Mrs. Putnam was Mr. Putnam's wife and lost 7 children before they lived a day. “Reverend Parris, I have placed seven unbaptized children in the earth. Believe me, sir, you have never seen such generous children born. Yet, each of them would wither in my arms the very night of their birth. Mrs. Putnam is talking to Rev. Parris about her daughter Ruth and how she lost all of her children except her precious Ruth. Rebecca Nurse, on the other hand, has 11 children and over 20 grandchildren. Jealousy overwhelmed Mrs. Putnam. “But I have to! Do you think it is God's work that you should never lose a child, or even a grandchild, and that I bury all but one? There are wheels within wheels in this village and fires within fires!”. Mrs. Putnam later in the story accuses Rebecca Nurse of witchcraft and Rebecca Nurse is hanged. Abigail Williams, Rev. Parris' niece, becomes jealous of Elizabeth Procter. Abigail's motivations are completely out of line