L. A. Burroughs Genealogy of the Burroughs Family

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Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. But there were others ready to aid him. First among these was the celebrated Cotton Mather, minister of Boston. He being in high repute for wisdom had recently preached much on the subject of witchcraft, teaching the people that witches were dangerous and ought to be put to death. He thus became the natural confederate of Parris and the chief author of the terrible scenes that ensued. Sir William Phipps, the royal governor, who had just arrived from England, was a member of Mather's church. Increase Mather, the father of Cotton, had nominated Phipps to his present office. Stoughton, the deputy governor, who was appointed judge and presided at the trials of the witches was the tool of Parris and the two Mathers. To these men, more especially to Parris and Ma ther, must be charged the full infamy of what followed.