The+Real+John+Proctor4

Elizabeth – I cant believe this witch craft molarchy John – I know this is crazy, This is all wrong, there is no such thing as witches Elizabeth – I know we cant have this state of affairs when our baby child is born John – I know he is my only saving grace, however for you it could be another chance Puritan – Hey you guys! You witches and wizards, I spite you John – Oh no Elizabeth run! Puritan – (Run and catch John) Elizabeth – (Come back for John) Puritan – alright your both going to jail for witch craft and wizardry, you will be Hung

What Happens next? Born: 1632 Birthplace: Ipswich, Massachusetts Died: August 19, 1692 (execution by hanging)
 * John Proctor**


 * Martyr
 * Love or hate?
 * Belief in witchcraft

The Salem Witch Trials began when Betty Parris, a young girl, began acting strangely. She would run around and climb over and under furniture and have random contorting pain in addition to having a high fever. When doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with her they started to suspect witchcraft. This suspicion was only heightened when two more girls became inflicted with this "illness". After a short period of time the number of effected girls rose to seven and accusations started to arise. The first to be accused were women who already acted strangely or did not attend church regularly. During the trials several of the accused admitted to practicing witchcraft on the girls and other witch practices. Once the seemingly "obvious" witches the townspeople moved onto those who said that they do not believe in witches. Two of these accused were John and Elizabeth Proctor. [] John Proctor was the first man executed in the Salem witch hunts. He inspired a character with the same name in //The Crucible,// a play written by Arthur Miller. Proctor was a tavern keeper on a nearby farm, and he publicly criticized the witchcraft trials. He was accused and was executed for refusing to confess. In //The Crucible//, he is portrayed as 30 years old, but was actually 60 when this took place. [] John Proctor was accused of practicing witchcraft by his maid, Mary Warren. While he was in prison, he wrote a letter to the clergy in Boston, and asked them to move the trials to Boston or to have new judges appointed. John Proctor made this request so that he could have a chance to live. In this letter he claimed that torture was used as a method to make him confess to witchcraft. Before his execution he pleaded that he was unfit to die, but it was unsuccessful. []