Francis Dane

Rev. Francis Dane (20 November 1615 – 17 February 1697) was an English minister who was active in Andover, Massachusetts in the latter half of the 17th century. He was baptized in Bishop's Stortford, England, where it is possible he was also born. Shortly following Barnard's arrival, Francis Dane's salary was stopped. Dane petitioned the General Court in Boston to have it reinstated. The town complied, but split the salary of 80 pounds a year so that Dane received thirty pounds and Barnard received fifty.

Dane and his family were in danger as half a dozen family members stood accused, including Francis Dane himself. Another minister, George Burroughs, had been hanged, and thus Dane's status did not guarantee protection. He warned that his people were guilty of blood for accepting unfounded accusations against covenanted members of the church. Two of Francis Dane's daughters, Elizabeth Dane Johnson and Abigail Dane Faulkner, and his daughter-in-law, Deliverance Dane, were all arrested. Deliverance was in prison for 13 weeks. Abigail Dane Faulkner's two daughters, Abigail Faulkner (Lamson) and Dorothy Faulkner (Nurse), were also accused of witchcraft. All of these survived the trials.

Dane's daughter, Abigail Faulkner Sr., was convicted and condemned in September 1692 but given a temporary stay of execution because she was pregnant. She was later pardoned by the governor and released. Although Dane's extended family had the most accused of any family, none of his immediate family members was executed, except Elizabeth Jackson Howe (executed July 19, 1692), wife of James Howe, Jr. (or How).

Personal life By his first wife, Elizabeth Ingalls (1618–1676), Francis had six children, two sons and four daughters:

Elizabeth Dane Johnson (1641–1722), Nathaniel Dane (1645–1725), Hannah Dane Goodhue (1648–1712), Phebe Dane Robinson (1650–1726), Abigail Dane Faulkner (1652–1730), Francis Dane (1656–1738).

He married twice more. His second wife was Mary Thomas (m. ?–1689; her death), and his third wife was Hannah Chandler Abbot (m. 1690–1697; his death).

Death He died in Andover on 17 February 1696.