Roger Toothaker
Encyclopedia
Roger Toothaker was a physician who came to Massachusetts from England shortly after he was born. He was one of the victims of the Salem witch trials
who died in prison.
in 1634. In 1635 Toothaker travelled to Boston from London
sailing from August 21 to September 11 on the Hopewell, led by Captain Babb. Afterwards in 1638 his father, Roger Toothaker, died, possibly in Plymouth
on February 5. Later that year his mother Margaret married Ralph Hill on December 21 and they lived in Billerica
. He served as an assistant to Samuel Eldred, and later became a physician
although he had no formal medical training. Around 1662 to 1663 his stepfather Ralph Hill died. In 1665 he married Mary Allin and had nine children, Nathaniel, Martha, Allin, Roger, Sarah, Mary, Mary, Andrew, and Margaret. His daughter Mary died the year she was born, and another child born the next year was given her name. In 1683 Margaret was born and Nathaniel, the second-born Mary, and Dr. Toothaker's mother died.
, and Mary Walcott
accused Dr. Toothaker of witchcraft
. Elizabeth was the servant of Dr. William Griggs
, Dr. Toothaker's competitor. On May 28 Mary Toothaker, his nine-year-old daughter Margaret, Martha Carrier, and Elizabeth Jackson were arrested. John Willard of Salem, Thomas Farrar of Lynn, and Elizabeth Hart were arrested along with Dr. Toothaker. Dr. Toothaker was sent to Boston Prison where he remained until his death. In June 1692, Dr. Toothaker died in prison. As his body was examined, by 24 different men, it was confirmed that he died of natural causes
although it is believed that he was ill-treated.
Salem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
who died in prison.
Background
Roger Toothaker was born in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1634. In 1635 Toothaker travelled to Boston from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
sailing from August 21 to September 11 on the Hopewell, led by Captain Babb. Afterwards in 1638 his father, Roger Toothaker, died, possibly in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
on February 5. Later that year his mother Margaret married Ralph Hill on December 21 and they lived in Billerica
Billerica, Massachusetts
Billerica is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,243 at the 2010 census. It is the only town named Billerica in the United States and borrows its name from the town of Billericay in Essex, England.- History :...
. He served as an assistant to Samuel Eldred, and later became a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
although he had no formal medical training. Around 1662 to 1663 his stepfather Ralph Hill died. In 1665 he married Mary Allin and had nine children, Nathaniel, Martha, Allin, Roger, Sarah, Mary, Mary, Andrew, and Margaret. His daughter Mary died the year she was born, and another child born the next year was given her name. In 1683 Margaret was born and Nathaniel, the second-born Mary, and Dr. Toothaker's mother died.
Salem witch trials
Dr. Toothaker claimed to many people that his daughter, Martha, had killed a witch. On May 18, 1692 Elizabeth Hubbard, Ann Putnam, Jr.Ann Putnam, Jr.
Ann Putnam, Jr. , along with Elizabeth "Betty" Parris, Mary Walcott and Abigail Williams, was an important witness at the Salem Witch Trials of Massachusetts during the later portion of 17th century Colonial America. Born 1679 in Salem Village, Essex County, Massachusetts, she was the eldest child...
, and Mary Walcott
Mary Walcott
Mary Walcott was one of the witnesses at the Salem Witch Trials of Salem, Massachusetts in the years 1692 and 1693....
accused Dr. Toothaker of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. Elizabeth was the servant of Dr. William Griggs
William Griggs
William Griggs, was a doctor in the village of Salem, Massachusetts. He is best known as the doctor who "diagnosed" the villagers of Salem as "witches", during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Griggs was in charge of diagnosing, and determining how "big" a witch they were. He'd then send them to...
, Dr. Toothaker's competitor. On May 28 Mary Toothaker, his nine-year-old daughter Margaret, Martha Carrier, and Elizabeth Jackson were arrested. John Willard of Salem, Thomas Farrar of Lynn, and Elizabeth Hart were arrested along with Dr. Toothaker. Dr. Toothaker was sent to Boston Prison where he remained until his death. In June 1692, Dr. Toothaker died in prison. As his body was examined, by 24 different men, it was confirmed that he died of natural causes
Death by natural causes
A death by natural causes, as recorded by coroners and on death certificates and associated documents, is one that is primarily attributed to natural agents: usually an illness or an internal malfunction of the body. For example, a person dying from complications from influenza or a heart attack ...
although it is believed that he was ill-treated.