The earliest women accused of witchcraft fit the typical description of a witch. Rebecca Nurse was not like those women. Nurse was a regular church member and had lived in the community for decades. By all accounts, she was well liked. Sarah Holten accused her of “railing and scolding” her husband. Her trial was unique, because it was the first time anyone was openly against the trial and the evidence. John Proctor made it clear that he did not believe his servant Mary Warren was really a victim of witchcraft. His reasoning was that when he threatened to “thrash” her the fits stopped, they only occurred when he was not around. Also, when Reverend Parris implied that Nurse was guilty in one of his sermons, Sarah Cloyse (Nurse’s sister) walked out of the church, slamming the door behind her.

At this point, showing sympathy for any of the accused only caused suspicion. Not only did Sarah Cloyse and John Proctor get accused of witchcraft, Elizabeth Proctor (John’s wife) was accused as well. The girls claimed they saw the group at a meeting of witches, along with others. Other men of the village made similar accusations against the group, collaborating with the children. The Proctors had been married for eighteen years and Elizabeth was pregnant at the time of the trial, which is the only reason the town did not hang her. The others were hung at the gallows for being witches.

At Rebecca Nurse’s homestead, visitors can see the farm where Rebecca lived. In the back of the property there is a small cemetery, where Rebecca is buried along with other victims of the witchcraft hysteria including John Proctor. It is a small, quiet place of peace. 

By: Jessica McKenzie 

Credits and Sources:

Games, Alison.Witchcraft in Early North America.New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2010.

Hansen, Chadwick. Witchcraft at Salem.New York, NY: G. Braziller, 1969.  

Rapley, Robert.Witch Hunts: From Salem to Guantanamo Bay.Canadian Electronic Library: McGill-Queen’s Press, 2007.