The+Real+John+Proctor-AS+2011

__**John Proctor Background Check**__ Born: //March 30, 1632// Wife: //Elizabeth Basset (last of 3)// Children: //3// Accusations//: Witchcraft in the third degree// Cause of Death: //Hanged// // Death: //August 19, 1692



Joe Zevits John Proctor moved to Salem in 1666 right around the time when the witch hysteria was going on. Proctor denounced all beliefs in witches and believed what the girls were doing was a scam. When his wife Elizabeth was called out as a witch he stood next to her throughout the questioning. John was known to have a hot temper and to be outspoken, these traits did not help him during the witch trials. It was during these trials that John was accused as being a witch. He was the first male to ever be accused as a witch. Proctor's children and his wife's sister and sister in law were all accused as being witches as well. Proctor was put in prison and on July 23rd, wrote a letter to the clergy of Boston. He asked them if he could have his trial moved to a later date or to have the judges reappointed. Trying to give himself a better chance during the trials because the judges have already been convinced he was guilty. He was tried on August 5th and was found guilty of witchcraft. http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/sal_bpro.htm

Jeff Cook: John Proctor Facts

http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/john-proctor.htm
 * Upon his father's death, he inherited a share of a profitable estate.
 * He was a wealthy landowner and owned a tavern on Ipswich Road.
 * He was known to be very outspoken and to have a hot temper--traits which did not help him during the trials.
 * John Proctor was the first male to be accused a witch in the town of Salem.
 * He publicly supported and defended his third wife, Elizabeth, when she was accused and tried for witchcraft.
 * He was sternly opposed to the witchcraft trials, and was 60-years-old at the time of his arrest.
 * At his execution, he pleaded for more time because he was not fit to die because he thought that he was not at peace with god, and the world.
 * He was hanged on August 19th, 1692.

John Proctor's Grave http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6566

John Proctor was sentenced to death. He was hanged in front of the the whole town to show people what would happen if the participated or believed in witch craft. He was used an an example to show people that witchcraft was no an acceptable belief. As he was being hanged he said a pray called "Our Father" and it was said if you were a witch you would not be able to recite this prayer.