My first Halloween in college, my new friends and I celebrated in Salem, MA, where we toured the Salem Witch Museum, visited the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and enjoyed a number of lighter activities more in the spirit of Halloween revelry. I was surprised to see that not only had so many locations related to the trials been preserved three centuries later, but also that the scene of such terror had been turned into a sort of giant Halloween fair.
When my friend Robert Riger (he of the wayward cows) visited Salem more recently, he paid his respects to his ancestors, who had been accused, convicted, and executed for their alleged participation in witchcraft.
Robert (and Lady) at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
Each stone jutting out of the wall, or “witch’s seat,” bears the name of one of the nineteen people executed from June to September of 1692.
Rebecca Nurse may be known to us from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, the famous dramatization of the trials, but to Robert she is his 9th great-aunt. Of the hundreds more involved, 25 are ancestors of Robert’s. Moreover, when Robert began to trace his husband Dick’s family tree, he discovered that many of these people were their shared ancestors! Rebecca Nurse’s father, William Towne, is both Robert’s and Dick’s 10th great-grandfather. The table below lists shows their connections to the Towne sisters and others of their 42 ancestors involved in the trials, including ⊕ those who appear in The Crucible.
| Ancestor | Involvement | Relationship to Robert | To Dick |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⊕ Rebecca Towne Nurse | Hanged on July 19, 1692 | 9th great-aunt | 9th great-grandmother |
| ⊕ Elizabeth Proctor | Convicted, but was granted a stay of execution, because she was pregnant. Her husband, John, hanged on August 19, 1692. Both of their children were accused, too. Their third child was born in prison. | 1st cousin 9 times removed | – |
| ⊕ Thomas Putnam | The main accuser behind the trials. His wife and daughter were also accusers. | – | 2nd cousin, 9 times removed |
| ⊕ Joseph & George Herrick | Magistrates for the trial | 8th great-uncles | – |
| Mary Towne Estey | Hanged on September 22, 1692 | 9th great-aunt | 9th great-aunt |
| Sarah Towne Cloyce | Convicted, but escaped | 9th and 10th great-aunt | 9th great-grandmother |
| Ann Foster | Tortured, convicted, and died in prison after 21 weeks of incarceration at age 75. | 9th great-grandmother | related distantly |
| John Alden, Jr. | Accused, but escaped to NY | Son of Robert’s 9th great-grandparents, Mayflower passengers John Alden & Patricia Mullens | – |
Excerpts from July 12, 1692 warrant for the execution of Rebecca Nurse (and others) (via)
This may be a bad time to write this post, as leading genealogists Dick Eastman and Megan Smolenyak have lately been fomenting a backlash against all the “Surprise, they’re cousins!” press releases. Smolenyak explains:
Colonial times in North America constitute a famous cousin sweet spot. They’re long enough ago that genealogical math has had a chance to work its magic, but recent enough that there’s often a paper trail to follow. That’s why…the touted connections almost always involve a shared colonial American or French-Canadian ancestor. And the living celebrities will rarely be more closely related than seventh cousins. In fact, they’re most often eighth, ninth or tenth cousins.
And indeed, despite sharing 16 direct ancestors, Robert & Dick do not meet Smolyenak’s standard for notability — before marriage they were only 9th cousins (though many times over), and their common ancestors, “witches” and others, are all Colonial Americans. But still, it’s cool for them to know they share a personal connection to this oft-invoked chapter of Puritan zealotry.
Robert at his ancestor Rebecca Nurse’s house.
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I too am a descendent of Rebecca Towne Nurse. She is my 9th great grand aunt. I was totally shocked. I have read and got the DVD, The Crucible. I had to read that in high school. I toured the New England States a few years back and went to Salem. I went all around the cemetery and took pictures and shot some video. I never even dreamed I am part of her family. So I have Witches in My Tree, also.
I too descend from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins from my Mother’s Family, and the path descends also to Rebecca Nurse. Salem is a must see on my bucket list.
I too am a descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins as well as Rebecca Nurse. Salem is definitely on our bucket list!
Rebecca’s body was exhumed by family and returned to their homestead in Danvers. Someday I’ll visit it.
Salem is a wonderful town to visit! I’m a 9th great grand daughter of Rebecca Nurse. I live 45 minutes from Salem and encourage you to visit!
11th Great-Granddaughter
Of Rebecca Nurse.
I had a chance to visit Salem before I found out my connection. I’m looking forward to paying my respects again, but with more personal ties.
Rebecca Nurse is also my 11th great grandmother I’m hoping to visit sometime soon.
I just found out that I am 9th great granddaughter of Rebecca Towne!
I don’t know if this feed is still ongoing but I just learned today that I am also a decendant to Rebecca, Sarah and Mary.
Me too! But just to Rebecca 🙂
If you descend from Rebecca the you descend from the others as well. They are sisters
I just found out through Ancestry.com that Rebecca Nurse was my 9th great-grandmother. We had my daughter’s DNA which lead us to discover this connection. It stated that she Rebecca Nurse was her 10th great-grandmother which I shared the link. It saddens me that this family history was either lost/hidden from us. To know about the tragic events that happened in Salem then to discover you have a direct descendant that was murdered during the witch trials is surreal.
Rebecca is my 8th great grandmother! My email is moonmamamargo@gmail.com
We are cousins. My sister has been researching my geneology, and found that Rebecca is my 9th great grandmother! My email is cmcgregor71@outlook.com Feel free to contact me.
I found out recently I too am a 10th great granddaughter of Rebecca Nurse! It’s crazy how far the tree expands!
I just found out Rebecca Nurse was my 11th great grandmother! Small world!
I too descend from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins from my Mother’s Family, and the path descends also to Rebecca Nurse. Salem is a must see on my bucket list.
I just discovered Rebecca Towne Nurse was my great, great, reat, etc., grandmother and I’m stunned. Now I can’t stop reading about the trials.
Hi relatives! Me too am related to Rebecca nurse. I am doing a speech on her life to my class (I’m still in school) Wish me luck! -Gabe 12yrs
Gave, Good luck with the speech. I have a feeling you’ll do great! Lots of material for you and a fascinating period in our history. Best, Tony
Sorry, GaBe….. ( Autocorrect)
Rebecca was my 8th great grandmother. I hope to visit her homestead some day soon.
She is my 8 great grandmother as well!
I too am a descendant of Rebecca nurse.
Rebecca Nurse to Elizabeth)Nurse) Russell to Ebenezer Russell to Nethanial Russell to Hezekiah Russell to Michael Russell to Hezekiah Russell 3rd to Martha (Russell) White to John White to Lawrence White to Laurene(White)Schlund to Charles Schlund 3rd to Terra (Schlund) Sheridan. I just recently found this out. My grandmother Laurene just died this year. My dad is already deceased. And I guess my great Grandmother White kept books of our family history. She spent a good portion of her life researching our history. Kind of neat.
Rebecca Nurse is my 9th great grandmother. My ancester married her daughter. He was a Russell also.
Hi Janet! I am also a descendant and we must be related – my earliest known paternal ancestor, William Russell (1647 – 1733), married Rebecca’s daughter, Elisabeth Nurse, in 1678. If you’re interested, there’s a DNA Russell project on the worldfamilies.net site, and I’m having my father DNA tested through Family Tree DNA (where the project is based) to confirm this paper trail and to connect with others researching that branch. I’m hoping that the DNA tests might help us break through the brick wall of where William Russell came from. The Townes and Nurses can trace their ancestry back to England – but alas – no trace for William as yet. Great saying hi to you!
Julie Russell
Hi Cousins,
My father said we were related to victims of the Salem witch trials. . .
Hi Julie.
What’s your lineage? It could be fun to see how our branches are connected. I have a book on the ancestry of all the Russell branches descended from William Russell who was married to Elisabet Nurse, the daughter of the executed “witch” Rebecca Nurse. If you let me know of the earliest known ancestor in your Russell family, I can provide you with the rest of the data to connect you back to the “witches” of Salem.
Regards, Miriam Russell, Denmark.
she is my 9th Great Grandmother
Ann (Alcock) Foster (whose married surname I also bear, but do not know if it makes me related to her husband), is my aunt also. Her sister, Frances (Alcock) Hutchins is my 10th great grandmother. They were both accused, but Ann died in prison before trial. Frances was bailed out by her son. On their mother’s side, they were related to Thomas Hooker, a minister who founded Hartford, Ct. The Hooker’s were prominent in England during the reign of Elizabeth I.
This was a family which thought well of itself, and must have been the objects of envy in a close-minded society.
I am a decendent of Rebecca Towne Nurse as well. Hello relatives!! I’m 16 and from New York. I’m a junior in high school and in my English III class, we are reading The Crucible. I have relatives on BOTH sides of the Salem Witch Trials and my family does believe we are related to the women who accussed her, Goody Procter(?). It is great to read everyone’s comments on here. Nice meeting everyone!
My grandfather always said we were descendents of Rebecca Nurse as well. Always told me that some of her family changed their name to Nourse after her death. In doing research years back we have Nourses buried in an old family plot.
Rebecca is my 10th great grandma, I am actually one of the only direct male descendents left from the family after the name was changed to Nourse and the family moved to Western New York. We have been here since the early 1800s I believe!
Hi Janet! I am also a descendant and we must be related – my earliest known paternal ancestor, William Russell (1647 – 1733), married Rebecca’s daughter, Elisabeth Nurse, in 1678. If you’re interested, there’s a DNA Russell project on the worldfamilies.net site, and I’m having my father DNA tested through Family Tree DNA (where the project is based) to confirm this paper trail and to connect with others researching that branch. I’m hoping that the DNA tests might help us break through the brick wall of where William Russell came from. The Townes and Nurses can trace their ancestry back to England – but alas – no trace for William as yet. Great saying hi to you!
It would be nice to finally know where William came from. My grandfather used to joke about him getting chased out of England for messing with the queen. Such a kidder. But he also mentioned something about the “Rye house ” or “Round house ” plot??.
I’m just getting back into this, I had started years ago but lost some of it when my computer crashed.
Glad to hear from you.
Hi Janet! Interesting! The Rye House Plot seems to be a little late for this William, though, since he is mentioned in Salem in 1674 and the Plot was attempted in 1683.
Hmmm…maybe it was his father or grandfather
I am also from this line. His father was Sir William Russell, 1st Duke of Bedford. Born in June 1605 in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, England. His mother was Martha Haddington. Born in 1610 in Lavenham, Suffolk, England.
Rebecca Nurse is my 9th Great Grandmother. I plan to visit Salem soon and hope to place flowers on her grave. Such a sad tale. Imagine living 71 years as a devout Christian, traveling across the Atlantic to help colonize the the New World, seeking religious freedom, only to be hanged for an imaginary crime.
I am a grand daughter (8th down the line)
Cousins, aunts and uncles are not ancestors; relatives, yes, but not ancestors.
I’m a 7th great grand daughter of Rebecca Nurse’s sister Mary Estey.
I am 15th Great Granddaughter to William Towne, Rebecca’s father. Rebecca’s brother Jacob is my 14th Great Granfather!!!
Hi Donna, my grandmother 9 generations ago was Sarah (Towne) Estey. I am descended from the Isaac Estey (Sarah’s husbands family). My mother was an Estey from New Brunswick, Canada and later Lawrence, MA . How are you related? Beth Kelly
My grandmother nine generations back was Mary (Towne) Estey. Mary was Rebecca (Towne) Nurse’s sister and was born in 1634 in Great Yarmouth, England and married Isaac Estey. Mary Towne and Isaac Estey were my grandparents 9 generations ago. Mary and Rebecca also had a sister named Sarah (Towne) Cloyce. They came with their family to the USA in 1655. Rebecca (Towne) Nurse was hung on 7/19/2692 and Mary and Sarah were both hung on 9/22/1692. What was your 7th great grandmother or grandfather’s name? Thanks to a cousin of mine many times removed who lives in Canada I have quite a bit of family history on the Estey’s and Townes.
My mother was an Estey directly decided from Mary as well. If you would like to write to me directly, my personal email address is bkelly119@comcast.net. I live in New Hampshire. I hope to hear from you
My grandmother nine generations back was Mary (Towne) Estey. Mary was Rebecca (Towne) Nurse’s sister and was born in 1634 in Great Yarmouth, England and married Isaac Estey. Mary Towne and Isaac Estey were my grandparents 9 generations ago. Mary and Rebecca also had a sister named Sarah (Towne) Cloyce. They came with their family to the USA in 1655. Rebecca (Towne) Nurse was hung on 7/19/2692 and Mary and Sarah were both hung on 9/22/1692. What was your 7th great grandmother or grandfather’s name? Thanks to a cousin of mine many times removed who lives in Canada I have quite a bit of family history on the Estey’s and Townes.
My mother was an Estey directly decided from Mary as well. If you would like to write to me directly, my personal email address is bkelly119@comcast.net. I live in New Hampshire. I hope to hear from you
My grandmother nine generations back was Mary (Towne) Estey. Mary was Rebecca (Towne) Nurse’s sister and was born in 1634 in Great Yarmouth, England and married Isaac Estey. Mary Towne and Isaac Estey were my grandparents 9 generations ago. Mary and Rebecca also had a sister named Sarah (Towne) Cloyce. They came with their family to the USA in 1655. Rebecca (Towne) Nurse was hung on 7/19/2692 and Mary and Sarah were both hung on 9/22/1692. Thanks to a cousin of mine many times removed who lives in Canada I have quite a bit of Estey and Town family history. My mother was an Estey and a direct descendent of Mary Towne Estey. If anybody would like to write to me directly, my personal email address is bkelly119@comcast.net. I live in New Hampshire.
How can I trace my ancestry in reverse from Rebecca Towns Nurse to the mid or late 1800s? It has been passed down through my family that we are related to her. My Grandfather’s name was George E. Davis born in the mid 1800’s and my Father’s name was Earnest Augustus Davis born in 1895.
Family search .org, people! Let’s hook up! I’m working in the Goddard line as the Nourse’s cross into… maybe were related!
I teach high school American Literature, teach about the witch trials, been to Salem and admire these women so, so much! Just yesterday, I discovered some of my relatives in records from St Nicholas’s priory in Yarmouth England—Rebecca, Mary and Sarah Towne’s birth place. Yarmouth rang a bell for me so I did some digging. My family tree is into the 1700’s and bearing some of the same names in the Towne line. I’m still working with my oldest known relative but I am determined to find out why I’ve been so obsessed with the Salem witch trials. Maybe it’s in my blood? I go directly from my father to grandfather to great grandfather, and up the fathers’ lines to Yarmouth England!
PS. Please study the history and the literature. The Crucible is not about Salem. The Crucible was written in the 1950’s to make fun of the American people. The Crucible is a dramatization and Rebecca Nurse’s character is not portrayed truthfully. She was so much more than the play explained. She was a true American (before we were a notion) heroine.
Can someone help me figure out my relationship to Rebecca Towne Nurse.? John Tarbell married Mary Nurse, Rebecca & Francis Nurse’s daughter. John was a brother of my 8th g-grandfather, Thomas Tarbell III. I simply state the relationship as “Rebecca Towne Nurse” was the mother of my 8th g-grandfather’s sister-in-law, Mary Nurse Tarbell.
Thanks.
PS I am, however, a direct descendant of Hugh Jones of Salem. He died before the trials – teen witch-accuser Elizabeth Booth testified that Jones’ spirit appeared to her, saying he was murdered by accused Salem witch Elizabeth Proctor because he’d not paid his debt to E. Proctor for a pot of cider! So my direct Salem witch-trials ancestor was a ghost in the trials! Was a tragic time!
I just found out I am a direct descendant of Rebecca Nurse. She is related to my grandfather Kenneth Nourse. She is my 9 times great grandmother. Totally shocking.
I too am a descendant of Rebecca Nurse. My dad was sharing a very large family tree with me just today and now I’m obsessed with reading about her. I’ve know for a while I was, but seeing the family tree today made it that much more interesting. I wish I could attach a file with a copy of the tree. Maybe some of you are on there with me:)
Good idea! There must be some computer genius out there
Sarah Towne was my 6th great grandmother. Would really love to fill in some of the blanks on my family tree.
Hi Beth, my grandmother 9 generations ago was Sarah (Towne) Estey. I am descended from the Isaac Estey (Sarah’s husbands family). How are you related? My name is Beth also and my email is bkelly119@comcast.net
I believe some of Rebecca’s relatives exhumed her body and took it to be buried near the Nurse homestead.
I would like to be in touch with Robert Riger or his husband Dick. Mary (Towne) Estey and Sarah (Towne) Cloyce were Rebecca Nurse’s sisters. My great grandmother 9 generations back was Mary (Towne) Estey married to my great-great….grandfather Isaac Estey. I live in NH and would to be able to contact them.
Rebecca Nurse is my 9th great grandmother.
My family is also related to Rebecca Nurse. Shes a, I think, 10th great grandmother? Or 9th. I’ll have to get the paper work.
I’ve always heard story’s from my grandmother when I was younger that we were related to Rebecca Nurse and I assumed it was from my grandfathers side. My family is from Danvers and when I was younger we would always visit the historic sites and historic grave sites (I know creepy) yet I never thought anything of it. I recently had foot surgery and had some time off of work so I dove deep into my family history. I was wrong about it being on my grandfathers side it was my grandmothers and Rebecca is my 10th great grandmother through her daughter Sarah Bowden. If anyone has any more info on this please reach out.
My grandmother nine generations back was Sarah Towne. Sarah was Rebecca Towne Nurse’s sister. Sarah married Isaac Estey. Sarah and Isaac were my grandparents 9 generations ago. Sarah and Rebekah also had a sister who was hung as a witch her name was Mary. Thanks to a cousin of mine many times removed who lives in Canada I have quite a bit of information. If anybody would like to write to me directly,my personal email address is bkelly119@comcast.net. I live in New Hampshire.
I am a towne well my mother is a towne Rebecca urea is my anestrial aunt
Hi Julie.
What’s your lineage? It could be fun to see how our branches are connected. I have a book on the ancestry of all the Russell branches descended from William Russell who was married to Elisabet Nurse, the daughter of the executed “witch” Rebecca Nurse. If you let me know of the earliest known ancestor in your Russell family, I can provide you with the rest of the data to connect you back to the “witches” of Salem.
Regards, Miriam Russell, Denmark.
Hi Julie.
What’s your lineage? It could be fun to see how our branches are connected. I have a book on the ancestry of all the Russell branches descended from William Russell who was married to Elisabeth Nurse, the daughter of the executed “witch” Rebecca Nurse. If you let me know of the earliest known ancestor in your Russell family, I can provide you with the rest of the data to connect you back to the “witches” of Salem.
Regards, Miriam Russell, Denmark.
My maiden name is Towne. We went through the line and found out in related to Rebecca Nurse. My grandfather was born in Ohio, Charles Towne and my father is James Towne born in Texas 1948.
I just found out that Elizabeth Howe is my 9th great grandmother. I never knew and neither did my dad. It is very interesting.
I have known for awhile that Sarah (Towne) Cloyce is my 9th great aunt interesting stuff huh
Rebecca Nurse was my 10th great grandmother, I live in Newark, Ohio. It`s kind of strange, but I decided to research my ancestors after I begin experiencing things I couldn`t explain or understand. I did a DNA test after ancestry linked Rebecca as my 10th great grandmother, then was able to confirm this with my family tree.
My older sister did a family a family traceback and found out we are the 13th great grandchildren of Rebecca nurse I don’t know if this is true but would love to find out
Im the 10th great grandaughter of Elizabeth ancestry.com is great in connecting family. Such a sad thing that happened 😞 .
My husbands family are decedents of Rebecca Nurse
Rebecca Nurse was my 9th great grandmother. I learned of her a couple nights ago. I think she was an amazing woman. May she rest in peace forever
My name is Marjorie Nourse Kennamore & my grandfather Forrest H Nourse Sr painstakingly researched our family history long before the internet etc during the 1960’s. He was aware of the direct lineage to Rebecca Nourse & the reason for the name spelling change. One of my 1st cousins was named Rebecca Nourse but I don’t know if this was done as a purposeful connection or not. She died young & her parents are deceased as well. I have been fascinated by this history for as long as I can remember. Salem/Danvers & the Rebecca Nourse house is on my bucket list. My mother & grandmother Aline Nourse & Pearl Nourse traveled there many yrs ago.