John Hathorne was a merchant and magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Salem, Massachusetts. He was one of the leading judges during the Salem Witch Trials
Early Life[]
Hathorne's father was among the early settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630's. He was born in August of 1641 in Salem. He went on to marry a girl named Ruth Gardner on March 22, 1674.
Personality[]
He is very devoted to his job and believes in justice. He goes to extreme measures to get confessions out of the accused and gives out harsh punishments even without concrete evidence.
Trivia[]
- His Descendant Nathaniel Hawthorne is most famour for his book the Scarlett Letter.
- Nathaniel put a W in his name once he learned of his ancestor's involvement in the Salem witch trials and his lack of remorse.