John Durrant, Salem Witch

John Durrant (1650 - 1692), parentage unknown, was born in 1650 at Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. On 16 November 1670, John Durrant married his neighbor, Susanna Dutton, the daughter of Thomas Dutton. Just months after his wife, Susannah, died on 27 August 1684, he married a widow named Ruth Hooper on 10 November 1684. Ruth's stepdaughter was Sarah Hooper Hawkes Wardwell, of Andover, who was accused of witchcraft in August 1692. Sarah's husband was Samuel Wardwell, Sr., who was hanged for witchcraft on 22 September 1692. Sarah and Samuel's daughter, Mercy Wardwell, was also accused of witchcraft.

No records from the Salem trials regarding Mr. Durrant have been found, but because of the timing and family ties to other alleged witches, some historians believe that John Durrant was imprisoned for the charge of witchcraft. He died in Cambridge prison on 27 October 1692.

Marriages and Children

1. Susannah Dutton, married 16 November 1670
   1. John Durrant (31 July 1672 - 25 February 1757)
   2. Thomas Durrant (7 January 1674 - )
   3. Abigail Durrant (24 September 1681 - 1721)
2. Ruth Hooper, widow, married 10 November 1684
   1. Mehitable Durrant (20 April 1689 - 20 April 1777)
   2. Susannah Durrant (1694 - 1794) married Timothy Richardson