Bishop, Bridget | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Bishop, Bridget

Born: c. 1640

England

Died: June 10, 1692

Salem, Massachusetts

Tavern owner and accused witch

Bridget Bishop was the first person to be put to death during the Salem witch trials of 1692 and 1693. She was accused of practicing witchcraft by practically everyone who had known her: her neighbors, husband, and employees all came forward to speak of being put under a spell by her, thus building the strongest case in all the Salem trials. No one defended Bishop. The townsfolk became convinced that witches were working in their midst, and fear quickly swept across the region. As a result twenty innocent people were condemned to die.

Known for Flashy Outfits

Little is known about Bridget Bishop's early life aside from her marriages. The public record of Bishop's life begins in England in about 1660 when she was around the age of twenty. She was married for the first time at this point, and she was soon widowed (her spouse died during their marriage) for unknown reasons. Bishop arrived in New England shortly thereafter and was briefly married to Goodman Wasselbee, who died under mysterious circumstances. She then married awidower, Thomas Oliver of Salem Town, in 1666, but this relationship ended in divorce amid accusations of witchcraft brought against her.

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