Taylor Trade Publishing, 1993.Boyer, Paul S. Salem-Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England. , Hey Cuz! Ann Putnam Jr's Apology: Nicholas Noyes the minister who accompanied the accused persons to their deaths, was a distant uncle, as I am descended from his sister Hannah Noyes. [1][2], She and her five siblings migrated with their parents to Salem in New England by 1639. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Rebecca (Nurse), Mary (Esty) and Sarah (Bridges Cloyse) were victims of the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. RebeccaNurse.org. [11] In 1711, her children petitioned the government for a reversal of attainer and were granted compensation for Rebecca's wrongful death. Login to find your connection. This fact, along with the lack of reports of any gallows being built for the witch trial executions, and no debris being found at the site led researchers to conclude the convicted witches were hanged from trees. As a result of his search for the truth, he was put on trial and his family placed in peril. The couple had eight children: four daughters and four sons. By dint of her respectability, many members of the community testified on her behalf, including her family members. My maiden name is Tracy. Some children appear to be incorrect - have no sources that indicate that there were more children than these eight: John, Samuel, Francis, Benjamin, Mary Tarbell, Sarah Boden, Rebecca Preston and Elizabeth Russell, all named in Francis division of his estate. . Through my brother, I have learned that we are 6th 7th or 8 generation of her grandchildren through my father who was a Tracy. The Rebecca Nurse homestead is still a museum. Claudia, I started looking into your Josiah Nourse-131 (which had no sources) and added some sources, including father Ira (who did not initially have a profile here on wikitree). Six of their children, Rebecca, John, Susan, Edmund, Jacob, and Mary were baptized there. On June 1, townsperson Mary Warren testified that George Burroughs, Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor, and several others said they were going to a feast and that when she refused to eat bread and wine with them, they "dreadfully afflicted her" and that Nurse "appeared in the room" during the taking of the deposition. Thank you! Rebecca Towne Nurse of Salem Village, Massachusetts was probably the most famous of the "witches" of the Salem Witchcraft Hysteria.. Rebecca was one of three sisters accused and imprisoned for witchcraft. At the end of her trial in June of 1692, Nurse was found not guilty by the jury. S. Nancy Newton . The legacy of the Salem witch trials is complicated. This so-called incriminating statement refers to when Nurse called accused witch Goody Hobbs one of us during her trial. . , i hope you will like it about rebecca towne nurse family tree please comment if we missed anything here, please let us know. This was taken from the book. In 1885, the descendants of Rebecca Nurse placed a granite memorial at her grave at what is now known as the Rebecca Nurse Homestead cemetery, located in Danvers . (From the poem "Christian Martyr," by John Greenleaf Whittier), In 1706, her accuser, Ann Putnam, Jr., gave a public church confession upon entering the Salem Village congregation. Nurse was accused of witchcraft by Ann Putnam, Jr, Ann Putnam, Sr, and Abigail Williams of Salem village, as well as several others, including Reverend Deodat Lawson of Boston, who claimed to have seen Nurses spirit tormenting Ann Putnam, Sr, at her home that March. The controversy was a long one, going finally to the General Court for settlement. It has a tendency to look away from its tragic past, said Baker, who was part of a team of scholars that in 2016 actually confirmed the site where the accused witches were executed. Mary was convicted and executed, but Sarah managed to survive. Nurse, a member of Salem Church, was known for her piety but also for occasionally losing her temper. Greenwood Press, 2008. Memorial plaque located on Masonic Temple. I am hopeful that sharing these historical events with others will prevent the Putnams of the 21st Century from having the the Nurses and the Martins of the world killed. A petition from 39 neighbors was presented on Nurse's behalf, and several neighbors and relatives testified for her. I was lucky enough to be stationed in Natick and took a trip to Salem to visit the site of the trials. It would be more interesting I believe. Would it be possible to somehow mention that her main accuser, Ann Putnam,Jr., recanted in 1706. When Fiske later questioned Rebecca as to the exact meaning of her statement, she would not reply. [citation needed]. Eventually the Nurse family homestead was sold to Phineas Putnam, a cousin of Rebecca's great-great grandson Benjamin, in 1784. Rebecca Towne Nurse (1621-1692) - Find a Grave Memorial. Rebecca married Francis Nurse, and they settled initially near North River in Salem. As was the custom, after she was hanged, her body was buried in a shallow grave near the execution spot. Nurse filed a petition protesting the verdict, pointing out she was "hard of hearing and full of grief.". Growing up, my family never spoke about our connection to the witch trials. A second exam later that day stated that several of the observed physical abnormalities had changed; they attested that on Nurse, the "Excresence appears only as a dry skin without sense" at this later exam. First Lady of President Calvin Coolidge. In 1699 the Nurses' children were able to officially purchase the farm outright and remained for multiple generations. SOURCE: Site of Salem Witch Trial Hangings Discovered: Why Its Important to Genealogists. [4] Thirty-nine of the most prominent members of the community signed a petition on Nurse's behalf. Nine women signed the document attesting to the exam. Chicago, Illinois. Nurse's trial was featured in an episode of the CBS radio program "CBS Is There," which aired on July 28, 1947. Genealogy charts for Rebecca (Towne) Nurse may include up to 30 generations of ancestors with source citations. It is always preferable to locate primary records where possible. I was shocked to learn of her history. It was decided against Endicott. Rebecca Nurse was a 71-year-old grandmother and wife of a local artisan when she was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. This guide goes over what we do know about Rebecca and explains . Rebecca Towne Nurse Famous memorial Birth c.21 Feb 1621. This dispute and another between the Putnams and several Topsfield landowners likely influenced the charges against Rebecca and her sisters Mary Esty and Sarah Cloyce, for their brother, Ensign Jacob Towne, was one of the Topsfield men (Baker 152.). I found your ROYAL connections.King George I (and should I say, the worst King in history)..really dad you couldnt do better than that?. Anyone who is a descendant is invited to leave the familys story on the productions website. Ck out: Salem Witch Trials in History and Literature. Mary Ellen (mom) is now 81 and doesnt look her age at all. The notes about merging at the top of this profile are from March 2019. This place has a very earthy smell too it and seemed to always have a hazy cloud hovering above it. John Keenan, a descendant of Rebecca Nurse, at the Salem Witch Memorial, where a stone bears the witchs name. In 1957, Massachusettsformally apologized for the trials, but It wasn't until 2001 that the last 11 of those convicted were fully exonerated. Mom is Mary Ellen, a very fair shinned, blue eyed redhead (copper) and an extremely pretty lady, mom is an artist. Yet, historian Winfield S. Nevins doesnt agree and believes it was a different dispute that earned Rebecca Nurse the wrath of the Putnams, as he discussed in an article in New England Magazine in 1891: The first trouble appears to have come to this family after the purchase of the Bishop farm. Executed for witchcraft in the Salem witch trials, Born on February 21, 1621 Rebecca Nurses arrest on March 24, 1692 came as a complete surprise to the citizens of Salem because she was considered such a pious and upstanding citizen. By the autumn, the court banned the use of spectral evidence in trial, rendering most of the accusations baseless and eventually brought the trials to an end in 1693. Nurse was arrested and examined the next day. She was the wife of Francis Nurse, with several children and grandchildren, and a well-respected member of the community. Some of the most recently added connections of famous kin for Rebecca (Towne) Nurse. Includes citations for all sources. Yardley, PA: Westholme, 2021. It would seem that Putnam, if anything, was united with Allen and Nurse in fighting Endicott. If you take all the people associated with the trial the accused, judges, witnesses, jurors, court officers and you multiply that by nine or 10 generations, you get about one million people around the world that have a family connection, said Baker. John Keenan, a descendant of Rebecca Nurse, at the . Cutter claims, without source, that Rebecca Towne married Francis Nurse (various spellings) 24 Aug 1644 in Salem. On Aug. 25, 1706, Ann Putnam Jr. publicly apologized "for the accusing of several persons of a grievous crime, whereby their lives were taken away from them, whom, now I have just grounds and good reason to believe they were innocent persons" She named Nurse specifically. 094) Rebecca Nurse, Examination of Rebecca Nurse of Salem Village, https://www.thoughtco.com/rebecca-nurse-biography-3530327, The Historical Collections of The Topsfield Historical Society, https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Putnam-1362-2, Nurse Homestead Cemetery, Danvers, Massachusetts, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Salem, Massachusetts. Rebecca Nurse is a central character in Arthur Miller 's play The Crucible. I was wondering if one of the managers could add a few quick words to the effect that Rebecca Nurse was FALSELY accused of witchcraft by some of her neighbors. Stoughton suggested that perhaps the the jury had not heard Rebecca make an incriminating statement when another prisoner was brought in to testify against her. The accusations continued throughout the spring and into the summer but opposition to the trials began to grow. A plaque commemorating this family, donated by TFA hangs in St. Nicholas Church. In accordance with the procedures at the time, Mrs. Nurse, like others accused of witchcraft, represented herself since she was not allowed to have a lawyer. Who is Rebecca Nurse in the Crucible?She was a real person living in Salem, MA, during the 17th century. In the original Broadway production in 1953 she was played by Jean Adair, who died shortly afterwards. [8] Such so-called "spectral evidence" was allowed into the trial to show that Satan was afflicting others in the community at the behest of the accused. Knowing the families probably buried all the victims on the family property will give those with witch ancestry a better idea of where their ancestor now rests. This work was adapted for films in 1957 and 1996; Nurse was portrayed by actresses Marguerite Coutan-Lambert and Elizabeth Lawrence, respectively. Rebecca(Preston) then had 1715.Charles A Towns of Park Ridge , IL, who is collecting records of the descendants of William and Joanna Blessing Towne, parents of Rebecca Nurse, now has a record of 15,203 descendants of Rebecca Nurse and believes that these are at least 30,000 descendants of this worthy woman. Allrightsreserved. Salem, Mass., 1692. ThoughtCo. "[9], In the end, the jury ruled Nurse not guilty. . Admission pieces: Adults are $9, seniors (62+) are $7, children (six to 16) are $6, and children under six are free. On June 2, Nurse, Bridget Bishop, Proctor, Alice Parker, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Good were forced to undergo physical examinations by a doctor with a number of women present. She was the wife of Francis Nurse, had several children and grandchildren, and was a well-respected member of the community. My great grand father 9th removed, William Russell b.1647, England, d.22 Dec 1733, Essex Co. Mass. I've added the project box and PGM as co-manager. ABC-CLIO, Inc, 2004.Goss, K. David. Rebecca and Francis frequented the Salem Village meeting house and Francis was quite active in the community becoming well respected in Salem Village; he was often asked to serve as mediator to help settle matters. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. Rather it reads as if the state somehow incorrectly decided she was a witch. I have always been interested in the Salem Witch Trials now I know why! Updated on July 21, 2019. ; Salem citing his usual copious sources.[6]. This is a cenotaph erected in Rebeccas memory. Martha C. This is the most delightful news to me, how God can bring unity to families over the generations. In 2017, the Proctors Ledge Memorial was built in Salem, Mass and a marker was established for Rebecca Nurse. Again, nine women signed the document. Nurse was then indicted for witchcraft. Goodcursed the presiding clergyman, Nicholas Noyes, from the gallows, saying "if you take away my life God will give you blood to drink." The statements had no effect on the courts decision and Nurse was hanged at Proctors Ledge on July 19, along with Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin and Sarah Wildes. Although Nurse didnt respond when questioned about it in court, after the trial Nurse wrote a statement explaining that she only meant Hobbs was a fellow prisoner, not a fellow witch. ", The Nurse family accepted Ann's apology and were reconciled with her:[10] by contrast, they never forgave Samuel Parris, the village minister, whom they held personally to blame for their bereavement "none can know what we suffered by the loss of such a mother" and they did not rest until Parris was removed from office in 1697. Cummings : Descendants of Isaac Cummings (1601-1677) of Topsfield/Ipswich, his son Isaac Cummings Sr. (1633-1721) and grandson Isaac Cummings Jr. (1664-1746) and his wife Alice Howlett accused Elizabeth (Jackson) Howe (1637-1692) of witchcraft. 1857.Roach, Marilynne K. The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege. She was hanged on July 19, 1692, for witchcraft. Youre welcome Kayla! Ancestor charts showing the family relationships of Rebecca (Towne) Nurse (1621-1692) to other famous people. The property was originally established by Townshend Bishop when he was . lol! "Biography of Rebecca Nurse, Victim of the Salem Witch Trials." Ben Wheatley's new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's acclaimed novel Rebecca has an ending that differs considerably from the original story - though it stays true to the circumstances of Rebecca de Winter's death. These sources are attached to each ancestor so that you can personally judge their reliability. I have lived in Salem all my life, said John Keenan, Salem States president. Two years ago I took my family to see the Nurse home on Pine street. Rebecca (Towne) Nurse was executed for witchcraft in the Salem Witch Trials. ", Tradition has long said that the sons of convicted and executed witch Rebecca Nurse came back to the execution site under cover of darkness and removed their mothers body for burial in the family cemetery. Rebecca Nurse. This made them wonder if any of the other accused witches were possibly innocent. So over 300 years and half a country away, these two families have shared an almost 20 year friendship that turned into a loving and respectful relationship. Rebecca Nurse is a central character in Arthur Miller's play The Crucible. Mary Eastey was born Mary Towne to William Towne and Joanna Towne ( ne Blessing) in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. However, after the not guilty verdict was read in court, the afflicted girls began having fits and cried out against Nurse, according to the book The Salem Witch Trials: A Reference Guide: When Thomas Fiske, the jury foreman, announced the verdict the afflicted children raised such an outcry that Chief Justice William Stoughton asked Fiske to reconsider. John Nurse born about 1645; his death, if this is the same man, appears in Reading, Massachusetts Vital Records on 26 Nov 1717. Please include para on the "Towne" Sisters, . 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