Goodbye Salem

One could not imagine the pain in my soul at this moment. I am alone. No one supported me and now I am here to die, to be hanged and killed. I have no freedom, no trust and I wish I still had faith but God has not stood by me through this horror. I AM INNOCENT. Why is it so hard for the people of Salem to believe that I am not the heartless witch they think I am? I know that I am not a puritan women and I would prefer to wear a “red paragon bodice” than a modest puritan dress, yet this does not make me a witch. Why is this happening to me? Accused witches in the past have served time in jail; even those who confessed to witchcraft were not killed like the servant, Tituba. It is only I, Bridget Bishop, who is unlucky enough to be sentenced to death. With a rope tied around my neck, looking up at the branch of the great oak tree, I want nothing but to kill every person here! The people cheering as they look into my eyes,are  the people who put me in this very spots with their lies. I can only hear screaming and I can no longer look at the people in front of me….   

The Trial

I don’t know what has brought me here today, sitting in a courtroom, fighting for my innocence. I have done nothing wrong, yet the others do not understand my life or whom I am solely because of an inaccurate reputation that somehow transpired in Salem Village. These women sitting before me, Ann Putnam, Elizabeth Hubbard, Abigail Williams and Mercy Lewis, accused me of such ridiculous offenses as if I have signed the devils book or inflicted pain upon them. When they look into my eyes they fall into painful fits and blame me. I don’t know how much longer I can sit here as the judge interrogates me while these women cannot contain themselves. I think that I am being set up and these people want to convict me. How can I fight for my freedom when nobody is on my side? The Court of Oyer and Terminer is an unlawful justice system. The women claim that my “ghost” confessed, yet that is not evidence of wrongdoing. Spectral evidence is not legitimate and that is the only evidence they have used against me. I don’t know how they can continue this madness; I am as “innocent as an unborn child!” What do they want from me? If I go to jail for this unjust law my life will be over.

My Examination

The very next day, John Hawthorne summoned me to trial along with Giles Corey, Abigail Hobbs and Mary Warren. We were the first people in Salem ever to be formally accused of Witchcraft, which could lead to death. I am petrified of what could happen, but I know that the trial is inevitable. I am currently in prison, awaiting my trial, where I will find out if I shall live or die.

The Dolls That Changed My Life

People were always suspicious of me, but my case was never serious enough to put me in jail for a long period of time. Regardless, when I was married to Thomas Oliver, they found old dolls with pins stuck in them in the basement of my old house. The dolls were stuck behind a wall, and I can assure that these dolls were not mine. I may dress differently, throw late night parties and stand out in the village, but in no way am I a witch. Due to the fact that these dolls were found in my old house, they immediately thought they belonged to me. I had no knowledge of the dolls, but because of the social situation I already faced, I knew that it would not end well.

Endless Arguments

For the most part, Edward and I got along just fine. However, each day Edward looked at me differently, almost as if I had something to hide. I had trouble keeping a healthy relationship with past husbands, mainly because they did not understand my beliefs and how I carry myself. In 1679, when I was married to Thomas Oliver, I was accused of witchcraft because of the constant arguments I had with my husband. The judges believe that the woman is always at fault and has no right to be arguing with her own husband. I may have a short temper, however I know the disagreements I have with my husbands usually are because I stick up for myself and refuse to be degraded because i am a woman or an outcast in Salem. It is clear taht individuality in this town does not ensure respect.

The Town Tavern

Edward and I bought a house in Salem, and we used the house to our full advantage. Today, I opened the town’s first tavern and it is very popular for all of the young males in Salem. I bought a shuffleboard table, and the young men would play all night. However, the neighbors were not happy with the noise, but in reality, they are just upset they aren’t having as much fun. My neighbors are jealous of my success and only want me to fail and feel humiliated.

My Appearance is Troubling

Ever since marrying Edward Bishop, my social standing in the village went completely downhill. On a typical day, I would usually wear bright, outgoing colors including my red paragon bodice, which bothered many puritans and because I stuck out like a sore thumb, I was easily judged. Today, Samuel Shattuck, the man who dyed my clothing was concerned because of my vivacious clothing. I was simply dressing how I wanted to dress, and I do not see the issue with being an individual. However, the people of Salem must think differently.

Who I am

My name is Bridget Bishop and I was born in 1632 in a town called Norwich, England. (Death in Salem 43). Life was relatively calm up until I moved to the Boston area, to a town called Salem in the 1660’s. I have been married multiple times, however, my husband when I moved to Salem was Thomas Oliver. We had a daughter named Christian. Thomas was not a good man, and would periodically beat me without reason, which sparked many public fights that would later end in court. Thomas later died, of an unknown cause thus I remarried a man by the name of Edward, a crucial member of the church. I later moved into Edward’s house and transformed it into my own tavern, which sparked many controversy, but a lot of the townspeople loved it!

So It Begins

In 1689, war took over Boston and my own little town of Salem. There was much controversy involving the Indians from the West, as they were causing a hysteria within Salem. Otherwise known as King William's War, not only were we in battle with Indian tribes, like the Wabanaki's, but we were waging war with the French as well.  The entire situation was very difficult, and there is a lot of pressure on the colonists, trying to settle as well as coping with constant attacks from Indian tribes.

Years have passed and it is now 1692. Salem has gone completely downhill and it seems as if people are beginning to judge the way I carry myself within the town. I cannot trust anyone around me, and the people are always giving me funny looks, but why? I dress different and I am an individual, however, how does that make me evil?