The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-22
Rebeccn Nurse.
REUNION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF vIcTI'
OF THE wTTCHCRAPT DELUsl0N.

REUNION OF THE DESCENDANTS OF VICTIM
OF THE wITCHCRAPT DELUslON.
lrrom the Boston Herald, july l6th.l
Could good old Rebecca Nurse have been
alive Yesterday and visited the old home
stead. In Danvers, and heard the Judgment
pronounced by her descendants on her
Judges and murderers in 1892, ana
heard the praises bestowed on her
/. humble self, she certainly would have
been willing 10 go back ana ne
down once more with her fellow-yic-
fins in eternal repose, satisfied that her
own memory and that OF her enemies had
been Justly dealt with. OF all the victims
of that cruel delusion none were more
causelessly accused, relentlessly pursued,
and unfeeingly punished than she. Her
case alone stands out in refutation OF every
claim to far dealing put forth by those
who upologize for the murder OF these al
legged victims OF witchcraft. 1t is proof
positive that the prosecutors were more
possessed OF the devil than the prosecuted.
She was arrested on March "a, 1902.
and brought before the magistrates
Hathorne and Corwin-for prelimi-
nary examination. She was then, and
for years had been. O beloved aud re-
spected matron, known everywhere for her
beautiful domestic, social, and religious
life. She was member OF the First church,
and esteemed by all her associates there.
At the examination the Rev. John Hale, OF
Beverly. made the prayer before the court.
Mrs. Nurse was then accused OF the crime
OF witchcraft, which she stoutly denied, Ed
ward and Thoms Putnam being the COM
claimants. "What q sad thing 1t is that a
church member should be thus accused
and charged 7" said one OF the magistrates.
Her answer was: II can say before my
Eternal Father / ain innocent, and God
will clear my innOcency." The magis-
trate himself seemed to have for moment
n grain OF sanity and human feeling, for
ne answered "There is never one in this
assembly but desires it," When asked
why she had not visited some OF the alleged
sufferers from witchcraft, she told them
she was old and feeble, and 'that, by rea-
son of fits that she formerly used to have,
she had not been to see them" During
the trial the Rev. Mr.. Paris attempted to
take evidence, but he says in his notes that
there was so much noise and confusion in
the COURTROOM that be could not proceed,
Mrs. Thomas Putnam and her daughter
Ann being particularly profuse in their
demonstrations. Rebecca Nurse was for
mally tried on June 30. The jury
brought in verdict OF not guilty.
whereupon all the accusers in court
set up hideous cutlery. One OF
the Judges said he was not satisfied. The
chief Judge told the iurymen they had not
well considered portion Of the evidence,
which, together with the clamor OF the
crowd, induced the jury to retire once
more. This time they could not agree, and
came into court again. The words Of the
accused were repeated to her, and she
made no reply, whereupOn the jury re-
tired and found her guilty. BY written
statement OF the foreman OF the jury, it
appears that she was convicted because
she made no reply when her words
were repeated 20 her. The fact was
she was deaf and could not hear
what was asked. This she stated her.
self on being told why she had been
convicted. One Of the ministers at Salem
accommodated her. The Governor
granted her reprieve, but as soon as her
accusers heard OF this they made great out
cries again. Some OF the Salem fanatics
protested against the reprieve, and /! was
revoked. On July 10, 1892, the sanity
wife and mother. who had lived an eXem-
plary life and educated her children to vir-
tue and Christian grace, was murdered by
the Puritan fanatics. She was hanged on
Gallows Hill, Salem, together with several
other victims.
The reunion and picnic was held at the
old homestead, at Tapleyville, in Danvers
The old two-story lean-to house in which
Rebecca lived, and from which she was
taken to Jail, is still standing, and is occu-
pied by her descendants. About two hun.
bred people were present, the youngest
being Ernest Nurse, OF Lexington, one
year OF age last month, and the old.
est David Nurse, OF Westboro', eighty-fvt
years of age. A basket-lunch was served
at noon-time. At 2 O'Clock Aaron Nurse
OF Salem, called the company to order anC
introduced Benjamin b. Nurse, of West
boro', vice-president OF the Nurse Monu
ment Association, who presided. Mis-
Katie Nurse, OF Salem, read a historical
account OF the illustrious ancestor
The Rev. C.. b. Rice, Of Danyers
spoke, saying he was lineal descendant
OF the Rev. Mr.. Paris. who persecutet
Mrs. Nurse. William L. Upham, son o
the Hon. c. w. Upham, the historian o
the witchcraft era, was called upon, an
read an account OF the Nurse farm ant
the deeds connected with it. lie said Mr..
Nurse had four sons and four daughters
The treasurer OF the Association reporte
that 1915 had been raised toward the NOR
ument, and 1t was hoped that by mex
year sufficient funds " 5uld be secured {
proceed with the work. The next NEE
Ing will be held July 10, 1884.
~
A Dauseuse Mt w0st Point.