Bridget Bishop: Victim of the Salem Witch Trials

Bridget Bishop was the first person to be hanged in Salem for being a witch. Born sometime between the years of 1632 and 1637, she would be married three times before being hanged as a witch. Her final marriage was to Edward Bishop, who worked as a "sawyer", which was a lumber worker.

Bishop had been accused by more people of witchcraft than any other so-called witch had been. Her brazen life style and very colorful way of dressing had made her the target for many close minded citizens of this puritan society.

Bishop was known for fighting with her various husbands in public, entertaining guests in her home until very late at night and for even drinking. Bishop was also known for playing a forbidden game known as shovel board.

Her clothing called for much attention and distress among the citizens. Bishop would dress in a manner that was looked upon in her puritan society as being the "snare and sign of the devil". Her outfit would consist of a black cape and bonnet and a red paragon bodice bordered and looped with different colors. This outfit was used at her trial and played a large part in her conviction of practicing witchcraft.

Bishop's first appearance in the courthouse was in 1680 when she was first accused of witchcraft. She was cleared on this charge but twelve years later she would be charged again, but this time she would not be so lucky. Other occasions on which Bishop would appear in court were for public fights with her husband.

April 18, 1692, Bishop had a warrant issued for her arrest on charges of witchcraft. Prior to her questioning Bishop had never seen or met many of her accusers. While John Hathorn and Jonathan Corwin questioned Bishop, many of the so-called afflicted girls would cry out and writher around in pain that Bishop was suppose to be causing them.