John & Elizabeth Proctor

1. John & Elizabeth Proctor Jaime Fitzgerald Ms. DelGrego English E October 16th, 2012

2. John Proctor Jr. • John Jr. was born in England, he and his parents immigrated to Ipswich which is located in New England. • His father’s name was John as well. • His mother was Martha Proctor.

3. John Proctor’s Birth and Death • John Proctor Jr. was born October 9th, 1631. • He was executed on August 19th, 1692, at age 60. • He was the first male ever to be accused of witchcraft and also executed in a witch hunt.

4. Religion • John Proctor Jr. was well respected and grew up as a very religious man, having close connections with a Quaker community in Essex County. • Proctor was considered by many, “a most honest, upright, honorable and sincere Christian”. (Smith 1) • Both he and Elizabeth were respected by the church and the community; although John did have a strong hatred toward Reverend Parris.

5. John’s Education • John received his education in Ipswich. • He was “a man of good estates” possessing a large farm known as the Downing farm which he purchased with his wife Elizabeth in Ipswich. • When John was younger he helped his father maintain their farm.

6. Marriage • John Proctor Jr. married three times having a total of 12 children. • His second wife, Elizabeth Bassett Proctor, was also accused of witchcraft along with her husband in 1692. • John and Elizabeth had three children together, Benjamin, William, and Elizabeth, who were, as well, all accused of witchcraft.

7. John and Elizabeth’s Lifestyle • John opened up a tavern one mile south of the Salem Village Boundary. • Elizabeth took care of the children and the tavern. • The Proctor’s would attend church daily in Salem; they sat in the 4th row of seats in the church.

8. Elizabeth Bassett Proctor • Elizabeth was born April 1st, 1647 in Lynn, Massachusetts. • Her Father was Roger Bassett and her mother was Ann Holland. • Elizabeth married John Proctor Jr. at age 27, he was twenty years older than she was.

9. Elizabeth’s Education • Elizabeth only attended church school, which all of the girls were required to attend to learn how to read the bible. • Elizabeth was also taught how to care for her husband, children, and home, along with all the other women.

10. Witchcraft • In 1692 both John and Elizabeth were accused of witchcraft. • Elizabeth was set pardoned after giving birth to her child while imprisoned. • John was imprisoned and shortly after hanged because he would not admit to being a witch.

11. The Trial • The accused witchcraft trial took place on August 5th, 1692. • John was hung in front of his home and possessions along with George Jacobs, John Willard, and Martha Carrier on August 19th, 1692, as he was told due to witchcraft.

12. Why the Proctor’s May Have Been Accused • John had always been a very indiscreet, impulsive man which was the main cause of his death; he had said that the accused of witchcraft was only a scam and he did not believe in it. • Two witnesses against John Proctor Jr. were his maid, Mary Warren, and a man named Joseph Bayley. • Joseph Bayley claimed that Proctor had caused, “painful blows to the chest” as he was riding past the Proctor’s tavern one evening.

13. Elizabeth Bassett Proctor (Widow) • After the execution of her husband Elizabeth had to provide for her children on her own. She later remarried but while she was still a widow she received money from the court to help her care for her children.

14. Works Cited • http://historyofmassachusetts.org/tag/john-proctor/ (Brooks, Rebekah) • http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/sal_bpro.htm (Linder, Douglas) • http://www.houseofproctor.org/genealogy/showmedia.php?mediaID=8661 (Smith, Sarah)