Will you read this first, sir? It’s a sort of testament. The people signing it declare their good opinion of Rebecca, and my wife, and Martha Corey…these are all landholding farmers, members of the church, sir – they’ve known the women many years and never saw no sign they had dealing with the Devil.
– Arthur Miller
The Crucible, Act 3. John Proctor presents to Judge Danforth a petition testifying to the good character of Rebecca Nurse, Elizabeth Proctor and Martha Corey. It is signed by 91 prominent people from Salem, who say that the accused women are not witches.