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 public, their marriage was full of violent arguments, many of which took place in public, or could be heard from outside their house. On more than one occasion they were taken to the country courts for this. They were once, as punishment sentenced to stand back to back gagged and bound, in the town square.
In 1679 Thomas died, his death, in many was thought to be suspicious and Bridget was accused of practicing witchcraft, the case was eventually dismissed.
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