Rebecca Nurse Homestead: A Salem Witch Trials Execution
In the quiet town of Danvers, Massachusetts, lies the Rebecca Nurse Homestead. The remarkably well-preserved 17th-century farmstead offers haunting insight into one of America’s most infamous chapters, the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Who is Rebecca Nurse?
The homestead was originally built in 1678 and was the home of Rebecca Nurse, an elderly woman wrongfully accused of witchcraft during the hysteria that gripped Salem.
Even at the time, the allegations against Rebecca Nurse were shocking. Nurse was 71 years old and was seen as a very pious woman held in high regard by her community. Upon learning of the allegations of witchcraft, an astonished Nurse declared, “I am innocent as the child unborn.”
Despite her respected status in the community, she was convicted and executed on July 19th, 1692.
Visiting the Rebecca Nurse Homestead
Today, The Rebecca Nurse Homestead is a powerful reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and injustice.
We pulled into a nearly empty parking lot on a late summer afternoon. The site was closing in less than an hour, so we were in a hurry.
After paying the entrance fee, we explored the grounds. The first thing we did was visit the original saltbox-style house, one of the few remaining structures from that era.
Walking through several of the older rooms in the house, including the original “great hall” and sleeping chamber. The home has been historically restored and furnished with period pieces that transport you to the late 1600s.
Walking through, it was easy to see daily life for a Puritan family.
The Burial Grounds
Another highlight of our visit was the burial grounds. The old cemetery is the final resting place for members of the Nurse and other families. After her execution, it’s believed Rebecca Nurse was buried here in an unmarked grave. There is a monument dedicated to Rebecca Nurse. It reads:
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.”
Another interesting fact about the burial grounds, George Jacobs Sr. is buried here. His grave is the only known remains of an executed victim of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. He was exhumed from his property in Salem and reburied here in 1992.
The Meetinghouse Replica
The reconstructed meetinghouse is also worth checking out. It provides an immersive experience, replicating the setting where many accused individuals were interrogated.
Planning Your Visit to the Rebecca Nurse Homestead
The site is open seasonally, typically from spring through fall. Guided tours are highly recommended, as they offer more profound insights into the site’s history. We did not get to take one during our visit, but next time we are in the area, we certainly plan to.
The homestead is just a short drive from Salem, Massachusetts, making it an excellent addition to a Salem Witch Trials-themed itinerary.
For history lovers and curious travelers alike, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead is a profound and moving destination. It preserves a crucial piece of American history and serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of justice and reason in society.
