The “Witches” of Massachusetts – B

The chilling chapter of the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17th century continues to resonate through history, a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, religious extremism, and the fragility of justice. The trials, which primarily unfolded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, saw numerous individuals accused of witchcraft, leading to imprisonment, torture, and, in some cases, execution. This article delves into the lives of several individuals whose surnames begin with the letter "B," each caught in the web of accusations and paranoia that defined this dark period in American history. Each entry provides a glimpse into their experiences, offering a sobering look at the human cost of the "Witches" of Massachusetts.

Abigail Wheeler Barker (1656-1743)

Born in 1656 to David and Sarah Wise Wheeler in Andover, Massachusetts, Abigail Wheeler Barker’s life took a dramatic turn when she was accused of witchcraft and subsequently imprisoned. Andover, a town deeply enmeshed in the fabric of the witch trials, saw its fair share of accusations and imprisonments. Abigail, who later married Ebenezer Barker, found herself entangled in the unfolding drama when her brother-in-law, Daniel Eames, and his mother, Rebecca Blake Eames, were accused of witchcraft in early August 1692. The accusations continued to ripple through the family. On August 29, 1692, Ebenezer’s brother, William Barker Sr., and his niece, Mary Barker, were also imprisoned on similar charges. Just three days later, on September 1st, Ebenezer’s nephew, William Barker, Jr., faced the same fate.

The atmosphere in Andover was rife with fear and suspicion. On September 7th, Reverend Thomas Barnard conducted a "Touch Test" at the Andover Church. This farcical procedure involved blindfolding the accused and forcing them to touch the "afflicted" girls, who claimed this would identify the witch. Based on this dubious "evidence," Abigail Barker was arrested. Her husband, Ebenezer, actively joined the Andover resistance, signing petitions on October 12, October 18, and December 6, which were sent to the governor and the high court, protesting the unjust accusations and trials. Despite these efforts, the grand jury at the Superior Court of Judicature indicted Abigail. However, on January 6, 1693, a trial by jury found her not guilty. After enduring 18 weeks of imprisonment in Salem, she was finally released. Abigail returned to her life in Andover, living until the age of 87, when she died in 1743. Her story is a testament to the resilience of some who survived the ordeal of the "Witches" of Massachusetts, although the emotional scars likely remained.

Mary Barker (1679-1752)

At just 13 years old, Mary Barker, also from Andover, became another victim of the witch hunt. She was accused of being a witch and imprisoned. On August 25, 1692, Samuel Martin and Moses Tyler filed a complaint against her, her uncle, William Barker Sr., and Mary Osgood Marston, alleging that they afflicted Abigail Martin, Jr., Rose Foster, and Martha Sprague. Four days later, on August 29th, Constable Epharaim Foster arrested the three accused. Mary, the daughter of an Andover church deacon, initially believed she would be exonerated after questioning. However, despite her initial denials, she eventually confessed and blamed Goodwives Faulkner and Johnson for coercing her into signing the Devil’s book. Following her confession, she began to exhibit hysterical symptoms. While she was imprisoned, she was later found not guilty. This exemplifies the chaotic nature of the accusations and the psychological impact of the trials on young individuals caught in the hysteria surrounding the "Witches" of Massachusetts.

William Barker, Jr. (1678-1745)

William Barker, Jr., at the tender age of 14, also hailing from Andover, found himself accused of witchcraft and imprisoned. During the summer of 1692, two of his family members had already been accused and jailed. His first cousin, 13-year-old Mary Barker, and his father, William Barker Sr., had been arrested in August. On September 1st, Constable Epharaim Foster arrested William and Reverend Francis Dane’s grandson, Stephen Johnson, whose mother, sisters, and aunt were already imprisoned. Examined on the same day as his arrest, William, like his father, confessed to witchcraft, claiming he had only been under the Devil’s influence for six days. During his examination, he also accused Goody Parker. Despite the presence of several Parker women in the area, the court magistrates issued a warrant for the arrest of Mary Ayer Parker without confirming they had the right individual. Tragically, Mary Ayer Parker was hanged just weeks later on September 22, 1692. William Barker, Jr., remained imprisoned until he was released on bail in January 1693. He was tried the following May in Ipswich and acquitted. He lived until January 16, 1745, dying at the age of 67. His confession, likely coerced, contributed to the death of an innocent woman, underscoring the destructive power of the witch hunt surrounding the "Witches" of Massachusetts.

William Barker, Sr. (1646?-1718)

William Barker, Sr., from Andover, was accused of witchcraft and imprisoned but managed to escape. On August 25, 1692, Samuel Martin and Moses Tyler filed a complaint against William and his nieces, Mary Barker and Goodwife Mary Marston, for afflicting Abigail Martin, Jr., Rose Foster, and Martha Sprague. Four days later, on August 29th, Constable Epharaim Foster arrested the three accused. Barker was examined the same day and confessed to having been in league with the devil for three years. He described the devil as a black man with a cloven foot who promised to pay all his debts if he gave him his body and soul. He confessed to afflicting his accusers, accused Reverend George Burroughs of being the ringleader of the witches, and identified Goody Howe as a witch. William Barker, Sr., was imprisoned but later escaped. He eventually returned to Andover, where he lived out his life and died in 1718 at the age of 73. His confession, like others, highlights the fear and desperation that drove individuals to make false accusations and confessions during the height of the witch trials and the hunt for the "Witches" of Massachusetts.

Sarah Hood Bassett (1676-17??)

Sarah Hood Bassett, the sister-in-law of accused witch Elizabeth Bassett Proctor, was indicted and imprisoned. She took her 22-month-old daughter with her and gave birth to another child while in jail. She was later released.

Bridget Playfer Bishop (1632?-1692)

Bridget Playfer Bishop holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first person executed during the Salem witchcraft trials. Born in England around 1632, she married Samuel Wesselbe in 1660 and immigrated to America. After his death, she married Thomas Oliver in 1666. Following his death, she was accused of bewitching him to death but was acquitted due to lack of evidence. She married Edward Bishop around 1687. Described as a feisty, fun-loving, and outspoken innkeeper, she may have been targeted due to her nonconformist personality. She was said to have owned taverns, played shuffleboard, was outspoken, and wore provocative clothing, especially red attire, which was interpreted as suggesting sexual prowess. She was accused of bewitching five young women: Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Elizabeth Hubbard. During her trial, several men provided damaging testimony, including one who claimed many in town considered her a witch, and another accused her of bewitching his child and striking his son with a spade. John and William Bly, father and son, testified about finding poppets (voodoo dolls) in Bishop’s house and about their pig, which appeared bewitched after a dispute with Bishop. There were also allegations that Bishop’s specter appeared in the rooms of several men while they slept and attacked them. During her examination, she allegedly made conflicting statements and displayed a spiteful attitude, further solidifying the case against her. Ultimately, she was found guilty and hanged on June 10, 1692. Her story exemplifies how societal biases and prejudices could lead to accusations and convictions during the witch trials.

Edward Bishop, Jr. (April 23, 1648?-??)

Married to Sarah Wildes Bishop, Edward Bishop, Jr., had as many as 12 children. He was the stepson of Bridget Playfer Bishop, who was found guilty and hanged on June 10, 1692. Both he and his wife, said to be tavern keepers, were accused of witchcraft and arrested on April 21, 1692, along with Sarah’s stepmother, Sarah Wildes; William and Deliverance Hobbs, Nehemiah Abbott Jr., Mary Eastey, Mary Black, and Mary English. The couple was examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne the next day and found to have committed witchcraft against Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams. They were indicted and transferred to the Boston jail to await trial. In the meantime, Sarah’s stepmother, Sarah Wildes, was executed for witchcraft on July 19, 1692. The couple escaped in October 1692, after which their property was seized. What happened to them afterward is unknown, but their son, Samuel Bishop, recovered some of their property. Ironically, another son, Edward Bishop III, eventually married Susannah Putnam, a relation of the Putnam family, who were the main accusers in the witchcraft hysteria.

Sarah Wildes Bishop (1651?-??)

Sarah Wildes Bishop, married to Edward Bishop, Jr., had as many as 12 children. She was the stepdaughter of Sarah Wildes, who was executed for witchcraft, and her husband was the stepson of Bridget Playfer Bishop, who was also found guilty and hanged. Sarah and her husband were accused of witchcraft and arrested on April 21, 1692, along with Sarah’s stepmother, Sarah Wildes; William and Deliverance Hobbs, Nehemiah Abbott Jr., Mary Eastey, Mary Black, and Mary English. The couple was examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne the next day and found to have committed witchcraft against Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams. Elizabeth Balch and her sister, Abigail Walden, also testified against Sarah, claiming they heard Edward accuse Elizabeth of entertaining Satan at night. Both Edward and Sarah were indicted and transferred to the Boston jail to await trial. In the meantime, Sarah’s stepmother, Sarah Wildes, was executed for witchcraft on July 19, 1692. The couple escaped in October 1692, after which their property was seized. What happened to them afterward is unknown, but their son, Samuel Bishop, recovered some of their property. Ironically, another son, Edward Bishop III, eventually married Susannah Putnam, a relation of the Putnam family, who were the main accusers in the witchcraft hysteria.

Katerina Biss

Nothing is known of Katerina Biss other than she was accused of witchcraft but not indicted.

Mary Black

Mary Black, an African-American slave of elderly Lieutenant Nathaniel Putman of Salem Village, was accused of witchcraft on April 21, 1692. Putman was a respected leader and member of Salem village whose younger nephews and cousins were avid witchcraft accusers. Reverend Samuel Parris requested her examination. At her examination, held on April 22, she was accused by several of the "afflicted girls," including Mary Walcott, Abigail Williams, and Mercy Lewis. Though she was pressed to admit that she was a witch, she steadfastly refused, stating, "I hurt nobody. Who doth? I do not know." She was indicted and imprisoned but not tried. She was cleared by proclamation on January 11, 1693. Her owner, Nathaniel Putnam, paid her jail fees and took her back to his house. Her experience highlights the vulnerability of marginalized individuals during the witch trials.

Mary Perkins Bradbury (1615-1700)

Mary Bradbury was one of the "lucky" ones; she was tried for witchcraft, convicted, and sentenced to be executed. Born in England, she immigrated to America in 1631 and married Thomas Bradbury in 1636. Years later, during the Salem witch fury, a merchant, Samuel Endicott, accused her of selling bewitched butter to one of his sea captains, causing dire effects on the voyage. She was also accused of assuming animal forms and suddenly "appearing" in strange places on ships at sea. Though over a hundred of her neighbors testified on her behalf, she was found guilty of practicing magic and sentenced to be executed in 1692. Through the efforts of her friends, her execution was delayed. After the witch’s fury had died down, she was released. Some accounts suggest a jailer was bribed, and she was allowed to escape. Afterward, she and her husband went to Maine, returning once the hysteria had completely subsided. She died of natural causes in 1700.

Ann Wood Bradstreet

Ann Wood was the wife of Colonel Dudley Bradstreet, who was serving as the Justice of Peace in Andover during the witch hysteria. Though Dudley Bradstreet didn’t believe the witchcraft delusion, his duties required him to issue almost 50 arrest warrants before he finally refused to issue any more. Afterward, both Dudley and his wife, Ann, were also accused. They temporarily fled the area, evading arrest.

Colonel Dudley Bradstreet (1648-1702)

Born in Andover, Massachusetts, Colonel Dudley Bradstreet grew up to marry Ann Wood. He was an attorney, a colonel in the militia, a schoolteacher, and served as a selectman and town clerk in Andover. He also served as a Deputy to the General Court of Massachusetts and, later, was a member of the Governor’s Council. Though he opposed the witchcraft delusion, he found himself in the unenviable position of Justice of the Peace in Andover during the hysteria. After issuing numerous arrest warrants, he refused to grant any more. Subsequently, both he and his wife, Ann, were accused of witchcraft, and they fled the area. However, he later returned to Andover and signed a petition on behalf of accused church members. He died in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1706.

John Bradstreet (1653-1717)

John Bradstreet, the son of a former colonial governor and brother to Colonel Dudley Bradstreet, found himself in the unfortunate position of encountering some of the "afflicted girls" in the street. When a dog ran out and barked at him, the girls accused John Bradstreet of having afflicted the dog. Bradstreet fled to New York on the first available ship. In the meantime, the dog was hanged as a witch. However, he later returned to the area and died in Topsfield on January 17, 1717.

Mary Bridges, Jr. (1669-??)

Mary Bridges, Jr., the 13-year-old daughter of John and Mary Tyler Post Bridges from Andover, was both an accused witch and an accuser. Martha Sprague accused her of afflicting Rose Foster, and she was arrested on August 25, 1692. At her examination, she confessed and said that she and her sisters had helped to hurt people with magic. She was sent to prison, where she would stay until she was finally found not guilty on May 12, 1693.

Mary Tyler Post Bridges (1644-??)

Mary Tyler was accused of witchcraft by Timothy Swan of Andover and imprisoned. Her daughters and stepdaughters were also arrested on similar charges. Mary Tyler Post Bridges remained in prison until she was tried on January 12, 1693, and found not guilty.

Sarah Bridges (1675-??)

Sarah Bridges, the 17-year-old daughter of John Bridges, was examined on August 25, 1692, for afflicting Martha Sprague. She denied the charges initially but later confessed and said that there were some 200 witches in the area, that she herself had ridden on a pole, and asked forgiveness of the afflicted. She was indicted of wickedly and feloniously covenanting with the Devil but was later found not guilty.

Hannah Varnum (or Farnum) Tyler Brumidge (1635-??)

From Haverhill, Hannah Varnum was accused and imprisoned during the witch hunt of 1692.

Sarah Smith Buckley (1636-??)

Sarah Smith Buckley, the wife of William Buckley of Salem Village, was indicted and imprisoned for practicing witchcraft in May 1692. Her widowed daughter, Mary Buckley Witheridge, was arrested the same day and also imprisoned. Both women were examined on May 18th, accused by Mary Walcott and Ann Putnam, Jr., who said Sarah’s specter had tortured them. Both were sent to prison and found not guilty in January 1693 after spending eight months in prison.

Reverend George Burroughs (1652?-1692)

Reverend George Burroughs was the only Puritan minister indicted and executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.