August 19th marked the third hanging day during the Salem witch trials. Pictured here are several memorials for these victims located across Essex County, as well as the gravestone of George Jacobs Sr., who was laid to rest on the property of The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in 1992. | Salem Witch Museum

Today, in the year 1692, the second execution day took place during the Salem witch trials. On this day, between eight o'clock and noon, Rebecca Nurse, Susanna Martin, Elizabeth How, Sarah Good and Sarah Wildes were transported by cart from the Salem jail to Proctor's Ledge. Each of these women, innocent of the charges brought against them, now faced a public death by hanging. While we can only imagine the emotions and thoughts felt by these women as they reached the gallows, the records give us