6 NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 
of the Society of American Florists some years ago, out 
of eight entries the Prestons carried away seven first 
prizes and one second. ‘They also won the T. Jefferson 
Coolidge Cup for roses at Manchester two years ago. 
But it seems to me I could go on talking about this 
garden for ever and a day, and then think of something 
else to say. . And if the Prestons enjoy their beautiful 
gardens every day as much as I did a few hours that day, 
they must surely. feel well repaid for the great expendi- 
ture it entails. For the financier whose experiences have 
mellowed, not soured him, whose heart and intellect have 
broadened with the years, whose love of the beautifil 
has not been lost amid the strenuous cares of a great 
corporation, has much to give in the way of inspiration 
August 27, 1915. 
towards better living and better thinking, and as I quoted. 
last week “Not all the good sermons come from the pul- 
pit.” For I distened to one the day I visited the Pres- 
ton garden, the sermon of the beautiful roses and fra- 
grant flowers, the sermon of the plants and the wonder- 
ful things that have their life and growth under the 
skillful direction of the gardener, and ‘the sermon of the 
great outdoors, and as I reveled in the beauty of this 
wonderful garden I was thankful that there are some 
people in this world that give to others a privilege, such 
as I enjoyed that sunshiny day in June, in the beautiful 
rose gardens of “The Arches,’ the summer home of Mr. 
ard Mrs, Andrew W. Preston, at Phillips Beach. 
—‘Danny Dow.’ 
The Rebecca 
Nourse House at Danvers 
KATHERINE GAUSS 
Rebecca Nourse House, Danvers. 
HE summer visitor tiring of the commonplace and the 
things of the present age, and seeking for something 
di fierent to interest and charm them, will, do well to visit 
the Rebecca Nourse house in Danvers, just off the Dan- 
vers-Peabody highway. 
Built in 1636 by Townsend Bishop the house was 
later occupied by the son of Governor Endicott, who 
deeded it to his wife upon his death. Mrs. Endicott mar- 
ried Rev. James Allen of the First church of Boston and 
when Mrs. Allen died, the house and land was deeded to 
Francis Nourse and his wife Rebecca, It is the oldest 
frame house in the country, according to the opinions ex- 
pressed by experts, who have had to do with old houses 
and is in a fine state of preservation. 
The story of Rebecca Nourse is soon told. At the 
time of the “Witchcraft Delusion” in this section of. the 
country it became rumored about that Rebecca Nourse 
had been named by the Indian Tituba, as one of the four 
women “Who sometimes hurt the children” of the neigh- 
borhood. Several of the neighbors of Rebecca Nourse 
visited her about this time and found her weak and sickly, 
searce able to leave her bed. Upon being told that she 
was spoken of as a witch, she said after an amazed 
silence, “If it be so, the will of the Lord be done.” A 
warrant for her arrest was soon issued and she was cited 
to appear before a magistrate. Great was the confusion 
and consternation at her trial, But to all the questions put 
to her the answer was the same one of innocence. 
After an infamous and iniquitous trial, she was de- 
ciared not guilty, but the crowd would not have it so, 
and she was dragged off to jail until the day of her exe- 
cution’ should dawn. Denounced by all but a few, 
Rebecca Nourse laid in jail sick and worn with worry 
until the day of her death, when she was carried to Witch 
Hill and hanged. And as usual the body was flung down 
in the crevice at the side of the hill with a few feet of dirt 
tirown over it, It is said that late that night the husband 
and sons went to the spot and, having found the body, 
conveyed it to Danvers, to the family burying ground 
not far from the house and there it is to be found to this 
day marked by a monument placed there by the descen- 
dants of Rebecca Nouse. 
The actual work of restoration and the collection of 
antiques for the Rebecca Nourse house has -been de- 
scribed from time -to time, but there are many interesting 
and priceless treasures to be found there each time one 
visits the fine old place. Not less fascinating is a view Gt 
‘it at present than were the surprises that fell to the lot of 
those who demolished the modern improvements and 
found almost hourly something of interest and value. 
The massive hand-hewn timbers, the original boards that 
had been covered with lath and plaster, the newly con- 
structed partitions, the cutting up of the massive fire- 
places, measuring in the original from six to nine feet, 
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