Cotton Mather
1663 - 1728
Role in the Salem Witch Trails
Cotton Mather laid out the ground work for what was to become the Salem witch trails. Cotton Mather was a Minister and it was said that he was one of the most "active" and "forward" of ministers at the time. Mather was influential in the construction of the courts that held the Salem witch trails, however he claims that he never attended the trails in Salem. However two people, Thomas Brattle and Robert Calef, said he was there to witness the executions. Mathers began to announce and praise the work of the trails long before they were stopped. Mather's writings, opinion and influence made these superstitious people scared and on edge.