Bridget Bishop was the first person executed for witchcraft during the Salem witch trials in 1692. At the time of her death, she was married to her third husband, Edward Bishop.
Bishop was a businesswoman who owned a small farm and a tavern. She was also known for her flamboyant personality and her outspokenness. In 1680, she was accused of witchcraft, but the charges were dropped.
In 1692, Bishop was again accused of witchcraft, this time by several young women who were suffering from fits and convulsions.
Also Read: What is Spectral Evidence?
Jump to:
The girls claimed that Bishop's specter had visited them and tormented them. Bishop was arrested and brought to trial.
At her trial, Bishop was accused of a variety of witchcraft-related crimes, including murdering children, bewitching pigs, and coming to various townsmen during the night.
In further evidence, "poppets" were found in the wall of her cellar. These puppets were made of rags and hog bristles, with headless pins in them.
Also Read: List of People Involved in the Salem Witch Trials
Bishop denied all of the charges against her. However, she was found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death.
She was hanged on June 10, 1692, at Gallows Hill in Salem.
Family Overview
Bridget Bishop had three marriages, and while there is not much record from her first marriage, it does seem that her other marriages were filled with strife.
She had three children, with two dying young and another living long enough to give her a descendant.
There is no record of her parents or siblings, which suggests she came from a poor family, as many colonists did.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Her parents are unknown. She traveled to Massachusetts Bay Colony with her first husband. It is known that her maiden name was Player.
Spouse:
Samuel Waselby (1635 - before 1665) - He is presumed to have immigrated with his wife to Boston in 1665, but this is not known for certain. His daughter Mary was born in Boston on January 10, 1665, at which time he was noted to be deceased.
Thomas Oliver (1601 - 1679) - He was the second wife of Bridget and died many years before the trials took place. Their marriage had struggles, but they did have one child together. Salem genealogist David Greene said this about their marital problems:
Evidently their marriage was an unhappy one for Thomas Oliver and his wife were brought before the Salem Quarterly Court in January of 1669/70. They were fined or to receive punishment of whipping ten stripes for fighting with each other. A woman named Mary Ropes (50 years old) attested to their guilt by saying they had complained about each other several times and that Goodwife Olyver's face was once bloody and other times black and blue. Ollyver for his part spoke out against his wife to Mary Ropes saying she had given him "several blows." Eight years later on November 29, 1677 the Salem court accused "Bridget, wife of Thomas Olliver, . . . for calling her husband many opprobrious names, as old rogue and old devil, on Lord's days; [she] 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 of their foreheads, upon which their offence should be fairly written, upon request of Mary West, daughter of said Thomas, who paid 20s., he was released." No mention is made of Mary having her step-mother released
Edward Bishop (1635 - 1715) - He married Bridget probably in 1680 and certainly before 1687. She was the widow of Samuel Waselby and Thomas Oliver. As she would have been at least in her 40s, it would seem probable that he had been previously married. They had no children.
Children:
Benjamin Wasselby (1663 - 1664) - He died prior to his parents migrating to Massachusetts and was buried in Middlesex, England.
Mary Wasselby 1665 - unknown) - There is only a birth record of her, which leads one to make the assumption that she died young. It is known that she was born in Boston and that her father had already passed.
Christian Oliver (1667 - 1693) - She was the daughter of Bridget and Thomas. She died at the age of 25, possibly during the Salem Witch Trials.
Siblings:
This is unknown. The records prior to her immigration to Massachusetts Bay Colony are scarce. It is possible she had many that never migrated or came over much later.