Mary Perkins

Mary Perkins, daughter of John Perkins and Judith Gater, was born probably shortly before her baptism at Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England, 3 September 1615.^1,2 She died at Salisbury, Essex Co., Massachusetts, 20 December 1700.^1,2

Mary married Captain Thomas Bradbury, son of Wymond Bradbury and Elizabeth Whitgift, about 1636.^1,2,3

Mary was about eighty when she was arrested for allegedly bewitching John Carr so that he became crazed and prematurely died. Mrs Bradbury was defended by Major Robert Pike, convicted along with four others who were executed in Sep 1692, but escaped her punishment for reasons unknown. One historian notes: "The position as well as character and age of Mary (Perkins) Bradbury, entitiled her to the highest consideration in the structure of society at the time. This is recognized in the title `Mrs.' uniformly given her. She had been noted through life for energy, business capacity, and influence; her husband had been a prominent man in the colony for more that 50 years."

The testimony of William Carr showed that his brother fell in love with Jemima True, but when the proposed match was opposed and broken off by the father of Carr on account of his youth, he became melancholy and at times insane. He further stated that he was with his brother and cared for him in his last sickness, and that his brother died peaceably and quietly, and never spoke anything to the harm of her or anybody else. However, he also said, "...about thirteen years ago, presently after some difference that happened to be between my honored father, Mr. George Carr, and Mrs. Bradbury, the prisoner at the bar, upon a Sabbath at noon, as we were riding home by the house of Capt. Thomas Bradbury, I saw Mrs. Bradbury go into her gate, turn the corner of, and immediately there darted at my father's horse's legs which made him stumble; but I saw it no more. And my father said, 'Boys, what did you see"' And we both said, `A blue boar.'"

One hundred eighteen acquaintances, both men and women, gave testimony: "We the subscribers do testify that it (her life) was such as becomes the gospel. She was a lover of the ministry in all appearance, and a diligent attender upon God's holy ordinances, being of a courteous and peaceable disposition and carriage, neither did any of us (some of whom have lived in the town with her above fifty years), ever hear or know that she had any difference or falling out with any of her neighbors, man, woman or child, but was always ready and willing to do for them what lay in her power, night and day, though with hazard of her health and other danger. More might be spoken in her commendation, but this for the present."

The pastor, Rev. James Allen, testified: "I, having lived nine years at Salisbury in the work of the ministry, and now four years in the office of pastor, to my best notice and observation of Mrs. Bradbury, she hath lived according to the rules of the gospel amongst us; was a constant attender upon the ministry of the word, and all the ordinances of the gospel; full of works of charity and mercy to the sick and poor; neither have I seen or heard any thing of her unbecoming the profession of the gospel."

She pled not guilty and testified on her own behalf: "I am wholly innocent of any such wickedness through the goodness of God who has kept me hitherto. I am the servant of Jesus Christ and have given myself up to him as my only Lord and Saviour, and to the dilligent attendance upon him in all his holy ordinances, in utter contempt and defiance of the devil and all his works as horrid and detestable, and have accordingly endeavored to frame my life and conversation according to the rules of His holy word, and in that faith and practice, resolve by the help and assistance of God to continue to my life's end. For the truth of what I say, I humbly refer myself to my brethren and neighbors that know me, and unto the searcher of all hearts for the truth and uprightness of my heart therein (human frailties and unavoidable excepted), of which I bitterly complain every day."²