House of John Procter, Witchcraft Martyr, 1692

In this meticulously researched narrative, a historian retraces the steps of his father’s study of the Salem witch trials, turning old deeds, inventories, and a hand‑drawn map into a vivid portrait of a modest farmer’s life. By pinpointing the fifteen‑acre parcel John Procter owned in 1692, the author restores a forgotten corner of West Peabody, showing where Procter built his home in 1682 and where he ultimately met his tragic end.

The work then follows a trail of family lore and town records that lead to the rocky, birch‑laden hill long claimed as Procter’s burial ground. Voices from past generations—Mrs. Jacobs, Mrs. Mansfield, and long‑standing locals—are woven into the investigation, giving listeners a sense of standing at the foot of the ancient stone bars and feeling the weight of centuries‑old whispers. The result is a compelling blend of documentary precision and oral history that brings a single, overlooked victim of the 1692 hysteria back into view.