O Christian Martyr who for truth could die
When all around thee owned the hideous lie!
The world redeemed from Superstition's sway
Is breathing freer for thy sake today
John Greenleaf Whittier
Rebecca Nurse's Home
Many factors led to the witchcraft accusations in Salem.
Essex County, Massachusetts was created on May 10, 1643 by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when it ordered "that the whole plantation within this jurisdiction be divided into four sheires."
Samuel Parris was a rigid Puritan minister of Salem Village. He married Elizabeth Eldridge, and they had three children including Betty Parris.
Rebecca Towne Nurse was baptized on February 21, 1620/21 in St. Nicholas Parish, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk County, England.. Her parents were William Towne and Joanna Blessing.
She married Francis Nurse on August 24, 1644 in Great Yarmouth. Francis was a tray maker who probably also made other wooden household items. Francis was born in 1618 in England. He was Salem's constable in 1672.
They lived from about 1638 to 1678 near what is now Skerry Street in the city of Salem.
Their children included:
John Nurse (1645),
Rebecca Nurse Preston (1647, married Thomas Preston),
Samuel Nurse (1648/49, married Mary Smith),
Michael Nurse (1651),
Mary Nurse Tarbell (1657, married John Tarbell),
Francis Nurse (1659/60),
Sarah Nurse (1662),
Elizabeth Nurse Russell (1655/56, married William Russell), and
Benjamin Nurse (1664/65).
Rebecca was accused of witchcraft and was executed on July 19, 1692. She may have been targeted because her husband was a prominent citizen in Topsfield involved in the dispute over land along the border of Salem Village. Her husband was also an outspoken leader of a committee that believed the Reverend Samuel Parris should be removed as minister. The Putnams were the leaders faction supporting Reverend Parris.
Francis died on November 22. 1695.
In 1703, 25 pounds was paid to the heirs of Rebecca Nurse.
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.
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.
A constable was an elected official who was responsible for keeping the peace. His duties were more limited than the sheriff's. He apprehended and punished offenders, helped settle estates, and collected taxes.
Europeans who made the voyage to America faced a difficult journey of several months.
