Dear friends, I am thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated Moonlight Magic 2023 event is just around the corner! Get ready to immerse yourself in an enchanting evening full of wonder, beauty, and pure magic. This year's Moonlight Magic promises to be the most mesmerizing experience yet. As the moon casts its ethereal glow upon an impeccably designed landscape, you will find yourself transported to a realm of fantasy and delight. Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking sights and sounds that will surround you, creating an atmosphere of pure enchantment. The event will feature a rich variety of attractions and activities that will appeal to guests of all ages. As you wander through the illuminated pathways, you will encounter dazzling light installations, create fantastical memories at the photo booth, and witness phenomenal performances by talented artists.
“Mary Ropes, aged about fifty years, deposed that she had several times been called to her neighbor Thomas Oliver’s, by himself, but mostly by his wife, to hear their complaints one of the other, and they both acknowledged that they had been fighting together. Further she saw Goodwife Oliver’s face at one time bloody and at other times black and blue, and the said Oliver complained that his wife had given him several blows.”
Further she saw Goodwife Oliver s face at one time bloody and at other times black and blue, and the said Oliver complained that his wife had given him several blows. As the first person to be executed in the Salem Witch Trials, Bridget Bishop has received plenty of attention from Salem s historians, amateur and professional.
As you wander through the illuminated pathways, you will encounter dazzling light installations, create fantastical memories at the photo booth, and witness phenomenal performances by talented artists. Indulge your senses with delicious food and drinks from a wide range of vendors, offering both local favorites and international delicacies. For those seeking a touch of adventure, discover the hidden corners of Moonlight Magic by embarking on a treasure hunt or participating in an interactive game.
The Witchcraft Trial of Bridget Bishop
Bishop, whose maiden name was Playfer, was born sometime between 1632 and 1635 in England.
In 1660, she married her first husband, Samuel Wasselby, in England and moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony around the same time.
After Wasselby died in 1664, Bridget married her second husband in 1666, a widower named Thomas Oliver who already had children from his previous marriage. Bridget and Thomas Oliver had one child together, a daughter named Christian who was born in Salem on May 8, 1667.
Bridget and Thomas Oliver had a troubled relationship. The couple quarreled often and were even brought to court for fighting in 1670, during which their neighbor, Mary Ropes, testified that Bridget’s face was bloodied and bruised on a number of occasions, according to the book Salem-Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England:
“Mary Ropes, aged about fifty years, deposed that she had several times been called to her neighbor Thomas Oliver’s, by himself, but mostly by his wife, to hear their complaints one of the other, and they both acknowledged that they had been fighting together. Further she saw Goodwife Oliver’s face at one time bloody and at other times black and blue, and the said Oliver complained that his wife had given him several blows.”
Bridget and Thomas Oliver were fined and ordered to be whipped if they did not pay their fine on time.
In 1678, Bridget was brought to court for using foul language against her husband, as described in the book Salem-Village Witchcraft:
“Bridget, wife of Thomas Oliver, presented for calling her husband many opprobrious names, as old rogue and old devil, on Lord’s day, was ordered to stand with her husband, back to back, on a lecture day in the public market place, both gagged, for about an hour, with a paper fastened to each others foreheads upon which their offense should be fairly written.”
After Oliver died of an illness in 1679, Bridget inherited his estate, which consisted of a house worth £45, ten acres of land worth £25, a variety of household goods and two pigs. Oliver’s two sons and the couple’s daughter only received twenty shillings each.
“Execution of Bridget Bishop at Salem, 1692,” illustration by Joseph Boggs Beale, circa 1885Just three months after receiving her inheritance in November, Bridget’s stepchildren accused her of bewitching Oliver to death. A lack of evidence prevented the case from going to trial and it was speculated that the stepchildren’s accusation was an attempt to get their hands on the property she inherited from their father.
In 1687, Bridget was then accused of stealing brass from a local mill by the mill owner, Thomas Stacy, and arrested. Bridget claimed she didn’t steal the brass, but found it on her property and had no idea how it got there.
She also stated that she sent her daughter into town with the brass to discover what it was, not to sell it, as Thomas Stacy accused her of doing. Unfortunately, there are no surviving records indicating the outcome of this trial.
After Oliver’s death, Bridget Bishop married Edward Bishop, a well-respected sawyer (woodcutter). Bridget Bishop’s life at this time is sometimes difficult to trace because many historians, including Charles Upham in his 1867 book Salem Witchcraft, have confused her with Sarah Bishop, who was also accused of witchcraft and was married to Bridget Bishop’s step-son, who was also named Edward Bishop, according to the book Salem Story:
“As the first person to be executed in the Salem Witch Trials, Bridget Bishop has received plenty of attention from Salem’s historians, amateur and professional. She has served as a paradigm of the executed person as social deviant, the outsider who falls prey to a community devouring the eccentric on its margin. This is a version of Salem’s story codified in 1867 by Charles Upham, who in his Salem Witchcraft told the story of Bridget Bishop as a singular character, not easily described. ‘She kept a house of refreshment for travellers, and a shovel-board for the entertainment of her guests, and generally seems to have countenanced amusements and gayeties to an extent that exposed her to some scandal. She is described as wearing ‘a black cap and black hat, and a red paragon bodice,’ bordered and looped with different colors. This would appear to have been a rather showy costume for the times. Her freedom from the austerity of Puritan manners, and disregard of conventional decorum in her conversation and conduct, brought her into disrepute; and the tongue of gossip was generally loosened against her.’ Upham had made a mistake. Although he correctly identified Bridget Bishop as a woman who previously been charged with witchcraft, he conflated two people into one, inaccurately identifying her as living just outside of Salem Village, rather than in Salem [town] where she did live, and of being a rather colorful tavern keeper, which she was not. Upham’s mistake was understandable, since the confusion as to her identity actually goes back to 1692, and only some brilliant detective work by David L. Greene in 1981 brought clarity to the matter; still, some scholars have continued to make the misidentification.”
The mistake originates from Reverend John Hale‘s testimony against Sarah Bishop on May 22, which many historians have misidentified as testimony against Bridget Bishop because during the testimony Hale merely refers to the accused as “Goodwife Bishop…wife of Edward Bishop Jun’r.”
Since Bridget and Sarah Bishop were both accused of witchcraft and were both married to men named Edward Bishop, it’s easy to see how the two became mixed up over time.
Bridget Bishop’s Memorial Marker, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Salem Mass, November 2015. Photo Credit: Rebecca Brooks
Engage in whimsical face painting or adorn yourself with temporary tattoos that will add an extra touch of magic to your evening. As the night progresses, be sure to secure a prime spot for the grand finale - an extraordinary fireworks display that will leave you in awe. We have also curated an extraordinary lineup of live music acts that are bound to create an atmosphere of pure euphoria. Lose yourself in the melodies of talented musicians, whose performances will transport you to another world. Dance the night away to the rhythm of your favorite songs, surrounded by an ambiance of joy and togetherness. Lastly, don't forget to capture your Moonlight Magic experience by taking photos and sharing them on social media with the hashtag #MoonlightMagic2023. Your posts might even be featured on the event's official pages, allowing you to share your magical memories with others. Prepare to be enchanted! Mark your calendars for Moonlight Magic 2023, and get ready for an evening that will remain etched in your hearts and minds for years to come. Let the magic guide you on this extraordinary journey, where dreams become reality and ordinary nights transform into extraordinary adventures. See you under the moonlight! Best regards, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Exploring the Fantastical Realms of Monnlight Magic 2023"
1. Tim - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Moonlight Magic 2023". The plot was weak and seemed to drag on without any real direction. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the story. Overall, I found the movie to be slow and unengaging, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Moonlight Magic 2023" was a complete waste of my time. The acting was terrible, with wooden performances from the entire cast. The special effects were laughably bad and took away from any sense of immersion in the film. The story lacked any depth or originality, resulting in a predictable and uninteresting plot. I found myself checking the time throughout the movie, waiting for it to be over. Save your money and avoid this disappointment.
3. Alex - 2/5 - As a fan of fantasy movies, I had high hopes for "Moonlight Magic 2023", but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The world-building was vague and poorly executed, leaving me confused about the rules and logic of the magical elements. The pacing was off, with slow moments that didn't serve the story and rushed scenes that left important details unexplained. Overall, the movie lacked coherence and failed to captivate me. I would recommend seeking out better fantasy films instead.