Looking for a unique and authentic stay near Magic Springs, Arkansas? Consider homestays as an alternative accommodation option. Homestays offer a closer connection to the local community and a chance to experience the local culture and way of life in a personal and immersive way. With Magic Springs being a renowned amusement park, there are several homestay options available in the nearby areas. These homestays provide travelers with a comfortable and welcoming environment to relax and unwind after a day of fun and adventure at the park. Staying in a homestay allows guests to have a more personalized and intimate experience, as they get to interact with the hosts who are usually locals and have a wealth of knowledge about the area. This can be particularly beneficial for those seeking insider tips and recommendations about the best places to eat, visit, and explore around Magic Springs.
Bridget Bishop was not the first to be accused of witchcraft but she was the first to be executed for the crime in 1692. At the time of the trials, she was married to her third husband, the elderly sawyer Edward Bishop. When arrested, Bridget was living on the property she inherited from her second husband Thomas Oliver, on present-day Washington Street in Salem Town.
When arrested, Bridget was living on the property she inherited from her second husband Thomas Oliver, on present-day Washington Street in Salem Town. Bridget Bishop lived on a small piece of property in Salem Town and was between fifty-five and sixty-five in 1692, when she was accused of witchcraft.
This can be particularly beneficial for those seeking insider tips and recommendations about the best places to eat, visit, and explore around Magic Springs. Furthermore, homestays often offer unique amenities and services that can enhance the overall experience of a stay. From homemade breakfasts and dinners prepared with local ingredients to guided tours of the surrounding areas, hosts go the extra mile to ensure guests have a memorable and enjoyable time during their visit.
Bridget Bishop
Written By Sarah-Nell Walsh
Actress Rebekah Clinard as Bridget Bishop in History Alive production of 'Cry Innocent,' by Mark Stevick, Salem, Summer, 1999.
Bridget Bishop has developed into a colorful character in the legendary history of Salem Village. As the first woman tried and executed as a witch during the Salem witchcraft trials, she has attracted a lot of imaginative speculation about her character and behavior.
The Bridget Bishop that is most commonly portrayed is one who kept a house of refreshment for travelers, and a shuffle board for the entertainment of her guests. She generally seemed to have exhibited certain behaviors and appearances that exposed her to some scandal. She wore a showy costume for the austere Puritan times -- a red bodice. Her freedom from the severity of Puritan manners and disregard of conventional decorum in her conversation and conduct brought her into disrepute, so the tongue of gossip was generally loosened against her. She is portrayed as a folk heroine in Salem's story. A spirited, feisty, buxom, and lusty woman who flaunted Puritan morals with a happy public house where drinking and gambling occurred. Many say that it was her flashy taste in dress, her smooth and flattering manner with men, and the questionable gaieties that had gone on in her two taverns, which led to people gossiping about her as a witch as far back as King Philips War.
This, however, is not the same Bridget Bishop of history. Research done by historian David Green indicates that scholars and writers have confused Bridget Bishop of Salem with Sarah Bishop, a tavern keeper in Salem Village. Bridget Bishop lived on a small piece of property in Salem Town and was between fifty-five and sixty-five in 1692, when she was accused of witchcraft. The account below follows the more historically accurate description of Bridget Bishop's life, taken from Bernard Rosenthal's book Salem Story.
In 1666, the widow Bridget Wasselbe married Thomas Oliver and had a daughter named Christian. This marriage was less than idyllic. In 1678, Bridget was accused of calling her husband names on the Sabbath, and both she and her husband were sentenced to stand gagged in the market place for their offenses. In January 1679, Bridget and Thomas were both sentenced to be whipped for fighting. It was not unusual for Bridget's face to be battered during her marriage to Thomas Oliver. In 1680, she was accused of witchcraft. This accusation could have been facilitated by Thomas' claim that "she was a bad wife . . .the devil had come bodily to her . . . and she sat up all night with the devil." (Charles Upham, Salem Witchcraft). This accusation occurred after her husband died without leaving a will, and seems to be the classic case of a vulnerable, propertied woman being accused of witchcraft. She posted bond, and there is no record of any punishment. In 1687, she was charged with stealing brass objects. Her record then remains clean until she is brought up on witchcraft charges again in April 1692.
On April 19, 1692 at her examination, Bridget Bishop began her testimony with courtesy and deference. This deferential attitude soon gave way to anger as she realized that denying her involvement was not an effective strategy. The afflicted girls were in the courtroom swooning in response to the imagined spectral advances of Bridget Bishop. Magistrate John Hawthorne unleashed his loaded questions, asking, "How is it that your specter hurts those in this room?" Bridget replied, "I am innocent to a witch. I know not what a witch is." Hawthorne turned this answer to his advantage by asking, "How can you know, you are no witch, and yet not know what a witch is." She replied, "I am clear: if I were any such person you should know it." Although it is not clear what Bridget meant by this comment, Hawthorne clearly took it as a veiled threat and replied, "You may threaten, but you may do no more than you are permitted" (Salem Witchcraft papers). No one can know for certain if this bold interchange earned Bridget Bishop the distinction of being the first hanged on the gallows.
On May 27, Phips established a special court of Oyer and Terminer to try those accused of witchcraft. On June 2, Bridget Bishop was the first person tried in the new court, perhaps because her previous witchcraft accusation made her a likely candidate. In her trial, spectral evidence was given an unprecedented status. She was charged with "tortur[ing], afflict[ing], pin[ing], consum[ing], wast[ing]: & torment[ing] her victims," Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam Jr., Mercy Lewis, Mary Walcott, and Elizabeth Hubbard. Bridget vehemently denied the charges at her trial, believing that to be the only way to avoid execution. She did not realize that her only hope lay in confessing to witchcraft. When Cotton Mather wrote of the evidence against her in his book Wonders of the Invisible World, he included preposterous stories that could best be called gossip. One such story recounts that Bishop cast a glance upon Salem meeting house, while walking under guard. This "look" caused a board, which had been fastened with nails, to be removed to another portion of the house. Her case served as a model for future cases to come, following a very predictable pattern. The "afflicted" persons made their accusations, which were denied by the accused; members of the community told of past acts of witchcraft by the accused; and one or more confessors validated the claim of the accusers. The court used spectral evidence as the primary legal basis to convict Bridget Bishop. Hanged on June 10, her death warrant emphasizes only the harm done to her accusers, primarily on the day of her examination, as the legal justification for the execution.
David Green, "Salem Witches I: Bridget Bishop," The American Genealogist, Vol. 57, No. 3. 1981: 130-138.
Charles Upham, Salem Witchcraft, 1867.
Bernard Rosenthal, Salem Story,1997.
Bridget Playfer, born sometime in the mid-to-late 1630s in Norwich, England, married her first husband there in 1660. His name was Samuel Wasselbe (alternate spellings Wasselbee and Wasselby). It is unclear whether Wasselbe died before or after Bridget’s immigration to New England, but it is known that the child she was carrying from that union died in infancy in Massachusetts, and the father was already deceased. A previous child of the Wasselbes had died in England. Bridget married for the second time in 1666, this time to a widower named Thomas Oliver, who was also from Norwich, England. The Olivers made their home in Salem Town. The property fronted Washington Street, on the southeast corner of Washington and present-day Church Street (there was no street there in 1692) and included orchards that extended to the east past the location of the Salem Lyceum building, which today is Turner’s Seafood. The couple had one daughter, named Christian. Oliver had three grown children from his previous marriage. Oliver died in 1679 and, around 1685, Bridget married Bishop as husband number three. The Bishops continued to live on the Washington Street property. Bridget Bishop had lifetime rights to the property she inherited from Thomas Oliver, but it was officially “held for Bridget Bishop” by her new husband, Edward Bishop.
Homestays near Magic Springs, Arkansas are an ideal option for travelers who prefer a more personal and immersive accommodation experience. By staying with locals, guests can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the local culture and way of life while enjoying the convenience of being close to the amusement park. So, if you're looking for a memorable and authentic stay near Magic Springs, consider booking a homestay for a truly unique experience..
Reviews for "Homestays near Magic Springs Arkansas: the perfect accommodation for your next trip"
1. Karen - 1 star - We had a terrible experience with the homestays near Magic Springs Arkansas. The place was dirty and poorly maintained. There were cobwebs in the corners, stains on the bedsheets, and a musty smell throughout. The bathroom was especially bad, with a broken toilet seat and a shower that had no hot water. To top it all off, the host was unresponsive to our complaints and did nothing to fix the issues. I would not recommend staying here if you value a clean and comfortable accommodation.
2. David - 2 stars - The homestays near Magic Springs Arkansas left much to be desired. The location was decent, but that's about the only positive aspect. The house itself was outdated and in desperate need of renovations. The furniture was old and uncomfortable, and the kitchen appliances were barely functional. The worst part was the lack of privacy - the walls were so thin that we could hear every conversation and movement from the neighboring homestays. Overall, it was not worth the price we paid and I would not choose to stay here again.
3. Michelle - 1 star - Our stay at the homestays near Magic Springs Arkansas was a total disappointment. The room we were assigned was tiny and cramped, with barely enough space to move around. The linens were worn out and uncomfortable, and the bed was lumpy. The shared bathroom was also in poor condition, with a leaky faucet and a clogged drain. The noise from the nearby road was constant and made it difficult to sleep. I would not recommend this place to anyone seeking a comfortable and peaceful stay.