Thr trials of Bridget Bishop.

Bridget Bishop. (1640 - 1692) Bridget Bishop, a "singular character, not easily described" was born in England in 1640. She was married three times and each of these marriages were quite corrupt, the first was to George Wasselbe, who moved her to Salem, Massachusetts, but after six years of marriage he, at the age of 27 dropped dead. Very soon afterwards she married Thomas Oliver, and they had a daughter together. Bridget and Thomas often quarreled and bickered in …

…in the wall of her cellar. These puppets were made of rags and hogs bristles, with headless pins in them. Bridget could give no account to the court that was reasonable or tolerable. The final piece of damning evidence was when a jury of women found a "preternatural teat" on her body. Within three hours the teat had disappeared, adding to the intrigue. Bridget Bishop was found guilty and hanged on June 10 1692.                                    By Nikki Clayton