Rebecca Nurse was accused of witchcraft and executed in New England during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. She was fully exonerated less than twenty years later.
She was the wife of Francis Nurse, with several children and grandchildren, and a well-respected member of the community. She was tried, and convicted, in the spring and summer of 1692 and executed on July 19.
This occurred during a time when parts of the government and people of the Province of Massachusetts Bay were seized with witch-phobia. Her married sisters Mary Eastey and Sarah Cloyce were also accused. Mary was convicted and executed, but Sarah managed to survive.