Background
Mather was born on February 12, 1663 at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston to Maria and Increase Mather. He was the grandson of John Cotton and Richard Mather, who were both important Puritan leaders.
(Published in 1820- Cotton Mather (February 12, 1663 Feb...)
Published in 1820- Cotton Mather (February 12, 1663 February 13, 1728; A.B. 1678, Harvard College; A.M. 1681, honorary doctorate 1710, University of Glasgow) was a socially and politically influential New England Puritan minister, prolific author and pamphleteer; he is often remembered for his connection to the Salem witch trials. He was the son of Increase Mather, and grandson of Richard Mather, both also prominent Puritan ministers.
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Mather was born on February 12, 1663 at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in Boston to Maria and Increase Mather. He was the grandson of John Cotton and Richard Mather, who were both important Puritan leaders.
After studying under the famous Ezekiel Cheever (1614 - 1708), he entered Harvard College at twelve, and graduated in 1678.
His father conferred Cotton's first degree at the age of 16.
Cotton soon took up the study of medicine and, as a young man, attended meetings organized by Increase for scientific experimentationand discussion.
He was very influential in both secular and spiritual occurrences in New England. He had a prominent role to play in the revolt organized against Sir Edmond Andros, the governor of James II, in 1688.
He was a one of the helping hands behind the prosperity of Elihu Yale (now Yale College).
Cotton Mather had always been interested in science. In 1710 he was awarded a doctorate of divinity from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. In 1713 he was also elected to the Royal Society of London.
He was greatly inspired by Robert Boyle’s ‘The Usefulness of Experimental Natural Philosophy’. In 1716, he conducted a hybridization experiment on corn plants which was duly recorded.
He took an important step in the prevention of the smallpox disease which was rampant during those times. He came to know about the process of inoculation as an effective treatment for the disease. From 1716, he tried communicating with local physicians and Boston doctors to take on the practice of inoculation. He gained support from Dr. Zabdiel Bolyston who practiced inoculation successfully on a few subjects.
Mather preached against the belief that inoculation was ‘unlawful’ as its reference is not available in the Bible. He maintained that since God had blessed people with a cure for this malignant disease, it should be embraced open heartedly.
It is said that Mather was most influential in creating the foundation for the Salem witch trials. He came to the conclusion that witchcraft practiced by an Irish washerwoman named Mary Glover, was accountable for the possession of the children of the Goodwin family. He then decided that he would "never use but one grain of patience with any man that shall go to impose upon me a Denial of Devils, or of Witches. "
He played an important role in constructing the court for the trials. Through the connections of his father, he made sure that William Stoughton was appointed as lieutenant governor, one whom he identified as a supporter of church affairs.
Cotton Mather was one of the ministers whose opinion was taken regarding whether or not to allow spectral evidence during the witch trials. Historians say that letters written by Mather reveal that he forbade putting more stress on spectral evidence than is necessary. He wrote a report ‘Return of the Several Ministers’ which said that the devil could take up the shape of a harmless person and so spectral evidence should not be given much importance. This made the prosecutions continue more vehemently.
Even after the trials stopped, Mather and Stoughton remained staunch defenders of them.
(Published in 1820- Cotton Mather (February 12, 1663 Feb...)
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
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His personal life was marked by disappointment. His first wife was Abigail Philips, whom he married in 1686. They had nine children together. After her death, he remarried twice. His last wife was Lydia George, whom he married in 1715.
He had fifteen children from three marriages, but most of them died in their childhood. Only two of his children outlived Mather.