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Lucille Ball (1911-1989)
- The iconic 'I Love Lucy' actor has several connections to the Salem witch trials, including being the 8th great-granddaughter of William Towne, who fathered three accused witches, and the 8th great-grandniece of Mary (Perkins) Bradbury, who was convicted at the trials.
© NL Beeld
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Tom Felton (1987-) - The actor best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the 'Harry Potter' series is reportedly a descendant of John Proctor, a wealthy farmer who was hanged following his trial. The actor also has other connections to the trials, including being related to Lt. Nathaniel Felton, who acted as a defense witness in one of the trials.
© Getty Images
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Mark Wahlberg (1971-) - The actor is said to be related to John Hathorne, who acted as a judge in the trials.
© Getty Images
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Clara Barton (1821-1912 ) - The pioneer nurse and founder of the American Red Cross is said to be the 4th great-granddaughter of William Towne, the father of three accused witches.
© Shutterstock
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Walt Disney (1901-1966) - America's most iconic animator and producer is related to Rev. George Burroughs, who was hanged at Proctor’s Ledge for witchcraft during the trials. Burroughs was the only Puritan minister to be arrested and executed.
© Getty Images
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Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) - The British fashion designer and couturier's mother traced her family tree and discovered that she is related to a victim of the Salem witch trials. McQueen even named his autumn/winter 2007-2008 collection after his long-lost relative Elizabeth Howe, who was hanged in 1692.
© Getty Images
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Sarah Jessica Parker (1965-)
- While doing research into her family history, the 'Sex and the City' actor found that she is the 10th great-granddaughter of Esther Elwell, who was accused of witchcraft but escaped trial after prosecution for witchcraft was abolished.
© Getty Images
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George H.W. Bush (1924 -2018) - The 41st President of the United States was a distant great-grandson of Mary Parker, who was tried on September 17, 1692, and hanged five days later.
© Getty Images
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George W. Bush (1946 -) - Like his father, the 43rd President of the United States is also descendant of Mary Parker. However, it is possible that Bush is related to 200 of the more than 1,500 people involved in the trials, including jurors, marshals, and constables, among others.
© Getty Images
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Wil Wheaton (1972-) - The actor best known for portraying Wesley Crusher on the TV series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' is also listed as a relative of the Salem victims, though details are sketchy. He is, however, distantly related to the Bushes, who have known connections to the Salem witch trials.
© Getty Images
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Gerald Ford (1913-2006) - The 38th President of the United States is related to at least three victims of the trials: Mary Parker, who is his 8th great-grandaunt, Mary Bradbury, who is his ninth great-grandaunt, and Rev. George Burroughs, who is his 10th cousin 10 times removed. Two of his relatives were executed while the third was convicted but escaped trial.
© Getty Images
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Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) - The 32nd President of the United States is related to victims of the trials as well as a judge. He is a 6th great-grandson of Mary Bradbury, 10th cousin seven times removed of Rev. George Burroughs, and 6th great-grandnephew of William Stoughton, the chief judge and prosecutor at the trials.
© Getty Images
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Princess Diana (1961-1997) - The late Princess of Wales is the 5th cousin nine times removed of Rev. George Burroughs, who was tried on August 5, 1692, and executed on August 19, 1692.
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Prince William and Prince Harry - Consequently, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry are also related to Rev. George Burroughs as 5th cousins 10 times removed.
© Getty Images
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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
- And, of course, this means that the Princes and the Princess of Wales are also related to the executed minister.
© Getty Images
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Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) - The famous American author was born in Salem, MA, making it likely that he has connections to the trials. He was, in fact, the great-great-grandson of Judge John Hathorne. Interestingly, the writer's last name was originally spelled the same way and he changed it so as not to be associated with the infamous prosecutor.
© Getty Images
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Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) - The author of 'Fahrenheit 451' (1953) was related to—you guessed it—Mary Bradbury, who was accused but escaped trial.
© Getty Images
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Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950)
- The science fiction writer and creator of 'Tarzan' is also listed as a descendant of the Salem witch trials but information on his alleged connection isn't immediately available. Could he be related to Rev. George Burroughs?
© Getty Images
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John Kerry (1943-) - The former US Secretary of State is related to both a victim and a prosecutor—a 7th great-grandnephew of Chief Judge William Stoughton and 5th cousin nine times removed to Rev. George Burroughs.
© Getty Images
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William Howard Taft (1857-1930) - The 27th President of the United States is related to George Jacobs Sr. and Jr., both of whom were accused of witchcraft. Jacobs Sr. was found guilty and executed while his son was able to evade arrest. The former President is also related to Rev. George Burroughs, who was executed.
© Getty Images
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Buffalo Bill (1846-1917) - Hunter and showman William Frederick Cody, best known as Buffalo Bill, is also listed as a descendant of the trials, though this information is hazy. He is, however, related to former President William Taft who has known connections to the Salem witch trials.
© Getty Images
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Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) - The 30th President of the United States is a 7th great-grandnephew of Mary Bradbury, who was arrested but escaped execution. He is also related to Rev. George Burroughs, who is his 7th cousin nine times removed.
© Getty Images
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Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) - The 21st President of the United States is related to two victims of the trials: Susannah Martin, a widow from Amesbury who was executed on July 19, 1692, and John Proctor, a wealthy farmer executed on August 19, 1692.
© Getty Images
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Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) - The 13th President of the United States also falls under the category of people related to both prosecutor and prosecuted. He is a first cousin five times removed to Judge John Hathorne and the 5th great-grandnephew of Mary Bradbury.
© Getty Images
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Ithiel Town (1784-1844) - One of America's first generation professional architects—who designed, among many others, the Connecticut State Capitol (pictured)—is also listed as a descendant of the trials, but details are unclear.
© Shutterstock
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John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) - The 6th President of the United States is related to Rev. George Burroughs, similar to many other US Presidents.
© Getty Images
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George Washington (1732-1799)
- America's first President is also related to Rev. George Burroughs. He must have had some pretty strong presidential genes considering how many prominent descendants he has. Sources: (Famouskin) (The Truth Seeker) (Historyofmassachusetts.com) See also: Celebrities whose ancestors made history
© Getty Images
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© Getty Images
0 / 28 Fotos
Lucille Ball (1911-1989)
- The iconic 'I Love Lucy' actor has several connections to the Salem witch trials, including being the 8th great-granddaughter of William Towne, who fathered three accused witches, and the 8th great-grandniece of Mary (Perkins) Bradbury, who was convicted at the trials.
© NL Beeld
1 / 28 Fotos
Tom Felton (1987-) - The actor best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the 'Harry Potter' series is reportedly a descendant of John Proctor, a wealthy farmer who was hanged following his trial. The actor also has other connections to the trials, including being related to Lt. Nathaniel Felton, who acted as a defense witness in one of the trials.
© Getty Images
2 / 28 Fotos
Mark Wahlberg (1971-) - The actor is said to be related to John Hathorne, who acted as a judge in the trials.
© Getty Images
3 / 28 Fotos
Clara Barton (1821-1912 ) - The pioneer nurse and founder of the American Red Cross is said to be the 4th great-granddaughter of William Towne, the father of three accused witches.
© Shutterstock
4 / 28 Fotos
Walt Disney (1901-1966) - America's most iconic animator and producer is related to Rev. George Burroughs, who was hanged at Proctor’s Ledge for witchcraft during the trials. Burroughs was the only Puritan minister to be arrested and executed.
© Getty Images
5 / 28 Fotos
Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) - The British fashion designer and couturier's mother traced her family tree and discovered that she is related to a victim of the Salem witch trials. McQueen even named his autumn/winter 2007-2008 collection after his long-lost relative Elizabeth Howe, who was hanged in 1692.
© Getty Images
6 / 28 Fotos
Sarah Jessica Parker (1965-)
- While doing research into her family history, the 'Sex and the City' actor found that she is the 10th great-granddaughter of Esther Elwell, who was accused of witchcraft but escaped trial after prosecution for witchcraft was abolished.
© Getty Images
7 / 28 Fotos
George H.W. Bush (1924 -2018) - The 41st President of the United States was a distant great-grandson of Mary Parker, who was tried on September 17, 1692, and hanged five days later.
© Getty Images
8 / 28 Fotos
George W. Bush (1946 -) - Like his father, the 43rd President of the United States is also descendant of Mary Parker. However, it is possible that Bush is related to 200 of the more than 1,500 people involved in the trials, including jurors, marshals, and constables, among others.
© Getty Images
9 / 28 Fotos
Wil Wheaton (1972-) - The actor best known for portraying Wesley Crusher on the TV series 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' is also listed as a relative of the Salem victims, though details are sketchy. He is, however, distantly related to the Bushes, who have known connections to the Salem witch trials.
© Getty Images
10 / 28 Fotos
Gerald Ford (1913-2006) - The 38th President of the United States is related to at least three victims of the trials: Mary Parker, who is his 8th great-grandaunt, Mary Bradbury, who is his ninth great-grandaunt, and Rev. George Burroughs, who is his 10th cousin 10 times removed. Two of his relatives were executed while the third was convicted but escaped trial.
© Getty Images
11 / 28 Fotos
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) - The 32nd President of the United States is related to victims of the trials as well as a judge. He is a 6th great-grandson of Mary Bradbury, 10th cousin seven times removed of Rev. George Burroughs, and 6th great-grandnephew of William Stoughton, the chief judge and prosecutor at the trials.
© Getty Images
12 / 28 Fotos
Princess Diana (1961-1997) - The late Princess of Wales is the 5th cousin nine times removed of Rev. George Burroughs, who was tried on August 5, 1692, and executed on August 19, 1692.
© Getty Images
13 / 28 Fotos
Prince William and Prince Harry - Consequently, her sons Prince William and Prince Harry are also related to Rev. George Burroughs as 5th cousins 10 times removed.
© Getty Images
14 / 28 Fotos
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
- And, of course, this means that the Princes and the Princess of Wales are also related to the executed minister.
© Getty Images
15 / 28 Fotos
Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) - The famous American author was born in Salem, MA, making it likely that he has connections to the trials. He was, in fact, the great-great-grandson of Judge John Hathorne. Interestingly, the writer's last name was originally spelled the same way and he changed it so as not to be associated with the infamous prosecutor.
© Getty Images
16 / 28 Fotos
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) - The author of 'Fahrenheit 451' (1953) was related to—you guessed it—Mary Bradbury, who was accused but escaped trial.
© Getty Images
17 / 28 Fotos
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950)
- The science fiction writer and creator of 'Tarzan' is also listed as a descendant of the Salem witch trials but information on his alleged connection isn't immediately available. Could he be related to Rev. George Burroughs?
© Getty Images
18 / 28 Fotos
John Kerry (1943-) - The former US Secretary of State is related to both a victim and a prosecutor—a 7th great-grandnephew of Chief Judge William Stoughton and 5th cousin nine times removed to Rev. George Burroughs.
© Getty Images
19 / 28 Fotos
William Howard Taft (1857-1930) - The 27th President of the United States is related to George Jacobs Sr. and Jr., both of whom were accused of witchcraft. Jacobs Sr. was found guilty and executed while his son was able to evade arrest. The former President is also related to Rev. George Burroughs, who was executed.
© Getty Images
20 / 28 Fotos
Buffalo Bill (1846-1917) - Hunter and showman William Frederick Cody, best known as Buffalo Bill, is also listed as a descendant of the trials, though this information is hazy. He is, however, related to former President William Taft who has known connections to the Salem witch trials.
© Getty Images
21 / 28 Fotos
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933) - The 30th President of the United States is a 7th great-grandnephew of Mary Bradbury, who was arrested but escaped execution. He is also related to Rev. George Burroughs, who is his 7th cousin nine times removed.
© Getty Images
22 / 28 Fotos
Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) - The 21st President of the United States is related to two victims of the trials: Susannah Martin, a widow from Amesbury who was executed on July 19, 1692, and John Proctor, a wealthy farmer executed on August 19, 1692.
© Getty Images
23 / 28 Fotos
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) - The 13th President of the United States also falls under the category of people related to both prosecutor and prosecuted. He is a first cousin five times removed to Judge John Hathorne and the 5th great-grandnephew of Mary Bradbury.
© Getty Images
24 / 28 Fotos
Ithiel Town (1784-1844) - One of America's first generation professional architects—who designed, among many others, the Connecticut State Capitol (pictured)—is also listed as a descendant of the trials, but details are unclear.
© Shutterstock
25 / 28 Fotos
John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) - The 6th President of the United States is related to Rev. George Burroughs, similar to many other US Presidents.
© Getty Images
26 / 28 Fotos
George Washington (1732-1799)
- America's first President is also related to Rev. George Burroughs. He must have had some pretty strong presidential genes considering how many prominent descendants he has. Sources: (Famouskin) (The Truth Seeker) (Historyofmassachusetts.com) See also: Celebrities whose ancestors made history
© Getty Images
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Famous descendants of the Salem witch trials
Which celebrities can trace their ancestry back to this dark moment in history?
© Getty Images
The infamous Salem witch trials of 1692 and 1693 claimed the lives of 20 people. In total, more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft and more than 150 were arrested. The episode is heavily ingrained in American history and perpetuated through pop culture, but the souls lost and persecuted during that time aren't just present in our literature, media, and popular culture. From actors to the British royal family, their genes have spread far and wide over the course of three centuries.
Click through the gallery to discover the most famous descendants and releatives of those involved in the Salem witch trials.
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