Many factors led to the witchcraft accusations in Salem.
Joshua Estey was born July 2, 1678 in Topsfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were Isaac Estey and Mary Towne.
When he was only 14, in 1692, his mother, Mary Towne Estey, became a victim of the Salem hysteria and was executed for witchcraft.
Joshua only inherited half of his father's clothes when his father died in 1712. He did not inherit since his father had had to pay some debts for him.
As for my son Joshua for whom I procured a trade and payde some debts for him, my will is yt besides what I have already done for him he have at my decease yt other half of my wearing apparel equally dividing ye same with brother Joseph which is all I can do for him.
Three daughters of William Towne and Joanna Blessing were wrongly accused of practicing witchcraft in Salem. Rebecca Towne Nurse, Mary Towne Estey, and Sarah Towne Bridges Cloyes were persecuted in 1692. The children of people in the line below are all descendants of Mary Estey.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
The use of the term ye to mean the derives from Early Modern English, in which the was written "þe," employing the Old English letter thorn: "þ."
Ye is also the plural of thou.
Mary Towne Estey was a victim of the Salem witch delusion on September 22, 1692.
from The Historical Collections of the Topsfield Historical Society, Volumes 5-7
Joshua, b. July 2, 1678; and d. before Apr. 25, 1718, when widow Abigail m. William Poole. Had dau. Mary, b. Jan. 18, 1701/2.
from An Osgood & Thayer Genealogy by Franklin Baker Osgood, Virginia Anne Thayer
Joshua Estey, born July 02, 1678 in Topsfield, MA; died 1718. He was the son of 7780. Sergeant Isaac Esty and 7781. Mary Towne. He married 3891. Abigail Stanley. 3891. Abigail Stanley, born June 06, 1688 in Topsfield, MA. Child of Joshua Estey and Abigail Stanley is:
i. Eleanor Estey, bom 1704; married Samuel Griffith September 24, 1723 in Rochester.MA.
