Answer:
They were church members and therefore "elect".
Step-by-step explanation:
Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey were victims in the Salem witch craft trials. Her problem became pronounced with her consistent land disputes with the Putnam family. Putnam family accused many others who were their enemies in the witch craft trials of Salem.
The trials and subsequent conviction of Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey was a big surprise to the community because they were prominent and pious women.
They were found guilty despite their pleadings and were sentenced to death by hanging, having already been excommunicated by the church.
Their trial and conviction was the clear expression of the presecution of minority in the then US courts. However, their death ushered in a new area in US court administration of justice. Cross examination, innocent until proven guilty were some of the reforms introduced.