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How does Mather both defend and question the events of Salem witch trials including the use of spectral evidence?
Cotton Mather was a socially and politically influential New England Puritan minister, prolific author and pamphleteer; he is often remembered for his role in the Salem witch trials. He was the son of Increase Mather, and grandson of both John Cotton and Richard Mather, all also prominent Puritan ministers. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Despite being generally known as the Salem witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in a variety of towns across the province: Salem Village (now Danvers), Ipswich, Andover and Salem Town. Spectral evidence is a form of evidence based upon dreams and visions. It was admitted in court during the Salem witch trials by the appointed chief justice, William Stoughton. The booklet A Trial of Witches taken from a contemporary report of the proceedings of the Bury St. Edmunds witch trial of 1662 became a model for, and was referenced in the Trials when the magistrates were looking for proof that such evidence could be used in a court of law.
Early in 1692, a circle of young girls began to meet in the home of Samuel Parris, the Puritan pastor of Salem Village. The minister's nine-year-old daughter, Betty, and Betty's eleven-year-old cousin, Abigail Williams, were fascinated by the voodoo-like tales and tricks of the family's Barbados slave, Tituba, and soon they began to invite their friends to share in the entertainment. Before long, some of the girls in the circle began to behave strangely, complaining of physical maladies, reporting visions, lapsing into trances, and trembling and babbling without restraint.
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What did Increase Mather and other leading ministers do During the Salem witchcraft hysteria?
During the Salem witchcraft hysteria, Increase Mather and other leading ministers played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing the judicial proceedings. Mather, along with his peers, initially supported the witch trials but later expressed concerns about the reliance on spectral evidence and the fairness of the trials. He advocated for greater caution and urged for a more rational approach to accusations of witchcraft, emphasizing the importance of due process. Their intervention eventually contributed to the decline of the witch trials and the recognition of the need for legal reform.
Is there any First-hand account of the Salem witch trials?
Yes, but not what we would call evidence. It was assumed it ws evidence. The reason Bridget Bishop was the only one tried on June 2nd was because they had found what they thought were witches tools in her home and she was the only one the found anything for. That made it hard because the debate about whether or not to use spectral evidence as evidence.
Who was the only clergyman who effectively opposed the witchcraft trials in Salem Village?
The only clergyman who effectively opposed the witchcraft trials in Salem Village was Reverend Increase Mather. He urged for caution and demanded more concrete evidence before accusing someone of witchcraft. Despite facing criticism and accusations himself, Mather's efforts played a significant role in ultimately ending the trials.
How did the Salem witch trials end?
By the end of the Salem witch trials, 20 people were dead. 19 by hanging and one, Giles Corey, was pressed to death. Another 4 are known to have died in prison though there may have been as many as 13. Around 150 people were imprisoned. Many factors contributed to the ending of the trials. John Proctor, while in prison, wrote to the magistrates in Boston, asking them to move the trials there with different judges. This led to a meeting between 8 officials from surrounding areas including Increase Mather, in which spectral evidence was banned. By the time this decision was reached, John and many others were already dead. Spectral evidence was most of the evidence used against the accused "witches" and so without it, there was no real reason to convict them. Also, doubt spread among the people when good people such as Rebecca Nurse were hanged, and also when George Burroughs perfectly recited the Lord's Prayer before he was hanged. Considering witches were not supposed to be able to hear let alone say the Lord's name, this caused people to seriously question everything they believed in. Giles Corey being pressed to death for refusing to stand to trial also affected people greatly. Eventually it wasn't just the skeptics and rebels, but also the powerful and well-connected who were being accused. This made people change their minds pretty quickly too. Increase Mather pointed out that the devil could take the form of an innocent person, so how can you really tell who was guilty and who was not? He said, "It were better that 10 suspected witches should escape than one innocent person should be condemned."
Increase Mather led the call to end what?
The Salem witch trials. Increase Mather was too smart and political knowlegdable to believe that there were witches.
How do you use the word implausible in a religion sentence?
Implausible expresses doubt of a slightly lesser degree than incredible. Something incredible is literally, "not believable," whereas something implausible MIGHT be true but is highly unlikely. Cotton Mather held spectral evidence to be implausible.
Is there any First-hand account of the Salem witch trials?
Yes, but not what we would call evidence. It was assumed it ws evidence. The reason Bridget Bishop was the only one tried on June 2nd was because they had found what they thought were witches tools in her home and she was the only one the found anything for. That made it hard because the debate about whether or not to use spectral evidence as evidence.
What has the author Joseph Mather written?
Joseph Mather has written: 'The songs of Joseph Mather'
How did cotton mather die?
How did Cotton Mather die?
When did William Mather Lewis die?
William Williams Mather died in 1859.
When was William Mather Lewis born?
William Williams Mather was born in 1804.
When was Ann Mather born?
Anne Mather was born on 1946-10-10.
How tall is Brian Mather?
Brian Mather is 5' 11".
When was Dibbs Mather born?
Dibbs Mather was born in 1932.
When did Dibbs Mather die?
Dibbs Mather died in 2010.
When was Emily Mather born?
Emily Mather was born in 1998.
When was Rick Mather born?
Rick Mather was born in 1937.
