Any info on Mary Bradbury the famous witch from the Salem Witch Trials.?

Question

Mary Bradbury is a distant aunt of mine and i am trying to find out exactly why she was accused( I got alot on that part) and most of all, how she escaped. I heard one of her husbands sailors rescued her.

I know back then that the reason alot of women were accused was because they didn't want to marry and the townspeople wanted their property. So you accuse someone of being a witch and most likely you end up with their land. Screwwed up.

Answer 1

Who's this old witch?

Answer 2

"On September 9, 1692, Mary Bradbury and five other women were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. Four of the women were among the group of eight hanged on September 22nd. Dorcas Hoar's execution was delayed when she became the first to plead innocent, then confess. Mary Bradbury escaped the gallows through an "irregularity", she was not to be found. It is believed she was aided in her escape from prison then hidden by her friends and family. The authorities searched, though apparently not with much diligence.

Answer 3

I am sorry to say but your Aunt did not escape. All but one were killed. The one that survived was the first accused. Titchiba the servant. She only survived because she plead guilty. Those that admitted were not killed, but had their land, property and other things taken from them. All others were hung and in one case crushed. The were all accused by three girls that hid there forbidden activities that they did in the woods.

Answer 4

"On July 26, 1692 Mary Bradbury was brought before the court of Essex in Massachusetts Bay in New England. "In the yeare aforesaid and divers other dayes and times as well before a safter Certaine Detestable arts called Witchcraft & Sorceries Wickedly Matllitiously and felloniously hath used practiced and Exercised At and int eh Township of Andivor in the County of Essex aforesaid in upon & against one Timothy Swann of Andivor In the County aforesaid Husbandman -- by which said Wicked Acts fthe said Timothy Swann upon the 26th day of July Aforesaid and divers other days & times both before and after was and is Tortured Afflicted Consumed Pined Wasted and Tormented, and also for Sundry other Acts of Witchcraft by the said Mary Bardbury Comitted and done before and since that time against the peace of our Sov'r Lord & Lady the King and Queen theire Crowne and dignity And the forme Of the Statute In that case made and Provided."

Wittness Mary Walcott
Ann: Puttnam
(Reverse) Indictm't vs Bradbury for Bewitching Swan bila vera
(Essex County Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 2 p. 34)

On July 2nd Mary Bradbury was charged with "certaine detestable arts called Witchcraft and Sorceries Wickedly Mallitiously and felloniously hath used practised and Exercised at and in the Towne of Salem...the said Sarah Vibber the second day of July aforesaid & divers other days and times both before and after was and is Tortured Afflicted Consumed Pined Wasted & Tormented & also for sundry other acts of Witchcraft by the said Mary Bradbury Comitted Acted and done before and since that time against the peace of our Sov'r Lord...."

Witness Mary Walcott
Eliz. Hobard
Eliz. Booth
Mercy Lewis"