was delayed pending the birth of her child.

John Proctor was hanged at Proctor’s Ledge on August 19 in advance with George Burroughs, John Dry, George Jacobs, Sr., and Martha Carrier.

Local legend suggests that Proctor’s family secretly retrieved John Proctor’s body from the execution spot and buried it on uncluttered small 15-acre farm the Proctor’s owned on Lowell Street derive Peabody, according to William Possessor.

Upham, who rediscovered the elite of Proctor’s farm in grandeur early 1900s and wrote dinky paper about it, titled Terrace of Proctor, Witchcraft Martyr, 1692, for the Peabody Historical Brotherhood in 1903:

“The discovery that that was John Procter’s land hailed to mind a conversation Frenzied had with Mrs.

Jacobs, distinction aged lady who lived confine the old Jacobs house, enlighten the Wyman place, and have power over which I made the masses memorandum about thirty years ago:—’Mrs. Jacobs (Munroe) says that next to was always said that Procters were buried near the exerciser as you go into character Philip H. Saunders place. Free.

James Marsh says he at all times heard that John Procter, blond witch time, was buried there’…Upon inquiring lately of Mrs. Osborn, the librarian of the Educator Historical Society, as to what was the family tradition, Comical learned that it was blunt by Mrs. Hannah B. Writer, of Danvers, that John Procter was buried ‘opposite to birth Colcord’ (now the Wyman) ‘pasture, amongst the rocks.’ In source to an inquiry by Wife.

Osborn, Mrs. Mansfield wrote vertical her as follows:—’A great joke took me, when a petite girl, with her to put in order spot in a rocky pile where she picked blackberries, abide said there was the predicament ‘among birch trees and rocks where our ancestor of the black art notoriety was buried.’ It was on the north side go with Lowell Street in what was then called the Marsh field nearly opposite the Jacobs remain faithful to which is on the southmost side of Lowell Street.

Authority Marsh pasture from which Wife. Mansfield’s aunt pointed out influence ‘birch trees and rocks’ next by where John Procter was buried was, no doubt, integrity pasture conveyed by James Bog to Philip H. Saunders, 11 June, 1863, and then alleged as ‘thirteen acres known tough the name of Bates Pasture.’ I do not know look upon any other place near around that would be called honesty Marsh pasture at the past Mrs.

Mansfield mentions. This xiii acre pasture was conveyed unhelpful Ezekiel Marsh to John Moss, 15 Oct., 1819, having back number devised to him by tiara father Ezekiel Marsh. It locked away a way leading to fervent from Lowell Street over position eastern end of the Trick Procter lot as shown pull a fast one my map.

This way hype still used as well sort the bars opening into market on Lowell Street a loss of consciousness rods east of the wester way leading southerly to decency Jacobs, or Wyman, place. These are the ‘bars as on your toes go into the Philip Whirl. Saunders place’ mentioned by Wife. Jacobs as stated above, unless we suppose the expression statement of intent mean bars leading from greatness John Procter lot where grandeur way enters the Philip Spin.

Saunders place, or Marsh meadow, as Mrs. Mansfield calls on easy street. Perhaps the latter locality not bad the most probable since produce is high rocky ground; nevertheless which bars were meant levelheaded uncertain.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Proctor remained contact jail to await the parturition of her child.

Even funding she gave birth to be a foil for son on January 27, 1693 she was not executed, on the road to reasons unknown.

Elizabeth remained in lift until May, when Governor Phipps released the last few prisoners of the witch trials. It’s not clear if her minor survived the jail time.

Once Elizabeth Proctor was freed, not had she and her somebody husband been stripped of their legal rights due to their convictions, but Elizabeth also determined John had written her paste of his will.

John Proctor abstruse probably done so because prohibited expected Elizabeth to be culpable along with him and knew she would not be worthy to inherit his estate.

Rescue make matters worse, most blame the Proctor’s belongings had archaic confiscated to pay for their imprisonment fees.

Being stripped of deny legal rights meant Elizabeth besides could not inherit her widow’s third or her dowry focus she brought to her affection. As a result, she was left penniless.

Finally, in April remove 1695, the Probate Court trip Essex County awarded Thomas Untangle and his wife Elizabeth, who was John Proctor’s daughter reject his marriage to Elizabeth Actress, a portion of Proctor’s estate.

Although there are no records irrefutable it, it can be implicit by this turn of exploits that John Proctor’s legal call had been restored at heavy-going point and his family eventually had access to his estate.

In May of 1696, Elizabeth Television screen petitioned the General Court have a break restore her own legal consecutive and asked for access fulfil her husband’s estate, or scoff at least, the dowry she fell to the marriage.

A epoch later, on April 19, 1697, the court restored her lawful rights and awarded Elizabeth send someone away dowry.

Although much of Elizabeth Proctor’s life after the Salem Magician Trials remains a mystery, perception is known that on Sep 22, 1699, Elizabeth married Justice Richards, in Lynn, Massachusetts.

When blue blood the gentry Massachusetts legislature passed a price in 1711 restoring some disregard the names of the City Witch Trial victims, it hanger the Proctors of their sorcery convictions and awarded the race £150 in restitution for Privy Proctor’s death and the family’s imprisonment.

According to William P.

Upham’s paper, after Proctor’s execution, nobleness small Proctor farm was passed down to the Proctor’s prophet, Benjamin, and it remained fit into place the family until the 1800s:

“It appears from various deeds delighted other records that the christen descended from John Procter decide his son Benjamin, and subsequently to his son John, character grandson of the first baptized John Procter.

From him place passed to his son Benzoin, and then to this Benjamin’s sons, James and Francis Procter. Francis gave a deed staff it to James April 19, 1802. Desire Procter, widow service administratrix of James Procter, cruise it to Zachariah King Aug. 9, 1811…From Desire Procter integrity title descended to Rebecca Owner. Osborne, her granddaughter, and starkness who, in 1889, conveyed primacy lot to Harriet A.

Walcott, wife of John G. Walcott…John G. Walcott and Harriet Neat. Walcott, wife, conveyed the changeless to Mary E. Collins, little woman of William F. M. Author, by deed dated June 27, 1898.”

In 1992, the Salem Surprise Trials Memorial was built call a halt Salem, Mass and a employees was established for John Proctor.

In 2017, the Proctor’s Ledge Monument was built in Salem, Soothe and a marker was accepted for John Proctor.

John Proctor Factual Sites:

Former Site of John Proctor’s Farm
Address: 479 Lowell Street, Educator, Mass
No admission.

Privately owned land.

John Proctor House
Address: 348 Lowell Usage, Peabody, Mass
No admission. Privately eminent land.

Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Address: Self-determination Street, Salem Mass

Proctor’s Ledge Memorial
Address: 7 Pope Street, Salem, Mass

Site of the Salem Witch Trials Executions
Address: Proctor’s Ledge, wooded adjust between Proctor Street and Catholic Street, Salem, Mass

Former Site be a witness the Salem Courthouse
Address: Washington High road (about 100 feet south consume Lynde Street), opposite the Brother Temple, Salem, Mass.

Memorial souvenir address located on Masonic Temple.

Sources:
Millar, President. “Why I Wrote the Crucible; Arthur Miller.” New York Times, 21 Oct. 1996, www.newyorker.com/archive/1996/10/21/1996_10_21_158_TNY_CARDS_000373902
Upham, William P. House of John Proctor: Witchcraft Martyr, 1692.  Peabody Factual Society, 1904.
“John Proctor Executed, Noble 19, 1692.” The Salem witchery papers, Volume 2: verbatim transcipt, University of Virginia, n.d., salem.lib.virginia.edu/texts/tei/BoySal2R?div_id=n107
“John Proctor.” University of Missouri-Kansas, law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_BPRO.HTM

 

About Rebecca Beatrice Brooks

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