W for the Salem Witch Trials

Elizabeth Bassett married at the age of 27 to John Proctor, a prosperous yeoman and tavern keeper. John had previously been widowed twice. Elizabeth became John's third wife in 1674, and they had six children together. Sadly, one or two of their children died as infants or young children before 1692. Elizabeth managed the tavern owned by her husband and John's eldest son, Benjamin Proctor. The couple owned a 700-acre estate located south of Salem Village.

I won't get into the whole trial - it was a tragic mess of hysteria. The trials were started after people had been accused of witchcraft, primarily by teenage girls. 

According to historical records, the first mention of Elizabeth Proctor in connection with the Salem witch accusations occurred on or after March 6th, when 12-year-old Ann Putnam Jr. accused her of causing afflictions. Later, on April 11th, Elizabeth and her husband were among a group of people who were formally charged with acts of sorcery and ordered to be imprisoned in Boston jail.

Mary Warren, Proctors’ servant, who was the first one to bring attention to the family, was conspicuous by her absence during the examination and formal charges. She later admitted to her lies about the accusations. She was accused of witchcraft; a formal accusation was filed on April 18. Thereafter, she recanted that statement about lying and once again began formally accusing the Proctors of witchcraft and testified against them in June. 

 Elizabeth and John Proctor were married 18 years before he was hanged for witchcraft in August of 1699. Elizabeth gave birth to her final child while in prison several months after her husband's death. Unexpectedly released from prison instead of being executed, Elizabeth had six children who outlived their father, and she was penniless. He had written his will shortly before he died and did not include herself, probably assuming she would hang after the birth of their child.

 After her conviction, she was legally considered a non-entity. However, years later, her stepchildren were ordered to return her dowry, and she received a small settlement along with a declaration of innocence from the Colony. She later married Daniel Richards in Lynn. There are no records of them beyond this point, but it's likely they lived a quiet life after her ordeal.

According to Relative Finder of Family Search, Elizabeth was my 6th cousin/9 times removed. Her husband John Procter was my 1st cousin/10 times removed.