Cotton Mather Samuel Sewall and the Salem Witch Trials

Cotton Mather prominent Bostonian minister, author, and son of Harvard President Increase Mather believed in direct influence of devil on physical world through spiritual realm well before trial consulted by 3 of the 5 witch trial judges friends with all major authorities involved held self-contradicting positions on use of spectral evidence and prosecution of Salem witches but still heavily swayed trial proceedings and executions

Cotton Mather also appointed reluctant first historian of trials, through commissioning of his book, The Wonders of the Invisible World book justified trials to higher authorities in Massachusetts Bay Colony Mather was spit on in streets for the book to day he died, Feb. 13, 1728

Samuel Sewall obtained 2 degrees from Harvard before marrying into wealthy family as prominent member of merchant class, selected by Gov. Phips to sit as a judge for trials on Court of Oyer and Terminer 5 years after trials ended, issued public confession of personal remorse, taking "Blame and Shame" for part in condemning innocent people only judge to do so.

"Dawn of Tolerance in Massachusetts. Public Repentance of Judge Samuel Sewall for his Action in the witchcraft trials.“ (painting still hangs in Massachusetts State House, Boston)

Salem Village 1692