Rebecca Nurse
By Donovan M.
Rebecca Nurse, age 71, was hanged and died a few days ago on July 19, 1692.
She was born February 21, 1621, in Great Yarmouth, England. Rebecca Nurse was married to Francis Nurse and they have eight children, four girls and four boys; Rebecca, Sarah, John, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Francis, and Benjamin. They lived on a farm in Salem Village. She was very well educated and an a role model to everyone. She always attended church and was a very respected member in this community. In March of 1692, she was accused of being a witch by her neighbor, Ann Putnam. Ann Putnam believed that Rebecca Nurse was working with the devil. Ann Putnam is a very jealous person. She also accused Rebecca Nurse because she was jealous of Rebecca. She had 8 children as well but 7 of them had died, all of Rebecca Nurse’s children survived. Ann was angry and very jealous. When the outbreak happened, she took her chances and accused Rebecca Nurse. Rebecca Nurse was one of the most unlikely suspect for being a witch because she was a grandmother that was 71. She was the oldest accused woman. Many people were very sad when she was accused because she was a church member. People were also very confused and it scared because once a role model was now a witch. A lot of people believe that Rebecca Nurse would not be accused. Lots of her friends and neighbors also wrote a petition to saying that she was innocent, but the court ignored them. Sarah Cloyce tried to stand up for Rebecca Nurse when she was accused but she also got accused. When she was at her trial the judges asked her to comment on something and Rebecca did not reply. It was most likely that she was deaf for some time. Since she did not respond the judges marked her guilty. On July 19 she was hanged at Gallows Hill along with Sarah Good, Elizabeth Howe, Susannah Martin, and Sarah Wildes. She did not complain at all, she just stood on the platform and got killed. Rebecca’s family has been excused from church until further notice. Rebecca Nurse was loved by many people, she will be missed in the community.
