M. before 1646 in Massachusetts2
Wife: Hannah ________
D. before 7 Nov 1697 in (probably) Salem, Massachusetts3
Sometimes an individual is challenging to identify, and such is the case for Edward Bishop of Salem, Massachusetts, who was the father of Mary Colburn. There were three Edward Bishops living in Salem during the 1690s, and it’s important to sort them out because one was accused of being a witch.
The Edward of this biography was born in England in about 1618.1 Nothing is known of him until he turned up in Salem, Massachusetts by about 1640.2 Edward was admitted to the Salem church in 1645, and this is thought to be about the time that he married. His wife was a woman named Hannah (whose last name is unknown),2 and they had at least three children who were baptized in Salem between 1646 and 1651. One of these children was also named Edward.2
Edward served a couple of civic duties at Salem including constable in 1660 and surveyor of highways in 1667.2 He was also on two petitions to split off Cape Ann from Salem: an unsuccessful effort in 1659,2 and one which created the town of Beverly in 1668.2 Forming a new town was often done to establish a new church to serve the growing population.
Court records show Edward making a few appearances before the judges. In 1653, he was fined for stealing William Elliott’s apples and a knife, and for lying.2 Then in 1663, Edward was ordered to make a boy named William Dew serve as his apprentice; the record said that Edward kept him “from a child,” suggesting this was a court action initiated to make the arrangement formal.2 Several other times, Edward served as witness in various cases.2
Court records show Edward making a few appearances before the judges. In 1653, he was fined for stealing William Elliott’s apples and a knife, and for lying.2 Then in 1663, Edward was ordered to make a boy named William Dew serve as his apprentice; the record said that Edward kept him “from a child,” suggesting this was a court action initiated to make the arrangement formal.2 Several other times, Edward served as witness in various cases.2
There is evidence that Edward was still involved in Salem issues at the time of the witch trials; he appears along with wife Hannah having signed a petition in defense of one of the accused, Rebecca Nurse.4 Another of the accused women who was tried before this date was Bridget Bishop, the wife of another Edward Bishop, who seems to be unrelated to the other two Edwards.5
Bridget Bishop became famous as the first person found guilty at the witch trials who was then executed. Several town members, including a group of teenaged girls, claimed she had caused them harm with just a glance, and several people testified that she appeared as a specter in their homes. She denied the accusations, but was found guilty, and was hung from the town gallows.5
The execution of Bridget Bishop, who was unrelated to the Edward Bishop of this biography.
Some time after this, Edward's son Edward and his wife Sarah were arrested in a separate case.5 They ran an inn out of their home in Salem and it was known for serving "drinks to underaged patrons and allowed shovel-board to be played at all hours of the night."5 A neighbor who complained about their behavior was found a short time later dead from an apparent suicide — a slashed throat from a pair of sewing scissors — and this was thought to be witchcraft caused by Edward and Sarah. They managed to escape jail, though, and were said to have hid until the witch trial craze was over.5
It isn’t known when the elder Edward died; some have said 1694 and others have given dates as late as 1711. There is a record dated January 13, 1695 saying that a man named Edward Bishop had died in Salem and this was likely him.2 Another record dated November 7, 1697 naming an Edward Bishop Sen. was definitely his son, so the older man had died by that time.3 The relationship between all of the Edward Bishops of Salem can never be proven completely, but the scenario described here seems likely from all of the circumstantial evidence.
Children:
1. Hannah Bishop — B. before 12 Apr 1646, Salem, Massachusetts;2 D. before 1682, (probably) Salem, Massachusetts;2 M. William Raymond (1637-1709), about 16612
2. Edward Bishop — B. before 24 Apr 1648, Salem, Massachusetts;2 D. 12 May 1711, Rehoboth, Massachusetts;2 M. Sarah Wilde (1651-?), about 16702
3. Mary Bishop — B. before 12 Oct 1651, Salem Massachusetts;2 M. (1) Robert Colburn (~1647-1701), 16 Mar 1669, Beverly, Massachusetts;6 (2) Eliphalet Fox (1644-1711), 15 Apr 1702, Concord, Massachusetts;2 (3) Joseph Lee (1643-1716), 28 Jan 1713, Concord, Massachusetts;2 (4) Daniel Hoar (~1650-1742), 16 Oct 1717, Concord, Massachusetts2
Sources:
1 Estimate age based on depositions in 1680 and 1681, Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex, Massachusetts, Vol. 7 & 8
2 “Edward Bishop (ca. 1618-1697) of Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts,” Nancy R. Stevens, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 173, 2019
3 His son was listed as “Senr.” on a Salem document dated 7 Nov 1697, so the older Edward Bishop must have been dead, “Records of the Rev. Samuel Parris, Salem Village, Massachusetts, 1688-1696, Marilynne K. Roach, NEHGR, Vol. 157, 2003
4 The Trial of Rebecca Nurse (website)
5 Edward Bishop (Wikipedia article)
6 WikiTree listing of Mary (Bishop) Hoar
