Bridget Bishop was one of the first individuals to be trialed and executed during the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts in 1692. She was accused of practicing witchcraft and was brought before the court in June of that year. Bishop was a notable figure in the Salem community. She was known for her unconventional lifestyle, which included having multiple husbands and running a tavern. These aspects of her life, combined with the prevailing fears and superstitions of the time, made her an easy target for the accusations of witchcraft. During the trial, several witnesses came forward, testifying against Bishop.
Bridget Bishop, "a singular character, not easily described," was born sometime between 1632 and 1637. Bishop married three times. Her third and final marriage, after the deaths of her first two husbands, was to Edward Bishop, who was employed as a "sawyer" (lumber worker). She appears to have had no children in any of her marriages.
She was charged with tortur ing , afflict ing , pin ing , consum ing , wast ing members of the community told of past acts of witchcraft by the accused; and one or more confessors validated the claim of the accusers. Research done by historian David Green indicates that scholars and writers have confused Bridget Bishop of Salem with Sarah Bishop, a tavern keeper in Salem Village.
During the trial, several witnesses came forward, testifying against Bishop. They claimed that she had afflicted them with various ailments and had made them experience strange and unexplained phenomena. These witnesses, along with the testimonies of other accusers, convinced the jury of Bishop's guilt.
Bridget Bishop
Written By Sarah-Nell Walsh
Actress Rebekah Clinard as Bridget Bishop in History Alive production of 'Cry Innocent,' by Mark Stevick, Salem, Summer, 1999.
Bridget Bishop has developed into a colorful character in the legendary history of Salem Village. As the first woman tried and executed as a witch during the Salem witchcraft trials, she has attracted a lot of imaginative speculation about her character and behavior.
The Bridget Bishop that is most commonly portrayed is one who kept a house of refreshment for travelers, and a shuffle board for the entertainment of her guests. She generally seemed to have exhibited certain behaviors and appearances that exposed her to some scandal. She wore a showy costume for the austere Puritan times -- a red bodice. Her freedom from the severity of Puritan manners and disregard of conventional decorum in her conversation and conduct brought her into disrepute, so the tongue of gossip was generally loosened against her. She is portrayed as a folk heroine in Salem's story. A spirited, feisty, buxom, and lusty woman who flaunted Puritan morals with a happy public house where drinking and gambling occurred. Many say that it was her flashy taste in dress, her smooth and flattering manner with men, and the questionable gaieties that had gone on in her two taverns, which led to people gossiping about her as a witch as far back as King Philips War.
This, however, is not the same Bridget Bishop of history. Research done by historian David Green indicates that scholars and writers have confused Bridget Bishop of Salem with Sarah Bishop, a tavern keeper in Salem Village. Bridget Bishop lived on a small piece of property in Salem Town and was between fifty-five and sixty-five in 1692, when she was accused of witchcraft. The account below follows the more historically accurate description of Bridget Bishop's life, taken from Bernard Rosenthal's book Salem Story.
In 1666, the widow Bridget Wasselbe married Thomas Oliver and had a daughter named Christian. This marriage was less than idyllic. In 1678, Bridget was accused of calling her husband names on the Sabbath, and both she and her husband were sentenced to stand gagged in the market place for their offenses. In January 1679, Bridget and Thomas were both sentenced to be whipped for fighting. It was not unusual for Bridget's face to be battered during her marriage to Thomas Oliver. In 1680, she was accused of witchcraft. This accusation could have been facilitated by Thomas' claim that "she was a bad wife . . .the devil had come bodily to her . . . and she sat up all night with the devil." (Charles Upham, Salem Witchcraft). This accusation occurred after her husband died without leaving a will, and seems to be the classic case of a vulnerable, propertied woman being accused of witchcraft. She posted bond, and there is no record of any punishment. In 1687, she was charged with stealing brass objects. Her record then remains clean until she is brought up on witchcraft charges again in April 1692.
On April 19, 1692 at her examination, Bridget Bishop began her testimony with courtesy and deference. This deferential attitude soon gave way to anger as she realized that denying her involvement was not an effective strategy. The afflicted girls were in the courtroom swooning in response to the imagined spectral advances of Bridget Bishop. Magistrate John Hawthorne unleashed his loaded questions, asking, "How is it that your specter hurts those in this room?" Bridget replied, "I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is." Hawthorne turned this answer to his advantage by asking, "How can you know, you are no witch, and yet not know what a witch is." She replied, "I am clear: if I were any such person you should know it." Although it is not clear what Bridget meant by this comment, Hawthorne clearly took it as a veiled threat and replied, "You may threaten, but you may do no more than you are permitted" (Salem Witchcraft papers). No one can know for certain if this bold interchange earned Bridget Bishop the distinction of being the first hanged on the gallows.
On May 27, Phips established a special court of Oyer and Terminer to try those accused of witchcraft. On June 2, Bridget Bishop was the first person tried in the new court, perhaps because her previous witchcraft accusation made her a likely candidate. In her trial, spectral evidence was given an unprecedented status. She was charged with "tortur[ing], afflict[ing], pin[ing], consum[ing], wast[ing]: & torment[ing] her victims," Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Elizabeth Hubbard. Bridget vehemently denied the charges at her trial, believing that to be the only way to avoid execution. She did not realize that her only hope lay in confessing to witchcraft. When Cotton Mather wrote of the evidence against her in his book Wonders of the Invisible World, he included preposterous stories that could best be called gossip. One such story recounts that Bishop cast a glance upon Salem meeting house, while walking under guard. This "look" caused a board, which had been fastened with nails, to be removed to another portion of the house. Her case served as a model for future cases to come, following a very predictable pattern. The "afflicted" persons made their accusations, which were denied by the accused; members of the community told of past acts of witchcraft by the accused; and one or more confessors validated the claim of the accusers. The court used spectral evidence as the primary legal basis to convict Bridget Bishop. Hanged on June 10, her death warrant emphasizes only the harm done to her accusers, primarily on the day of her examination, as the legal justification for the execution.
David Green, "Salem Witches I: Bridget Bishop," The American Genealogist, Vol. 57, No. 3. 1981: 130-138.
Charles Upham, Salem Witchcraft, 1867.
Bernard Rosenthal, Salem Story,1997.
The court, led by justices Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne, found Bishop guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to death by hanging. On June 10, 1692, she became the first person to be executed during the Salem witch trials. Bishop's trial and execution were part of a larger hysteria that gripped the colonial Massachusetts community in the late 17th century. The witch trials, which lasted from February 1692 to May 1693, resulted in the accusations, arrests, and executions of numerous individuals. The trials reflected the religious and social tensions of the time, as well as the fear and paranoia that spread throughout the community. In 1711, following the end of the witch trials, Bishop's family successfully petitioned for her case to be reexamined. A legal judgment was made that cleared her name and declared her innocent of all charges. This posthumous exoneration, however, did not fully erase the stain on her reputation and the tragedy of her wrongful execution. The case of Bridget Bishop stands as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, religious fervor, and injustice. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of critical thinking, rationality, and fair trials in the face of social and cultural pressures..
Reviews for "Examining the Role of Bridget Bishop's Neighbors in her Witch Trial"
1. Emily - 2 stars: I found "Bridget Bishop Witch Trials" to be quite underwhelming. The pacing was extremely slow, and I struggled to stay interested in the story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was a bit disjointed, which made it difficult to follow the narrative. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Ethan - 1 star: "Bridget Bishop Witch Trials" was a complete letdown for me. The plot felt predictable and cliché, and I was hoping for more originality in a book about witch trials. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, and the attempts at humor fell flat. The historical accuracy was also questionable, with several historical inaccuracies that took me out of the story. I was expecting a gripping and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.
3. Sophia - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "Bridget Bishop Witch Trials," but it fell short of my expectations. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it hard to invest in their stories. The pacing was inconsistent, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. While the concept had potential, the execution lacked depth and left me wanting more.