John Bradstreet was born on July 22, 1652, in Andover, Essex, Massachusetts [1] per birth records for Andover, Massachusetts cited below. He was the youngest of eight children born to Simon Bradstreet, who served as governor of Massachusetts and Anne Dudley, the famous poet. His mother died in 1672, when John was twenty years old. His father served as governor of colonial Massachusetts in 1679-1686, and again from 1689 until May, 1692.
In 1679, when John was 27, he married Sarah Perkins, in Topsfield, where she was born. The six known children of John and Sarah were born in Topsfield between 1682 and 1699. This farming community was about 21 miles to the southeast of Andover, and then 10 miles on the road to Salem.
In early fall 1692, toward the end of the famous Salem Witch Trials, both John and his brother Dudley (a justice of the peace who served the warrants) were called out for witchcraft even though they were upstanding members of local Puritan congregations. In John's case, "A dog being afflicted at Salem Village, those that had the spectral sight being sent for, they accused Mr. John Bradstreet (brother to the Justice) that he afflicted the said dog, and now rid [rode] upon him: He made his escape into Pescattequa Government [New Hampshire], and the dog was put to death. " [2]
By mid 1693, the Governor had ruled that spectral evidence would no longer be sufficient to convict someone of witchcraft, prohibited further arrests, and pardon the remaining prisoners accused of witchcraft. [3]
Soon thereafter, John was able to resume farming life with his family in Topsfield, where he lived until his death on January 11, 1718. He was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Topsfield, though there is no stone remaining. [4]
Massachusetts Remediation
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B > Bradstreet > John Bradstreet
Categories: Salem Witch Trials | Accused Witches of New England
Will as recorded in the record volume (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9YT-VNS9?i=443&cat=412735)
Will from probate file (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSQ8-G7H?i=124&cat=1931591) Note: the images seem to have been uploaded out of order as the images all seem to be interfiled.
edited by Richard Flanagin Jr.