-
Title
-
Bridget Bishop (1632-1692)
-
birthday
-
1632
-
Birthplace
-
Norwich, EN
-
Death Date
-
1692-06-10
-
Occupation
-
Midwife
-
Biographical Text
-
Bridget Bishop was a midwife and the first individual executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Originally born Bridget Magnus in 1632, she grew up in England but traveled to Boston in 1664, at the age of 32. In 1666, Bishop made her way towards Salem, MA. On June 2, 1692, Bishop's case marked the start of the Salem Witch Trials. She was accused of bewitching five women. Many accusations were made against her during the trial, including praising the devil, using harmful glances, and bewitching of children. Bishop was ultimately charged for committing witchcraft, and sentenced to be executed. Her death was the first recorded hanging of a woman in the colony.
Bishop had three marriages over her lifetime. The first was in the spring of 1660, to Captain Samuel Wasselbe. They had two children, Benjamin and Mary, both of whom passed in infancy. Captain Wasselbe is thought to have passed during their journey to Boston. On July 26, 1666, Bishop married Thomas Oliver. During her trial she was accused of bewitching him to death, but lack of evidence let to her acquittal for the crime. They had one daughter, Chrestian Oliver. Her final marriage was to Edward Bishop, in 1687.
-
Contributor
-
O'Neill, Iris
Bridget Bishop, Sarah Good, Rebecca Nurse, The Witch House
The Salem Witch Trials Tercentenary Memorial, Memorial Structure