_July_ 4, 1692. I Thomas Fisk,[34] _the Subscriber hereof, being one of them that were of the Jury last week at_ Salem-court,_ upon the Tryal of_ Rebecca Nurse, _&c. being desired by some of the Relations to give a Reason why the Jury brought her in Guilty, after her Verdict not Guilty; I do hereby give my Reasons to be as follows, viz._ _When the Verdict not Guilty was, the honored Court was pleased to object against it, saying to them, that they think they let slip the words, which the Prisoner at the Bar spake against herself, which were spoken in reply to Goodwife_ Hobbs _and her Daughter, who had been faulty in setting their hands to the Devils Book, as they have confessed formerly; the words were_ [What do these persons give in Evidence against me now, they used to come among us.] _After the honored Court had manifested their dissatisfaction of the Verdict, several of the Jury declared themselves desirous to go out again, and thereupon the Honoured Court gave leave; but when we came to consider of the Case, I could not tell how to take her words, as an Evidence against her, till she had a further opportunity to put her Sense upon them, if she would take it; and then going into Court, I mentioned the words aforesaid, which by one of the_ [103] _Court were affirmed to have been spoken by her, she being then at the Bar, but made no reply, nor interpretation of them; whereupon these words were to me a principal Evidence against her._ Thomas Fisk. When goodwife _Nurse_ was informed what use was made of these words, she put in this following Declaration into the Court. THESE _presents do humbly shew to the honoured Court and Jury, that I being informed, that the Jury brought me in Guilty, upon my saying that Goodwife_ Hobbs _and her Daughter were of our Company; but I intended no otherways, than as they were Prisoners with us, and therefore did then, and yet do judge them not legal Evidence against their fellow Prisoners. And I being something hard of hearing, and full of grief, none informing me how the Court took up my words, and therefore had no opportunity to declare what I intended, when I said they were of our Company._ Rebecka Nurse. After her Condemnation she was by one of the Ministers of _Salem_ excommunicated; yet the Governour saw cause to grant a Reprieve, which when known (and some say immediately upon granting) the Accusers renewed their dismal outcries against her, insomuch that the Governour was by some _Salem_ Gentleman prevailed with to recall the Reprieve, and she was Executed with the rest. The Testimonials of her Christian behaviour, both in the course of her Life, and at her Death, and her extraordinary care in educating her Children, and setting them good Examples, _&c._ under the hands of so many, are so numerous, that for brevity they are here omitted.[35]