Honor Among “Witches” – John Willard
The year 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts, is etched in history as a period of intense paranoia, fueled by accusations of witchcraft that led to the unjust persecution and execution of numerous innocent individuals. Amidst this climate of fear and hysteria, one man, John Willard, dared to challenge the prevailing narrative, ultimately paying the ultimate price for his courage. This is the story of John Willard, a man who stood against the tide of madness, exhibiting a rare sense of honor during the infamous Salem witch trials.
Details surrounding John Willard‘s early life remain scarce, but historical records indicate that he spent his formative years in Lancaster before relocating to Groton, Massachusetts. Intriguing, though unconfirmed, evidence suggests a possible connection to Major Simon Willard, a prominent figure in the Massachusetts Bay Colony known for his involvement in land speculation, town founding, and politics. Major Willard’s activities in Lancaster and Groton, coupled with John Willard‘s association with Simon Willard’s sons in land transactions within these communities, hint at a familial or professional relationship, though definitive proof remains elusive.
In the 1680s, John Willard married Margaret Wilkins, a member of a large and closely-knit family residing in Salem Village. The Wilkins family, headed by patriarch Bray Wilkins, consisted of his seven children and numerous grandchildren, all living on or near "Will’s Hill" in the western part of the village. This family was known for its strong internal bonds and a deep-seated suspicion of outsiders. As an outsider himself, John Willard was met with considerable resistance from the Wilkins clan.
The Wilkins family’s distrust of outsiders was rooted in past experiences. Years prior, Bray Wilkins and his sons had ventured into the logging industry, hoping to establish a profitable commercial business. However, the venture failed, resulting in significant financial losses and threatening the family’s land holdings. This experience left them embittered towards wealthy merchants and those involved in commercial pursuits.
The economic divisions within Salem Village further exacerbated the Wilkins family’s resentment. As Salem Village sought to separate from Salem Towne, the Wilkins family, second only to the Putnam family, vehemently advocated for the split. While those involved in commercial businesses prospered through their connections with Salem Towne, the Wilkins family and other subsistence farmers saw no benefit in maintaining those ties. This division created deep rifts within the community, pitting neighbors against neighbors and even families against themselves.
It was into this environment of economic hardship and social division that John Willard married into the Wilkins family. Adding to the tension, Margaret Wilkins was the first in her family to marry someone from outside Salem Village. The Wilkins family’s initial wariness of the "outsider" John Willard intensified when they learned of his interest in land speculation.
In March 1690, John Willard and three partners purchased a large tract of land, spanning approximately 400 to 500 acres, north of Salem Village. Within months, significant portions of this land were sold to "outsiders" at a profit, further fueling the Wilkins family’s animosity towards John Willard.
As the witch hysteria gripped Salem Village in early 1692, accusations flew rapidly, engulfing the community in a climate of fear and suspicion. Constable John Putnam, Jr., sought John Willard‘s assistance in arresting some of the accused. However, John Willard not only refused to participate in the arrest of individuals he believed to be innocent but also openly criticized the validity of the trials and the accusers. He reportedly condemned the "afflicted girls," stating, "Hang them. They are all witches."
These words, spoken in defiance of the prevailing hysteria, would ultimately seal his fate. Soon after, Ann Putnam, Jr., a prominent accuser, claimed that the apparition of John Willard was afflicting her, tormenting her grievously. She testified that he first appeared to her on April 23, 1692. Upon hearing of the accusation, John Willard confronted Thomas Putnam, Jr., denying the allegations. While Ann Putnam, Jr., remained silent for several days, she soon claimed that the apparition of her deceased infant sister, Sarah, was appearing to her, crying out for vengeance against John Willard.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, John Willard sought counsel from his 81-year-old grandfather-in-law, Bray Wilkins, hoping to leverage his friendship with the Putnams. He expressed his distress to Bray Wilkins, stating that he was "greatly troubled" and requested that Bray pray with him. However, Bray Wilkins, citing a prior engagement, declined his request.
Tragedy struck the Wilkins family in early May when Daniel Wilkins, Margaret Willard’s cousin and grandson of Bray Wilkins, fell ill. The 17-year-old Daniel, who was also Mercy Lewis’s suitor, succumbed to his mysterious affliction within a week. A coroner’s jury deemed Daniel’s death unnatural, further fueling suspicion and blame. Simultaneously, the elderly patriarch, Bray Wilkins, was afflicted with a painful urinary difficulty. Both afflictions were attributed to John Willard, and accusations against him intensified. Ann Carr Putnam, Sr., accused John Willard of murdering no fewer than thirteen Salem Villagers during his brief residence in the community.
A formal complaint was sworn against John Willard by Thomas Fuller, Jr., and Benjamin Wilkins, Sr., accusing him of afflicting Daniel Wilkins and Bray Wilkins. A warrant was issued for his arrest on May 11, 1692. Constable John Putnam, Jr., initially failed to locate John Willard. However, on May 17, John Willard was found in Lancaster, arrested, and brought back to Salem Village for examination. Throughout the interrogation and trial, John Willard steadfastly maintained his innocence, proclaiming, "I am as innocent as the child unborn."
During the legal proceedings, the "afflicted girls" and members of the Wilkins family were frequently present, their accusations fueling the frenzy against John Willard. No fewer than ten members of the Wilkins family pointed the finger of witchcraft at him. Susanna Sheldon and Mary Warren exhibited fits, claiming to be tormented by John Willard. Ann Carr Putnam, Sr., testified that she had seen the ghosts of those John Willard had allegedly murdered. Mercy Lewis and Mary Walcott claimed to have witnessed the apparition of John Willard afflicting Daniel Wilkins, pressing and choking him until he died. Sarah Bibber testified that she had seen John Willard‘s specter harm Mary Walcott and Mercy Lewis before turning on her.
Margaret Wilkins Knight testified that John Willard had previously beaten his wife. Samuel Wilkins claimed that he had been repeatedly irritated and afflicted by something in a dark-colored coat, which he identified as John Willard. John Wilkins blamed the death of his wife, following childbirth, on John Willard. Even the patriarch, Bray Wilkins, claimed that he had fallen ill after John Willard looked at him with an evil eye. Furthermore, several confessed "witches," including Richard Carrier, Margaret Jacobs, and Sarah Churchwell, also accused John Willard of witchcraft.
Given the overwhelming weight of accusations, it came as no surprise when John Willard was found guilty of witchcraft on August 5, 1692. At the age of 37, he was hanged on August 19, 1692, along with John Proctor, George Burroughs, George Jacobs, Sr., and Martha Carrier. Until the very end, John Willard maintained his innocence.
While allegations of spousal abuse, if true, would undoubtedly tarnish John Willard‘s reputation, his actions in refusing to arrest innocent individuals, speaking out against the madness, and his unwavering commitment to his integrity, even in the face of death, undeniably mark him as an honorable man in the otherwise dishonorable context of the Salem witch hysteria.
Notably, one member of the Wilkins family, Thomas Wilkins, refused to participate in the accusations against John Willard. Thomas later emerged as one of the four "dissenting brethren" who led the anti-Parris movement within the church. When Bray Wilkins died, the executor of his estate was none other than Thomas Putnam, Jr., while Thomas Wilkins was disinherited.
Following John Willard‘s death, his widow, Margaret Wilkins Willard, remarried a man named William Towne, and the couple had several children.
The story of John Willard serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, and the enduring power of honor in the face of adversity. His defiance against the tide of accusations, his refusal to compromise his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to truth make him a compelling figure in the history of the Salem witch trials.