Individuals - Cotton Mather Flashcards
1
Q
Who was Increase Mather?
A
- He and son Cotton Mather
- Senior Puritan clergymen in Massachusetts
- Preacher of the danger of witches
- Relay real-life examples of his own contact with witches and the bewitched
- Became an authority on Puritanism in the colonies
2
Q
How many books did Increase Mather write?
A
400
As well as preaching widely.
3
Q
What did Increase Mather most notably publish?
A
- 1689
- Memorable Providences relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions
- Inspiration and guide to the conductors of the Salem hunt
- Two sections:
- Account of Goodwin possessions
- Sermon warning against the presence of witches and advice on how to detect them
4
Q
What was the story of the Goodwin Possessions by Increase Mather?
A
- John Goodwin was a mason from Boston - Puritan
- Eldest child 13 yo Martha - accused laundress of theft of bed linen
- Laundress daughter of Mary Glover - suspected of witchcraft
- Confronted and swore at Martha who became afflicted by fits
- Doctor Thomas Oakes said only witchcraft was to blame
- Arrested and house search found dolls - confessed
- Trial - when given a doll the children experienced fits
- Unable to recite Lord’s Prayer
5
Q
Why was Mary Glover suspicious?
A
- Increase Mather called ‘ignorant and scandalous’
- Widow
- Typical outsider
- Spoke Gaelic
- Was Catholic
6
Q
What part did Increase Mather have in the Goodwin Possessions?
A
- Personally interviewed Mary Glover
- Had to rely on an interpreter
- Failed to exorcise or convert to Puritanism
- She accused others - never released by Mather as believed women made a pact with the Devil and so would lie
- Also tried to exorcise Martha Goodwin but unsuccessful even after execution
