
These accusations left a taint in the memories of residents and may have contributed to Elizabeth's persecution nearly 30 years later. One of those who testified against Ann was Phillip Read, a doctor. Since Ann was not a doctor, but was successful at caring for those who were ill, some felt she could only have these skills if she were a witch. The Puritans felt there was something "witchlike" about Quakers. She married John Proctor in 1674 in Salem, Massachusetts.Įlizabeth's grandmother was Ann (Holland) Bassett Burt, a Quaker and a midwife.


Samuel Barton and John Houghton also testified that they had been present for some of the afflictions and heard the accusations against Elizabeth Proctor at the time.Elizabeth was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, and was the daughter of William Bassett and Sarah Burt. being afflicted, and “very believe in our hearts” that it was Elizabeth Proctor who caused the afflictions. Because the depositions of minors by themselves would not stand up in court, Nathaniel Ingersoll, Samuel Parris, and Thomas Putnam attested that they had seen these afflictions and believed them to have been done by Elizabeth Proctor. Stephen Bittford also submitted a deposition against both Elizabeth Proctor and Rebecca Nurse. Thomas and Edward Putnam submitted a petition stating that they had seen Mary Walcott, Mercy Lewis, Elizabeth Hubbard, and Ann Putnam Jr. Mary Warren had not initially accused Elizabeth Proctor, but she did testify at the trial. were asked questions but “neither of them could make any answer, by reason of dumbness or other fits.” When asked for her explanation, Elizabeth Proctor replied that “I take God in heaven to be my witness, that I know nothing of it, no more than the child unborn.” (She was pregnant at the time of her examination.)ĭepositions were submitted by Elizabeth Hubbard, Mary Warren, Abigail Williams, Mercy Lewis, Ann Putnam Jr., and Mary Walcott stating that they had been afflicted by the apparition of Elizabeth Proctor at various times in March and April. John Indian testified that Elizabeth Proctor had tried to get him to write in a book.

were asked questions about Goody Proctor but indicated that they were unable to speak. The examination of Sarah Cloyce and Elizabeth Proctor took place on April 11. Thomas Danforth, the Deputy Governor, conducted the verbal examination, first interviewing John Indian. He said that Cloyce had hurt him “a great many times” including “yesterday at the meeting.” Abigail Williams testified to seeing a company of about 40 witches at a sacrament at Samuel Parris’ house, including a “white man” who “made all the witches to tremble.” Mary Walcott testified that she had not seen Elizabeth Proctor, so she had not been hurt by her.
