University of Virginia Library

FRIDAY.& SATURDAY, MARCH 18 & 19, 1692
Ann Putnam, Sr. Vs. Martha Cory & Rebecca Nurse

This is the first part of a deposition written in the handwriting of Thomas Putnam concerning his wife, Ann, the mother of Ann Putnam, Jr. In her testimony Mrs. Putnam tells of being afflicted not only by the spectre of Goody Cory, but also by a new spectral tormentor, Rebecca Nurse. Nurse was a Salem Village inhabitant and wife of Francis Nurse. She was also a covenant member of the Salem Church. This deposition was sworn to on May 31, 1692.

The Deposition of Ann. putnam the wife of Thomas putnam agged about 30 years who testifieth and saith that on the 18th march 1691/92 1 being wearied out in helping to tend my poor afflected Child and Maid: about the middle of the affiernoon I layd me down on the bed to take a little Rest and Immedi-atly I was allmost prest and Choaked to death: that had it not been for the mircy of a gratious God and the help of those that ware with me: I could not have lived many moments: and presently I saw the Apperishtion of Mar-tha Cory who did torter me so as I cannot Express Redy to tare me all to peaces: and yn departed from me alitle while: but before I could recover strenth or well take breath the Apperishtion of Martha Cory fell upon me again with dreadfull tortors and hellish temtations to goe along with hir and she also brought to me a little Red book in hir hand and a black pen urging me vehemently to writ in hir book: and severall times that day she did most greviously tortor me allmost redy to kill me and on the 19 th march: Martha Cory againe appeared to me and also Rebekah nurs the wife of frances nurs sen r:and they both did tortor: me agrate many times this day with such tor-tors as no toungu can express because I would not yeald to their Hellish tem-tations that had I not been upheild by an Allmighty Arme I could not have lived while night ye 20 th march being sabboth day I had agrat deal of Respitt. between my fitts: