Nurse, Rebecca (1621–1692)

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Nurse, Rebecca (1621–1692)

English-born witchcraft-trial victim. Name variations: Rebecca Nourse. Born Feb 1621 in Great Yarmouth, England; died July 19, 1692, in Salem, MA; dau. of William Towne and Joanna (Blessing) Towne; m. Francis Nurse (woodworker); children:4 sons, 4 daughters.

Accused of witchcraft by group of young women (1692); arrested by local authorities (Mar 24, 1692) and examined by magistrates (Mar 25, 1692); insisted on innocence throughout imprisonment and during trial (June 30, 1692); hung with 4 others on "Gallows Hill" in Salem (July 14, 1692).

See also Works Progress Administration, Salem Witchcraft, 1692 (Essex Co. Court House, Salem).