Cotton Mather
Cotton Mather was a prominent minister and author. Although he did not live in Salem, his works influenced those who did. He spoke often of the Devil.
"[T]here are especially two demonstrations that evince the being of that infernal mysterious thing. First. We have the testimony of scripture for it. Secondly. We have the testimony of experience for it ... Many witches have ... confessed and shown their deeds. We see those things done that it is impossible any disease or any deceit should procure."
-Cotton Mather, 1688
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Samuel Parris
Salem Reverend Samuel Parris was known for his cruel nature. He believed there were witches in Salem and pushed for their arrests and convictions.
"It may serve to Reprove such as seem to be amazed at the War the Devil has raised amongst us by Wizards, & Witches against the Lamb and his Followers that they altogether deny it. If ever there were Wirches, Men & Women in Covenant with the Devil, here are Multitudes in New-England."
-Samuel Parris' sermon, 1692
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Tituba
Tituba, Samuel Parris's slave, was one of the first people to be accused of witchcraft. When interrogated, Tituba gave vivid descriptions of visits from the Devil. She was jailed during the trials. While imprisoned, she retracted her confession, saying that Parris had beaten her to confess. Parris was enraged and left Tituba in jail long after the trials ended until someone bought her. No more is known about her.
"the devil came to me and bid me serve him ... they say hurt children or wee will doe worse to you..."
-Examination of Tituba, from the Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archives and Transcription Project
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Sarah Good
Sarah Osborne
Bridget Bishop
Although many were accused before her, Bishop was first to be executed. She married three times. During her second marriage, she was brought to court on two occasions. When her husband died, her stepchildren accused her of bewitching him to death, but the case never went to trial. After marrying once more, she was found guilty of witchcraft and was executed on June 10, 1692.
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Reverend George Burrough
Burrough was the only minister accused. Cotton Mather suspected Burrough deviated from Puritan rituals and urged for his conviction. Before his hanging, Burrough recited the Lord's Prayer. Supposedly, witches weren't able to do that. Some believed his death was a mistake.
"Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and The glory. Forever and ever. Amen."
-The Bible: Matthew 6:9-13
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