He combined a mystical strain (he believed in the existence of witchcraft) with a modern scientific interest (he supported smallpox inoculation). The son of Increase Mather and the grandson of John Cotton and Richard Mather, Cotton Mather lived all his life in Boston.
Why did the Puritans fear witchcraft?
They believed that Satan would select the “weakest” individuals (women, children, and the elderly) to carry out his evil work . 12. Those who were believed to follow Satan were automatically assumed to be witches, which was a crime punishable by death.
Why did Cotton Mather believe in witchcraft?
Cotton Mather. ... Mather and his fellow New Englanders believed that God directly intervened in the establishment of the colonies and that the New World was formerly the Devil’s territory . Cotton Mather’s account of the witch trials reinforced colonial New Englanders’ view of themselves as a chosen generation of men.
How old was the youngest person accused of witchcraft in Salem?
This sent panic throughout the Village of Salem and led to accusations of more than 200 local citizens over the next several months, including Dorothy “Dorcas” Good who was by far the youngest accused at age 4 (she spent eight months in the prison’s dungeon before being released) along with her mother, Sarah Good (who ...
Who stopped the Salem witch trials?
Today is October 12, 2017, and on this date, 325 years back, in 1692, Governor Sir William Phips issued a declaration effectively ending the Salem Witch Trials.
What were the Puritans afraid of?
The Puritans’ main fears and anxieties tended to revolve around Indian attacks, deadly illnesses, and failure .
What is Salem’s nickname?
In fact, Salem’s official nickname is Witch City . Today, the symbol of a broomstick-riding witch, silhouetted against the moon, can be found on police cars, city signs, and even as the high school mascot.
Who were the Puritans fighting with?
The Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to purify the Church of England of Roman Catholic practices, maintaining that the Church of England had not been fully reformed and should become more Protestant.
Who are some famous witches?
- Maleficent.
- Circe.
- Hecate.
- Morgan le Fay.
- Nimue.
- Elphaba.
- Glinda.
- Blair.
How many died in the Salem witch trials?
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. More than two hundred people were accused. Thirty were found guilty, nineteen of whom were executed by hanging (fourteen women and five men).
What stopped the Salem witch trials?
As 1692 passed into 1693, the hysteria began to lose steam. The governor of the colony, upon hearing that his own wife was accused of witchcraft ordered an end to the trials. However, 20 people and 2 dogs were executed for the crime of witchcraft in Salem.
Who was the youngest person killed in the Salem witch trials?
| Dorothy/Dorcas Good | Died Unknown | Other names Dorcas Good | Known for Youngest accused of witchcraft in the Salem witch trials | Parent(s) William Good (father) Sarah Good (mother) |
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When was the last witch burned?
The last execution for witchcraft in England was in 1684 , when Alice Molland was hanged in Exeter.
Why did the Salem witch trials last so long?
There are many reasons that the Salem Witch Trials ended in early 1693. Many villagers stopped hunting for witches because they had lost friends and family during previous trials. They felt that innocent people were being executed and wished to end the witch-hunt .
What are 3 basic Puritan beliefs?
Basic Puritan beliefs are summarized by the acronym T.U.L.I.P.: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace and Perseverance of the saints .
Which is the best reason for the Puritans spirit of community?
The best reason for the puritans’ spirit of community is they had to work together to be an example for others .
