In the 17th century, the town of Salem, Massachusetts was engulfed in a wave of hysteria and fear surrounding the practice of witchcraft. One of the most famous individuals involved in the witchcraft trials was a woman named Bridget Bishop. Bridget Bishop was accused of being a witch and was the first person to be tried and executed during the witchcraft trials in Salem. Bridget Bishop was a rather unconventional woman for her time. She was married three times, which was highly unusual in the Puritan society of Salem. She was also known for her vibrant personality, often dressing in a provocative manner and openly expressing herself.
On March 1, Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba, an enslaved woman from Barbados, became the first Salem residents to be charged with the capital crime of witchcraft. Later that day, Tituba confessed to the crime and subsequently aided the authorities in identifying more Salem witches. With encouragement from adults in the community, the girls, who were soon joined by other “afflicted” Salem residents, accused a widening circle of local residents of witchcraft, mostly middle-aged women but also several men and even one four-year-old child. During the next few months, the afflicted area residents incriminated more than 150 women and men from Salem Village and the surrounding areas of satanic practices.
Bishop, known around town for her dubious moral character, frequented taverns, dressed flamboyantly by Puritan standards , and was married three times. Thirteen women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows on three successive hanging days before the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that year.
She was also known for her vibrant personality, often dressing in a provocative manner and openly expressing herself. These qualities made her an easy target for accusations of witchcraft. In 1692, a group of young girls from Salem, including the daughter and niece of the local minister, began to exhibit strange behavior.
The Salem Witch Trials 1692
With October just around the corner, Halloween and Salem Massachusetts often comes to mind. The city of Salem Massachusetts has a global perception for being a town of Halloween and witch related festivities. Part of this perception is tied to the Salem Haunted Happenings celebration that takes place here in Salem Massachusetts every October. This year will be the 40th anniversary of the fun and festive celebration. These celebrations are full of joy and togetherness, but it is also important to understand the history that comes along with the discussion of the Witch Trials and the October season. Take a moment to read the brief history below to deepen your understanding of Salem Massachusetts and what happened here in 1692.
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692
In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, was called in when they failed to improve. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. In addition one man was pressed to death; several others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
Time Period Of The Salem Witch Trials
To understand the events of the Salem Witch Trials, it is necessary to examine the times in which accusations of witchcraft occurred. There were the ordinary stresses of 17th-century life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. A strong belief in the devil, factions among Salem Village families and rivalry with nearby Salem Town combined with a recent smallpox epidemic and the threat of attack by warring tribes created a fertile ground for fear and suspicion. Soon, prisons were filled with more than 150 men and women from towns surrounding Salem; their names had been “cried out” by tormented young girls as the cause of their pain. All would await trial for a crime punishable by death in 17th-century New England – the practice of witchcraft.
Historical Background of the Witch Trials
In June of 1692, the special Court of Oyer (to hear) and Terminer (to decide) sat in Salem to hear the cases of witchcraft. Presided over by Chief Justice William Stoughton, the court was made up of magistrates and jurors. The first to be tried was Bridget Bishop of Salem who was found guilty and was hanged on June 10. Thirteen women and five men from all stations of life followed her to the gallows on three successive hanging days before the court was disbanded by Governor William Phipps in October of that year. The Superior Court of Judicature, formed to replace the “witchcraft” court, did not allow spectral evidence. This belief in the power of the accused to use their invisible shapes or spectres to torture their victims had sealed the fates of those tried by the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The new court released those awaiting trial and pardoned those awaiting execution. In effect, the Salem Witch Trials were over.
As years passed, apologies were offered and restitution was made to the victims’ families. Historians and sociologists have examined this most complex episode in our history so that we may understand the issues of that era and view subsequent events with heightened awareness. The parallels between the Salem Witch Trials and more modern examples of “witch hunting” like the McCarthy hearings of the 1950’s, are remarkable.
How to Learn More Today
Salem Massachusetts to this day is still filled with a plethora of resources surrounding the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Guests and residents alike can engage with local organizations that have put time and hard work into compiling resources surrounding the events that took place. The Salem Witch Museum has a wonderful timeline inside of their museum that lists out the history of what it means to be a witch, from its origins to current time. For visual learners, History Alive offers their Cry Innocent show which puts the audience in the seat of the jury during the trial of Bridget Bishop in 1692. The Peabody Essex Museum is another wonderful institution here in Salem Massachusetts that houses primary documents from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. There are many more businesses and organizations around town that give background on the Salem Witch Trials that can be found listed on our Museums & Attractions tab here on our Haunted Happenings site. We hope that this knowledge helps you to engage with our historic city in a meaningful way connecting you to our past, and allowing you to better understand and appreciate the current day Salem Massachusetts.
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In January of 1692, the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris of Salem Village became ill. William Griggs, the village doctor, was called in when they failed to improve. His diagnosis of bewitchment put into motion the forces that would ultimately result in the hanging deaths of 19 men and women. In addition one man was pressed to death; several others died in prison, and the lives of many were irrevocably changed.
They claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several members of the community, including Bridget Bishop, of being witches. This set off a chain reaction of accusations and trials that would become known as the Salem witch trials. Bridget Bishop was arrested and brought to trial, where she faced a panel of judges and a jury of her peers. Despite her protests of innocence, she was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death by hanging. On June 10, 1692, Bridget Bishop became the first person executed during the witchcraft trials. The trial and execution of Bridget Bishop set the stage for the events that would follow in the Salem witch trials. Over the course of several months, more than 200 people would be accused of witchcraft, and 20 would be executed. The witchcraft trials in Salem remain one of the darkest chapters in American history, highlighting the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unchecked fear. Bridget Bishop, although just one among many accused, serves as a vivid example of the innocent lives lost during this troubling time..
Reviews for "The Witch Hunts of Salem: The Story of Bridget Bishop"
1. Michelle - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Bridget Bishop and the Witchcraft Trials in 17th Century Salem" as I have always been fascinated by this period in history. However, I found the book to be lacking in depth and detail. The author did not provide enough background information on the Salem witch trials or the context in which they took place. The character development was also weak, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters in the book. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of substance and felt that the story could have been more engaging.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Bridget Bishop and the Witchcraft Trials in 17th Century Salem" to be an incredibly boring and tedious read. The pacing was slow, and the plot was predictable. The writing style was also lackluster, lacking any sort of creativity or originality. I was expecting a gripping and suspenseful tale, but instead, I was left feeling bored and uninterested. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who enjoys historical fiction, I was excited to dive into "Bridget Bishop and the Witchcraft Trials in 17th Century Salem". However, I was disappointed with the execution of the story. The characterization of Bridget Bishop felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. The author seemed more focused on providing a historical account rather than telling an engaging and compelling narrative. Additionally, the pacing was a bit slow, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. While I appreciate the effort to shed light on an important historical event, I felt that the book fell short in terms of delivering an engaging and immersive reading experience.