Person Page

     Philip Towne was born on 22 July 1707 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Rachel Towne was born on 9 November 1742 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Rebecca was baptized in St. Nicholas Parish Church on 21 February 1620/21 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.¹ She married Francis Nurse on 24 August 1644 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.² Rebecca was hung on 19 July 1692 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 71.³ She was interred on 19 July 1692 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.²
     

     In 1692 the famous witchcraft trials were held in Salem, Massachusetts. The episode began when a group of young girls accused others, generally older women, of consorting with the devil. Before the trials were over, 300 men and women had been accused. Twenty people were executed, including a minister who intoned the Lord's Prayer before his death. Soon after the trials, the weight of opinion in Massachusetts turned against the superstition of witchcraft, and no other trials were held.

     Rebecca Nurse was tried and hung as a witch July 19, 1692. Apparently she was deaf or almost deaf at the time which led to part of the confusion. One of her sisters, Mary, was also tried and hung on September 22, 1692. Another sister barely escaped with her life. The original Nurse home built by Francis Nurse in 1678 is situated off Pine Street, in Danvers, Massachusetts and is still standing today. There is a monument dedicated to Rebecca at that site.

     Rebecca Nurse Monument, Rebecca Nurse Homestead Pine Street, Danvers, Massachusetts. The home is occupied by a descendant. Lettering on the monument is on two sides.

North Side:

REBECCA NURSE
YARMOUTH ENGLAND
1621
SALEM MASS
1692
O Christian Martyr,
who for Truth could die
When all about thee
owned the hideous lie!
The world redeemed
from Superstition's sway
Is breathing freer
for thy sake today

South Side:

Accused of Witchcraft
She declared
"I am innocent and God will
clear my innocency."
Once acquitted yet falsely
condemned She suffered
death July 19, 1692.
In loving memory of her
Christian character
even then fully attested by
forty of her neighbors
This monument is erected
July 1885.²

     Rebecca Towne was born on 2 February 1669 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married Joseph Hutchinson on 30 January 1701.¹ Rebecca died after 1702.¹

     Rebecca Towne was born on 8 February 1700 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Richard Towne was born circa 1685 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Richard Towne was born on 16 July 1700 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ Richard died on 21 February 1765 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 64.¹

     Robert Towne married Ann ?.²

     Ruth Towne was born on 5 August 1664 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 Ruth died on 1 August 1739 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 74.²

     Ruth Towne was born on 25 March 1698 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ Ruth died on 1 August 1739 at age 41.¹

     Ruth Towne married Joseph Phillips.¹

     Salem Towne was born on 21 October 1746 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.^1,2

     Salem Towne was born circa 1808.¹

     Samuel Towne was born on 25 January 1695 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 He married first Sarah Lamb, daughter of Abial Lamb and Hannah Taylor, on 18 April 1727 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.² He married second Bathesheba Wood, daughter of Nathaniel Wood and Alice Whitney, on 11 August 1743.²

     Samuel Towne was born in 1658 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Samuel Towne was born on 11 February 1673 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ He married Elizabeth Knight on 20 October 1696 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 Samuel died on 22 May 1714 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 41.¹

     Samuel Towne was born on 5 July 1702 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Samuel Towne was born on 12 March 1747 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.¹ Samuel died circa 1789 in Warwick, Franklin Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Sarah Towne was born on 11 January 1636 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She was christened on 3 September 1648 in the Salem Village Meeting House, Salem Village, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She married first Edmund Bridges on 11 January 1659 in Rowley, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married second Peter Cloyes in 1674/75 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ Sarah died in 1703 in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹
     

     Sarah was involved with the "Witchcraft Trials" in Salem and barely escaped with her life. Two of her sisters, Rebecca and Mary, were condemned and hung.

     Sarah Towne was born on 26 April 1657 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married John Howe in 1686.¹ Sarah died on 6 May 1730 at age 73.¹ She was buried on 9 May 1730.¹

     Sarah Towne was born on 8 May 1694 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ Sarah died on 1 November 1761 at age 67.¹

     Simon Towne was born on 26 March 1724 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.^1,2

     Simon Towne was born on 26 February 1748 in Oxford, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.¹ Simon died in December 1837 at age 89.¹

     Stephen Towne was born on 2 November 1700 in Topsfield, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹

     Susan died on 29 July 1630.¹