Mrs. Putnam to Rev. Parris in Act One of Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible"

MRS. PUTNAM: Reverend Parris, I have laid seven babies unbaptized in the earth. Believe me, sir, you never saw more hearty babies born. And yet, each would wither in my arms the very night of their birth. I have spoke nothin', but my heart has clamored intimations. And now, this year, my Ruth, my only – I see her turning strange. A secret child she has become this year, and shrivels like a sucking mouth were pullin’ on her life too. And so I thought to send her to your Tituba-

Probably because they are unbaptized. If they are unbaptized, what reason would they have for being married in a church or by a vicar?

An unbaptized person is commonly referred to as a catechumen in many Christian traditions. This term denotes someone who is undergoing instruction in the principles of the faith in preparation for baptism.

They are referred to as Catechumens.

At Rene Descartes death, Sweden was primarily a Protestant country so he was buried in the graveyard for unbaptized babies, although he was a Catholic. Later, his remains were taken to the Abbey of Saint-German-des-Prés, the oldest church in Paris, where he was laid permanently to rest.