This is a cenotaph erected in Rebecca's memory. Her actual burial was originally near the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, where she was hanged as an accused witch. However, there is some evidence that her family removed the body and had it buried elsewhere, perhaps near the location of this cenotaph.
Rebecca, the daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, was baptized Feb 21, 1621 in England. Shortly afterwards, the Towne family immigrated to Topsfield, Massachusetts. Rebecca married Francis Nurse, and they settled initially near North River in Salem.
Rebecca, the daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, was baptized Feb 21, 1621 in England. Shortly afterwards, the Towne family immigrated to Topsfield, Massachusetts. Rebecca married Francis Nurse, and they settled initially near North River in Salem.
This is a cenotaph erected in Rebecca's memory. Her actual burial was originally near the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, where she was hanged as an accused witch. However, there is some evidence that her family removed the body and had it buried elsewhere, perhaps near the location of this cenotaph.
Rebecca, the daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, was baptized Feb 21, 1621 in England. Shortly afterwards, the Towne family immigrated to Topsfield, Massachusetts. Rebecca married Francis Nurse, and they settled initially near North River in Salem.
Rebecca, the daughter of William Towne and Joanna Blessing, was baptized Feb 21, 1621 in England. Shortly afterwards, the Towne family immigrated to Topsfield, Massachusetts. Rebecca married Francis Nurse, and they settled initially near North River in Salem.
Inscription
The monument includes a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier:
“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.”
The other side of the monument reads:
“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.”
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