- Name: Isaac Esty
- Birth: 17-NOV-1628 in: Freston, Suffolk, England
- Death:
- Father:
- Mother:
Notes:
- Married:
- Name: Mary Towne
- Birth: 24-AUG-1634 in: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
- Death: 22-SEP-1692 in: Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA
- Father: William Towne
- Mother: Joanna Blessing
Notes: From another online genealogy (no listing for author):
Mary Towne was 58 years old when she was accused of witchcraft in Salem in 1692. Her older sister Rebecca Towne Nurse was accused and hanged. Her sister Sarah was imprisoned accused of witchcraft and subsequently escaped with the help of friend s and relatives. Mary's impassioned plea to the general court shows her enormous courage and intelligence in the face of certain death.
It is unknown if this petition was written in her own hand or was written for her and if so by who.
"Your poor and humble petitioner, being condemned to die, do humbly beg of you to take it into your judicious and pious considerations that your poor and humble petitioner, knowing my own innocency, blessed be the Lord for it, and seeing plainl y the wiles and subtleties of my accusers...cannot but judge charitably of others that are going the same way [as] myself...I petition to your honours not for my own life for I know I must die and my appointe time is set.
...I question not but your honours would not be guilty of innocent blood for the world but by my own innocency I know that 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 no mor e innocent blood be shed. I would humbly beg of you that your honours would be pleased to examine these afflicted persons strictly and keep them apart some time and likewise to try some of these confessing witches, I being confident there is sever al of them that has belied themselves and others as will appear if not in this world I am sure in the world to come whither I am going... The Lord above who is the searcher of all hearts knows that as I shall answer it at the tribunal seat tha t I know not the least thing of witchcraft, therefore I cannot, I dare not, bely my own soul. I beg your honours not to deny this my humble petition from a poor dying innocent person and I question not but The Lord will give a blessing to your end eavors"
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