| TRAGIC TIDBIT |
Three of William & Sarah's 12 children were touched by the Salem Witch Hysteria prosecution.
Their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, who married John Proctor, lost her husband and everything
they had built together. Two of her children were arrested, tortured and tried and she, herself,
was convicted and sentenced to death. Only her pregnancy prevented her execution. By the time she
had given birth, the Hysteria was over and she was not hung. William, Jr.'s wife, Sarah [Hood], was
also arrested, tortured and tried for witchcraft. Finally, William Sr. & Sarah's daughter
Mary, wife of Michael De Rich, was also arrested, tortured and tried for witchcraft. Why this family
was so plagued by this hysteria would make for an interesting investigation. The only clue I have is
William Bassett, Sr.'s signature on a petition against John Hathorne for serving strong drink. I
believe that either this John Hathorne or a near relative was the same John Hathorne who was
one of the Salem Hysteria judges.
Heinous as the Salem Witch Hysteria was, it was also a pivotal moment in Colonial history which changed American Jurisprudence to this day. Read, especially, the case of Elizabeth [Bassett] & John Proctor. Sheriff Corwin of Essex County, MA was especially sadistic in his attempts to extract "confessions" from the accused. In his letter to the Boston clergy, John Proctor describes the hog-tying of his teenage son in an attempt by Corwin to extract a confession of witchcraft from him. This was apparently not out of the ordinary for Corwin. (Legend has it that a curse was laid by Giles Corey upon anyone who holds the office of Essex County Sheriff...and enough odd events have befallen those who have done so to keep the legend alive into the 21st century.) Regardless, changes to the way juries were chosen, confessions were obtained and -- most importantly -- that one was innocent until proven guilty (instead of the traditional other way around) were implemented after this judicial monstrosity. In addition, the use of "spectral evidence" and humiliating "physical examinations" in search of marks of the devil fell out of favor in American courts after this time. I have reproduced the information and testimony below. It is a fascinating and infuriating read. If you are truly interested, be sure to download the Bassett Register Report .pdf. If you are just interested in the next direct descendant in this line, you can go right to William Bassett, Jr.'s page. |
| BIRTH & BAPTISM | William, Sr. was born in 1624 in Dorking, Surrey, England, was baptized there on 30 May 1624[2]. |
| DEATH | He died in Lynn, Essex co., MA on 31 March 1703; he was 79[2,5]. |
| MIGRATION | William emigrated in 1635 aboard the Abigail, Robert Hackwell, master. It sailed from London in mid-July. He was nine years old and the Bassett on this voyage. However, his name appears in the midst of the Burt family on the ship's manifest, leading Robert Anderson to conclude that William's mother married Hugh Burt after the death of her first husband Roger and that she and her second husband brought William with them to New England[3,4,14]. |
| EDUCATION | William was definitely given enough education to read & write. He signed not only his own will, but that of Hugh Alley in 1673. His inventory also included books[7,8]. |
| OCCUPATION | As an adult, William became a Husbandman[6] |
| MILITARY SERVICE |
He was elected Sergeant in the Lynn, Essex co., militia by 20 October 1675[8,15]
and served at that rank in Captain Joseph Gardener's company on the expedition against
the Narragansett from December 1675-February 1676, during King Philip's War[8,16].
Gardener's company fought first in The Great Swamp Fight. This battle was centered around the fort which the Narragansett had built in the Great Swamp, near what is now West Kingston, RI. The fort not only served as a base for the Narragansett people, but was also a place of refuge for any Wampanoag & Nipmuc refugees from the war with the English. Hidden agendas were revealed and frayed nerves snapped on 15 December 1675 when first a Narragansett named Stonewall John came to the English at Wickford, RI, ostensibly to sue for peace. However, he had brought with him a band of warriors who remained hidden in the woods, raising suspicions amongst the English that he was, in fact, there to assess the strength of the colonial military & fortifications. Needless to say, peace negotiations were not successful. At the same time, John Bull's garrison -- located 9 miles south of Wickford, RI - was attacked and destroyed in a Narragansett raid. Fourteen or fifteen English were killed and tensions rose further amongst the English troop. These two incidents, combined with dwindling food supplies led the English military to what they perceived as necessary action. Thus, on 19 December, with one "Indian Peter" acting as their guide under threat of hanging, they proceeded to the Narragansett fort. By virtue of what is now accepted as poor leadership by the Narragansett leader Canonchet, the fort was overrun by the English. The overcrowded conditions meant that, once the wigwams were fired, many Indians were driven to their deaths[74]. While the overall battle was an unexpected success for the English, they lost many officers in the fight -- three Captains, several Lieutenants and many other officers. One was Captain Gardener, who fell, mortally wounded, nearly at the feet of Captain Benjamin Church[74]. Regardless of these experiences, William Bassett, Sr. stayed in the militia. By 29 June 1682, William Bassett had made Quartermaster[8,17]. He had been elected Ensign by the time he served on an Essex Grand Jury on 28 November 1682[8,18]. During the King William's War -- otherwise known as the War of the Grand Alliance of England & Spain against France -- it is generally accepted that he was the "Captain William Bassett" who accompanied now Major Benjamin Church to a council of war at Scarborough, ME on 11 November 1689[8,19]. |
| CITIZENSHIP | He took the Oath of Fidelity in 1677 " 1678[8,34] and the Oath of Freeman on 18 April 1691[33]. |
| TOWN SERVICE |
He served on the Essex grand jury on 28 November 1671, 25 June 1672, 28 November 1682, 25 November 1684
and 30 June 1685[34] and performed similar service on the Petit jury on 24 June 1662, 29
November 1664, 24 November 1668, 28 June 1670, 30 November 1675, 25 June 1678 and 28 November
1682[36]. Finally, he served on the Coroner's jury on 4 December 1680[37].
William was also named as selectman in June 1673, June 1674, June 1675, September 1677, November 1678, June 1679, November 1679 and June 1681[38], served as Constable in June 1666[39] and on a committee to lay out a cartway in June of 1678[8,40]. |
| LEGAL MENTION | Beyond the public eye, William was also a trusted neighbor. He was named overseer of Christopher Linsy's will on 9 April 1669[9,10]. In addition, William was part of a group of 12 men who "...petitioned against their neighbor John Hawthorne for serving too much strong drink despite the 'advice of his friends to the contrary'..."[10,11] This John Hawthorne or a near relative with the same name was later a judge at the Salem Trials which so plagued the Bassett family. |
| RESIDENCE & REAL ESTATE |
Although he was too young to have received any land in the Lynn, Essex co., MA land grants during the
early history of the town, William did a fair amount of real estate transactions. On 1 June 1660,
William Bassett of Lynn, husbandman, with the consent of Sarah his "now wife," sold to Andrew
Mansfield, husbandman, 3 acres of meadow in Lynn, Essex co., MA[20].
In the 7 October 1661 will of his stepfather, Hugh Burt, "my son Will[iam] Bassitt" received 2 acres of salt marsh, 5 acres of upland, and "my wearing apparel"[21]. On 23 February 1664/5, William Bassett of Lynn, husbandman, and Sarah his wife sold to Allen Bread of Lynn, husbandman, 2 acres of salt marsh in Rumney Marsh, Suffolk co., MA[22]. On 29 October 1667, Edward Richards of Lynn, joiner, and Ann his wife sold to WIlliam Bassett of Lynn, husbandman, 12 acres of land, presumably in Lynn, Essex co., MA[23]. On 15 April 1675, Benjamin Chadwell of Lynn, husbandman, with the consent of Elizabeth his wife, sold to William Bassett of Lynn, husbandman, 8 acres of salt marsh in Rumney Marsh, Suffolk co., MA[24]. On 28 June 1680, Thomas Wheeler of Stonington, yeoman, sold to William Bassett, Sr. of Lynn, yeoman, 9 acres of fresh marsh, location unknown[25]. On 4 June 1685, the General Court answered a petition by William Bassett and others of Lynn, Reading, Beverly and Hingham, by granting a tract of land "in the Nipmug country, of eight miles square, for their encouragement & others that were serviuceable to the country in the late Indian War [King Philip's War]"[26,27]. As with the later government promise of "40 acres, and a mule", no settlement was made on this grant. However, in 1728 many of these petitioners were among those granted land at Narraganset Township No. 3, now Amherst, New Hampshire. William Bassett, Sr. was long dead, but his grant was claimed by 'William Bassett, grandson'[28]. On 10 July 1690, William and Sarah Bassett of Lynn sold to John Bancroft of Lynn two and a quarter acres of meadow in Lynn, Essex co., MA[29]. On 10 July 1690, William and Sarah Bassett of Lynn sold to Thomas Bancroft of Lynn 3 acres of meadow, presumably also in Lynn[30]. In a deed recorded 9 July 1691, William Bassett, Sr. of Lynn, yeoman, and Sarah his wife sold to William Bassett Jr. of Lynn, 'his son' ten acres of land in two parcels in Lynn, Essex co., MA[31].[32] |
| ESTATE |
William Bassett, Sr. wrote his will on 10 February 1701/2 and it was probated on 22 May 1703.
In it, "...'William Basset' of Lynn, being 'of good old age,' bequeathed to
'my dear and loving wife' the improvement of the whole estate during her natural life,
all moveables to be to her absolute disposal; to 'my eldest son William Bassett.' £5;
to 'my son Elisha Bassett.' 50s; to 'my son Samuell Bassett.' 50s; to 'my daughter
Elizebeth Bassett alias Richards.' 40s; to 'my daughter Sarah Ellwell.' 40s; to 'my
daughter Merriam Sandy.' 40s; to 'my daughter Mary Rich.' 40 s; to 'my daughter
Rachel Silsbe.' 40s; to 'my daughter Rebecca Bassett.' 40s; to 'my daughter Hannah
Lille.' 40s; 'my son William Bassett' sole executor..."[2,12]
"The inventory of the estate of 'William Basset of Lyn.' taken 23 April 1703, totalled £110 14s., of which £74 was real estate: 'one old house, half a barn " seven acres " half of land.' £67 10s.; and 'one piece of salt marsh lying by the beach.' £6 10s..."[2,13] |
| MARRIAGE | Before 1647 when William was 23, he married Sarah [surname not known], in Lynn, Essex co., MA[2,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,19,48,49]. Sarah died circa 1701[41]. |
| CHILDREN | 3. | i. | Elizabeth BASSETT |
Elizabeth was born circa 1647 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. On 1 April 1674 when Elizabeth
was 27, she first married John PROCTOR, in Salem, Essex co., MA[2]. As has been
widely discussed, John Procter was a good man " neighbor. Of interest to this family, John took
inventory of John Cogswell's estate on
25d:7m(September):1653 after Cogswell died on the voyage back from London.
In return, Cogswell's son, John Cogswell, III
and other Cogswell men were among the brave folks who signed a Petition For John " Elizabeth
Proctor during the 1692 Salem Witch Hysteria.
They had the following children:
In addition, they had the children from John's first marriage to Elizabeth THORNDICK/THORNDIKE: Elizabeth " John Proctor were tragic victims of the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Hysteria. John was accused of Witchcraft during the by his 20-year-old servant girl Mary Warren. It is thought that John was rather outspoken and threatened to beat and/or beat Mary when she would have one of "her fits". He was tried on 5 August 1692 and hanged on 19 August 1692. As with all of the "Salem Witches", you will not find a vital record of his death anywhere. Once executed, it was as though a convicted witch never existed. Elizabeth was also tried and condemned for witchcraft, but was not hanged because she was pregnant at the time. So, outside of losing the patriarch of the family, how did this affect the remains of the Proctor family? I assume that John's four oldest children -- Martha, 26; John, 24; Mary, 23 and Thorndike, 20 -- were married and on their own by 1692. However, John's second family suffered as "greviously" as any in this madness. The two eldest children of John " Elizabeth -- William, aged 18, and Sarah, aged 16 -- were accused and tried in their own right. In John Proctor's letter of 23 July 1692 (immediately below), describes William's tortorous "examination" in prison, where they apparently hog-tied " left him for hours in an attempt to get William to confess to being a witch. Their three younger children were Samuel, aged 7; Elisha, aged 5 and Abigail, aged 3. One can only imagine what it was like for those three children to witness their mother " father dragged away and accused of horrific things with their mother thrown in jail and their father hanged. Not to mention witnessing the visit of the sheriff described below and the almost certain ostracision in the community. In addition, to the 17th century Puritan legal mind, it made perfect sense that when a wife died, the husband simply went out and remarried and the household stayed an intact unit. However, when the husband died, the entire household was inventoried and split up either per the husband's will or per the law if he died intestate. In other words, in the event of the death of the husband, the entire household unit was splintered apart by law with the survivors left to make new lives the best they could after the estate had been divvied up amongst them. In the case of a "confessed" witch, the law was entitled to take everything. This is why Giles Corey faced the horrific fate of being pressed to death. It was not intended to be a method of execution, but one of eliciting a confession. Since Corey died without "confessing his sin of being a witch", his estate remained safely within the family's ownership. To add insult to injury, the cost of imprisonment " execution was borne by the witch's family and sometimes the judges " executioners in witch cases would even throw themselves a party on the witch's nickel. In the case of George Jacobs, Sr. (executed on 19 August 1692), his wife was forced to buy back from the Essex co. sheriff the very provisions he had impounded from her home in order for her to survive. Robert Calef, in his More Wonders Of The Invisible World [reprinted in Narratives of the New England Witchcraft Cases, ed. George Lincoln Burr (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1914; reprinted by Dover, 2002)] writes this poignant description of what happened to the Proctor family in this regard. It applies all of the families of the convicted male witches (save Giles Corey):
Thus, once released, Elizabeth Bassett Proctor had a newborn, three other children under the age of ten and two teenagers who themselves were marked by the horrors of "examination" and nothing with which to support the lot of them. As you can see in the previous paragraph, everything was gone. The property was not returned and recompense took its time in coming: In 1696, Elizabeth Proctor petitioned the General Court for return of -- at the very least -- the dower that she and John agreed to in their pre-nuptial agreement and the family was awarded £150 in 1711 as recompense for his execution and her imprisonment. From the Lynn, Essex co., MA location of her second marriage and the marriages of several of her children, I assume that Elizabeth returned to her parents' home after the nightmare of 1692. On 22 September 1699 when Elizabeth was 52, she second married Daniel RICHARDS, in Lynn, Essex co., MA[50]. They must have removed to another town, since there is no death record for either Elizabeth or Daniel in Lynn. Nor is their any marriage or death record for the two youngest Proctor children -- Elisha and Abigail -- in that town.
Thomas Brattle, in a 1692 letter, had the following to say about John Proctor and the other accused
witches: On 23 July 1692, Proctor wrote a letter on behalf of himself " the other accused witches to the clergy of Boston and asked to have the trials either moved to Boston or to have new judges appointed. In it, Proctor described the tortures used to elicit confession. While eight ministers took his letter under advisement and held a meeting on the matter on 1 August 1692 from which they emerged with drastically changed positions on spectral evidence and the trials in general, Proctor's life was not spared:
SALEM-PRISON, July 23, 1692. Mr. Mather, Mr. Allen, Mr. Moody, Mr. Willard, and Mr. Bailey Reverend Gentlemen. The innocency of our Case with the Enmity of our Accusers and our Judges, and Jury, whom nothing but our Innocent blood will serve their turn, having Condmened us already before our Tryals, being so much incensed and engaged against us by the Devil, makes us bold to Beg and Implore your Favourable Assistance of this our Humble Petition to his Excellency, That if it be possible our Innocent Blood may be spared, which undoubtedly otherwise will be shed, if the Lord doth not mercifully step in. The Magistrates, Ministers, Jewries, and all the People in general, being so much inraged and incensed against us by the Delusion of the Devil, which we can term no other, by reason we know in our own Consciences, we are all Innocent Persons. here are five Persons who have lately confessed themselves to be Witches, and do accuse some of us, of being along with them at a Sacrament, since we were committed into close Prison, which we know to be Lies. Two of the 5 are (Carriers Sons) Youngmen, who would not confess any thing till they tyed them Neck and Heels till the Blood was ready to come out of their Noses, and 'tis credibly believed and reported this was the occasion of making them confess that they never did, by reason they said one had been a Witch a Month, another five Weeks, and that their Mother had made them so, who has been confined here this nine Weeks. My son William Proctor, when he was examin'd, because he would not confess that he was Guilty, when he was Innocent, they tyed him Neck and Heels till the Blood gushed out of his Nose, and would have kept him so 24 Hours, if one more Merciful than the rest, had not taken pity on him, and caused him to be unbound. These actions are very like the Popish Cruelties. They have already undone us in our Estates, and that will not serve their turns, without our Innocent Bloods. If it cannot be granted that we can have our Trials at Boston, we humbly beg that you would endeavour to have these Magistrates changed, and others in their rooms, begging also and beseeching you would be pleased to be here, if not all, some of you at our Trials, hoping thereby you may be the means of saving the shedding our Innocent Bloods, desiring your Prayers to the Lord in our behalf, we rest your Poor Afflicted Servants, JOHN PROCTOR, etc. Luckily, his letter influenced the Boston clergy to take action and stop the Salem madness and, hopefully, saved other lives. Regardless, it is generally accepted that the Salem trials were one of the defining moments that changed American jurisprudence from the English system of "guilty, 'til proven innocent" to the current American system of "innocent until proven guilty". In addition, the jury pool in trials was changed from "church-members only" to "all those who have property" in an act which was passed by the General Court on 25 November 1692. Finally, these cases caused Americans to take their first steps away from what we now know as "cruel & unusual punishment" when trying to get someone to confess. It had been a staple of the English legal system, but after 1692 even Cotton Mather urged judges to use "Crosse and Swift Questions" rather than physical torture to gain the truth. These were three significant changes to the nascent American legal system. Beyond this important historical petition, here are some of the proceedings " documents in the cases against Elizabeth & John Proctor.
Complaint v. Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce This. 'th Aprill. 1692. Capt Jonathan Walcott and Leut Nathaniell Ingerson personally Appeared before us & Exhibited there Compl't in behalfe of theyr Magestyes for them selves " Severall of theyr Neighbours against Sarah Cloyes wife of peter Cloyes of Salem Village " [Eliz.] proctur the wife of Jno Proctur of Salem for High Suspition of Severall Acts of Wichcraft donne or committed by them upon the Bodyes of Abigall Williames " John. Indian of the family of mr Sam'll parries, " Mary Walcott daughter of one of the complainants " Ann. Putnam and Mercy Lewis of the family of Thomas Putnam Whereby great hurt " damage hath bin donne to the Bodyes of s'd persons " Therefore Craved Justice (Reverse) Walcutt & Ingersol comp'ts [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Warrant for Arrest of Elizabeth Proctor and Sarah Cloyce Salem Aprill. 4'th 1692 There Being Complaint this day made Before us by Capt Jonat Walcott, and Lt Nathaniell Ingersull both of Salem Village, in Behalfe of theire Magesties for themselfes and also for severall of their Neighbours Agains Sarah Cloyce the wife of peter Cloyce of Salem Village; and Wlizabeth Procter the wife of John Procter of Salem farmes for high Suspition of Sundry acts of Witchcraft donne or Committed by them upon the bodys of Abigail Williams, and John Indian both of Mr. Sam parries his family of Salem Village and Mary Walcott daugter of one of the abovesaid Complainants, And Ann Putnam and Marcy Lewis of the family of Thomas Putnam of Salem Village whereby great hurt and damage hath beene donne to the Bodys of s'd persons above named therefore Craved Justice.
You are therefore in theire Majest's names hereby required to apprehend and bring before us Sarah
Cloyce the wife of peter Cloyce of Salem Village and Elizabeth procter the wife of John Procter of Salem
farmes; on Munday Morneing Next being the Eleventh day of this Instant Aprill aboute Eleven of the Clock,
at the publike Meeting house in the Towne, in order to theire Examination Relateing to the premises
aboves'd and here of you are. not to faile Dated Salem Aprill 8'th 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Officer's Return
Aprill. 11'th 1692 I have taken the persons of Sarah Cloycie and Elizabeth Procter and brought
them befor this honorable Courte to answer above I have also warned the above named Elizabeth Hubbart
to answer as above [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Examination of Sarah Cloyse and Elizabeth Proctor
At a court held at Salem th April 1692, by the honoured Thomas Danforth, Deputy Governor.
[Thomas Hutchinson, History of Massachusetts-Bay, II, 21-23]
1692 Salem June 2'd aboute 10 in Morning Sworne in court June 2'd 1692 Attest * Step: Sewall Cle
Physical Examination of Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, Alice Parker, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Good, No. 2
Salem aboute 4 afternoon June 2'd 1692 .
Sworne in Court June 2'd 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 35]
Mittimus for Sarah Cloyce and Elizabeth Proctor
Salem Whereas Complaint was Exhibited by Capt Jonathon Walcot and Leiut Nathaniell Ingersall both of Salem Village, on behalfe of theire Magest's not only for themselfes, but also for severall of theire Neighbours Agains Sarah Cloyce the wife of peter Cloyce of Salem Village, and Elizabeth procter the wife of John procter of Salem farmes for high suspition of Sundry acts of witchcraft donne or Committed by them upon the Bodys of Abigail Williams and John Indian both of mr Sam parries his family in Salem Village, Mary Walcot Ann Putnam and Marcy Lewis &c -- accord'g to s'd Compl't appears. Salem Aprill 8'th And Warrants being given forth for theire apprehention s'd Cloyce and procter ware by George Herrick Marshall of Essex brought before us, and mr Samuell parries being desired and appointed to wright the Examination, did take the same & also read itt before the Councill in publicke. And John procter of Salem farmes being then personally present was by Abigail Williams and Anna Putnam Charged with severall acts of Witchcraft by him Committed on the person of Mrs pope the wife of mr Joseph pope and Others, who ware at s'd tyme accordingly afflicted apparent to all, likewise Marcy Lewis and I got charged s'd John procter at s'd tyme upon w'ch Jno proctor & his wife and Sarah Cloyce ware all Committed to prison per advise of the Councill.
Also further Information being given against s'd Jno procter by mr Samueell parries. Aprill 12'th as appears. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Mittimus for Martha Corey, Giles Corey, Rebecca Nurse, Dorothy good Sarah cloyce, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor to the Kepper of their Majest's Goale in Boston You are in their Majest's name hereby required to take into your care and safe Custody the Bodys of Martha Cory the wife of Giles Cory of Salem farmes husbandman Rebecka Nurse the wife of francs Nurce of Salem village husbandman. Dorothy Good the daugter of Wm Good afores'd husbandman. Sarah Cloyce the sife of peter Cloyce of Salem Village husbandman. John procter of Salem farmes husbandman and Elizabeth the wife of sd John procter of Salem farmes Husbandman who all and every one of them stand charged in behalfe of theire Majest's for feloniously Committeing Sundry Acts of Witchcraft Lately, at Salem village, on the bodys of Ann Putnam the daugter of Thomas Putnam Abigail Williams Eliz. Hubbert & others of Salem Village afores'd whereby great hurt hath beene donne to theire bodys contrary to the peace of our Sov'r L'd & Lady Wm & Mary of England &c King & Queen, whome you are all well to secure until thay shall be delivered by due order of Law And hereof you are not to faile
Dated Boston, May 25't 1692. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 12]
Indictment. v. Elizabeth Proctor, No. 1 Anno Regis et Reginae Willm et Mariae nunc Angliae &c Quarto Essex ss
The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen p'esents That: Elizabeth Procter Wife of John
Procter of Salem -- the 11'th Day of Aprill in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady William
and Mary: by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c
and Divers other Dayes and times. as well before, as after, certaine Detestable Arts called witchcraft & sorceries,
wickedly and feloniously hath usedractised and Exercised, at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex
aforesaid in upon and ag't on Mary Walcorr of Salem Village Singlewoman -- by which said wicked arts the said Mary
Walcott the II'th Day of Aprill in the forth Year as aboves'd and Divers other Dayes and times as well before; as
after was and is Tortured afflicted Pined Consumed wasted and Tormented: aand also for sundry other acts of witchcraft
by said Elizabeth Procter Committed and donne be fore and since that time ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady,
the King and Queen and ag't the forme of the Statute in that case made and Provided [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Indictment. v. Elizabeth Proctor, No. 2 Anno Regis et Reginae Willm et Mariae nunc Angliae &c Quarto Essex ss
The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pbar;'esents that Elizabeth Procter, Wife of John
Procter of Salem husbandman -- the II'th day of Aprill in the forth year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and
Lady William and Mary by the Grace of God. of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Degenders of the faith
&c and Divers other Dayes and times as well before as after, Certain Detestable Arts called Witchcrats and Sorceries
Wickedly and feloniously hath used Practised and exercised at and within the Towneship of SAlem in the County of Essex
afores'd in Upon and ag't one Marcy Lewis of Salem Villiage in the County afres'd Singlewoman by which said
wicked Arts, the said Marcy Lewis the II'th Day of Aprill in the forth year abovesaid and Divers other Dayes and
times as well before as after was and is Tortured Afflicted Pined Conumed wasted & Tormented, And also for
Sundry other Actsf Witchcraft by the said Elizabeth. Procter Committed and Done before and since that time.
ag't the peace of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen and ag't the forme of the Statute, in
that case made and Provided. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 24]
Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor
We whose names are under written havinge several yeares knowne John Procter and his wife do testify
that we never heard or understood that they were ever suspected to be guilty of the crime now charged apon
them and several of us being their neare neighbours do testify that to our apprehension they lived Christian
life in their family and were ever ready to helpe suce as stood in need of their helpe [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 28]
Daniel Elliott for Elizabeth Proctor the testimony of Daniel elet aged 27 years or thear abouts who testifieth & saith that I being at the hous of leutennant ingasone one the of march in the year 1692 thear being preasent one of the afflicted persons which cryed out and said thears goody procter William raiment juner being theare present told the garle he beleved she lyed for he saw nothing then goody ingerson told the garl she told aly for thear was nothing: then the garl said that she did it for sport they must have some sport [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 27]
Declaration of Arthur Abbott This may Certifie all whome this writing shall come before, that on the 'th of October 1692, Arthur Abbut sent for me Daniell Epps and Capt Thomas wade Esqr both of Ipswich, finding himselfe very weake and Ill by Reason of some sad distempers upon him, in Order to the making his will. leaveing something that might be to the view of the world -- Reffering to the Evidence that he had given in the Honored Court of Oyer and terminer held at Sallem a little before, which was as followeth, Viz:
I Arthur Abbut having a great impulse upon me to declare unto the Honored Court (as abovesayed sitting in
Salem) some things that I had formerly discoursed with Goodwife procter of Salem about and seen in her House,
And gave Evidence thereof unto the s'd Honored Court, being a short time after sent for by the Wor'll Samuel
Appleton Esq'r And by him accused for takeing a false oath therein, I doe humblie acknowledg my weaknes and reale
sorrow for mentioning stateing the time, or any way insisting upon that, Butt being Extraordinarily Charged with
fallshood as to the things I had both seen and heard in her House, I did with more than ordinarie Exprestion atest the
truth thereof And doe as in the presence of God, before whose Tribunall, both the accuser and the accuser must appeare,
Certinly affirme upon good Consideration and deep meditation, that to be true, which I had before declared to the Court,
neither did I intend any of those great and solem expressions at Majore Appletons, should any way be understood as to
the time, but the tings themselves, and this desired to leave to the world, not knowing how it might please God to
deale with me; [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 27]
Elizabeth Hubbard v. Elizabeth Proctor The Deposistion of Elizabeth Hubburd aged about 17 years who testifieth and saith that about the beginning of April 1692 I saw the Apperishtion of Elizabeth procktor the wife of john prockton sen'r and she did immediately tortor me most greviously all mose redy to choak me to death: urging me to writ in hir book: and so she continewed afflecting of me by times tell the day of hir examination being the IIth of Aprill and then also I was tortured most greviously during the time of hir examination I could not spake a word and also severall times sene the apperishtion of Elizabeth procktor has tortured me most greviously by biting pinching and almost choaking me to death urging me dreadfully to writ in hir book
mark: Eliz: Hubburd [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25] Mary Warren v. Elizabeth Proctor
The deposistion of mary warrin aged a bout 20 years ho testefieth and saith I have often seen the apperition
of Elizabth Procter the wife of John proctor a mong the witches and she hath often tortured me most greviously
by biting me and choakeing me and pinching me and pressing my stomack tell the blood Came out of my mouth and
also upon the day of hir examingnation I saaw her tortor mary walcoot march lues ann Putnam Elizabeth Hubbert
abigell Williams and she hath ever sence at times tortured me most greviously Mary Warrin owned this har testimony
to be the truth before the Jurairs of Inqwest this of June 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Abigail Williams v. Elizabeth Proctor The testimony of Abigail Williams Witnesseth & saith that divers times in the month of March last past, particularly on the. 14. 21. & 29. dayes of the same month, and also divers times in the month of April last past, particularly, on the 2. & 13. dayes, she the said Abigail hath been greviously vexed with the apparition of Eliz: Proctor the wife of John Proctor of Salem, by when apparition she has been greviously pinched, and also her bowels almost pulled out, by this together with the apparition of Rebekah Nurse, & by the afores'd apparition of Elizabeth Proctor has been tempted by the offer of fine things to subscribe to a book the said apparition tendered her the said Abigail Williams.
May 31: 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Mary Walcott v. Elizabeth Proctor The Deposition of mary Walcott aged about 17 years who testifieth and saith that I never saw the Apperishtion of Elizabeth procter the wife of Jno: proctor before the day of hir examination being the II'th Aprill 1692: but sence that time the Apperishtion of Elizabeth Proctor has most geviously afflected me by biting pinching and almost choaking me urging me to writ in hir book
mark Mary Walcott hir [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Ann Putnam, Jr. v. Elizabeth Proctor
The Deposistion of Ann putnam Jun who testifieth and saith that on the 'th of march 1691/92 I
saw the Apperishtion of goody procktor amongst the wicthes & she did almost choake me Immediately and
bite and pinch me but I did not know who she was tell the 6'th of march that I saw hir att meeting
and then I tould them that held me that that woman was one that did afflect me: and severall times
sence she hath greviously afflected me by biting pinching and almost choaking me urging me behemently to
writ in hir book: but on the II'th April 1692 the Apperishtion of Elizabeth proctor goe and afflect
the bodys of Mistris pope Mary Walcott Mircy lewes Abigail Williams and also all the time of hir examination
she and hir: Husband and Sarah Cloys did most greviously afflect Elizabeth Hubboard and would not let hir
spake a word as I herd ann Putnam owned this har testimony to be the truth one har oath before the Juriars
of Inqwest this 30 da of June; 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Stephen Bittford v. Elizabeth Proctor and Rebecca Nurse The Deposition of Steephen Bittford aged about 23 years who testifieth and saith that about the beginning of April 1692 about midnight as I was a bed att the house of James Darling of Salem I being parfittly awake I saw standing in the chamber Rebekah Nurs and Elizabeth procktor the wife of John procktor whom I very well knew and I was in very grate paine in my nech and could not stir my head nor spake a word but I cannot say that it was they that hurt me and for 2. or 3 dayes after I could not stir my neck but as I moved my wholl body
mark Steephen Bittford his [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Mercy Lewis v. Elizabeth Proctor
The Deposistion of Mircy lewes aged about 19 years who testifieth and [saith] that on the th march 1692 I saw
the Apperishtion of Elizabeth proctor the wife of Jno proctor senr.: and she did most greviously tortor me
by biting and pinching me most greviously urging me to writ in hir book and she continewed hurting me by temes
tell the II'th April 1692 being the day of hir examination and then also during the time of hir examination
she did tortor me most greviously and also severall times sence: also on the day of hir examination I saw
the Apperishtion of Elizabeth proctor Mercy Lewes orned this har testimony to be the truth one har oath:
before the Juriarts of Inqwest this of June 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
William Rayment v. "Some of the Afflicted Persons"
The testimony of William Rayment aged 26 years or there about testifieth and saith that I being at
the hous of Left'nt Ingarsols some time in the Later end of march; there discoursing conserning the
examining of sewerall persons suspected for wiches: I was saying that I hard that goody procter was
to be examined to morrow to which goody Ingarsoll replyed she did not beleve it for she heard nothing of
it: some of the afflicted persons being present one of them or more cryed out there goody procter
there goody procter and old witch Ile have her hang goody Ingersoll sharply reproved them then they semed
to make a jest of it [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
William Rayment v. "Some of the Afflicted Persons" The testimony of william Rayment aged 26 years or there abouts testifieth & saith that I being at the house of liftint Ingesone . some time in the later end of march: there discoursing conserning. the examying of severall person suspected for witches: I was saying that I hard that goody procter was to be examyned to morrow to which goody ingersone replyed she did not beleve it for she heard nothing of it; some of The afflicted persons being present one of them or more cryed out there is goody procter there is goody procter and old wich Ile have har hung goody ingerson Sharply reproved them: then they semed to make. a Jest of it.
Thomas Putnam and Edward Putnam v. Elizabeth Proctor
The Deposistion of Thomas putnam agged 40 years and Edward putnam agged 36 years who testifie and say
that we having been conversant with divers of the afflected parsons as mary walcott mercy lewes Eliz Hubburt
and ann putnam and we have seen them most dreadfully tormented and complaining of Elizabeth proctor for hurting
them: but on the II'th April 1692. being the day of hir examination the afforesaid parsons ware much
affleted dureing the time of hir examination also severall times sence we have seen the afforesaid parsons most
dreadfully tormented as if all their bones would have been disjoyned complaing of goody proctor for hurting
them: and we verily beleve in our hearts that Eliz:P proctor the prisoner at the barr. as very often
afflected the affore said parsons by acts of wicthcraft & that thay have seen many bites on the afflicted psons
by acts of wicthcraft & that thay have seen many bites one the afflicted psons w'ch they said was Elizabeth
proctor that did it. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 25]
Elizabeth Booth v. Elizabeth Proctor
The Deposistion of Eliz: Booth agged about 18: years who testifieth and saith that on the
27 June Elizabeth proctor came to me and did most greviously tortor me by biting pinching and pricking
me and allmost choaking me: and tould me that my mother nor I would not beleve that she was a wicth
but she said she would make me know she was a wicth before she had don with me. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 26]
Elizabeth Booth v. Elizabeth Proctor and John Proctor
The testimony of Elesebth Booth Aged 18 years or their a bout testifieth & saith that one the 8 day of
June father Law Shafling Apered unto me & said Elesebeth procktor Kiled him Because my mother wold not
seand for doctor grigs to give him fesede & also Because she was not sent for when he was. first taken sick [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 26]
Elizabeth Booth v. Elizabeth Proctor and John Willard
The testimony of Elisebeth Booth Aged 18 yers of ther a bout testifieth that one the 8 of June hugh
Joanes Apered unto me & told me that Elesebeth Procter Kiled him be Cause he had a poght of sider
of her which he had not paid her for [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 26]
Joseph Bayley v. Elizabeth Proctor
The deposition of Joseph Bayley aged forty four years testifyeth and saith, that I on the: 25'th
day of may last my self & my wife being bound tooston, on the road when I came in Sight of the house
where John proctor did live, there was a very hard blow strook on my brest which caused great pain in my
stomoc & amasement in my head but did see no person near me only my wife behind me on the same hors,
and when I came against s'd proctors house according to my understanding I did see John proctor & his
wife att s'd house proctor himself loocked out of the windo & his wife did stand Just without the door,
I tould my wife of it, & shee did loock that way & could see nothing but a littell maid att the dore
I saw no maide there but proctors wife according to my understanding did stand att the dore, afterwards about
half a mile from the afores'd house I was taken spechles for sum short time my wife did ask me severall
questions and desiered me that if I could not speak I should hould up my hand which I did. and immediately I
could speak as well as ever, and when we came to the way where Salem Road cometh into Ipswich road there I
received another blow on my brest which cause much pain that I could not sitt on my hors and when I did alite
off my hors, to my understanding I saw a woman coming towards us about sisteen or twenty pole from us but did
not know who it was my wife could not see her when I did get up on my hors againe to my understanding there
Stood a cow where I saw the woman, after that we went to Boston without any father molestation but after I
came home againe to newbury I was pinched and nipt by sumthing invisible for sumtime but now through gods
goodness to me I am well again (Reverse) Joseph Bayley & wife [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 26]
Samuel Barton and John Houghton for Elizabeth Proctor the testimony of Samuel Barton aged 28 years or therabouts who testifieth and saith that I being at Thomas putnams a helping to tend the aflickted folks I heard them talking who the children Complained of an I hear them tell mercy lewes that she Cryedd out of goody procter and mercy lewes said that she did not Cry out of goody procter nor nobody she said she did say thear she is but did not teel them who and Thomas putnam & his wife & others told her that she Cryed out of goody procter and marcy lewes said if she did it was when she was out in her head for she said she saw nobody this being the of march [sic - no day given] in the year 1691/2 John Houghton aged 23 testifieth and saith I this Deponenet was present at the same tyme about written and I heard Thomas Purnam, and his wife sayd that mercy Lewis saw or named the wife of John Procter in her fitt and we heard the sayd mercy Lewis affirme that she never sayd that ever she saw her [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 27]
Samuel Parris, Nathaniel Ingersoll and Thomas Putnam v. Elizabeth Proctor
The Deposition of Sam: Parris aged about.39.years, & Nathanael Ingersol aged about fifty &
eight year, & Thomas Putnam aged about fourty years all of Salem -- Nath: Ingatson and thom. Putman did on their oaths owne this their testimonies to be the truth be fore the Juriors of Inques this 30 of June 1692. [Boston Public Lobrary -- Dept of Rare Books and Manuscripts]
Petition of Elizabeth Proctor To: To the Honourable Generall Court Asembled at Boston may twenty seventh 1696 The Humble petetion of Elizabeth procter widow and Relict of John proctor of salem decesed Humbly sheweth that in the yere of our Lord 1692 when many persons in salem and in other towns ther about were accused by son evill disposed or strangly Influenced persons, as being witches or for being guilty of acting witchcraft my s'd Husband John procter and my selfe were accused of such and we both: my s'd Husband and my selfe were soe farr proceded against that we were condemned but in that sad time of darkness before my said husband was executed it is evident som body had Contrived awill and brought it to him to sign wher in his wholl estat is disposed of not having Regard to a contract in wrighting mad with me before mariag with him; but soe it pleased god to order by his providence that although the sentanc was executed on my dere husband yet through gods great goodnes to your petitioner I am yet alive; sinc my husbands death the s'd will is proved and aproved by the Judg of probate and by that kind of desposall the wholl estat is disposed of; and although god hath Granted my life yet those that claime my s'd husbands estate by that which thay Call awill will not suffer me to have one peny of the Estat nither upon the acount of my husbands Contract with me before mariage nor yet upon the acount of the dowr which as I humbly conceive doth belong or ought to belong to me by the law for thay say that I am dead in the law and therfore my humble request and petetion to this Honoured Generall Court is that by an act of his honoured Court as god hath Contenewed my life and through gods goodnes without feare of being put to death upon that sentanc you would be pleased to put me Into acapacity to make use of the law to Recover that which of Right by law I ought to have for my nessesary suply and support that as I your petetioner am one of his magestyes subjects I may have the benifett of his laws soe Humbly prateng that fod would direct your honnours in all things to doe that which may be well pleasing to him I subscrib your honours humble petetioner Elizabeth procter widow Read 10th June. 1692[sic] in councill [Mass. Archives Vol. 135]
THE CASE OF JOHN PROCTOR Executed, August 19, 1692 Abigail Williams v. John Proctor 1692 Apr. 4. Agib: Williams complained of Goodm Proctor & cryed out w't are you come to, you can pinch as well as your wife & more to that purpose 6. At night she complained of Goodm: Proctor again & beat upon her breast & cryed he pinched her. The like I hear at Tho. Putmans house 12 Day, when the Marshall was sent up to enquire of John Proctor & others & I was writing some what thereof as above I met with nothing but interruptions by reason of fits upon John Indian & Abiail, & Mary Walcot happening to come in just before, they one & another cryed out there is Goodm: Proctor very often: And Abigail said there is Goodm: Proctor (for Abigail was immediately seized with a fit) but she was deaf & dumb, yet still a knitting, then Mary recovered her self & confirmed what Abigail had said that goodm: proctor she saw in the Majstrats lap Then John cryed out to the dog under the Table to come away for goodm: Proctor was upon his back, then he cryed out of goody Cloyse, O you old Witch, & fell immediately into a violent fit that 3.men & the Marshall could not without exceeding difficulty hold him: In which fit Mary Walcot that was knitting & well composed said there was Goodm: Proctor & his wife & goody Cloyse helping of him. But so great were the interruptions of John & Abigail by fits while we were observing these things to notify them, that we were fain to send them both away that I might have liberty to write this without disturbance Mary Walcot abiding composed & knitting whilest I was writing & the two other sent away, yet by & by whilst I was writing Mary Walcot said there goody Cloyse has pincht me now Note. Mary Walcot never saw Proctor nor his wife till last night coming from the examination at Salem & then she saw goody Proctor behind her brother Jonathan all the was from the Widow Gidneys to Phillips where Jonathan made a little stay But this day & time I have been writing this she saw them many times. Note. Just now as soon as I had made an end of reading this to the Marshall Mary W[torn] immediately cryed O yonder is Good: Proctor & his wife & goody Nurse & Goody Korey & G[torn] Cloyse & Goods Child & then said O Goodm: Proctor is going to choke me & Immediately she was choakt Munday II'th mo ditto Lut. Nath: Ingersoll Declared that John Procter tould Joseph Pope that if hee hade John Indian in his Costody hee would soone beat the Devell out of him: and so said to severall others (Reverse) Village papers concerning Sundry persons Under Suspition of Witchcraft Abigail Williams ag't John procter [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 16]
Indictiment v. John Proctor, No. 1 Anno Regis et Reginae Willm: et mariae nunc. Angliae &c Quarto. Essex ss
The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen psents That: John Procter of Salem Husbandman in the
County of Essex: the Eleventh Day of Aprill in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady,
William and Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faithe
&c and divers other Dayes and times as well before as after Certaine Detestable Acts, called Witchcraft and
Sorcerites, Wickedly. and feloniously hath. used: Practised and Exercised at and within the Towneship of Salem in
the County of Essex aforesd. in upon, and ag't one Mary Walcott of Salem Villiage in the County of Essex Single
Woman -- by which said wicked Arts the said:Mary Walcott the II'th Day of April in the Year abovesaid and
Divers other Dayes and times as well before. as agter was and is Tortured, Afflicted, Pined, Cionsumed wasted, and
tormented, ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen, and ag't the form of the
Statute in that case made and provided Witnesses [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 14]
Indictment v. John Proctor, No. 2 Anno Regis et Reginae Willm et Mariae nunc Angliae &c Quarto Essex . ss. The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That John Procter of Salem in the County of Essex, in New England husbandman the II'th Day of Aprill. in the forth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and lady William & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France & Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c and Divers other Dayes and times as well before as after certaine Detestable Arts called witchcrafts and Sorceries wickedly and feloniously hath used Practised and Exercised at and within the Towneship of Salem in the County of Essex aforesd. in upon and ag't one Mercey Lewis of Salem Villiage in the County of Essex afores'd Singlewoman -- by which said wicked arts the said Mercy Lewis the II'th Day of Aprill in the forth Year abovesd and divers other Days and times as well before as after was and is Tortured afflicted Pined: Consumed, wasted and Tormented, and also for sundry other acts of witchcraft by said John Procter Committed and done before and since that time ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King & Queen, and ag;t the form of the Statute in that case made and Provided: Witnesses Mercy Lewis Sworne Ann Putman Sworne [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 14]
Indictment v. John Proctor, No. 3 Anno Regis et Reginae Willm et Mariae nunc Angliae &c Quarto Essex. ss. The Jurors for our Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queen pr'sents That John Procter of Salem in the County of Essex husbandman the 26'th Day of March in the fourth Year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady William & Mary by the Grace of God of England Scottland France and Ireland King and Queen Defenders of the faith &c and Divers other Dayes and times as well before as after certaine Detestable Arts called Witchcrafts and Sorceries Wickedly and feloniously hath used, Practised and Excercised at, and within the Township of Salem in the County of Essex afores'd in, Upon & ag't one Mary Warren of Salem in the County of Essex Singlewoman -- by which said wicked arts the said mary Warren the Twenty Sixth Day of March in the fourth Year abovesaid and Divers other Dayes & times as well before, as after, was and is Tortured, Afflicted, Pined: Consumed, wasted and Tormented, ag't the Peace of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady the King and Queen and agt. the form of the Statute in that case made and Provided
Witnesses Mary Warren Jurat. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 14]
Physical Examination of John Proctor and John Willard We whose names under written having searched the bodyes of John procter sev'r & John Williard now in the Goale & doe not find any thing to farther suspect them Dated June 2, 1692 Rondel ap're testis *John Rogers *Joshua Rea Jun'r *John Cooke *J. Barton Chyrg'n *Jno Gyles *William Hine *Ezekiel Cheever (Reverse) Return of Doctor Barton & other men that Search't Willard & Procter [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Petition for John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor The Humble, & Sincere Declaration of us, Subscribers, Inhabitants, in Ipswich, on the behalf of o'r Neighb'rs Jno Procter & his wife now in Trouble & und'r Suspition of Witchcraft. Too the Hon'rable Court of Assistants now Sitting In Boston. -- Hon'red & Right Worshipfull! The foresd John Procter may have Great Reason to Justifie the Divine Sovereigntie of God under thos Severe Remarques of Providence upon his Peac & Hon'r und'r a due Reflection upon his Life past: And so the Best of us have Reason to Adoar the Great Pittie & Indulgenc of Gods Providenc, that we are not Exposed to the utmost shame, that the Divell can Invent und'r the p'rmissions of Sovereigntie, tho not for that Sin fore Named; yet for o'r many Transgretions; for we Do at present Suppose that it may be A Method w'thin the Seveerer But Just Transaction of the Infinite Majestie of God: that he some times may p'rmitt Sathan to p'rsonate, Dissemble, & therby abuse Inocents, & such as Do in the fear of God Defie the Devill and all his works. The Great Rage he is p'rmitted to attempt holy Job w'th The Abuse he Does the famous Samuell, in Disquieting his Silent Dust, by Sahddowing his venerable P'rson in Answer to theharmes of WitchCraft, & other Instances from Good Hands; may be arg'd Besides the unsearcheable foot stepps of Gods Judgments that are brought to Light Every Morning that Astonish o'r weaker Reasons, To teach us Adoration, Trembling. & Dependance, &ca but -- We must not Trouble y'r Honr's by Being Tedious, Therefore we being Smitten with the Notice of what hath happened, we Recoon it w'thin the Duties of o'r Charitie, That Teacheth us to do, as we would be done by; to offer thus much for the Clearing of o'r Neighb'rs Inocencie; viz: That we never had the Least Knowledge of such a Nefarious wickedness ino'r said Neighbours, since they have been w'thin our acquaintance; Neither doe we remember -- any such Thoughts in us Concerning them; or any Action by them or either of them Directly that way; no more than might be in the lives of any other p'rsons of the Clearest Reputation as to Any such Evills. What god may have Left them to, we Cannot Go into Gods pavilions Cloathed w'th Cloudes of Darknesse Round About. But as to what we have ever seen, or heard of them -- upon o'r Consciences we Judge them Innocent of the crime objected. His Breading hath been Amongst us; and was of Religious Parents in o'r place; & by Reason of Relations, & Proprties w'thin o'r Towne hath had Constant Intercourse w'th us
We speak upon o'r p'rsonall acquaintance, & observations: & so Leave our Neighbours, & this
our Testimonie on their Behalfe to the wise Throughts of y'r [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 17]
Testimony of John Pope Aprill 11 -- 1692 aged forty one years or thereabouts Joseph Pope testefyeth and Saith that on the s'd day this deponenet heard John Proctor Say that if mr Parish would let him have his Indian hee the s'd Procter would soone Drive the Divell out of him and farther Saith not. Their testimonies to be the truth before the juriors of Inquest this 30 of June 1692. Copy.. [Essex Institute -- Fowler Papers]
Samuel Sibley v. John Proctor
The morning after the examination of Goody Nurse. Sam: Sibly met John Proctor about Mr Phillips
w'o called to said Sibly as he was going to sd Phillips & asdt how the folks did at the village
He answered he heard they were very bad last night but he had heard nothing this morning Proctor replyed
he was going to fetch home his jade he left her there last night & had rather given 40d than let her
come up sd Sibly asdt why he talt so Proctor replyed if they were let alone so we should all be Devils &
witches quickly they should rather be had to the Whipping post but he would fetch his jade Home & thresh
the Devil out of her & more the like purpose crying hang them, hang them. And also added that when she
was first taken with fits he dept her close to the Wheel & threated to thresh her, & then she had no
more fits till the next day he was gone forth, & then she must have her gits again firsooth &. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Sarah Bibber v. John Proctor The Deposition of Sarah Vibber aged about 36 years who testifieth and saith that on the june 1692. Jno: proctor. sen'r came to me and did most greviously torment me by pinching pricking and almost pressing me to death urging me to drink: drink as Red as blood which I refusing he did tortor me with a variety of tortors and immediately he vanished away also on the same day I saw Jno: proctor most greviously tortor Susannah Shelden by claping his hands on hir throat and almost choaking hir. also severall times sence Jno: protor sen'r has most greviously tortured me a grat many times with a variety of tortors
Sara vibber owned this har testimony to be the truth on har oath before the Juriars of Inqwest this: 30. of June 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Mary Warren v. John Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor Mary Warrens confession ag't Jo: Proctor & ux Charges them personally to cause her to signe or make a mark in there book and both of them committing acts of Witchcraft & being soe & personally threatned the d'poit with tortures if she would not signe & since con[torn] have of times afflicted & tormented her.large in her Confessions vide.
Elizabeth Hubbard v. John Proctor The deposistion of Elizabeth Hubburd aged about 17 years who testifieth and saith that I never saw the Apperishtion of Jno: procktor sen'r before the day of his examination which was the II'th April 1692: but sence that the Apperishtion of Jno: procktor sen't most greviously afflected me a great many times by pinching pricking and beating me almost choaking me to death urging me vehemently to writ in his book
mark Eliz. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Ann Putnam, Jr. v. John Proctor The Deposition of Ann Putnam Jun'r who testifieth and saith I have often seen the Apperishtion of Jno procktor senr. amongst the witcthes but he did not doe me much hurt tell a little before his examination which was on the IIth of April 1692 and then he sett upon me most greviously and did tortor me most dreadfully also in the time of his examination he afflected me very much: and severall times sence the Apperishtion of John procktor senr, has most greviously tortured me by pinching and almost choaking me urging me vehemently to writ in his book also on the day of his examination I saw the Apperishtion of Jno: proctor senr goe and afflect and most greviously tortor the bodys of Mistris pope mary Walcott Mircy lewes. Abigail Williams and Jno: Indian. and he and his wife and Sarah Cloys kept Elizabeth Hubburd speechless all the time of their examination
mark Ann Putnam [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Samuel Parris, Nathaniel Ingersoll, and Thomas Putnam v. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Sarah Cloyce The deposition of Sam: Parris aged about. 39. years and Nathanael Ingersoll aged about fifty & eight years & also Thoma Putman aged about fourty years all of Salem --
testifieth & saith that divers of the afflicted by Witchcraft were much tortured at the examination of John
Proctor of Salem Farmes before the honoured Magistrates the II'th April. 1692 . & particularly when Mr
Joseph Popes wife was severall times afflicted, Ann Putman jun'r & Abigail Williams testified that it was
by John Proctor aforesaid & his wife Elizabeth, & also when Mercy Lewes was much afflicted at the same
examination said Ann witnessed that it was by said Proctor & his wife & Goody Cloyse, also when Goody
Bibber was much afflicted, Abig: Williams just before cryed out there is Goodman Proctor going to hurt
Goody bibber, & also said Abigail cryed out there is Goodman Proctor going to hurt Mary Walcot, & immediately
Mary Walcot was seized with a violent fit [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Mary Warren v. John Proctor The deposition of mary warrin aged 20 y'rs ho testifieth I have seen the apparition of John procter sen'r among the wiches and he hath often tortured me by penching me and biting me and Choakeing me and pressing me one my Stomack tell the blood came out of my mouth and all so I saw hom tortor Mes poap and marcey lues and John Indian a pon the day of his examination and he hath also temted me to right in his book and to eat bread which he brought to me which I Refuseing to doe: Jno proctor did most greviously tortor me with variety of tortures all most Redy to kill me. Mary Warren owned the above writted upon her oath before & unto the Grand inquest on the 30'th Day of June 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 16]
Elizabeth Booth v. John Proctor
The deposistion of Eliz: Booth agge 18 years who testifieth and saith that sence I have ben afflected I
have been most greviously tormented by my neighbor John proctor senr or his appearance also I have seen John proctor senr.
or his Apperance most greviously torment and afflect Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewes and Ann Putnam junr. by pinching
twinsting and almost Choaking them [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Thomas Putnam and John Putnam, Jr. v. John Proctor
The Deposistion of Thomas Putnam aged 40 years and Jno. Putnam aged 36 years who testifieth andsaith that we
ha eing ben conversant with divrs of the afflected parsons as mary Walcott mercy lewes Abigail Williams and Ann
Putnam and Elizabeth Hubbert, and have seen them most greviouls tormented and often complaining of John proctor,
for hurting them also on the II'th of April 1692 being the day of John proctors examination the affore named
parsons ware much afflected during the time of his examination: also severall times sence we have seen the
affore said parsons most dreadfully afflected and complaining of John proctor for hurting them and we verily beleve
that John proctor the prosoner att the barr has many times afflected and tormented the affore said parsons by acts
of witchcraft [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Abigail Williams v. John Proctor
The Testimony of Abigail Williams witnesseth & saith that divers times in the month of April last past &
particularly on the.4.6. eleven &.13. dayes of the same month, she the said Abigail hath been much vexed with
the apparition of John Proctor Senior of Salem Husbandman, by which apparition she the said Abigail hath been
often pinch't & otherwise tortured. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 15]
Mary Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard b. John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, William Proctor, and Sarah Proctor The deposion of Mary Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard , s'd that on the of May 1692 we came to see James holten, how lay grevesely tormented and we then saw John prockter and his wife his son Wm procter, Sarah procter, and all of them a pressing of him w'h there hands one his stomack and tormenting of him most grevesely and then quckly after they fell upon us and afflected us most dredfully for a considerable time
Jurat in Curia [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 16]
James Holton v. John Proctor
James holten testifieth.and sd that as soon as mary Walcutt and elizebeth hubard was afflected that at that
same time I had ease of my pains [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 156]
Elizabeth Booth v. Sarah Proctor, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor
May. 20'th: 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 131] |
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4. | ii. | Sarah BASSETT | Sarah was born circa 1649 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. On 23 November 1675 when Sarah was 26, she married Thomas ELWELL, in Gloucester, Essex co., MA[1]. |
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5. | iii. | William BASSSETT, JR. | Please see his own page. |
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6. | iv. | John BASSETT | John was born on __d:9m(November):1653 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. |
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7. | v. | Mirriam BASSETT | Mirriam was born on _d:7m(September):1655 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. Before 1681 when Mirriam was 26, she married Ephriam SANDIN. |
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8. | vi. | Mary BASSETT |
Mary was born on _d:1m(March):1657/8 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1].
Mary was also accused of witchcraft during the 1692 hysteria and was tried at Salem on 23 May
1692[10]. Circa 1676 when Mary was 19, she married Michael DERICH/DERRICK/RICH/DE RICH.
Warrant for Arrest of Mary De Rich To the Marshall of the County of Essex or his Lawfull Deputy or Constable in Salem.
You are in theyr Majests Names hereby required to apprehend and forthwith bring before us, Mary de Rich
the Wife of Michaell de Rich of Salem farmes Husbandman, whoe stands Charded w'th Sundry Acts of
Witchcraft by hir committed lately on the Bodys of Abigall Williames & Elizabeth Hubbard of Salem
village &c. whereby great hurt & Injury hath bin donne them in order to hir Exemination relateing
to the same & hereof you are nott to fayle.
Salem. Dat. May, 23, 1692. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft, Vol. 2 page 51][61]
Complaint v. Benjamin Proctor, Mary De Rich, and Sarah Pease Lt Nathaniell Ingerall and Thomas Rayment both of Salem Village yeoman Complained on behalfe of theire Majest's, against Benjamin procter the son of John Procter of Salem Farmes, and Mary Derich the wife of Michall Derich and daughter of William Basset of Lyn and [] pease the wife of Robert pease of Salem weaver for Sundry acts of Witchcraft by them Committed on the bodys of mary Warren Abigaile Williams and Eliz Hubbard &c of Salem Village, whereby great hurt is donne them therefore Craves Justice.
Salem May 23'd 1692. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft, Vol. 1, Page 134][61]
Warrant for Arrest of Benjamin Proctor, Mary De Rich, and Sarah Pease To: To the Marshall of Essex or dept or Constables in Salem. You are in theire maest's names hereby required to apprehend and forthwith bring before us Benjamin procter the son of John procter of Salem farmes and Mary Derich the wife of mic'l Derich of Salem farmes husbandman, and Sarah pease the wife of Robert Pease of Salem Weaver who all stand charged of having Committed Sundry acts of Witchcraft on the Bodys of Mary Warren Abigail Williams and Eliz.
Hubbert of Salem Village whereby great hurt is donne them In order to theire examination Relating
the abovesaid premises and hereof you are not to faile Dated Salem May the 23'd 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 134]
Elizabeth Booth v. Sarah Proctor and Mary De Rich
May the 23 1692 [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 131]
Complaint v. Benjamin Proctor, Mary De Rich, and Sarah Pease Lt. Nathaniell Ingersall and Thomas Rayment both of Salem Village yeoman Complained on behalfe of their Majest's. against Benjamin procter the son of John Procter of Salem Farmes, and Mary Derich the wife of Michall Derich and daughter of William Basset of Lyn and [ ] pease the wife of Robert pease of Salem weaver for Sundry acts of Witchcraft by them Committed on the bodys of mary Warren Abigaile Williams and Eliz Hubbard &c of Salem Village, whereby great hurt is donne them therefore Craves Justice.
Salem May 23'd 1692. [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 134]
Warrant for Arrest of Benjamin Proctor, Mary De Rich, and Sarah Pease To: To the Marshall of Essex or dept or Constables in Salem. You are in theire Majest's names hereby required to apprehend and forthwith bring before us Benjamin procter the son of John Procter of Salem farmes and Mary Derich the wife of mic'l Derich of Salem farmes husbandman, and Sarah pease the wife of Robert Pease of Salem Weaver who all stand charged of having Committed Sundry acts of Witchcraft on the Bodys of Mary Warren Abigail Williams and Eliz. Hubbert of Salem Village whereby great hurt is donne them In order to theire examination Relating the abovesaid premises and hereof you are not to faile Dated Salem May the 23'd. 1692
*John Hathorne, [Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 Page 134] |
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9. | vii. | Hannah1 BASSETT | Hannah1 was born on 25d:12m(February):1659/60 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1] and died in Lynn, Essex co., MA circa 1670; she was 11[1]. |
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10. | viii. | Elisha BASSETT | Elisha was born circa 1662 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. |
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11. | ix. | Samuel BASSETT | Samuel was born on 18d:1m(March):1663/4 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. |
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12. | x. | Rachell BASSETT |
Rachell was born on 13d:1m(March):[believed to be 1666] in Lynn, Essex co.,
MA[1]. On 23 January 1693/4 when Rachell was 27, she married Ephriam SILSBY,
in Salem, Essex co., MA[1].
[N.B. the Silsbee Family is outlined on its own pages.] |
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13. | xi. | Hannah2 BASSETT | Hannah2 was born circa 1670 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1] and married John LILLE. |
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14. | xii. | Rebecca BASSETT | Rebecca was born circa 1688 in Lynn, Essex co., MA[1]. She was still living on 10 February 1701/2, when she was named in her father's will[1]. |
| GENERATION | Great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great (G9) Grandfather |
| FAMILY NUMBER | 4056 |
| SOURCES |
1. Anderson, Robert Charles, George F. Sanborn, Jr. and Melinde Lutz Sanborn,
The Great Migration: Immigrants to New England 1634-1635.,
(New England Historic Genealogical Society),
[GreatMig1634-1635], I:193. 2. Ibid. I:192. 3. Hotten, John Camden, The Original Lists of Persons of Quality., (London 1874; rpt. Baltimore 1974), [Hotten], 98. 4. Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book Of Emigrants, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing co., Inc., 1987), [Coldham], 143. 5. Lynn, Essex co., MA Vital Records, [LynnVR], II:425. 6. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:190. 7. Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, Massachusetts, 1636-1686, 9 volumes, (Salem 1911-1975), [EQC], 5:367. 8. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:191. 9. [EQC], 4:158. 10. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:194. 11. [EQC], 5:61. 12. The Probate Records of Essex County, [EssexProb or EPR], 308:58-60, Case #2048. 13. Ibid. #2048. 14. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:190. 15. [EQC], 6:111. 16. Bodge, George Madison, Soldiers in King Philip's War, (1896), [Bodge], 164-66. 17. [EQC], 8:365. 18. Ibid. 8:440. 19. The Essex Antiquarian, (13 vols.)(n.p., 1897-1909), [EssexAnt], 7:77. 20. Essex co., MA Deeds, [EssexDeeds or ELR], 3:39. 21. [EQC], 2:239-30. 22. [EssexDeeds or ELR], 2:106-107. 23. Ibid. 3:51. 24. Ibid. 4:113. 25. Ibid. 5:81-82. 26. [Bodge], 406. 27. [EQC], 5:487. 28. [Bodge], 422. 29. [EssexDeeds or ELR], 9:59-60. 30. Ibid. 9:172-173. 31. Ibid. 9:11. 32. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:191-2. 33. Page, Lucius R., List of Freemen of MA, 1630-1691., [Page-Freemen], III:10-12. 34. [EQC], 6:400; 7:158. 35. Ibid. 4:429; 5:41; 8:440; 9:337,457. 36. Ibid. 2:385; 3:203; 4:66,251; 6:73; 7:1; 8:394. 37. Ibid. *:60. 38. Ibid. 5:198,356; 6:51,325; 7:124,222,319; 8:148. 39. Ibid. 3:335. 40. Ibid. 7:39. 41. Torrey, Charles, New England Marriages Prior to 1700., (Boston: New England Historic and Genealogical Society). [Torrey]. 42. Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. 1+, (Salem, Mass., 1859+), [EIHC], 17:268. 43. Snow, Nora Emma, The Snow-Estes Ancestry, 2 vols., (Hillburn, N.Y.: privately printed, 1939), [Snow-Estes], 2:57,62. 44. Lewis, Alonzo, & James Newhall, History of Lynn, Essex County, Mass., including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscot, and Nahant, 16219-[1893], (Lynn: George C. Herbert, [1890]), [Lynn Hist.], 184. 45. Savage, James A., A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England, 1860-1862., (Boston 1860-1862; rpt Baltimore 1955), [Savage], 1:136. 46. The Register of the Lynn Historical Society, Lynn, Mass., (Lynn, Mass., 1897+), [Lynn Hist. Soc.], 1906:86; 1913:156. 47. Cooke, Harriet Ruth, The Driver Family: a Genealogical Memoir of the Descendants of Robert and Phebe Driver, of Lynn, Mass., With an Appendix, Containing Twenty-Three Allied Families, (New York: J. Wilson & Son, 1889), [Driver], 479. 48. Flagg, Ernest, Genealogical Notes on the Founding of New England, (Hartford: Case, Lockwood & Brainard, 1926), [FlaggAnc], 250. 49. Reports of the Two Reunions of the Massachusetts Branch of the Bassett Family Association, (Boston: Bailey Printing Co., 1902), [BassettReunion], 1:6,7,23. 50. [GreatMig1634-1635], I:193. 51. Shurtleff, Benjamin, The History of the Town of Revere, (Boston: 1937), [Shurtleff-Revere], 68. 52. [Snow-Estes], 2:8,59,66. 53. McIntire, Robert Harry, Ancestry of Robert Harry McIntire and of Helen Annette McIntire, His Wife, (Norfolk, Va., 1950), [McIntire Anc.], 74. 54. [EIHC], 45:51. 55. [FlaggAnc], 178,252. 56. [BassettReunion], 1:24,18; 2:15. 57. Bosson, Jennie (Hood), John Hood of Lynn, Mass., (Salem: Essex Institute, 1909), [Hood], 3. 58. Bassette, Buell Burdett, One Bassett Family in America, With All Connections in America and Many in Great Britain and France; Principally an Outline of What Ancestors Did to Help Make America; Mainly From Original Records Heretofore Published, ([Springfield, Mass.: F. A. Bassette Co. 1926]), [Bassett(1926)]. 59. Waters, Henry F., The Newhall Family, (Salem: Essex Institute, 1882; repr., Rutland, VT: Tuttle Antiquarian Books), [Newhall(1882)], 18. 60. [LynnVR], I:200 [Ct. R]. 61. The Salem Witchcraft Trials: A Documentary History of 1692, (Salem, MA: The Nova Anglia Company, 2001), [SalemWitch], 13. 62. Suffolk County Court Records (Originals), [SCCR-orig], #2701, page 24. 63. [LynnVR], 1:44. 64. [Shurtleff-Revere], 81. 65. [LynnVR], II:44 [C.R. 1]. 66. Ibid. I:45. 67. Ibid. II:425 [P.R. 5]. 68. Ibid. II:62. 69. ??????, "First Book of Intentions of Marriage in the City of Lynn", Essex Institute Historical Collections, vol. 1+, [EIHC-LynnInt], 16:71ff. 70. [LynnVR], II:39 [C.R. 1] and II:43 [C.R. 1]. 71. Ibid. II:62 [C.R. 1]. 72. Ibid. I:61. 73. Ibid. II:437 [P.R. 5].
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