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?