John Proctor was a farmer and landowner who lived in Salem Village, Massachusetts, during the Salem Witch Trials. He was accused of witchcraft and hanged in 1692.
Proctor was born in England in 1632. He immigrated to Massachusetts in 1640 and settled in Salem Village. He married Elizabeth Bassett in 1657, and they had eight children.
Also Read: Salem Witch Trials Timeline
Proctor was a successful farmer and landowner. He was also a member of the local militia and a church deacon. He was known for his strong religious beliefs and his outspokenness.
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In 1692, Proctor was accused of witchcraft by several young girls in Salem Village. He was arrested and put on trial. He was found guilty and hanged on August 19, 1692.
His death was a turning point since he held much influence. His wife survived, as did the baby she had after his execution.
Family Overview
Obviously, the most common ancestor known for John was his third wife, Elizabeth, who was convicted and imprisoned.
However, she was the third wife, and John already had an extensive family by the time of their marriage.
He had already amassed a fortune building on his father's wealth.
He had many children, which would provide him with many descendants. Unfortunately, his wealth was destroyed after his death. It was ransacked before his execution, which was probably to the delight of Samuel Parris and Thomas Putnam, who seemed to be behind every execution.
His children would go on to have many children, and the Proctor name would live on for many generations.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
John Proctor Sr. (1594 - 1672) - He migrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony with his wife and children. He would become a wealthy landowner and would pass much on to his son.
Martha Harper (1607 - 1672) - She married and migrated with her husband. She had many children that would populate the new colony.
Spouse:
Martha Giddens (1632 - 1659) - She was married to John Proctor from 1653 until her death in childbirth in 1659. They had four children.
Elizabeth Thorndike (1641 - 1672) - There is not much known of her except that she and her husband had many children together. She is often mistaken for John's second husband, who was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.
Elizabeth Bassett (1647 - 1703) - She married John Proctor in 1657, and they had seven children. Elizabeth was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials and was imprisoned for several months. She was released after her husband's death, but she never fully recovered from the ordeal. She eventually remarried and died around 1703.
Children:
Martha Proctor (1657 - 1658) - She was the first child born to young John and his wife, but she did not survive long.
Mary Proctor (1657) - She died as an infant
John Proctor (1658) - He died as an infant
Benjamin Proctor (1659 - 1720) - He was the only surviving son of his father's first marriage. He lived, married, and had four children. Benjamin ran the extensive farm properties in Ipswich and Salem with his father while his eldest half-sister Elizabeth and other children ran the family's tavern. He helped get the charges on his father reversed posthumously.
Elizabeth Proctor (1663 - 1736) - She was the first daughter born in John's second marriage. She was instrumental in the progress of her family prior to the trials.
Martha Proctor (1665) - Died as an infant
Martha Proctor (1666 - 1711) - She survived the next year and would grow up to marry and have children.
Mary Proctor (1667 - 1668) - Died as an infant
Mary Proctor (1670 - 1694) - She was only 24 years of age when she died. She married and possibly had children.
Thorndike Proctor (1672 - 1758) - His mother died during childbirth, and he would be the last surviving of his siblings from his mother. He lived until the age of 85, when he died with five children and many grandchildren.
William Proctor (1675 - 1756) - He was the oldest son of John and Elizabeth (Bassett) Proctor. Both his parents were convicted of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. His father was one of those executed, and his mother only escaped that fate because she was pregnant at the time. William himself was accused and imprisoned for witchcraft. He was eventually released without trial.
Sarah Proctor (1676 - 1739) - She married and had at least one child. She had to endure the death of her father and the accusation of her mother and brother during the Salem Witch Trials.
Samuel Proctor (1685 - 1765) - He was only seven years old when his father and mother were accused of witchcraft. He lived until the age of 80 and had four children.
Elisha Proctor (1687 - 1688) - She died within the first year of her life.
Abigail Proctor (1689 - 1695) - She died at a young age.
Joseph Proctor (unknown) - Details of his life are muddled. He possibly married and lived a decent life with many children.
John Proctor (1693 - 1774) - He was born while in prison, and it was his pregnancy that probably kept his mother from being executed. He married and had at least one child.