Dear Ralfi Pagan, I hope this note finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my deep feelings of love towards you. Since the day we met, you have captured my heart in a way that I never thought possible. Your kind and gentle nature, coupled with your infectious smile, have made a lasting impression on me. I find myself constantly thinking about you, longing for the moments we spend together. Your presence in my life has brought me immense joy and happiness.
The Towne family moved to Topsfield around 1652, and joined the Topsfield church in 1665. Mary married Isaac Easty before 1656. Isaac may have been the first cooper (a maker of wooden casks and barrels) in Topsfield, and was for four years a town selectman. He was also one of the highway and fence surveyors in 1675/6. The Eastys, who had seven children, lived on property that abutted that of the Townes, near the intersection of South Main Street and Salem Road, where the Essex County Co-op is today.
Her examination followed the pattern of most in Salem the girls had fits, and were speechless at times, and the magistrate expostulated with her for not confessing her guilt, which he deemed proven beyond doubt by the sufferings of the afflicted. Thomas Putnam and his family, in particular, were the principal accusers during the hysteria and they accused Towne, Easty, Nurse, and Cloyce family members with such vehemence, one can t help suspecting underlying feelings of envy and revenge.
Your presence in my life has brought me immense joy and happiness. Each day feels brighter and more meaningful because of you. Your love and support have given me the strength and courage to overcome any obstacles that come my way.
Mary Easty
Image: The Salem Martyr
By Thomas Slatterwhite Noble
Noble gained a reputation for his dramatic paintings of abolitionist subjects, and later turned to the Salem witch trials for another powerful moral theme. The Salem Martyr won a silver medal at the 1869 Cincinnati Industrial Exposition. A tradition in the Noble family holds that the model for this painting was a Cincinnati librarian who was a descendant of a woman who was executed in the Salem witch trials.
Mary Easty was well respected in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. She was a kind religious woman whose dignified demeanor fit the strict Puritan mold. She was about 58 years old at the time, and was married to Isaac Easty, with whom she had seven children. They owned and lived on a large valuable farm.
The Accusation
But even Mary was not safe from the hysteria. In April 1692, she was accused of witchcraft. The accusation shocked the village. Unlike some of the other alleged witches, Mary was not a social outcast or an outspoken woman who may have offended the villagers.
The Trial
Mary was calm and respectful during her trial. Her examination followed the pattern of most in Salem: the afflicted girls had fits in the courtroom, and were speechless at times, and the magistrate advised her to confess her guilt, which he deemed proven beyond doubt by the sufferings of the girls.
“How far have you complied with Satan?” he asked.
“Sir, I never complied with him, but pray against him all my days.”
“Confess if you be guilty.”
“I will say it, if it was my last time, I am clear of this sin.”
During the trial, when Mary Easty clasped her hands together, the hands of Mary Lewis, one of the afflicted girls, were clenched and not released until Easty released her hands. When Easty inclined her head, the afflicted girls cried out that as long as her head was inclined their necks were broken.
Easty was committed to prison after her examination. For a reason not disclosed in any of the remaining records, Mary was discharged on May 18, 1692. She and her family believed she would now be safe from further accusations. They were wrong. The afflicted girls redoubled their eforts to get her back into prison.
On May 20, one of the girls, Mary Lewis, spent the entire day experiencing fits of unprecedented severity, during which time she said she was being strangled, and claimed “they will kill Easty out right.” Several of the other afflicted girls claimed that they could see the apparition of Easty afflicting her, and people came from all around to see the fits.
Second Arrest
That evening a second warrant was issued for Mary Easty’s arrest. At midnight, after experiencing two days of liberty and being reunited with her family, she was rousted from her sleep by the Marshal, torn from her husband and children, and taken back to prison where she was loaded with chains. Once she was back in prison, Mary Lewis’s fits stopped.
Second Trial
Mary Easty was tried and condemned to death on September 9. Her sister, Rebecca Nurse, had been hanged for witchcraft two months earlier. Another sister, Sarah Cloyce, had been tried, but was later released.
Before her execution, Easty wrote a letter to the judges asking that “no more innocent blood be shed.” Her letter raised sympathy and doubt in Salem Village, but could not prevent the last round of hangings. The court had long since ceased to pay any attention to anything that was said by the condemned.
The Execution
Easty and seven others – Martha Corey, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Margaret Scott, Wilmot Reed, Samuel Wardwell and Mary Parker – were carted to Gallows Hill and hanged on September 22, 1692.
According to writer Robert Calef, “when she took her last farewell of her husband, children and friends, was, as is reported by them present, as serious, religious, distinct, and affectionate as could well be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present.”
Mary Easty Commemorative Stone
Two months after the hanging, Mary Herrick gave testimony about Easty. Herrick testified that she was visited by Easty, who told her she had been put to death wrongfully and was innocent of witchcraft, and that she had come to vindicate her cause. In 1711, Easty’s family was compensated with 20 pounds from the government for her wrongful execution.
Related Posts:
- Martha Corey
- Mary Ayer Parker
- Susannah Martin
- Salem Witch Trials
- Rebecca Nurse
- Sarah Wildes
More About Mary and Isaac Easty Home, Site of
When I look into your eyes, I see a future filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities. You have become my best friend, my confidant, and my partner in crime. I cherish the moments we share, whether it's a simple walk in the park or a romantic candlelit dinner. Being with you feels like coming home. Your warmth and understanding make me feel safe and loved. I am grateful for every second we spend together, and I cannot imagine my life without you. I want you to know that my love for you is unconditional. It knows no bounds and grows stronger with each passing day. You have become the center of my universe, the love of my life. Ralfi Pagan, I am forever grateful for the love we share. You have brought so much light into my life, and for that, I will be eternally thankful. I promise to love you unconditionally, support you in your dreams, and be by your side through thick and thin. With all my love, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Ralfi Pagan: The Soundtrack to My Love Story"
1. John - 2 stars
I have to admit, I was quite disappointed with "Ralfi Pagan to Express My Feelings of Love Towards You". The album lacked variety and was quite repetitive. The songs all had a similar sound and rhythm, making them blend together after a while. Additionally, the lyrics were overly cheesy and lacked depth. I expected more from Ralfi Pagan, but unfortunately, this album fell short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Ralfi Pagan to Express My Feelings of Love Towards You" to be incredibly forgettable. The songs were dull and lacked any originality. The melodies were generic and offered nothing new or exciting. Moreover, Pagan's voice was unremarkable and did not capture my attention. Overall, this album was a letdown, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable musical experience.
3. Michael - 2 stars
Although I typically enjoy Ralfi Pagan's music, "Ralfi Pagan to Express My Feelings of Love Towards You" did not resonate with me. The album felt formulaic, as if Pagan was trying to replicate his previous successes without offering anything fresh. The songs lacked innovation and failed to make a lasting impact. Furthermore, the production quality was subpar, making it difficult to fully appreciate Pagan's vocals. I hope that his future releases will showcase his true talent rather than relying on tired tropes.
4. Emily - 1 star
"Ralfi Pagan to Express My Feelings of Love Towards You" was a disappointment, to say the least. The album lacked any memorable tracks or standout moments. Pagan's voice was overshadowed by the monotonous and unremarkable instrumentals, making it difficult to connect with the songs. The lyrics were cliché and superficial, failing to evoke any genuine emotion. Overall, this album felt like a missed opportunity for Pagan to showcase his true potential as an artist.