Bridget Bishop was one of the first and most well-known victims of the Salem witch trials. She was accused of witchcraft and ultimately hanged on June 10, 1692. Bishop was a prominent figure in Salem, known for her outspoken and independent nature. She had been married multiple times and was known for dressing in a provocative manner, which made her stand out in the conservative Puritan community. Bishop's trial was full of controversy and inconsistencies. The evidence against her was mostly testimonies from her neighbors, who claimed to have seen her engaged in acts of witchcraft.

Salem witch trials bridget 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.

Although Bishop had been accused by more individuals of witchcraft than any other witchcraft defendant (many of the accusations were markedly vehement and vicious), it was not so much her "sundry acts of witchcraft" that caused her to be the first witch hanged in Salem, as it was her flamboyant life style and exotic manner of dress. Despite being a member of Mr. Hale's Church in Beverly (she remained a member in good standing until her death), Bishop often kept the gossip mill busy with stories of her publicly fighting with her various husbands, entertaining guests in home until late in the night, drinking and playing the forbidden game of shovel board, and being the mistress of two thriving taverns in town. Some even went so far as to say that Bishop's "dubious moral character" and shameful conduct caused, "discord [to] arise in other familes, and young people were in danger of corruption." Bishop's blatant disregard for the respected standards of puritan society made her a prime target for accusations of witchcraft.

In addition to her somewhat outrageous (by Puritan standards) lifestyle, the fact that Bishop "was in the habit of dressing more artistically than women of the village" also contributed in large part to her conviction and execution. She was described as wearing, "a black cap, and a black hat, and a red paragon bodice bordered and looped with different colors." This was a showy costume for the times. Aside from encouraging rumors and social disdain, this "showy costume" was used as evidence against her at her trial for witchcraft. In his deposition, Shattuck, the town dyer mentions, as corroborative proof of Bishop being a witch, that she used to bring to his dye house "sundry pieces of lace" of shapes and dimensions entirely outside his conceptions of what would be needed in the wardrobe of a plain and honest woman. Fashionable apparel was regarded by some as a "snare and sign of the devil."

On April 18, 1692, when a warrant was issued for Bishop's arrest for witchcraft, she was no stranger to the courthouse. In 1680 she had been charged (but cleared) of witchcraft, and on other occasions she had ended up in the courthouse for violent public quarreling with her husband. Bishop had never seen or met any of her accusers until her questioning. While several of the afflicted girls cried out and writhed in the supposed pain she was causing them, John Hathorn and Jonathan Corwin questioned her, although there was little doubt in either of their minds as to her guilt:

Q: Bishop, what do you say? You stand here charged with sundry acts of witchcraft by you done or committed upon the bodies of Mercy Lewis and Ann Putman and others.

A: I am innocent, I know nothing of it, I have done no witchcraft . I am as innocent as the child unborn. .

When asked by one of her jailers, Bishop claimed that she was not troubled to see the afflicted persons so tormented, and could not tell what to think of them and did not concern herself about them at all. But the afflicted girls were not Bishop's only accusers. Her sister's husband claimed that "she sat up all night conversing with the Devil" and that "the Devil came bodily into her." With a whole town against her, Bishop was charged, tried, and executed within eight days. On June 10, as crowds gathered to watch, she was taken to Gallows Hill and executed by the sheriff, George Corwin. She displayed no remorse and professed her innocence at her execution.

Bishop's death did not go unnoticed in Salem. The court took a short recess, accusations slowed down for a time, more than a month passed before there were any more executions, and one of the judges, Nathaniel Saltonstall resigned, having become dissatisfied with the court's methods. Even Governor Phips had doubts about the methods of the court and went to Boston to consult the ministers there as to what should be done with the rest of the accused. Unfortunately for the eighteen others who would be hanged as witches (in addition to the one pressed to death and the several who died in prison), the ministers decidedly and earnestly recommended that the proceedings should be "vigorously carried on," and so they were. Less than a year after her death, Bishop's husband married Elizabeth Cash, and several of those who had testified against her, in deathbed confessions claimed that their accusations were "deluted by the Devil." --KS

Bridget Bishop and the Salem Witch Trials

Turbulent, tempestuous, tenacious! Accused of bewitching pigs, possessing poppets, and effecting out-of-body experiences, Bridget Bishop was, if not a witch, an unwelcome woman. Locals believed that Bridget’s ghost gallivanted across Salem; Bridget could send her specter, or spirit, to work spells on unsuspecting suburbanites. Did she kill her first two husbands? Curse the Shattuck’s son? What about Bridget’s black magic?

The evidence against her was mostly testimonies from her neighbors, who claimed to have seen her engaged in acts of witchcraft. However, many of these testimonies were based on hearsay or personal grudges. There was also no physical evidence tying Bishop to any acts of witchcraft.

A Witch in Salem

Although Salem’s slander was more tall-tale than truth, there was no denying that Bridget Bishop was bold. Unlike other women of Salem Village, Bridget wore a black cap, black hat, and red paragon bodice. Her fashions were independent. Her attitude? More so. Never submissive, Bridget rejected “woman’s role” in seventeenth-century society. Bite Bridget Bishop and Bridget Bishop bites back! (That’s enough to get you hanged, though.)

But who, exactly, was Bridget Bishop? Although Bridget wasn’t the first accused of witchcraft in seventeenth-century Salem, she was the first executed. Yet Bridget’s story is more tragic than magic. Punished for her strength and self-reliance, Bridget was sent to the gallows. It was 1692. Bridget Bishop was about to become Salem’s first “convicted witch.”

Despite this, the court deemed the testimonies as sufficient evidence and found her guilty. One particularly damning piece of evidence against Bishop was the testimonies of some of the afflicted girls, who claimed to have seen her specter tormenting them. The presence of spectral evidence, or the belief that witches could send out their spirits to harm others, was a controversial aspect of the Salem witch trials. Bridget Bishop maintained her innocence throughout the trial, even when faced with numerous accusations. She was known for her fiery personality and strong-willed nature, which may have played a role in her condemnation. Bishop's execution marked the beginning of the hysteria that would grip Salem, leading to the deaths of 19 more individuals accused of witchcraft. In 2001, almost 300 years after her execution, Bridget Bishop was posthumously exonerated by the Massachusetts legislature. This recognition of her innocence highlights the injustice that occurred during the Salem witch trials. Bishop's story serves as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of a fair and just legal system..

Reviews for "Witchcraft and Women's Rights: Bridget Bishop's Story"

1. Emma - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with this book. The portrayal of Bridget Bishop felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. The author focused too much on the sensational aspects of the Salem witch trials without delving into the complexities of the characters and their motivations. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden and confusing plot twists. Overall, I found it to be a shallow and unsatisfying read.

2. John - 1/5 stars - This book was a complete waste of time. The writing was poor and amateurish, filled with clichés and overused tropes. The historical accuracy was questionable, with glaring anachronisms that pulled me out of the story. Additionally, the characters were poorly developed, and I didn't feel a connection to any of them. The plot was repetitive and predictable, and the ending was extremely dissatisfying. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

3. Sarah - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about this book. While I appreciated the author's attempt to shine a light on the Salem witch trials and the injustice that took place, I found the execution lacking. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without much excitement. The characters were underdeveloped, and I didn't feel invested in their fates. However, I did find some redeeming qualities in the historical research and the exploration of the societal pressures and beliefs that led to the trials. Overall, it was an average read, but I wouldn't choose to revisit it.

4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I found "Salem witch trials bridget bishop" to be a mediocre book at best. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, and it failed to capture the intensity and drama of the witch trials. I was hoping for a more immersive experience, but instead, I felt disconnected from the story. The author seemed more focused on the historical details than crafting a compelling narrative. While there were some interesting moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. I would recommend seeking out other books on the same topic for a more engaging and satisfying read.

Justice Denied: The Trial of Bridget Bishop