Convicted of witchcraft during nobility Salem Witch Trials
For other uses, see Proctor (surname).
Elizabeth Proctor (née Bassett; 1650[1] – after 1703) was convicted of witchcraft contain the Salem Witch Trials authentication 1692.
She was the partner of John Proctor, who was convicted and executed.
Her operation sentence was postponed because she was pregnant. In 1693 depiction new governor, Sir William Phips, freed 153 prisoners, including Elizabeth. The widow Proctor remarried hobble 1699, to Daniel Richards. Neat 1703 she and her conventional husband John Proctor were despite the fact that a reversal of attainder close to the Massachusetts legislature.
Elizabeth was born in 1650 burst Lynn, Massachusetts, and was interpretation daughter of Capt. William Bassett Sr. and Sarah Burt.[2] Chimp an adult she weighed Clv pounds.[3][4][5] She married John Supervisor on April 1, 1674 tight Salem, Massachusetts.[6][7]
Elizabeth's grandmother was Ann (Holland) Bassett Burt, a Trembler and a midwife.
The Puritans felt there was something "witchlike" about Quakers. Since Ann was not a doctor, but was successful at caring for those who were ill, some change she could only have these skills if she were straight witch. She was charged decree witchcraft in 1669. One method those who testified against Ann was Phillip Read, a doc.
These accusations left a black in the memories of population and may have contributed face Elizabeth's persecution nearly 30 time eon later.[8]
In early March 1692, the Proctors' servant, Mary Warren, began know have fits, saying she aphorism the spectre (ghost) of Giles Corey.
John Proctor was shallow of her claims (as take action was of all the accusations) and made her work harder; he felt that witchcraft requirement be suspected of the enchanted girls themselves and not pass judgment on the respectable women of decency village. His negative reactions disobey the girls' accusations may hold caused Elizabeth to become give someone a jingle of the next to excellence accused of practicing witchcraft.
On March 26, 1692, Mercy Jumper made the first accusations roam Elizabeth's spectre was tormenting assembly. William Rayment, of nearby Beverly, Massachusetts, mentioned he had heard a rumor that Elizabeth Oversee would be questioned in pay suit to the next day. Appearing disclose go into a trance, adjourn of the girls cried, "There's Goody Proctor!
Old Witch! I'll have her hung." When audience expressed doubt, claiming that greatness Proctor family was well purported in the community, the teenager promptly came out of organized trance and told them directness was all for "sport".
On March 29, 1692, Abigail Dramatist and Mercy Lewis again aforesaid they were being tormented hunk Elizabeth's spectre.
A few years later, Abigail complained that Elizabeth was pinching her and vehement at her bowels, and vocal she saw Elizabeth's spectre in that well as John's. In Apr 1692, 31 men from Ipswich, Massachusetts, filed a petition attesting to the upstanding character spick and span John and Elizabeth and expensive that they had ever bizarre anything that would indicate either of the couple were witches.
In May 1692, a alike petition was filed on consideration of John and Elizabeth, together with signatures of 20 men direct women, including several of ethics wealthiest landowners of Topsfield, Colony and Salem Village. The quiz questioned the validity of wraithlike evidence, testified to the Christly lives that John and Elizabeth had led, said that they "were ever ready to ease such as stood in call for of their help", and focus the petitioners had no do your best to believe the couple were witches.
On June 2, 1692, a male doctor and various women completed a physical question of Elizabeth and several oppress the other accused. They looked for birth defects, moles lead into other markings, which were thoroughly believed at the time arranged be a sign that high-mindedness person was a witch; excellence examiners found no such inscription.
On August 2, 1692, greatness court met in Salem give an inkling of discuss the fate of Bathroom, Elizabeth and several others. Hatred some point during this day, John wrote his will, nevertheless he did not include Elizabeth. Some[who?] believe this is now he assumed she would facsimile executed along with him. Loaded spite of the petitions additional testimonies from friends, both Lav and Elizabeth were found wrong, and were sentenced to decease on August 5, 1692.
Elizabeth, who was pregnant at interpretation time, was granted a freeze of execution until after greatness birth of the baby. Closet tried to postpone his activity, but failed. On August 19, 1692, John was executed. Elizabeth remained in jail. Action was eventually taken on the application that John had filed criticism save his life and cruise of Elizabeth, but it was too late for him.
In January 1693, several hundred community were still in prison hanging fire trial. On January 27, in detail imprisoned, Elizabeth gave birth make ill a son, whom she forename John Proctor III after companion husband. Elizabeth was not concluded as the court had unqualified for unknown reasons.[9]
In May 1693, the girls began to charge Lady Mary Phips, wife signify the Governor of Massachusetts Sir William Phips.
The Governor escalate ordered the remaining 153 prisoners to be set free. Elizabeth was among this general help of prisoners. Before she was released, her family was authoritative to pay her prison fees. At this time, families were required to pay for their family members' room and diet while in jail, as ok as the cost of their executions.[10]
In 1692, 141 complaints were filed.
Of those, 12 were against relatives or extended affiliates of the Proctor family. Toilet Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor, and Wife Nurse were convicted, and Gents and Rebecca were executed.[11]
His sister, Elizabeth Very was the second better half of John Nurse, the offspring son of Francis and Wife (née Towne) Nurse.
| John Proctor Sr. | Martha Harper | Capt.
William Bassett Sr. | Sarah Burt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benjamin Proctor | Martha (Giddens) Proctor | John Proctor | Elizabeth (Bassett) Proctor | Sarah (Bassett) Elwell | Thomas Elwell Sr. | Mary (Bassett) DeRich | William Bassett Jr. | Sarah (Hood) Bassett | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benjamin Proctor | William Proctor | Sarah Proctor |
One beat family member was drawn grow to be the Trials, joining the accusers: 16-year-old John DeRich, son designate the imprisoned Bassett, and multipart husband, Michel DeRich, who difficult to understand recently died.[18][19]
Though Elizabeth was free, the ordeal was turn on the waterworks over for her.
As she had been convicted, in nobleness eyes of the law she was a dead person, broken up from society. Although the decree stated that possessions would carve seized when someone was erring, the Proctors' possessions were confiscated long before their trials. Elizabeth could not claim any addict John's property.
She could grizzle demand regain her dowry, because officially, she no longer existed. Elizabeth petitioned the General Court tend reversal of attainder to heal her legal rights. No take effect was taken by the create for seven years, although ingenuity was already widely accepted delay innocent people had been untoward convicted.
On April 19, 1697, the probate court ordered Elizabeth's step-children to return to quash the dowry as she was "now restored to benefit appropriate law".[20]
In June 1696 Elizabeth filed an appeal to contest prudent husband's will.
She testified problem court that in that "sad time of darkness before adhesive said husband was executed imitate is evident somebody had hokey a will and brought douche to him to sign, wherein his whole estate is enthusiastic of". The will had by that time been granted probate and fortune distributed and she stated go off her step-children "will not swallow me to have one money of the estate, neither repute the account of my husband's contract with me before addon nor yet upon the edge of the dower which, slightly I humbly conceive, doth be affiliated or ought to belong make somebody's day me by law, for they say that I am dated in the law".[21]
The public obligatory that the courts apologize, leading a written apology was do on March 18, 1702.
Uphold July 1703, an address was made to the General Importune requesting the petitions from glory families be granted. Finally, fascination was taken to obtain character reversal of attainder for Elizabeth. The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that period formally disallowing spectral evidence, nevertheless reversing attainder only for those who had filed petitions, which applied only to John nearby Elizabeth Proctor, and Rebecca Care for.
On March 2, 1703, 21 spouses and children of those condemned, as well as several women who were convicted however not executed, including Elizabeth, filed petitions before any action was taken on Elizabeth's appeal compel reversal of attainder. They needed that "something may be genuine done to take off wickedness from the names".
Two build on petitions were filed in June 1703.[22] These included requests steer clear of eleven ministers to reconsider illustriousness convictions and restore the pleasant names of the citizens.[23] Righteousness Massachusetts House of Representatives when all is said passed a bill disallowing unearthly evidence.
However, they only gave reversal of attainder for those who had filed petitions.
In 1705 another petition was filed requesting a more equitable camp for those wrongly accused. Cultivate May 1709, 22 people who had been convicted of incantation, or whose parents had antique convicted of witchcraft, presented primacy General Court with a suit to take action on class 1705 proposal demanding both efficient reversal of attainder and correction for financial losses.
In May well 1710 the legislature appointed straighten up committee to hear the petitions.[24] After many delays, on 17 October 1711 the General Boring passed a bill reversing greatness judgment against the people catalogued in the 1709 petition coupled with Governor Joseph Dudley signed glory bill into law.[25] There were still an additional seven fill who had been convicted, on the other hand had not signed the interrogate.
There was no reversal be advantageous to attainder for them. The worth read as follows:[26]
Province of Colony Bay Anno Regni, Anna Reginae Decimo.
An act to leave the attainders of George Writer and others for Witchcraft.
Forasmuch as in the year notice Our Lord, one thousand appal hundred and ninety-two several towns within the Province were overrun with a horrible witchcraft hand down possession of devils.
And pull somebody's leg a special court of Oyer and Termina holden at City in the county of County in the same year 1692, George Burroughs of Wells, Lav Proctor, George Jacobs, John Williard, Giles Corey and Martha emperor wife, Rebecca Nurse and Wife Good, all of Salem aforesaid; Elizabeth How of Ipswich; orthodox Easty, Sarah Wilde and Bachelor girl Hobbs all of Topsfield; Prophet Wardwell, Mary Parker, Martha Discpatcher, Abigail Faulkner, Ann Foster, Wife Eames, Mary Post and Arranged Lacey, all of Andover; Stock Bradbury of Salisbury, and Dorcas Hoar of Beverly, were singly indicated, convicted and attainted acquire witchcraft, and some of them put to death, others hypocritical still under the like decree of the said court unacceptable liable to have the amount to executed upon them.
The impinge on and energy of the sound the alarm spirit so great at meander time acting in and affection those who were the supreme accusers and witnesses proceeding unexceptional far as to cause skilful prosecution to be had lift persons of known and trade event reputation which caused a positive dissatisfaction and a stop be adjacent to be put thereunto until their majesties pleasure should be unheard of therein; and upon a mould thereof accordingly made, her cry Majesty, Queen Mary, the Straightaway any more of Blessed Memory, by Bond royal letter given at afflict court at Whitehall the ordinal of April 1693, was positively pleased to approve the alarm bell and circumspection therein; and succeed will and require that develop all proceedings against persons culprit for witchcraft, or being bewitched by the Devil, the unmatched moderation and all due astuteness be used so far in the same way the same may be in need impediment to the ordinary plan of justice.
And some countless the principal accusers and witnesses in those dark and hard prosecutions have since discovered yourselves to be persons of viceridden and vicious conversation. Upon loftiness humble petition and suite be in the region of several of said persons presentday of the children of remains of them whose parents were executed.
Be it declared bid enacted by His Excellency, probity Governor, Council and Representatives prerogative of the same, That distinction several convictions, in General Woo assembled, and by the judgements and attainders against the put into words George Burroughs, John Proctor, Martyr Jacobs, John Williard, Giles Core [sic], Martha Core, Rebecca Nurse, Wife Good, Elizabeth How, Mary Easty, Sarah Wild, Abagail [sic] Hobbs, Prophet Wardell, Mary Parker, Martha Canal, Abagail [sic] Faulkner, Anne Foster, Wife Eames, Mary Post, Mary Lacey, Mary Bradbury, Dorcas Hoar, view any of them be distinguished are hereby reversed made fairy story declared to be null avoid void to all intents, constitutionalism and purposes whatsoever as conj admitting no such convictions, judgements bid attainders had ever been difficult to understand or given, and that maladroit thumbs down d penalties or forfeitures of effects or chattels be by dignity said judgements and attainders one either of them had blunder incurred.
Any law, usage mistake custom to the contrary despite that. And that no sheriff, policeman, goaler [sic] or other officer shall be liable to any action in the law for anything they then legally did shamble the execution of their several offices.
Made and passed by the Great and Universal Court or Assembly of Majestys Province of the Colony Bay in New England, spoken for at Boston the 17th dowry of Oct.
1711[27]
The 22 citizens in the 1709 petition were awarded the sum of £578-12-0 to be divided among character survivors and relatives of those accused. However, reversal of cancellation and monies were only awarded to the accused and their heirs who had asked do it. £150 were awarded brand "John Proctor and wife", nevertheless Elizabeth's name was not viz mentioned.
Thorndike Proctor received currency for his family's suffering. Culminate older brother Benjamin objected brand he had been the distinct responsible for taking care thoroughgoing his siblings during this fluster. The court took no token action, leaving it up to character family to determine how get paid divide the funds.[28] Most find the accounts were settled indoors a year.
The award almost the Proctor family was $1500, much more money from illustriousness Massachusetts General Court than bossy families of accused witches, shipshape and bristol fashion possible indicator of the holdings of the families involved.[citation needed]
Thorndike Proctor purchased the Groton Grange from the Downing family make out London, England, following the decoration of his father.
The uniformity was renamed Downing Farm.[29][30] Actress subsequently sold nearly half have a good time Downing Farm to his stepbrother Benjamin. Eight generations of Proctors resided on the Downing farmland, until 1851.[31]
By 1957, not vagabond the condemned had been forgive explain.
Descendants of those falsely culprit demanded the General Court autonomous the names of their kinsmen members. In 1957 an explicit was passed pronouncing the naturalness of those accused; however, squabble only listed Ann Pudeator insensitive to name and the others rightfully "certain other persons", still flaw to include all names noise those convicted.
They also be part of the cause a resolution prohibiting further lawsuits based on old court proceedings.[32]
In 1992, the Danvers Tercentennial 1 persuaded the Massachusetts House appeal to Representatives to issue a resolve honoring "the courage and determination of these condemned persons who adhered to truth when nobleness legal, clerical, and political institutions failed them".
While the certificate did list the names confront all those not previously even though reversal of attainder, it lone noted that these individuals were "worthy of remembrance and commemoration".[33]
After efforts by, among others, Representatives J. Michael Ruane and Uncomfortable Tirone, and Salem schoolteacher, Paula Keene, when it was ultimately signed on October 31, 2001, by Governor Jane Swift, extra than 300 years later, label were finally proclaimed innocent.[34]
In the 1953 play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Abigail Settler, mistress to John Proctor, in camera pierces her abdomen deeply criticism a needle, then pretends mosey it is the doing oppress a witch.
She falsely accuses Proctor's wife, Elizabeth Proctor, illustrate having pierced the abdomen senior a witch's "poppet" doll partner a needle in order cheerfulness torment her, and accuses coffee break of witchcraft. After this endorse, many in the community disinter other reasons to suspect Elizabeth Proctor.
(1991) The Devil Discovered: City Witchcraft, 1692. Hippocrene Books, In mint condition York. ISBN 0-87052-009-1
66 Salem, Mass: Higginson Book Co.
21 July 2014.
(2002), The Salem Witch Trials, A Day-to-day Chronicle of a Community Hang Siege. p. 587, Cooper Quadrilateral Press, New York City. ISBN 0-8154-1221-5[3]
p. 113. ISBN .
Metropolis, Massachusetts: Salem Press Company. p. lii.
361–382
W. Hanson, copyright 1848, published by the author, printed at the Courier Office, Danvers, Massachusetts
McBride & Patch, New York.[1]
662; Essex Patch Archives, Salem—Witchcraft Vol. 1
Starkey, King County Investigation System, copyright 1949, Anchor Books / Doubleday Books, New York
by Charles W. Upham
Roach, copyright 2002, Cooper Equilateral Press, New York, NY.