Mary Towne (1634-1692)

Falsely Accused of witchcraft at Salem Witch Trials, and hung at the Gallows

Vital Statistics

 * Daughter of William Towne (1599-1685) and Joanna Blessing (1595-1682)
 * 1634-Aug-12 : Birth at Great Yarmouth, Suffolk, England


 * 1634-Aug-24 : Christening - Great Yarmouth, Suffolk, England


 * 1647 : Approximate time of Marriage to Issac Estey (1627-1709) at Topsfield, Essex Co, Massachusetts


 * 1692 : Salem Witch Trials


 * 1692-Sep-22 : Execution at Salem, Essex Co, Massachusetts Colony

Salem Witch Trials
Her sister, Rebecca Nurse, was previously executed at the Salem Witch Trials.

Mary has a 57-year old mother of seven children and sister to Rebecca Nurse and Sarah Cloyce, who were also accused of witchcraft in Salem 1692.

Final state of Mary Eastey, a devout Puritan who affirmed the existence of witchcraft, but strongly condemned the trial proceedings. ''The Lord above knows my innocency then...as on the great day will be known to men and angels. I petition your honours...if it be possible, that no more innocent blood be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in the way and course you go in. I question not, but your honors do to the utmost of your powers in the discovery and detecting of witchcraft and witches, and would not be guilt of innocent blood for the world; but by mo own innocency, I know you are in the wrong way. The Lord in His infinite mercy direct you in this great work, if it be his blessed will, that innocent blood be not shed...''

Robert Calef reported in his work More Wonders of the Invisible World that immediately before her execution - When she took her last farewell of her husband, children, and friends she was as is reorted by them present, as serious, religious, distinct, and affectionate as could well be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of all present.

She was among the last to by hanged during the Salem Witchcraft episode.