family of children and educated them well, so that there is in some of them apparent savor of godliness.  I have known her differ with her neighbors; but I never knew or heard of any that did accuse her of what she is now charged with.”

A similar paper was signed by thirty-nine other persons of the village and the immediate vicinity, all of the highest respectability.  The men and women who dared to do this act of justice must not be forgotten:—­

“We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being desired by Goodman Nurse to declare what we know concerning his wife’s conversation for time past,—­we can testify, to all whom it may concern, that we have known her for many years; and, according to our observation, her life and conversation were according to her profession, and we never had any cause or grounds to suspect her of any such thing as she is now accused of.

“ISRAEL PORTER.             SAMUEL ABBEY. 
ELIZABETH PORTER.           HEPZIBAH REA. 
EDWARD BISHOP, Sr.          DANIEL ANDREW. 
HANNAH BISHOP.              SARAH ANDREW. 
JOSHUA REA.                 DANIEL REA. 
SARAH REA.                  SARAH PUTNAM. 
SARAH LEACH.                JONATHAN PUTNAM. 
JOHN PUTNAM.                LYDIA PUTNAM. 
REBECCA PUTNAM.             WALTER PHILLIPS, Sr. 
JOSEPH HUTCHINSON, Sr.      NATHANIEL FELTON, Sr. 
LYDIA HUTCHINSON.           MARGARET PHILLIPS. 
WILLIAM OSBURN.             TABITHA PHILLIPS. 
HANNAH OSBURN.              JOSEPH HOULTON, Jr. 
JOSEPH HOLTON, Sr.          SAMUEL ENDICOTT. 
SARAH HOLTON.               ELIZABETH BUXTON. 
BENJAMIN PUTNAM.            SAMUEL ABORN, Sr. 
SARAH PUTNAM.               ISAAC COOK. 
JOB SWINNERTON.             ELIZABETH COOK. 
ESTHER SWINNERTON.          JOSEPH PUTNAM.” 
JOSEPH HERRICK, Sr.

An examination of the foregoing names in connection with the history of the Village will show conclusive proof, that, if the matter had been left to the people there, it would never have reached the point to which it was carried.  It was the influence of the magistracy and the government of the colony, and the public sentiment prevalent elsewhere, overruling that of the immediate locality, that drove on the storm.

Israel Porter was the head of a great and powerful family.  His wife Elizabeth was, as has been stated, a sister of Hathorne, the examining magistrate.  Edward and Hannah Bishop were the venerable heads and founders of a large family.  They lived in Beverly, and must each have been about ninety years of age.  The list contains the names of the heads of the principal families in the village,—­such as John and Rebecca Putnam, the Hutchinsons, Reas, Leaches, Houltons, and Herricks; and, in the neighborhood, such as the Feltons, Osbornes, and Samuel Endicott.  The most remarkable fact it discloses is that it contains the name of one of the two complainants who procured the warrant against Rebecca Nurse,—­Jonathan Putnam, the eldest son of John; and also of his wife Lydia.  Subsequent reflection, and the return of his better judgment, satisfied him that he had done a great wrong to an innocent and worthy person; and he had the manliness to come out in her favor.  This document ought to have been effectual in saving the life of Rebecca Nurse.  It will for ever vindicate her character, and reflect honor upon each and every name subscribed to it.