Commentary: Yes, there is a Deaf woman, Rebecca Nurse (dob 2/21/1621, Great Yarmouth, England) accused of witchcraft (along with two younger sister) and then executed at the infamous Salem trial of 1692.The family settled in Salem Village in 1640. Her husband, Francis, was a "tray maker" by trade, had eight children, four daughters and four sons. Nurse, despite being faithful, good family reputation, yet still singled out being one of the witches.
Nurse family lived on a vast 300 acre homestead. The family had been involved in land disputes with the Putnam family. On March 23 a warrant was issued for her arrest based upon accusations made by Edward and John Putnam. Rebecca, Deaf, an invalid, wondered "I am innocent as the child unborn, but surely, what sin has God found out in me unrepentant of that He should lay such an affliction on me at my age." 39 villagers signed a petition on Nurse's behalf, and some testified on her behalf including her family members, during her trial. However the young Ann Putnam claims that Nurse was tormenting them. Rebecca simply response: "I have got nobody to look to but God." The jury ruled Nurse not guilty. Due to public outcry, the
magistrate asked that the verdict be reconsidered. At issue was the statement of another prisoner "She was one of us," Rebecca, being Deaf didn't reply, so the jury assumed that she is guilty and reversed their verdict. Obviously, she was at a disadvantage, as there were no interpreters in those days.
Ann Putnam publicly apologized to the Nurse family for accusing innocent people IN 1711.
Nurse family lived on a vast 300 acre homestead. The family had been involved in land disputes with the Putnam family. On March 23 a warrant was issued for her arrest based upon accusations made by Edward and John Putnam. Rebecca, Deaf, an invalid, wondered "I am innocent as the child unborn, but surely, what sin has God found out in me unrepentant of that He should lay such an affliction on me at my age." 39 villagers signed a petition on Nurse's behalf, and some testified on her behalf including her family members, during her trial. However the young Ann Putnam claims that Nurse was tormenting them. Rebecca simply response: "I have got nobody to look to but God." The jury ruled Nurse not guilty. Due to public outcry, the
magistrate asked that the verdict be reconsidered. At issue was the statement of another prisoner "She was one of us," Rebecca, being Deaf didn't reply, so the jury assumed that she is guilty and reversed their verdict. Obviously, she was at a disadvantage, as there were no interpreters in those days.Ann Putnam publicly apologized to the Nurse family for accusing innocent people IN 1711.
The Putnam family acquired the Nurse family homstead in 1784.
Revised 8/11/08
This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good night, Deaf America!
1 comments:
was that a fact?
Post a Comment