Mary Perkins
Accused
Witch, Salem Witch Trials 1692
Baptized: September 3, 1615 Hilmorton,
Warwickshire, England
Married: About 1636 Massachusetts
Died: December 20, 1700 Salisbury, Massachusetts
Father: John Perkins b.1583
Mother: Judith Gater b.1589
Husband: Thomas Bradbury b.1611
The answer of Mary Bradbury to the charge of
witchcraft or familiarity with the Devil: "I do plead not guilty".
Children
Jane Bradbury b.1645
Notes:
- Mary Perkins lived a full and busy life, raising eleven children and
a household as one of the first settlers of Salisbury, Massachusetts. She
had immigrated to New England on the "Lyon" in 1631 with her parents and
siblings. However, when she was seventy-six years old, she was caught up
in the Witch Mania of Salem, Massachusetts. She was indicted for
witchcraft. Witnesses, including Ann Putnam, testified that she took on
animal forms and tormented her; that she took on the form of a blue boar,
and that she cast spells upon ships. One man testified that he
purchasd butter from Mary Perkins that turned out to be bewitched,
causing his sea voyage to be disasterous. The butter turned sour just
before an unexpected storm. He looked up to the sky only to see Mary
Bradbury's spirit there. She was convicted and sentenced for
execution. It is uncertain how she escaped this fate, whether she was
allowed to escape due to her standing, or whether she bribed the jailor.
In any event, she ran off with her husband to Maine. They did not return
to Massachusetts until the witch hysteria had passed. Four of the people
convicted with her were not so lucky as they were executed in September
1692. In 1693, the governor ordered all accused to be released. On
October 17, 1711, the General Court formally reversed the judgement
against her, and granted her heirs monetary renumeration.
-
Sources:
-Birth Source: "Magna Charta Surities", Weis. Baptism Register, NEHGR
Jan 2007
-Marriage Source:
-Death Source: