Salem Witchcraft

Two Important Early Accounts of the Infamous Salem Witchcraft Trials Based on Primary Sources with Notes and Explanations by Samuel P. Fowler.<br><br>Published in 1693 Wonders of the Invisible World by Cotton Mather [1663-1728] is an account of selected trials written at the request of the judges who wished to address claims of impropriety. Though he believed in witchcraft Mather was critical of the judges' conduct when the trials were underway. After reading the transcripts however he concluded that the verdicts rested on ample evidence according to the standards of English and American law. <br><br>Published in 1700 More Wonders of the Invisible World Or The Wonders of the Invisible World Displayed by Robert Calef [1648-1719] attacked Mather's account. Skeptical about the existence of witchcraft he argued for the injustice of the trials and suggested moreover that Mather influenced the judges and public opinion. A well-documented and devastating account it was the first important publication to show that the trials were a miscarriage of justice. <br><br>More Wonders of the Invisible World engendered a critical reaction in the form of a book entitled Some Few Remarks upon a Scandalous Book against the Government and Ministry of New-England. Written by one Robert Calef. Detecting the Unparrallel'd Malice and Falsehood of the said Book; and Defending the Names of several particular Gentlemen by him therein aspersed and abused. Composed and Published by several Persons belonging to the Flock of some of the Injured Pastors and concerned for their Just Vindication (Boston: Printed by T. Green Sold by Nicholas Boone 1701). In the section To the Christian reader it describes Calef's book as containing venome (sic) and false narrations and odious representations.<br><br>Originally published: Salem: H.P. Ives and A.A. Smith 1861. xxi [22]-450 pp. <br><br>Samuel P. Fowler [1800-1888] was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention held in Boston in 1853. He is the author of An account of the life character &c. of the Rev. Samuel Parris of Salem Village and of his connection with the witchcraft delusion of 1692 (1857). Fowler's library was recognized for its breadth of works related to witchcraft and American history.<br><br>Cotton Mather [1662-1728] the son of Increase Mather took over for his father as Pastor of the Old North Church in Boston in 1685. Mather is known for his founding role in the Salem witchcraft trials.<br><br>Robert Calef [1648-1719] a member of the Baptist Church in Boston denounced the Salem witchcraft trials and in particular criticized Mather's zeal in promoting the trials.