Description: Bridget Bishop was not the first to be accused and arrested, but she was the first to be prosecuted 'cause her lifestyle met the criteria of "very obnoxious."
Brief description: Laura Jo DeMordaunt has been a lifelong student of the history of New England. With ancestors arriving on the Mayflower, others in 1626 and thereafter, a good portion of her lifetime has been spent researching and writing histories of their struggles and triumphs in the New World, specifically Salem, Massachusetts. Her ancestor, Bridget Bishop, has been a 35-year research project. The vaults of many of New England's museums, public offices, libraries, and genealogical societies have become her friends. After encouraging her six sons and one daughter to achieve advanced degrees, Mrs. DeMordaunt eturned to college at the age of 57 and graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree, emphasis in Education. She loves to serve in her church, fl ower garden, travel, and spend time on the family cattle ranch she shares with her husband, Roger. She is very proud of her 27 grandchildren. Roger and Laura Jo have just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.