The Genealogy Thread. =)

[HeiressofBickworth]

53. You probably already have this information, but

in case you don't:

"In May, 1693, all of the remaining accused that had been arrested were released, but only after their families had paid jail and court costs. In 1709, a petition was submitted requesting reversal of the convictions of 22 indiviuals. In October, 1711, this petition was approved by the General Court and in December, the Governor authorized monetary compensation to these individuals or their heirs."

Did your Rebecca's family sign the petition and receive compensation?

My Susannah's family did not: "Susannah Martin's family did not sign this petition and she, along with others, were not included in this resolution. In 1957, an Act was passed pronouncing the innocence of "One Ann Pudeator and certain other persons." It was not until 2001 that an Act was passed amending the 1957 wording to include the names, "Ann Pudeator, Bridget Bishop, Susannah Martin, Alice Parker, Margaret Scott and Wilmot Redd.."

Merrill's "History of Amesbury and Merrimac"
"The Devil in Massachusetts" pages 105-117, 157, 170-75, 216-7
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html. In the comments section was this: "I am as innocent as a child unborn." If you read the transcript at http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_NUR.HTM, you'll see (fourth full paragraph) that Rebecca Towne Nurse said those exact words during an examination before her trial. She was innocent, as it turns out, but she was deaf and couldn't hear some of the questions during trial. At the time, silence meant guilt. She was originally found not guilty but the judge ordered the jury to deliberate again and that time she was found guilty and hanged. She was 71, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, pious and loving."

I just love this stuff -- I've spent nearly 40 years researching my family and Susannah North Martin is one of the most interesting stories I've found.