Rebecca Nurse
| Rebecca Nurse | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Rebecca Towne February 21, 1621 Great Yarmouth, England |
| Died | July 19, 1692 (aged 71) Salem Village, Province of Massachusetts Bay |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Housewife |
| Known for | Convicted of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children |
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Rebecca Towne Nurse (or Nourse) (February 21, 1621 – July 19, 1692) was executed for witchcraft by the government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in New England during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. She was the wife of Francis Nurse, with several children and grandchildren, and a well-respected member of the community.
Although there was no credible evidence against her, she was convicted and hanged as a witch on July 19, 1692. This occurred during a time when the Massachusetts colony was seized with hysteria over witchcraft and the supposed presence of Satan within the colony. Her married sisters Mary Eastey and Sarah Cloyce were also accused of witchcraft. Mary was found guilty and executed, but Sarah survived.
The daughter of William and Joanna Towne (née Blessing), Rebecca was born in Great Yarmouth, England in 1621. Her family emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, settling in Salem Village around 1640. Salem Village is now known as Danvers. Rebecca had three sisters, Susan (baptized 26 October 1625; died 29 July 1630), Mary (baptized 24 August 1634; died c. 1692) and Sarah. She also had three brothers, Edmund (baptized June 1628), Jacob (baptized 11 March 1631 or 1632) and Joseph (born around 1639).
Sometime around 1644, she married Francis Nurse (or Nourse), who was also born in England.Her husband was a "tray maker" by trade, who likely made many other wooden household items. Due to the rarity of such household goods, such artisans were esteemed. Nurse and her family lived on a vast homestead which was part of a 300-acre (1.2 km2) grant given to Townsend Bishop in 1636. Francis originally rented it and then gradually paid it off during his lifetime. The couple had eight children: four daughters and four sons. Their names were Rebecca Nurse (born 1642), Sarah Nurse (born 1644), John Nurse (born 1645), Samuel Nurse (born 1649), Mary Nurse (1653 - 28 June 1749), Elizabeth Nurse (born 1656), Francis Nurse (born 1660 or 1661), and Benjamin Nurse (born in 1665 or 1666). Nurse frequently attended church and her family was well respected in Salem Village; Francis was often asked to be an unofficial judge to help settle matters around the village. In 1672, Francis Nurse served as Salem's Constable. It was later written that Rebecca had "acquired a reputation for exemplary piety that was virtually unchallenged in the community," making her one of the "unlikely" persons to be accused of witchcraft.
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